So, What is it that Engineers Do, Anyway?
Author(s)
Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
University at Buffalo
bisantz@buffalo.edu
Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering
University at Buffalo
aaref@buffalo.edu
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 professionTopical Areas
N/AEducational 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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