Describes and discusses three aspects of cooperation between industry and engineering schools in Denmark: (1) practical training of undergraduates; (2) cooperation in research and development; and (3) industry's help to the university with renewal of its equipment. Indicates that the last few years have brought important changes in these areas.…

Job evaluations offer the opportunity to improve employee ratings and advance career growth. Suggestions for understanding a formal performance appraisal (intent, function, and process) are given along with general performance measurements. Guidelines are offered to help make wise use of the process for career growth. (DH)

Job prospects in mining, metal-extraction, steel, and refining industries are depressed, but technological discoveries are opening up new fields for metallurgical engineers. Enrollment/employment opportunities and salaries in these areas are discussed a well as the roles of foreign competition, plastics applications, and ceramics research and…

Surveyed the sponsorship of engineering students by employers by collecting data related to: engineering departments; sponsoring and non-sponsoring employers; student competition for sponsorship; and possible course/university restrictions by employers. Employers offering sponsorships consider them to be of great value in ensuring supplies of…

The Department of Defense is increasing funding for high-risk basic research, research fellowships, multidisciplinary centers, and purchase of research equipment at universities. Disputes on publishing unclassified data remain, but the Pentagon supports broad university programs and the education of scientists and engineers to meet defense and…

Discusses why educators should not rush headlong into creating robotics curricula and suggests methods of establishing meaningful courses. Indicates that the solution to the problem of building a robotic curriculum is to incorporate the three major areas of robotics (design, operations, maintenance) into existing curricula where they best fit. (JN)

The relationship between engineering technology and engineering is explored by discussing the maturing of the engineering profession, the need for more graduate education in engineering, the interface between engineering and technology, and implications for the future. (BC)

Geotechnics (which encompasses soil and rock mechanics, engineering geology, foundation design, and ground engineering methods) is a major component of virtually all civil engineering courses. Show how mini-projects are used to teach this subject. Format of projects, development of presentation skills, and assessment considerations are discussed.…

Graduates and employers were surveyed on the mathematical education of engineers in Australia. This paper summarizes their views and contrasts undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The undergraduate courses tend to be more traditional and structured, while there is a need for more work emphasizing mathematical modeling for postgraduate courses.…

Describes the concept and methodology of "mechatronics" (application of microelectronics to mechanism control) and research and development (R&D) projects through the activities initiated at the Precision Machining Laboratory of the Department of Production Systems Engineering of the new Toyohashi University of Technology. (JN)

The population of practicing engineers in Israel was analyzed by age, specialization, and country of training. These results were compared with results of a questionnaire survey of Israeli engineering graduates on the need for continuing engineering education in Israel. Results are reported and discussed. (JN)

Discusses a simple method for following the movement of a solute in an adsorption or ion exchange system. This movement is used to study a variety of operational methods, including continuous flow and pulsed flow counter-current operations and simulated counter-current systems. Effect of changing thermodynamic variables is also considered. (JM)

Discusses how pressure setting is determined for distillation columns, examining factors which must be considered when optimizing design for economical balance. Also discusses the basics of heat exchangers and cites a common problem with pressure differences. (JM)

Discusses the use of sensitivity analysis in structural design computation. Such analysis can predict how response quantities will vary with given design changes. In addition, it can help student engineers better understand why and when particular structural analyses are or should be conducted. (JN)

Examines trends in accreditation action by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and the uses and misuses of accreditation. Also identifies six problem areas that continue to afflict engineering and engineering technology education. (JN)