CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING
PROFESSION

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING PROFESSION

 The function of engineers and engineering assistants

 The engineering disciplines
 Education of the engineers and engineering assistants
 Professionalism and ethics
 Professional Regulations and Registrations.

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Objectives

At the end of this chapter, student should be able

to understand:-

1. What is engineering?
2. Who is an engineer?
3. What engineers do ?
4. Difference between engineer & scientist

What is Engineering?

A profession in which knowledge of the

mathematical and physical sciences
gained by study, experience and practice is
applied with judgment to develop ways to
utilize economics, materials and forces of
nature for the progressive well being of
human kind.

“Engineers’ Council for Professional Development”

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Who is an ENGINEER?

An Engineer is a person who possesses this

knowledge of mathematics and natural
sciences, through the principles of analysis and
design, applies this knowledge to the solution
problems and development of devices,
processes, structure and systems for the benefit
of all human.”

Engineering Job

• Engineering is an exciting profession!

• Work in a team to solve challenging problem to

make: (Team work)
▫ Life safer
▫ Life easier

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1.1 Engineering As a Profession

• Engineers must describe competence in :

1. Teamwork
2. Communication
3. Planning
4. Analysis & judgment
5. Continuous learning

Technology Team

Scientist/Researcher

Engineer

Technologist & Technician

Skilled Tradespersons

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Scientist

 Seeks to understand more about natural

phenomena
 Increased knowledge of nature
 Discover new knowledge / theories
 Conduct research in a systematic manner

Engineer

Apply knowledge

solve problem

development

benefit to humankind

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Technologist & Technician

 Converts the ideas of scientist and engineers

into tangible results
 e.g : Drafting, estimating, troubleshooting and
etc.

Skilled/ Craft Person

 A person that possesses the skill necessary to
produce part specified by engineers,
technologists and technicians.

 e.g : Machinist,plumber,electrician and etc

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 1.2 Engineering Disciplines

 Mechanical Engineering
 Electrical & Electronics Engineering
 Computer Engineering
 Chemical Engineering
 Civil Engineering
 Aerospace Engineering

1.3 Engineering Functions

The function of engineers and engineering assistants :
 Research  Operations
 Development  Sales
 Design  Management
 Production & testing  Consulting
 Construction  Teaching

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1.4 Engineering Training & Academic Requirement

Elements of Engineering Curricula

6%
8%
13% 15%
3%
13%
26%
16%

Introductory Mathematics General

Eng. Speciality Eng. Sciences Physical Sciences

Sociohumanistic Communication

Education of the engineers and engineering

assistants
• Desirable characteristics
• Knowledge and skills required

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Desirable characteristics

1. A strong interest in and ability to work with

mathematics and science taken in high school
2. An ability to think through a problem in a logical
manner.
3. A knack for organizing and carrying through to
conclusion the solution to a problem.
4. An unusual curiosity about how and why things
work

Management Skills
“It takes more than having the right
engineering skills to be able to move up the
career path. Ask any successful engineers,
managers or head-hunters, and they will tell
you that employers, especially during trying
times, look beyond the technical stuff on the
resume when hiring new people.”
- Malou A. Buencousejo, Electronic Engineering Times, Oct. 2001

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Management Skills

• Budgeting • Giving presentations

• Project • Resolving technical
planning/management trade-off
• Team leadership • Writing internal reports
• Purchasing • Writing reports for
• Personnel hiring external communication

Next Class
1.5 Professionalism & Ethics in Engineering

1.6 Professional Regulations & Registrations

1.7 Future Challenges, Prospective & Expectations

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PROFESIONALISM
“Professionalism is a way of life. ”

Professional person:
• Engages in an activity that required specializes and
comprehensive education
• Motivated by a strong desire to serve
humanity

• Thinks and acts in a manner that brings favor upon

the individual and the entire profession

Professionalism
• Main criteria for professional include the following:
 Academic qualifications
 Expert and specialized knowledge in field which one is
practicing professionally
 Excellent manual/practical and literary skills in relation
to profession.
 High quality work in (examples): creations, products,
services, presentations, consultancy, primary/other
research, administrative,
 A high standard of professional ethics, behaviour and
work activities while carrying out one's profession
 Reasonable work moral and motivation.

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PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER

A Professional engineer can be said to have the following:

1. Specialized knowledge and skills used for the

benefit of humanity

2. Honesty and impartiality in engineering service

3. Constant interest in improving profession

4. Support of professional and technical societies

CODE OF ETHICS OF ENGINEERS

The Fundamental Principles:

i. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement

of human welfare

ii. Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity

the public, their employers and clients

iii. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the

engineering profession and

iv. Supporting the professional and technical societies of

their disciplines

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Professionalism and Ethics
• Professional=Technically Sound + Ethically Credible

• The honor for being an engineer comes with

responsibility and civil liability.

• Every engineer must have the necessary skill and

expertise to provide specific engineering services.

• Engineers must provide independent and unbiased

advice, especially when it involves the interest of the
public or the customers.

Ethics
• Is about morality (good vs bad) (right vs wrong)

Example :-
Islam & Attitude

Good Muslim Good Citizen

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Ethics
The guide to personal conduct of a professional

I) General Professional Integrity 

Items 25, 26 and 27 generally describe the professional

standards that an Engineer is expected to maintain. The
Engineer should always act so as to uphold the dignity and
reputation of the profession. He should at all times apply
the conditions of a contract with equal fairness between
his client or employer and the contractor, and should be
totally impartial in setting any questions which arise
between his client, his employer or his employer’s client,
and a contractor. He should be completely loyal to the
interests of his client or employer; the Engineer should
also keep in mind the general good of society as a whole.

Professional Registrations.

• Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM)

• Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM)
• Professional Engineer (PE)

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Board of Engineers Malaysia
• The work of engineers can have significant impact on public
interest.

• BEM is the regulatory body to enforce the Engineers Act to protect

public interest.

• Engineers are bound by the Code of Professional Conduct.

• Engineers shall be professional in discharging their duty and

responsibility in order to uphold the dignity, standing and
reputation of the engineering profession.

• Achieving Professional Engineer status can be regarded as a self

fulfillment to enhance the status of a person in the society.

Institution Of Engineers, Malaysia

• A learned society where engineers of various disciplines in every

sector of economic activities come together for mutual helpfulness
and sharing of experiences and technologies.

• IEM works closely with BEM to enhance the status of engineers in

the society (accreditation of engineering degree, professional
interview, international recognition of standards for the training of
professional engineers, etc.)

• Help young engineers to establish themselves in the ranks.

• Establish social linkages between engineers.

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Professional Engineer (PE)

• Engineers Act 1967 requires every engineer to be registered with the

Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM).

• Graduates from recognized degree program shall be registered as

Graduate Engineer to work as an engineer.

• Practical training more than 3 years is required for application to sit

for Professional Interview (PI).

• A PI candidate will be required to show that he can apply theory in

engineering projects and has acquired the skills of investigation,
planning and design.

• Upon passing the PI, the candidate can then apply to BEM for
registration as a Professional Engineer.

Future challenges

• Satisfy the clients requirement

• output = cost = efficient
• Information Technology (Computer Solution)
• New & High Technology
• Competent

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 NEXT CLASS
Chapter 2
INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

 Mechanical Engineering domain

 Mechanical Engineering profession
 Disciplines in the Mechanical Engineering

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