The National Society of Professional Engineers describes the difference between engineering and engineering technology:
"The distinction between engineering and engineering technology emanates primarily from differences in their educational programs. Engineering programs are geared toward development of conceptual skills, and consist of a sequence of engineering fundamentals and design courses, built on a foundation of complex mathematics and science courses. Engineering technology programs are oriented toward application, and provide their students introductory mathematics and science courses, and only a qualitative introduction to engineering fundamentals.
Thus, engineering programs provide their graduates a breadth and depth of knowledge that allows them to function as designers. Engineering technology programs prepare their graduates to apply others' designs."
B.E and B.Tech are very similar, looking from non-engineering perspective, but they are apple and orange. They are both engineering, but different kind. The plain engineering is more of theoretical based research, while engineering technology is more of application engineering, hands on engineering. There are some calculations involved in engineering technology, but not as a ground breaking as plain engineering. B.E is mostly theoretical. In B.Tech its more practically approach is done in study.
There is close interrelation among science, engineering and technology. Each one depends on other two fields.
Lets see each of them in detail.
Science has the following characteristics
1. Science is the understanding and continuous exploration of the natural world. In short, it is a study of "As Is". For this sometimes, it uses outcome of both engineering and technology.
2. A body of knowledge
3. Seeks to describe and understand the natural world and its physical properties
4. Scientific knowledge can be used to make predictions
5. Science uses a process--the scientific method--to generate knowledge.
Some of the examples are nuclear science (study of properties and other characteristics of nuclear material available in the nature), space science (study of properties and other characteristics of extra territorial objects in the space) etc.
Engineering has the following characteristics
1. Application of knowledge gained via science and the outcome of technology to solve a problem or meet a need i.e. by using these it designs, develops, and manufactures the end product.
2. Design under constraint
3. Seeks solutions for societal problems and needs
4. Aims to produce the best solution given resources and constraints
5. Engineering uses a process--the engineering design process--to produce solutions and technologies
6. Engineering normally involves detailed analysis and design that results in the creation of machines, structures, processes, materials, and information for the benefit of society.
Technology has the following characteristics
1. Technology is applying the outcome of scientific principles and engineering products to innovate and improve the man-made things in the world. The output of Technology is a new or better process of doing.
2. Utilization of processes and products made via engineering, or the specific processes or products themselves.
3. The body of knowledge, processes, and artifacts that result from engineering
4. Almost everything made by humans to solve a need is a technology
5. Examples of technology include pencils, shoes, cell phones, and processes to treat water
Example: The first understanding of steam as a form of water power capable of opening up a tightly closed tea-kettle lid is science. Then the making of a steam boiler prototype in a laboratory by continuous experimentation and finally arriving at the most efficient process is an example of technology. Later, manufacturing the steam boiler in a factory and rolling it out for use comes under engineering.
Finally we can conclude that Engineering provides feedback to technology to innovate or improve better ways of doing. Inputs from technological innovation allow science to explore other natural phenomenon.
In the real world, these three disciplines are closely connected. Scientists often use technologies created by engineers to conduct their research. In turn, engineers often use knowledge developed by scientists to inform the design of the technologies they create.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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