So, What is it that Engineers Do, Anyway?
Author(s)
http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/collection/detail.html?case_id=430&id=430Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
University at Buffalo
bisantz@buffalo.edu
Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering
University at Buffalo
aaref@buffalo.edu
Office of the Chancellor
University of Missouri
Abstract
In this case study, new engineering students are introduced to the discipline of engineering by illustrating the roles of various types of engineers in a large engineering project, the intelligent transportation system, that has the potential to impact many aspects of society. This case is designed to be used in a freshman introduction to engineering course, in which students are typically introduced to a variety of concepts across engineering disciplines.
Objectives
- To introduce new engineering students to the discipline of engineering by illustrating the roles of various types of engineers in a large engineering project that has the potential to impact many aspects of society.
- To introduce students to the idea that engineering projects are multi-disciplinary in nature.
- To introduce students to a fundamenta way of engineering thinking - the decomposition of problems and systems into smaller, more manageable parts.
- To introduce the concepts of system reliability and redundancy.
Keywords
Intelligent transportation system; automated highway system; system analysis; system design; system reliability; system redundancy; engineering professionEducational Level
Undergraduate lower divisionFormat
PDFType Methods
Analysis (Issues), DiscussionLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Engineering (General) Civil Engineering Industrial Engineering
Date Posted
02/11/99Teaching Notes
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