Running head: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 1

Annotated Bibliography:

Mechanical Engineering

Iram D. Hernandez

The University of Texas at El Paso

RWS 1301

Dr. Vierra

October 28, 2019

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 2

Research Questions

 “How are Hispanic engineers represented by UTEP or other universities?”

 “How has the curriculum changed through-out time?”

 “How is it involved in the community?”

 “How has UTEP contributed to this field?”

 “How is it involved in other STEM related careers?”

 “What is the potential of this career?”

 “What are the demographics of this field?"

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 3

Monograph

Bautista Paz, E., Echévarri Otero, J., & Muñoz Sans, J. L. (2010). A brief illustrated history of

machines and mechanisms. (M. Ciccarelli, Ed.) (Vol. 10). Breinigsville, PA: Springer.

There is a lack of interest in the subject of Machines and Mechanisms, and a lack of

recognition towards the inventors that helped in the evolution of mechanical systems.

According to Bautista Paz (2010), the history of humanity is directly related to the history

of technology (p. xi). Likewise, Bautista (2010) claims that there is a lack of recognition

for the inventors who developed all the mechanisms that have evolved and become our

modern-day technology (p. vi). Based on this evidence, it can be concluded that there’s a

need in the promotion of interest and recognition of the scholars and inventors that aided

in the progress of machinery.

Essays

Multhauf, R. P. (1976). Philosopher and machines. Mayr, O. (Ed.) (1st ed.). 1-5. New York, NY:

Science History Publications.

Machines involve both science and technology in them, and they interact with both mind

and matter. According to Multhauf (1976), science and technology, two concepts that are

related but not equal, are essential concepts to the creation and operation of a machine (p.

1-3). Also, Multhauf (1976) explains that machines are analyzed by engineers as much as

by philosophers, because they not only interact with the physical world, but also with the

human mind (p. 4-5). Based on the evidence, it can be concluded that machines are possible

with the application of science and technology concepts, for the purpose of interacting with

matter and the human mind.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 4

Journal Articles

Li, H., Öchsner, A., & Hall, W. (2019). Application of Experiential Learning to Improve Student

Engagement and Experience in a Mechanical Engineering Course. European Journal of

Engineering Education, 44(3), 283–293. Retrieved from

https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1213304&site=eds

-live&scope=site

The redesigning of traditional and necessary engineering courses is done for the purposes

of aiding students to perform well in the course, and to gain useful experience for the future

of their career pathway. According to Li, Öchsner, and Hall (2019) some mechanical

engineering courses, such as ENG 2505, are considered difficult among the students and

usually perform poorly in these courses (p.283-284). However, in order to improve the

student’s performance and experience, the engineering course was modified in a way that

it got students more involved, using strategies such as more interactive projects, and the

analysis of how students performed in them (p. 286-288). Li, Öchsner, and Hall (2019)

show the results of the experiment, demonstrating that students performed better with the

new course’s design (p. 290-291). Thus, the evidence proves that modifying a course’s

teaching plan is done with the purpose of improving student performance, and to give them

enriching experience.

Orr, M. K., Lord, S. M., Layton, R. A., & Ohland, M. W. (2014). Student demographics and

outcomes in mechanical engineering in the U.S. International Journal of Mechanical

Engineering Education, 42(1), 48-60. doi:10.7227/IJMEE.42.1.5

Gender isn’t an obstacle when it comes to obtaining a degree in the field of Mechanical

engineering. According to Orr (2014), the number of upcoming female students enrolling
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 5

in Mechanical engineering, of all the analyzed races, is exponentially lower compared to

the number of upcoming male students enrolling in the same field (p. 51). However, Orr

(2014) presents a graph showing the percentages of the students who graduated as

Mechanical engineers and is divided by race and gender (p. 52). This table shows that the

percentage of female graduates is higher for Asians, Blacks, and Hispanics, and equal for

Whites (p. 52). Based on the evidence, it can be concluded that gender does not seem to be

an obstacle for achieving a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Osmanov, Z. (2016). On the search for artificial dyson-like structures around pulsars.

International Journal of Astrobiology, 15(2), 127-132. doi:10.1017/S1473550415000257

Humanity has the possibility of developing a Dyson-sphere, a super construction that

harnesses the energy of a star. Although the focus of the research is directed towards the

search for extraterrestrial super-civilizations, the research is able to describe a set of

equations in order to identify these structures, and an estimate of how much time will

humanity take before being able to produce this technology. According to Osmanov

(2016), the research and math lead to believing that these theoretical structures are most

likely found around pulsars, which are rapidly rotating neutron stars (p. 128-129). Also,

Osmanov (2016) states that humanity could achieve the necessary level of technology to

produce this artifact in approximately 3000 years (p. 127). Based on this evidence, the

research done with the purpose of locating alien civilizations also implies that humanity

has the potential to develop a Dyson-sphere.

Turner, M., Dues, J., Cooley, T., Webster, R., Kopp, R., McCart, A., & Reynolds, D. (2016).

