Introduction to Engineering - Thinking Like an Engineer
- Page ID
- 131305
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Welcome to Introduction to Engineering - Thinking Like an Engineer.
This textbook introduces first-year engineering students to analytical thinking, engineering disciplines, academic pathways, problem solving, modeling, computation, design, communication, and professional practice.
- Front Matter
- This page introduces the LibreTexts Project, an Open Education Resource platform offering free educational materials to lower costs and promote collaboration. It discusses the customization of openly licensed resources and the importance of understanding licensing terms, directing readers to the "Detailed Licensing" section for copyright compliance. The page emphasizes easy access to licensing information.
- 1: What is Engineering?
- This page defines engineering as a distinct discipline from science and technology, highlighting its invisible yet impactful role in daily life and public trust. It discusses the historical development of engineering knowledge and core habits of the engineering mindset, including the integration of ethics. The content aims to give learners a foundational understanding of engineering's functions and societal significance.
- 1.1: The Engineer You Don't Notice
- 1.2: A Working Definition
- 1.3: Engineering vs Science vs Technology
- 1.4: What Engineers Actually Do
- 1.5: The Engineering Mindset
- 1.6: What Engineers Actually Do
- 1.7: Major Disciplines at a Glance
- 1.8: Ethics Is Not a Separate Chapter
- 1.9: What This Course Will Build
- 1.10: Summary
- 1.11: Quick Check
- 2: Engineering Disciplines and Careers
- This page outlines different engineering disciplines as problem domains, encouraging students to select fields based on the types of problems they want to solve rather than salary alone. It includes learning objectives such as understanding major disciplines, recognizing interdisciplinary issues, interpreting salary data, identifying industry roles, and viewing discipline selection as an ongoing process, ultimately guiding informed career choices in engineering.
- 3: Academic Pathways and Transfer Strategy
- This page highlights the structured nature of engineering coursework and the necessity of careful planning for success. It underscores shared mathematics and physics foundations among engineering disciplines, the use of course sequence tables for effective planning, and awareness of various degree levels. Additionally, it points out common academic risks and encourages students to approach their academic journey as an engineering problem to navigate these challenges successfully.
- 3.1: Engineering Is a Structured Academic Path
- 3.2: The Mathematics Backbone
- 3.3: Physics as Applied Mathematics
- 3.4: Typical Lower-Division Engineering Path (Community College)
- 3.5: Degree Levels and Transfer Destinations
- 3.6: Transfer Strategy
- 3.7: Academic Risk Factors
- 3.8: Treating Your Academic Plan Like an Engineering Problem
- 3.9: Summary
- 3.10: Quick Check
- 4: Engineering Success Systems
- This page highlights that success in engineering is driven by effective habits and systems rather than innate ability. Key objectives include grasping workload management, deliberate practice, error correction, teamwork, and personal habits such as goal-setting and humility. Students will learn to estimate their weekly workloads and develop schedules that support consistent performance throughout their academic journey.
- 5: Units and Dimensional Analysis
- This page highlights the significance of units in quantitative analysis, detailing that quantities encompass both numbers and units. It presents key learning objectives such as distinguishing between numbers and physical quantities, identifying SI base units, and applying dimensional analysis for unit conversions. Additionally, it covers multi-step conversions, interpreting engineering scales with prefixes, and using order-of-magnitude reasoning to evaluate result plausibility.
- 5.1: Why Units Matter
- 5.2: Quantities vs. Numbers
- 5.3: SI System — Base and Derived Units
- 5.4: Unit Conversion Method
- 5.5: SI Prefixes
- 5.6: Dimensional Analysis
- 5.7: Units in Computational Models
- 5.8: Order-of-Magnitude Reasoning
- 5.9: From Units to Everything That Follows
- 5.10: Summary
- 5.11: End-of-Chapter Problem Set
- 6: Structured Engineering Problem Solving
- This page emphasizes a structured approach to engineering problem solving through a five-step workflow: Define, Model, Analyze, Interpret, Communicate. It outlines learning objectives that include applying this structured method, distinguishing between problem types, identifying key components, performing organized analyses, recognizing failure patterns, and applying sensitivity reasoning to evaluate the effects of variable changes on outcomes.
