Department Of Engineering Educational Objectives And Student Outcomes

The primary focus of our program is preparing students for successful careers in engineering and related fields. In consultation with our various constituencies, we have established the following Program Educational Objectives. The Department of Engineering of Loyola University Maryland strives to produce graduates who function as successful professionals in diverse engineering disciplines and enterprises; develop creative, entrepreneurial, and cost-effective solutions to contemporary problems of increasing scope and complexity as their careers progress; assume increasing responsibilities of technical and/or managerial leadership in their work organizations; pursue lifelong learning through a variety of means including graduate education, continuing education, professional training, on-the-job training, and career development; and provide services to their professions and communities, drawing upon their Jesuit educational experience to serve the needs of humankind. The program has also adopted the following Student Outcomes that prepare graduates to attain the program educational objectives listed above. By the time of graduation, our students will have demonstrated (a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering; (b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data; (c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability; (d) an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams; (e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems; (f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility; (g) an ability to communicate effectively; (h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context; (i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning; (j) a knowledge of contemporary issues; and (k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Engineering is the application of science and mathematics to solve problems. Engineers figure out how things work and find practical uses for scientific discoveries. Scientists and inventors often get the credit for innovations that advance the human condition, but it is engineers who are instrumental in making those innovations available to the world.

In his book, "Disturbing the Universe (opens in new tab)" (Sloan Foundation, 1981), physicist Freeman Dyson wrote, "A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. There are no prima donnas in engineering."

The history of engineering is part and parcel of the history of human civilization. The Pyramids of Giza, Stonehenge, the Parthenon and the Eiffel Tower stand today as monuments to our heritage of engineering. Today's engineers not only build huge structures, such as the International Space Station (opens in new tab) (ISS), but they are also building maps to the human genome and better, smaller computer chips.

Engineering is one of the cornerstones of STEAM education (formerly known as STEM education), an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to motivate students to learn about science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

Types of engineering

Mechanical engineering involves the design, manufacturing, inspection and maintenance of machinery, equipment and components as well as control systems and instruments for monitoring their status and performance. This includes vehicles, construction and farm machinery, industrial installations and a wide variety of tools and devices.

Electrical engineering involves the design, testing, manufacturing, construction, control, monitoring and inspection of electrical and electronic devices, machinery and systems. These systems vary in scale from microscopic circuits to national power generation and transmission systems.

Electrical engineering systems vary in scale from microscopic circuits to national power generation and transmission systems. (Image credit: Hinterhaus Productions via Getty Images.) (opens in new tab)

Civil engineering involves the design, construction, maintenance and inspection of large infrastructure projects such as highways, railroads, bridges, tunnels, dams and airports.

Aerospace engineering involves the design, manufacturing and testing of aircraft and spacecraft as well as parts and components such as airframes, power plants, control and guidance systems, electrical and electronic systems, and communication and navigation systems.

Nuclear engineering involves the design, manufacturing, construction, operation and testing of equipment, systems and processes involving the production, control and detection of nuclear radiation. These systems include particle accelerators and nuclear reactors for electric power plants and ships, radioisotope production and research. Nuclear engineering also includes monitoring and protecting humans from the potentially harmful effects of radiation.

Structural engineering involves the design, construction and inspection of load-bearing structures such large commercial buildings, bridges and industrial infrastructure.

Biomedical engineering is the practice of designing systems, equipment and devices for use in the practice of medicine. It also involves working closely with medical practitioners, including doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists and researchers, in order to determine, understand and meet their requirements for systems, equipment and devices.

Biomedical engineers work closely with medical practitioners to design systems, equipment and devices for medical use. (Image credit: Janiecbros via Getty Images) (opens in new tab)

Chemical engineering is the practice of designing equipment, systems and processes for refining raw materials and for mixing, compounding and processing chemicals to make valuable products.

Computer engineering is the practice of designing computer hardware components, computer systems, networks and computer software.

Industrial engineering is the practice of designing and optimizing facilities, equipment, systems and processes for manufacturing, material processing, and any number of other work environments.

