- an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs;
- an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
- an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
- an ability to communicate effectively;
- the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global
and societal context; - a recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in lifelong learning;
- a knowledge of contemporary issues; and
- an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineer-
ing practice.
Therefore, these are the educational outcomes that are expected of you when you graduate
from your engineering program. Bachelor’s-degree programs in engineering are typically
designed to last four years; however, many students take five years to acquire their engineer-
ing degrees. In a typical engineering program, you will spend the first two years studying
mathematics, English, physics, chemistry, introductory engineering, computer science,
humanities, and social sciences. These first two years are often referred to aspre-engineering.
In the last two years, most courses are in engineering, usually with a concentration in one
branch. For example, in a typical mechanical engineering program, during the last two years
of your studies, you will take courses such as thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, fluid
mechanics, heat transfer, applied thermodynamics, and design. During the last two years of
your civil engineering studies, you can expect to take courses in fluid mechanics, trans-
portation, geotechnical engineering, hydraulics, hydrology, and steel or concrete design. Some
programs offer a general engineering curriculum; students then specialize in graduate school
or on the job.
Many community colleges around the country offer the first two years of engineering pro-
grams, which are normally accepted by the engineering schools. Some engineering schools offer
five-year master’s-degree programs. Some engineering schools, in order to provide hands-on
experience, have a cooperative plan whereby students take classes during the first three years and
then may take a semester off from studying to work for an engineering company. Of course, after
a semester or two, students return to school to finish their education. Schools that offer coop-
erative programs generally offer full complements of classes every semester so that students can
graduate in four years if they desire.Professional Engineer
All 50 states and the District of Columbia require registration for engineers whose work may
affect the safety of the public. As a first step in becoming a registered professional engineer
(PE), you must have a degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program. You also need
to take your Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE) during your senior year. The exam lasts
about eight hours and is divided into a morning and an afternoon section. During the morn-
ing session, you will answer multiple-choice questions in chemistry, physics, mathematics,
mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical and electronic circuits, and materials science. During
the four-hour afternoon session, you will answer multiple-choice questions specific to your
discipline, or you may choose to take a general engineering exam. After you pass your1.5 Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology 15
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