- 6.1: Why Structure Matters
- 6.2: Full Workflow Worked Example First
- 6.3: Step 1 — Define
- 6.4: Step 2 — Model
- 6.5: Step 3 — Analyze
- 6.6: Step 4 — Interpret + Sensitivity
- 6.7: Step 5 — Communicate
- 6.8: Five Common Failure Patterns
- 6.9: The Workflow Across Disciplines
- 6.10: Structure and Professional Accountability
- 6.11: Summary
- 6.12: End-of-Chapter Problem Set
- 7: The Engineering Design Process
- This page details the Engineering Design Process, highlighting its unique approach to decision-making compared to analysis. Key learning objectives include differentiating analysis from design, applying a seven-step framework, defining objectives, identifying constraints, generating alternatives, and recognizing iteration. It also emphasizes the relationship between design choices, safety, ethical responsibility, and the necessity of effective communication throughout the design process.
- 7.1: Analysis vs Design
- 7.2: What Makes a Design Problem
- 7.3: Seven-Step Design Framework
- 7.4: Define the Design Objective
- 7.5: Identify Constraints
- 7.6: Generate Alternatives
- 7.7: Model and Analyze
- 7.8: Evaluate Trade-offs
- 7.9: Iterate and Refine
- 7.10: Communicate
- 7.11: Design, Ethics, and Safety Factors
- 7.12: Summary
- 7.13: Quick Check
- 8: Spreadsheet Modeling
- This page discusses the significance of spreadsheets as engineering modeling tools, focusing on their capacity for analyzing behaviors under varying conditions. It covers key concepts such as structuring spreadsheets, understanding cell references, conducting parameter sweeps, and creating visual data representations.
- 8.1: From Calculator to Model
- 8.2: Structuring an Engineering Spreadsheet
- 8.3: Absolute vs Relative References
- 8.4: Parameter Sweeps
- 8.5: Graphical Visualization
- 8.6: Conditional Formatting and IF Logic
- 8.7: Six Common Spreadsheet Errors
- 8.8: Spreadsheets as Design Exploration Tools
- 8.9: When Spreadsheets Are Not Enough
- 8.10: Summary
- 8.11: End-of-Chapter Problem Set
- 9: Data Visualization for Engineers
- This page emphasizes the critical role of data visualization in engineering, viewing graphs as analytical tools. It outlines key objectives, including effective communication of data, selecting suitable chart types, and understanding graph anatomy. It covers distinguishing linear from nonlinear trends, avoiding misinterpretations, employing logarithmic scales, and utilizing multi-curve graphs for comparisons.
- 9.1: Why Graphs Are an Engineering Tool
- 9.2: Chart Type Selection
- 9.3: Anatomy of an Engineering Graph
- 9.4: Linear vs Nonlinear Trends
- 9.5: Misleading Visualizations
- 9.6: Logarithmic Scales
- 9.7: Multi-Curve Comparison
- 9.8: Visualization and Interpretation
- 9.9: Advanced Chart Features
- 9.10: Graph Checklist — Quick Reference
- 9.11: Summary
- 9.12: Quick Check
- 10: MATLAB for Engineering Computation
- This page introduces MATLAB as a powerful alternative to spreadsheets for complex tasks, stressing its advantages in automation and handling large datasets. Key learning objectives include understanding when to choose MATLAB, writing structured scripts, using element-wise operations, and applying trigonometry and conditional logic. It links MATLAB programming to engineering workflows, highlighting practical applications such as filtering design results and generating labeled plots.
- 10.1: Why Engineers Program
- 10.2: MATLAB as Structured Engineering
- 10.3: Script Basics
- 10.4: Four-Step Build
- 10.5: Trigonometry in MATLAB
- 10.6: Conditional Logic
- 10.7: Logical Indexing
- 10.8: Programming Project- Cable Car in MATLAB
- 10.9: Choosing the Right Tool
- 10.10: Summary
- 10.11: End-of-Chapter Problem Set
- 11: Circuit Fundamentals
- This page covers the fundamentals of electrical circuits, focusing on energy systems governed by Kirchhoff's Laws (KCL and KVL). Key concepts include voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's Law, power dissipation, and the analysis of series and parallel circuits. It also introduces basic circuit design principles and the use of circuit simulators, offering a solid foundation for circuit analysis.
