Engineering Technology

The Principles of Technology and Engineering course introduce the student to the engineering field and the technology types that may result from the engineering design process. Students also gain an understanding of the available career options in this field, and the education, experience and skills required to work in these careers. Students learn how to successfully solve problems. They become familiar with steps in the invention process and investigate ways in which engineers take an idea to a working technology, from an initial concept. They learn of real-world examples of engineering innovations, which include global civil engineering projects, environmentally friendly designs and cutting-edge medical technology. Students also learn about the relationship between science, technology and engineering. They learn how scientific knowledge is applied for the creation of technology beneficial to society. In addition, students learn how to make design modifications based on an analysis of the underlying principles from chemistry, physics, biology and earth sciences.

Objectives:

• Understand the engineering field and technology that can result from the process of engineering design.
• Distinguish steps in the process of engineering design and apply the process to solve problems or meet challenges.
• Construct a prototype to present a workable solution to a problem using critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Classify energy resources as nonrenewable or renewable and analyze energy efficiency and usage.
• Recognize the health, social, economic and environmental benefits and costs of renewable energy sources in comparison to the nonrenewable sources.
• Critique the technology resulting from the process of engineering design and suggest science-based principles for modifications.
• Define phrases and terms associated with engineering systems and products and use these to communicate their analysis in written or oral form.
• Identify career options in the engineering field, and explain the educational requirements and benefits for every option.

For the assignments and topics in this course, it is helpful for students to have a basic understanding of the scope of scientific investigations, which include the question types that science does and does not address. It is also useful for students to familiarize themselves with carrying out research online and be able to evaluate the credibility of online sources. Students who are not comfortable assessing the credibility of online sources may obtain information on this topic from various educational websites such as mason.gmu.edu and library.columbia.edu.