Purdue Mission to Mars: Recruiting High School Students into a Polytechnic

College. Journal of Engineering Technology, 33(2), 8. Retrieved from

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 6

https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=120560821&site=eds

-live&scope=site

Purdue’s recruitment event gave the students an insight vision of STEM in space and

sparked their interest in the field. According to Turner (2016), Purdue University created a

recruitment event based of the Mars’ Rover exploration, with the purpose of attracting

student into the field of engineering and developing their ability to operate technology (p.

8-9). The event consisted of making a rover with Lego Mindstorms kit, a set of attachable

pieces, and programable software, that would complete a set of assigned tasks on a

manmade Mars surface (p. 9-13). Turner (2016) reported the results of the recruitment

event, in which they reflect that the students enjoyed the event and demonstrated interest

towards Purdue and STEM fields (p. 14-16). Thus, the evidence proves that the participants

of the Purdue STEM event showed more interest in the field after their experience.

Ume, I. C., Kita, A., Liu, S., & Skinner, S. (2002). Graduate mechatronics course in the school

of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech. Mechatronics, 12(2), 323-335.

doi:10.1016/S0957-4158(01)00072-1

The purpose of designing and redesigning the Mechatronics course is to improve its

learning and application by Graduate mechanical engineers. According to Ume (2002), the

field of mechatronics is hard to comprehend due to the complicated, extensive knowledge

needed to understand the course (par. 1-7). It requires knowledge in coding, electrical

circuits, assembling of pieces, dynamics of machines, and hands on experience with the

required equipment (par. 6-7). However, changes to the course’s design, and the

involvement of the students with machines, creates a positive effect in the understanding

of the course. Ume explains the efforts of various institutions, such as Georgia Tech, to
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 7

improve the teaching of this subject, by implementing the various topics needed into the

course and enhancing the hands-on experience through labs, like the model aircraft project

(par. 20-36). The results of the new course’s design suggest that students were able to grasp

more of the concepts needed for this field, and to have some beneficial experience towards

the pursuing of the career (par. 37-39). Therefore, changing the regular teaching of a course

like Mechatronics was beneficial towards the learning and application of it by the Graduate

mechanical engineers.

Vangelova, L. (2018). Mechanical Engineer. The Science Teacher, 86(4), 64+. Retrieved from

https://0-link-gale-

com.lib.utep.edu/apps/doc/A561732833/SCIC?u=txshracd2603&sid=SCIC&xid=75e88d

1a

By reading and analyzing the duties, the skills, the hardships, and the experience of a

professional, an undergraduate student can determine whether they want to pursue a career

in their corresponding field. In this case, we have the example of a mechanical engineer in

the area of HVAC systems named Ilona Johnson (par. 1). According to Vangelova (2018),

Johnson’s works with other professionals, such as architects, in order to ensure an efficient

installation of the HVAC systems, as well using software tools like AutoCAD to aid in the

accomplishment of their goals (par. 2-4). Vangelova (2018) also talks about the skills and

knowledge required for this specific career path, such as communication and knowledge in

thermodynamics, and gives recommendations for students looking to follow this path, like

having a conversation with a practicing engineer to gain knowledge on their point of view

regarding the career (par. 13-14). Therefore, based on the evidence, it can be concluded
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 8

that it is better for undergrads to research on the career they want to pursue by analyzing a

professional’s point of view.

Wicker, R. B., & Quintana, R. (1999). Evaluation model using fundamentals of engineering

examination. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education &

Practice, 125(2), 47. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)1052-3928(1999)125:2(47)

UTEP has a rigorous and evolving engineering program due to the high standards and the

examination process the university implements in the student’s career path. Wicker (1999)

talks about a process to observe and determine how well have engineering students

performed on engineering courses/subjects, known as the FE, or fundamentals of

engineering, examination (p. 47-48). Wicker (1999) shows tables in which they show how

the FE examination process qualify students, and equations to determine success based on

their performance on engineering related courses (p. 48-51). The results of the research

show the effectiveness of this evaluation system, and how it can categorize the success

rates of UTEP students on certain engineering curriculum courses, creating standards for

students to reach, and competitiveness among them (p. 55). Based on this evidence, it can

be concluded that UTEP has an effective system to rate the performance of engineering

majors, thus creating standards and pushing students towards achieving them.

Websites

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers [ASME] (2019). ASME digital

collection&nbsp. Retrieved from https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Digital Collection website is a reliable and

diverse source for engineering majors. This website is supported by the ASME association,

which is composed of various scholars in the field of engineering. According to the About
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 9

the ASME section (2019), members of the association range from college students to

researchers, and even corporate executives (par. 2). Some of these members manage the

publication of information in the Digital Collection, which are mainly academic journals,

conferences, and e-books. The ASME website provides background information, or

P.A.T.T.Y., for the sources posted on the website. The website also provides academic

sources for fields connected to the mechanical engineering field, such as aerospace,

biomedical, and nuclear engineering. The main page of the digital Collection website

shows links for the different types of engineering sources (pg. 1). Therefore, the ASME

digital collection website shows to be a credible source, as well a website with a variety of

content.