- 11.1: Circuits as Energy Systems
- 11.2: Physical Meaning
- 11.3: Ohm’s Law
- 11.4: Power
- 11.5: Schematic Symbols
- 11.6: Series Circuits
- 11.7: Parallel Circuits
- 11.8: Series vs Parallel Comparison
- 11.9: Kirchhoff's Laws
- 11.10: Power in Networks
- 11.11: Mixed Circuits
- 11.12: LED Design
- 11.13: Circuit Simulator
- 11.14: Summary
- 11.15: End-of-Chapter Problem Set
- 12: Parametric CAD and 3D Modeling
- This page covers the principles of parametric CAD, highlighting a rule-based approach to geometry and its contrasts with traditional 2D drafting. It emphasizes design intent, geometric constraints, and key solid modeling operations like extrude and cut. Additionally, it presents learning objectives related to structured modeling workflows, ASME drawing standards, and Fusion Project deliverables, equipping students with crucial skills for parametric modeling.
- 13: Engineering Communication
- This page highlights the importance of effective communication in engineering, emphasizing it as a critical component throughout project development rather than just a final step. It outlines key learning objectives, including structuring technical memos, maintaining precision in writing, using graphs and tables correctly, and tailoring presentations for non-technical audiences.
- 13.1: Communication Is Part of the Deliverable
- 13.2: Three Modes of Communication
- 13.3: The Technical Memo
- 13.4: Complete Memo Example
- 13.5: Quantitative Precision
- 13.6: Graphs and Tables
- 13.7: Technical Presentations
- 13.8: TEGO Case Study
- 13.9: Professional Email
- 13.10: Communicating Uncertainty and Limitations
- 13.11: Summary
- 13.12: End-of-Chapter Applied Exercises
- 14: Engineering Ethics
- This page emphasizes engineering ethics as essential in decision-making, presenting key objectives such as ethical obligations, the NCEES Model Rules, and safety factors. It provides an eight-step ethical decision-making framework and a case study of the Citicorp Building to illustrate ethical principles. The distinction between legal compliance and ethical responsibility is highlighted, connecting academic integrity to professional ethics.
- 14.1: Ethics Is Not an Add-On
- 14.2: NCEES Model Rules
- 14.3: Ethics HW Preview Table
- 14.4: Safety Factors
- 14.5: Modeling Assumptions
- 14.6: Eight-Step Framework
- 14.7: Ethics HW Scenario 1
- 14.8: Ethics HW Scenario 2
- 14.9: Ethics HW Scenario 3
- 14.10: Academic Integrity
- 14.11: Citicorp Case Study
- 14.12: Environmental Responsibility
- 14.13: Summary
- 14.14: Quick Check
- 15: Integrated Engineering Design Challenge
- This page outlines the Bridge Challenge, which tests engineering design principles through a physical build task. It covers key objectives such as applying the engineering design framework, understanding unit conversions, analyzing structural forces, estimating mass budgets, and using spreadsheets for optimization.
- 15.1: This Is Not a New Topic
- 15.2: Challenge Specifications
- 15.3: Define- Units, Loads, What "Best" Means
- 15.4: Model- Tension, Compression, Straws
- 15.5: Mass Budget
- 15.6: Parameter Sweep
- 15.7: Alternatives and Decision Matrix
- 15.8: Iterate
- 15.9: Bridge Report
- 15.10: Course Map
- 15.11: Summary
- 15.12: End-of-Chapter Problem Set
- 16: Appendices
- This page of the textbook includes appendices that offer quick references for students, featuring standard symbols, unit conversion tables, MATLAB and Excel guides, and a technical memo template. These resources are intended to aid students in applying practical tools and enhancing their understanding of the material.
- Back Matter
- This page provides a glossary of key engineering terms, defining concepts related to spreadsheets, circuit laws, design tools, analytical methods, and electrical principles. It also addresses ethical considerations and structured problem-solving approaches, making it a comprehensive resource for essential terminology and methodologies in engineering.


