3 ms·

As a licensed Professional Engineer I worry about the state of engineering in the US. I feel the word "engineer" is diluted to mean any job that requires techn

As a licensed Professional Engineer I worry about the state of engineering in the US. I feel the word "engineer" is diluted to mean any job that requires technical know-how. Yet there are important ethical considerations if one practices as an engineer. I wish the true engineering professions could have the "Engineer" title differentiated from these other technical professions but it looks like it won't happen anytime soon, if ever. For instance you couldn't practice law or medicine without specific accreditation but for some reason engineering is not differentiated. Sure you can't design a bridge unless you are an accredited Professional Engineer. But the engineer with that title is not differentiated in the marketplace unless the organization knows it.

gknoy 13y ago
For those of us who are not Engineers, can you elaborate (or point us to more info) on the Important Ethical Considerations? I've always struggled to explain why programming is not engineering.
- damoncali 13y ago
  As a programmer who was once an engineer by trade, I would say the difference is that engineering implies manipulation of the pysical sciences, where programming is just logic.
  - lholden 13y ago
    "Just logic" I think really underplays things. That logic ends up in flight control systems, valve control for oil rigs, power grid management, robotics, factory automation, satellites, etc. A lot of software programming has very physical implications.
- grumps 13y ago
  Typically there's a subtle difference in courses taken. For example - at my school Comp Sci were allowed to take physics for physics majors instead of physics for engineers. For both electromagnetic physics and mechanical physics. Typically most engineers are required to take some courses in the some basic courses, ie Dynamics, Statics, and others depending on your major. This all assumes that your ABET accredited. Maybe it's because I don't see an accrediting agency/society. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABET#Members http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABET#Members
- larrydag 13y ago
  Good question. The Engineering profession holds certain code of ethics for the public at large. For instance when you step into a high-rise building, board a cruise ship, or travel across highways they are required to have rigorous testing and design protocol to ensure public safety. I believe NSPE says it best http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html

gknoy 13y ago

For those of us who are not Engineers, can you elaborate (or point us to more info) on the Important Ethical Considerations? I've always struggled to explain why programming is not engineering.

damoncali 13y ago
As a programmer who was once an engineer by trade, I would say the difference is that engineering implies manipulation of the pysical sciences, where programming is just logic.
- lholden 13y ago
  "Just logic" I think really underplays things. That logic ends up in flight control systems, valve control for oil rigs, power grid management, robotics, factory automation, satellites, etc. A lot of software programming has very physical implications.
grumps 13y ago
Typically there's a subtle difference in courses taken. For example - at my school Comp Sci were allowed to take physics for physics majors instead of physics for engineers. For both electromagnetic physics and mechanical physics. Typically most engineers are required to take some courses in the some basic courses, ie Dynamics, Statics, and others depending on your major. This all assumes that your ABET accredited. Maybe it's because I don't see an accrediting agency/society. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABET#Members http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABET#Members
larrydag 13y ago
Good question. The Engineering profession holds certain code of ethics for the public at large. For instance when you step into a high-rise building, board a cruise ship, or travel across highways they are required to have rigorous testing and design protocol to ensure public safety. I believe NSPE says it best http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html