Ethical practice in engineering is critical for ensuring public trust in the field and in its practitioners, especially as engineers increasingly tackle international and socially complex problems that combine technical and ethical challenges. This report aims to raise awareness of the variety of exceptional programs and strategies for improving…

In this article, the author provides detailed information on a wide variety of commonly used screws, bolts, and other fasteners. The information has been gathered in his engineering career and outside interests (maintenance on his car and airplane, and woodworking). The topic should be of interest to students and educators in many technical…

In this article, a course on high-frequency wireless communications systems is presented. With the 145-MHz baseband subsystem available from a prerequisite course, the present course emphasizes the design and implementation of the 2.45-GHz front-end subsystem as well as system integration issues. In this curriculum, the 2.45-GHz front-end…

This article describes a hands-on activity and demonstration developed at the University of Washington and further reined at the University of New Mexico. In this activity, the authors present a real-world problem to the student: Someone has an injured finger joint, and the students in the class need to design an implant to replace it. After…

The ice cream laboratory experiment is designed to illustrate and promote discussion of several engineering and science topics including material and energy balances, heat transfer, freezing, mass transfer, mixing, viscosity, and freezing point depression in a sophomore level engineering class. A pre-lab assignment requires the students to develop…

Lists and describes seven languages (COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, PASCAL, C, ADA, and LISP), pointing out that familiarity with one or more will enhance employability. Also lists and describes four operating systems (MSDOS, UNIX, MVS, and VAXX/VMS), indicating that knowledge of these systems will further enhance employability or on-the-job performance.…

Presents the case for taking the Engineer in Training examination (EIT), also called the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), indicating that they can affect future employment opportunities, career advancement, and post-graduate studies. Includes subject areas tested, test format, and how to prepare…

A review of the state requirements for engineering education reveals that the laws vary a great deal from state to state. Many laws contain special peculiarities that reflect various opinions about what constitutes the appropriate credentials for registration and reflect differing views concerning the methods as well as the importance of…

Discusses the human, plant and animal, and industrial dimensions of biotechnology, focusing on current uses in such fields as: (1) genetics; (2) electronics; (3) prosthetics; (4) drugs; (5) agriculture; and (6) the environment. (JN)

Reviews job prospects for electrical/electronic E/E engineers, indicating that 1985 was not a banner year due to problems in the semiconductor manufacturing industries and in telecommunications. Also indicates that an upturn is expected for 1986 E/E graduates. (JN)

Discusses assessments offered by a report on the definition and characteristics of the engineering profession. Historical development, long-range impact, and career management concerns are addressed. Concludes that the expanding roles for engineers throughout today's society contribute to the definition dilemma. (DH)

Several resources to consider are offered to ease the squeeze created by the computer market downturn. Areas addressed include: job-shop option; other-industries option; overseas option; graduate school option; entrepreneurial option; military option; job fairs; and weighing locations. Notes that colleges are looking for engineering teachers,…

Provides rules to help engineers develop an effective writing style. Wordiness, verb usage (considering direct and buried verbs), the passive voice in scientific writing, sentence length, and the use/misuse of negatives are considered. Numerous examples are provided to illustrate the points being made. (JN)

Because of the impetus on how to improve productivity in companies, the demand for graduating industrial engineers continues to be strong from a variety of sources. Starting salary offers for graduates have been averaging $26,784. Enrollments in industrial engineering programs are increasing (with 3,923 graduates in 1984). (JN)

This 44-item, annotated bibliography provides an overview of the major viewpoints and methods in current technical writing practice and instruction. It is intended for instructors, students, and managers of engineering firms. Entries are presented in three categories. The first category (8 entries)) focuses on the requirements for technical…