Primary Sources

John M. Levosky. (1972). Engineering prof claims facilities article misleads  The

Prospector, 38(32), 1-12. Retrieved from https://theprospector.newspaperarchive.com/el-

]paso-prospector/1972-03-02/

In 1972, the engineering department of UTEP received misleading critiques that seemed to

be bias against it. On February 1972, an article was published talking about the college of

engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso. Some of the comments made on a

previous article by James Kirby (1972) attacked the physical environment of the

engineering department. According to former chairman Levosky (1972), the article had

negative comments towards the engineering labs regarding organization and up to date

equipment (pg. 1). Also, Levosky mentions the new obtainment of equipment for the

performance of labs in the school of engineering (pg. 12). Thus, the evidence defends the

department of engineering at UTEP against the negative comments of James Kirby.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 10

UC Staff. (2019). UTEP and Lockheed Martin sign agreement to employ students in El Paso.

Retrieved from https://www.utep.edu/newsfeed/campus/UTEP-and-Lockheed-Martin-

Sign-Agreement-to-Employ-Students-in-El-Paso.html

The new agreement between Lockheed Martin and The University of Texas of El Paso is

beneficial and highly supported by El Paso Representatives. The new agreement settled

between the university and the worldwide company will create a new establishment close

the UTEP campus, which will give students the opportunity to obtain internships, and

people with higher degrees a chance to get a job in the company. Congresswoman Escobar

(2019) claims that this new partnership agreement will provide positive outcomes for both

the field of aerospace and defense, and the community of students (UC staff, 2019, par. 4).

This agreement also benefits the city of El Paso’s economy. President Heather Wilson

(2019) explains that by bringing a Lockheed Martin location to El Paso, it will open new

jobs for the fields of engineering and business (UC staff, 2019, par. 6). Also, El Paso Mayor

Dee Margo (2019) claims in behalf of the community of El Paso, and his, that UTEP’s

partnership will boost the reputation and economic growth of the city (UC staff, 2019, par.

12). Therefore, UTEP and Lockheed Martin’s collaboration reflects a mutual positive

outcome, and a great asset for the City of El Paso.

Tertiary Sources
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 11

References

Bautista Paz, E., Echévarri Otero, J., & Muñoz Sans, J. L. (2010). A brief illustrated history of

machines and mechanisms. (M. Ciccarelli, Ed.) (Vol. 10). Breinigsville, PA: Springer.

John M. Levosky. (1972). Engineering prof claims facilities article misleads  The

Prospector, 38(32), 1-12. Retrieved from https://theprospector.newspaperarchive.com/el-

paso-prospector/1972-03-02/

Li, H., Öchsner, A., & Hall, W. (2019). Application of Experiential Learning to Improve Student

Engagement and Experience in a Mechanical Engineering Course. European Journal of

Engineering Education, 44(3), 283–293. Retrieved from

https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1213304&site=eds

-live&scope=site

Multhauf, R. P. (1976). Philosopher and machines. Mayr, O. (Ed.) (1st ed.). 1-5. New York, NY:

Science History Publications.

Orr, M. K., Lord, S. M., Layton, R. A., & Ohland, M. W. (2014). Student demographics and

outcomes in mechanical engineering in the U.S. International Journal of Mechanical

Engineering Education, 42(1), 48-60. doi:10.7227/IJMEE.42.1.5

Osmanov, Z. (2016). On the search for artificial dyson-like structures around pulsars.

International Journal of Astrobiology, 15(2), 127-132. doi:10.1017/S1473550415000257

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers [ASME] (2019). ASME digital

collection&nbsp. Retrieved from https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/

Turner, M., Dues, J., Cooley, T., Webster, R., Kopp, R., McCart, A., & Reynolds, D. (2016).

Purdue Mission to Mars: Recruiting High School Students into a Polytechnic

College. Journal of Engineering Technology, 33(2), 8. Retrieved from

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 12

https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=120560821&site=eds

-live&scope=site

UC Staff. (2019). UTEP and Lockheed Martin sign agreement to employ students in El Paso.

Retrieved from https://www.utep.edu/newsfeed/campus/UTEP-and-Lockheed-Martin-

Sign-Agreement-to-Employ-Students-in-El-Paso.html

Ume, I. C., Kita, A., Liu, S., & Skinner, S. (2002). Graduate mechatronics course in the school

of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech. Mechatronics, 12(2), 323-335.

doi:10.1016/S0957-4158(01)00072-1

Vangelova, L. (2018). Mechanical Engineer. The Science Teacher, 86(4), 64+. Retrieved from

https://0-link-gale-

com.lib.utep.edu/apps/doc/A561732833/SCIC?u=txshracd2603&sid=SCIC&xid=75e88d

1a

Wicker, R. B., & Quintana, R. (1999). Evaluation model using fundamentals of engineering

examination. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education &

Practice, 125(2), 47. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)1052-3928(1999)125:2(47)