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Educating the Engineer of 2020

Educating the Engineer of 2020. Ernest T. Smerdon, P.E. Ph.D. Dean of Engineering Emeritus The University of Arizona ej6721@aol.com Presented at the UPADI Engineering Education Congress, Mexico City September 23, 2004. From the Artist-Engineer to the Leader-Engineer.

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Educating the Engineer of 2020

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  1. Educating the Engineer of 2020 Ernest T. Smerdon, P.E. Ph.D. Dean of Engineering Emeritus The University of Arizona ej6721@aol.com Presented at the UPADI Engineering Education Congress, Mexico City September 23, 2004

  2. From the Artist-Engineer to the Leader-Engineer In the Renaissance we had the Artist-Engineer – 600 years ago Galileo, Machiavelli (the first social engineer), Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi They: • Conceptualized the world • Looked at paths of power in society • Created magnificent architecture and works of art

  3. The pace of change has quickened In the Renaissance time measured in centuries or decades. In the current technological world time measured in decades or even months Think 20 years ago. Did you use • email? • a cell phone? • a global positioning system for navigation?

  4. Two decades hence – in 2020 Engineers need a new mind set – keyed to a global economy & technologically small world The also need a new skill set – keyed to global competition & a complex socio-political world Old engineering – math, mechanics, chemistry, electricity based New – builds on old plus: biological, molecular based, and the social context of engineering. It also considers economic and policy issues.

  5. Some attributes of the leader-engineer ABET – good start in attributes of Criteria 3 • Increased flexibility • Assess knowledge gained, i.e., output, not input • Looks at technical and non-technical skills • teaming, professional & ethical standards, communication, contemporary issues, etc. This is only the first step to the leader-engineer

  6. Credits for engineering degree 150 140 Credits 130 120 1975 1925 1950 2000 Year

  7. The actions of one society - ASCE Revisit the Body of Knowledge needed for the leader-engineer of the future • Build on what ABET has done • Identify additional knowledge needed for the leader-engineer professional • Project/asset (or issue) management • Business and public policy • Leadership • More depth in technical specialty beyond BS

  8. Is a four-year program reasonable for the leader-engineer? • ASCE Board of Direction does not believe it is. “The modern engineer must be a leader and balance the vulnerabilities of byproducts of technology and globalization with the well-being of society and humanity.” – A. Akay This is an essential subtle balance that only a technically competent, broadly educated leader-engineer can appreciate.

  9. Once a Leader 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Engineering Medicine Law Architecture Pharmacy Accounting Years of Formal Education Occupational Therapy Engineering Engineering 1950 1900 1980 2000 2010 1920

  10. The Engineer of 2020A study by the U.S. National Academy of Engineering Phase I. This is a scenario based planning activity of what engineering may be like in 2020. The results – not predictions, but possible futures Technological context of engineering practice • Must retain strong math, mechanics, chemistry, electricity base • Must add biotech, nanotechnology, photonics, and info & communications technology to base And consider societal & global context of practice

  11. Implications for Engineering Education • World of 2020 – more older citizens • Engineering schools –role in providing a technology based education for citizens • Must excite young people for engineering • More underrepresented groups • Reduce attrition in 1st and 2nd years • The Asian challenge. In 2001 • China graduated ~ 220,000 BS engineers, • U.S. graduated ~ 60,000 BS engineers.

  12. The focus on engineering and science • In the U.S. 15% total science and engineering BS degrees are in engrng. • In fact, only 5% of all U.S. baccalaureate degrees are in engineering. In China- • 65% of all science and engineering BS degrees are in engineering • 39% of all baccalaureate degs. in engrng

  13. Change in Engineering Education – Some Facts • Credit hours – reduced to save costs • No one wants to eliminate any subjects • Most would like to add courses & make education broader and deeper • Not possible!!! There are three options • Cut out some of current requirements • Restructure and make learning more efficient • Increase time spent in learning to be a professional leader-engineer

  14. The 1927 Wickenden report “Closer association between teaching, research and the working out of original engineering problems would be a potent tonic. What appears to be most needed is an enriched conception of engineering and its place in the social economy, a broader grounding in its principles and methods, and a more general postponement of specialized training to the graduate schools and to the stage of introductory experience which marks the transition to active life.” - Wickenden

  15. Aspriations for the Engineer of 2020From the NAE study “The Engineer of 2020” • A public who will understand the profound impact of engineering on sociocultural systems. • Engineers well grounded in the basics of math and science, who expand their design space through grounding in humanities, social science, and economics while emphasizing the creative process. • Embrace creativity, invention, & cross-disciplinary fertilization to accommodate new fields of endeavor. • Assume leadership positions in public policy, government and industry. • Engineers who use wise, informed and economical sustainable development. • Assist in creating a balance in standard of living for all countries. • Respond to disparate learning styles of all students.

  16. Strong analytical skills Practical ingenuity Business and management Leadership High ethical standards Professionalism Dynamism, agility, resilience and flexibility Lifelong learners Attributes of Engineers in 2020

  17. It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. -- Charles Darwin

  18. What attributes will the engineer of 2020 have? “He or she will aspire to have the ingenuity of Lillian Gilbreth, the problem-solving capabilities of Gordon Moore, the scientific insight of Albert Einstein, the creativity of Pablo Picasso, the determination of the Wright brothers, the leadership abilities of Bill Gates, the conscience of Eleanor Roosevelt, the vision of Martin Luther King, and the curiosity and wonder of our grandchildren.” – The Engineer of 2020

  19. Thank you! Comments or questions? For copy of this presentation contact me at ej6721@aol.com Ernest T. Smerdon

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