Ramzi Bou Khalil

CHEN212
Chemical Engineering
Spring 2013-2014

Difference between engineer and scientist

Both are thoroughly educated in the mathematical and natural sciences, but the scientist

primarily uses his knowledge to acquire new knowledge. Whereas the engineer applies the

knowledge to design and develop useable devices (mechanical and computer), and structures

(civil), and processes. In other words, the scientist seeks to know, but the engineer aims to do.

Scientists explore what is. Engineers create what have not been. Engineering is viewed as an art

as well as science. The engineers knowledge must be tempered with professional judgment.

The engineer must weigh conflicting constraints (for each problem there is disadvantage when

solving it, the engineer should choose the best solution). The engineer should make judgment

based on knowledge, seeking a best optimum solution, and seeking answers to problems.

Engineers utilize the materials and forces of nature.

There is an almost unlimited list of materials both natural and manufactured on the bases of

availability cost and physical properties (weight, strength, durability).

Engineers recognize that the earth supply of materials and energy is not limitless and they must

be concerned by their conservation. This involves recycling and reuse of existing materials

rehabilitation instead of replacement of old facilities and also involves seeking new sources of

energy. Engineers seek solutions that are economical (scientists do not care about money). That

means that benefits must exceed the costs. Engineering must be practiced with appropriate

awareness for the possible harmful impacts on the technology on people and the environment.
Engineering support personal (team or staff). Although it is possible for engineers to work alone,

More commonly, they work with a group of support personal, called occupational spectrum. This

spectrum includes the engineers, engineering technologists, engineering technicians, and

craftsman. At the top of the spectrum is the engineer who serves as innovators, designers,

decision maker and leader of the engineering team. His typical activities are conceptional design,

research, project planning, product innovation, system development, supervision of

technologists, technicians, and craftsman.

Technologists hold a 3 year program of study (BS degree in engineering). Their typical activities

are : protein product development, construction supervision, technical sales, hardware design and

development, coordination of workforce materials and equipment, supervision of technician and

craftsmen.

Technicians normally have been trained in 2 year program in engineering technology leading to

an associate degree.

Their typical activities are : drafting (drawing), estimating, field inspections, data collection,

surveying, technical writing.

Craftsmen are skilled workers like electricians, car painters, welders they use hand and power

tools to service maintain and operate machines or products useful to the engineering team.

Engineering disciplines:

Electrical engineering: the largest of all engineering branches. Electrical engineer usually

works on 1 of 6 specialty areas:

Power generation and transmission

Electronics
 Communication systems

Instrumentation and measurement

Automatic controls

Computers

Civil engineering: it includes at least 7 major specialized areas of practice:

Structural engineering: buildings, malls

Construction engineering and management

Transportation engineering: bridges, highways

Geotechnical engineering: they analyze earth and rocks

Hydraulic and water resources engineering

Environmental engineering: air and water pollution

Geodetic engineering: measure and map the earth.

Mechanical engineering: One of the oldest areas of engineering activity. Mechanical engineer

design and manufacture machine tools (the machine that makes machines), and machinery and

equipment for all branches of industry. For example, they design turbines, food processes, air

conditioning and refrigeration systems, artificial hearts their machines move and lift loads,

transport people and goods, and produce energy and convert it to other forms.

In the power specialty, M.E. are involved in the design production and operation of hydraulic

turbines for driving electric generations and of boilers.they design and operate power plants
and concern themselves with the economic combustion of fuels, the conversion of heat energy

into mechanical power and the use of that power to perform useful work.

In heating ventilation and air conditioning, M.E. provides control conditions of temperature and

humidity in homes, offices, commercial buildings and industrial plants. They develop equipment

and systems needed for refrigeration of foods and the operation of cold storage warehouses and

ice manufacturing plants.

M.E. may also be found working in marine xxxx, design machinery for boats, naval vessels, and

merchant ships, in the automotive industry designing and manufacturing automobiles, trucks, and

buses, and in the aerospace industry working in the design of new aircraft and space craft.

Industrial engineering: I.E. are primarily interested in problems that involve economy in the

use of money, materials, time, human effort and energy. They are more concerned with the big

picture of the industrial management and production, then with the detailed development of

processes.

Main activities:

Activities related to plan layout. Plan layout involves determining the floor space needed

for each production component: workers, equipment and materials handling and storage

and arranging and sequencing the various operations to ensure a safe smooth and efficient

operations.

Activities designed to increase worker productivity. I.E. perform time and motion studies

of workers, set standards of work performance and propose new and improved work

methods to increase productivity.

 Activities designed to control the quality of products. They employ quality control and

techniques to reduce and customer complaints. They use statistical procedures to

establish reasonable tolerances and quality.

Activities designed to reduce and control cost without compromising product quality.

They may be found working in hospitals, airlines, railroads, retail businesses.