Environmental engineering is the practice of preventing, reducing and eliminating sources of pollution that affect air, water and land. It also involves detecting and measuring pollution levels, determining sources of pollution, cleaning up and rehabilitating polluted sites and ensuring compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

Environmental engineers also design municipal water supply and industrial wastewater treatment systems like the Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works in Hong Kong. (Image credit: William C. Y. Chu via Getty Images) (opens in new tab)

Engineers require in-depth knowledge of mathematics, physics and computer applications such as simulations and computer-aided design. This is why most college programs include basic engineering courses in a wide range of topics before students choose to specialize in a particular area.

Careers in engineering: jobs & salaries

Many employers require engineers to obtain state certification as Professional Engineers. Additionally, many engineers belong to the American Society of Professional Engineers (opens in new tab) and other engineering societies for their areas of specialization.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (opens in new tab) (BLS) has information on various specialized fields of engineering, including educational requirements, job descriptions, work environments and job outlooks. Another source of information on job descriptions, educational requirements and required skills and knowledge for different areas of engineering can be found at MyMajors.com (opens in new tab).

Engineers work in many different settings, according to the BLS, including research laboratories, factories, construction sites, nuclear power plants, offshore oil rigs and even on the ISS. Additionally, many engineers work in businesses related to their areas of specialization; for example, an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) engineer might own a heating and air conditioning company, and a structural engineer might own a construction company.

Engineers work in many different settings, including research laboratories, factories, construction sites, nuclear power plants, offshore oil rigs and even on the ISS. (Image credit: Monty Rakusen via Getty Images.) (opens in new tab)

Most engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree in engineering. State certification as a Professional Engineer, which requires passing a rigorous and comprehensive test, is also required by many employers and to work as a consultant. Senior engineering positions and professorships generally require a master's degree or a doctorate.

Employment of engineers is projected to grow 6% from 2020 to 2030, depending on the field of specialization, according to the BLS. The areas with most projected job growth are sectors experiencing an increase in demand such as renewable energy, oil and gas extractions and robotics. According to BLS, the average annual wage for architecture and engineering occupations was $83,160 in May 2020. This is considerably higher than the average of all occupations which stands at $41,950.

Engineering has matured and expanded over the centuries along with our knowledge and understanding of science, mathematics and the laws of physics and their applications. Today, engineers apply both well-established scientific principles and cutting-edge innovations in order to design, build, improve, operate and maintain complex devices, structures, systems and processes.

It was engineering that brought us out of the caves; it was engineering that took us to the moon; and if we ever make it to the stars, it will be engineering that takes us there. As our knowledge continues to advance, engineers will have new opportunities to find practical uses for scientific discoveries.

As the novelist James A. Michener aptly put it in his novel "Space (opens in new tab)" (Fawcett, 1983), "Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them."

Additional resources

Looking for a job in engineering or simply wanting to see what career options are available check out Engineer Jobs (opens in new tab) for the latest listings. Thinking about studying engineering? Kingston University, London (opens in new tab) has come up with a list of five benefits to studying engineering. The Engineering Council (opens in new tab) also has useful resources for those considering a career in engineering.

Bibliography

Anderson, Lisa S., and Kimberley A. Gilbride. "Pre-university outreach: Encouraging students to consider engineering careers. (opens in new tab)" Global J. of Engng. Educ 7.1 (2003): 87-93.National Research Council. Enhancing the community college pathway to engineering careers (opens in new tab). National Academies Press, 2006. Buse, Kathleen, Diana Bilimoria, and Sheri Perelli. "Why they stay: Women persisting in US engineering careers. (opens in new tab)" Career Development International (2013). Eastman, Michael G., et al. "To educate engineers or to engineer educators?: Exploring access to engineering careers. (opens in new tab)" Journal of Research in Science Teaching 54.7 (2017): 884-913. Bystydzienski, Jill M., Margaret Eisenhart, and Monica Bruning. "High school is not too late: Developing girls' interest and engagement in engineering careers. (opens in new tab)" The Career Development Quarterly 63.1 (2015): 88-95. James Michener "Space" (opens in new tab), Robert Beard Books; Reissue edition (Oct, 1. 1988).