Integrated Engineering
Encyclopedia
Integrated Engineering is a multi-disciplinary, design-project-based engineering degree program.
Integrated Engineering is a program created to meet the demand for engineers who are able to deal with a wide range of problems, often involving knowledge from several disciplines. The demand arise from the current state of industry, where both the products manufactured and the plants which make the products are progressing towards greater diversity and sophistication. Recent studies had shown concern in both Canada
and in the United States
that engineering graduates were not well-prepared for many of today's multi-disciplinary and project-based workplace. Several committees have been formed to study this and have published some material. One Canadian study was done by the Canadian Academy of Engineering
and two of its main conclusions were:
Canada
UK
United States
Korea
in Ontario
, Canada
and in 2000 the Applied Science
Faculty of the University of British Columbia
also began a degree program for Integrated Engineering.
In Canada the program has been fully accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board and engineers are able to obtain a Professional Engineer
(P.Eng) Certificate.
This is the fundamental definition for Integrated Engineering.
The qualities looked for by industry when recruiting graduates were identified as:
Engineering Council UK, 1988, An Integrated Engineering Degree Programme.
Engineering Council UK, 1988, Admissions to Universities - Action to increase the supply of engineers.
Following open competition for additional funding provided by the UK Department for Technology and Industry, and industrial supporters including British Petroleum, six universities were selected from thirty three applicants. Four "Pilot Programmes" were launched at Cardiff University, Nottingham Trent University, Portsmouth University and Sheffield Hallam University.
In 1989, The Nottingham Trent University (UK) admitted students to first of the Engineering Council's new Integrated Engineering Degree Programme courses. The course was accredited, at the CEng and European Engineer level, by the Institutions of Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers.
Generic engineering programmes are common. Integrated Engineering is distinct through emphasizing the development of personal competencies, especially the ability of students to work within groups. It is design led, and integration of all the subjects of study is a defining characteristic, achieved partly through the medium of project based learning.
Following the successful experience at The Nottingham Trent University, Integrated Engineering programmes were established in 1993, at selected universities in Bulgaria and Hungary, with the aid of European Union funding granted under the Tempus Programme.
In University of Liverpool
, the Integrated Engineering Program is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
and the Institution of Electrical Engineers
, and can lead to Chartered Engineer status.
requires its students to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam
(FE) before they graduate and received ABET accreditation in 2004 that extended retroactively through October 2003. The graduates are also able to obtain a Professional Engineer
(P.E.) license.
aims to develop human resources that will contribute to building a knowledge infrastructure by effectively responding to rapid educational and social changes.
The department will focus on developing fundamental and application technologies by realizing future-oriented converging technologies and, through a global network, on strengthening convergence-related competitiveness at the university and national level. To accomplish the goals, based on imaginative education using an innovative system, the department will develop “integrative engineering” people who are equipped with initiative research abilities.
Integrated Engineering is a program created to meet the demand for engineers who are able to deal with a wide range of problems, often involving knowledge from several disciplines. The demand arise from the current state of industry, where both the products manufactured and the plants which make the products are progressing towards greater diversity and sophistication. Recent studies had shown concern in both Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that engineering graduates were not well-prepared for many of today's multi-disciplinary and project-based workplace. Several committees have been formed to study this and have published some material. One Canadian study was done by the Canadian Academy of Engineering
Canadian Academy of Engineering
The Canadian Academy of Engineering is a national academy of distinguished professional engineers in all fields of engineering, who are elected on the basis of "their distinguished service and contribution to society, to the country and to the profession."The Academy was founded in 1987...
and two of its main conclusions were:
- Engineering faculties should ensure that breadth of learning, beyond the technical aspects of the specialist engineering discipline, is a major thrust in engineering education.
- The engineering curriculum should emphasize problem-solving, design, and the development of the learning skills of their students. Integrated Engineers acquire background in core disciplines such as: materials, solid mechanicsSolid mechanicsSolid mechanics is the branch of mechanics, physics, and mathematics that concerns the behavior of solid matter under external actions . It is part of a broader study known as continuum mechanics. One of the most common practical applications of solid mechanics is the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation...
, fluid mechanicsFluid mechanicsFluid mechanics is the study of fluids and the forces on them. Fluid mechanics can be divided into fluid statics, the study of fluids at rest; fluid kinematics, the study of fluids in motion; and fluid dynamics, the study of the effect of forces on fluid motion...
, and systems involving chemical, electro-mechanical, and biologicalBiologyBiology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
components.
Institutions
Currently, the following academic institutions are known to offer Integrated Engineering programs:Canada
- University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British ColumbiaThe University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
- University of Western OntarioUniversity of Western OntarioThe University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
- University of WindsorUniversity of WindsorThe University of Windsor is a public comprehensive and research university in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's southernmost university. It has a student population of approximately 15,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate students and over 1000 graduate students...
- McMaster UniversityMcMaster UniversityMcMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
UK
- University of BathUniversity of BathThe University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....
- University of Cardiff
- University of LiverpoolUniversity of LiverpoolThe University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
- University of NottinghamUniversity of NottinghamThe University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
United States
- Southern Utah UniversitySouthern Utah UniversitySouthern Utah University, or SUU, is located in Cedar City, Utah. It was founded in 1897 as an extension of the Agricultural College of Utah, by the citizens of Cedar City.During its history, the school has been known as:...
Korea
- Chung-Ang UniversityChung-Ang UniversityThe Chung-Ang University is a private comprehensive institution in South Korea, located over two campuses in Seoul and Anseong. It was founded subsequent to liberation from Japanese colonial rule for the benefit of the nation and advancement of civilization, with the educational philosophy of...
Canada
Integrated Engineering originated at the University of Western OntarioUniversity of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and in 2000 the Applied Science
Applied science
Applied science is the application of scientific knowledge transferred into a physical environment. Examples include testing a theoretical model through the use of formal science or solving a practical problem through the use of natural science....
Faculty of the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
also began a degree program for Integrated Engineering.
In Canada the program has been fully accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board and engineers are able to obtain a Professional Engineer
Professional Engineer
Regulation of the engineering profession is established by various jurisdictions of the world to protect the safety, well-being and other interests of the general public, and to define the licensure process through which an engineer becomes authorized to provide professional services to the...
(P.Eng) Certificate.
United Kingdom
In 1988, the Engineering Council UK, identified the need for routes to qualification for Chartered (Professional) Engineers that:
meet the identified needs of industry,
increase access to engineering education by more students,
provide a balanced curriculum combining the subjects that engineers use most often and directed towards the needs of the majority of engineers.
This is the fundamental definition for Integrated Engineering.
The qualities looked for by industry when recruiting graduates were identified as:
flexibility and broad education,
ability to understand non engineering functions,
ability to solve problems,
knowledge of the principles of engineering and ability to apply them in practical situations,
information skills,
experience of project work, especially cross linked projects,
ability to work as a member of a team,
presentation and communication skills.
Engineering Council UK, 1988, An Integrated Engineering Degree Programme.
Engineering Council UK, 1988, Admissions to Universities - Action to increase the supply of engineers.
Following open competition for additional funding provided by the UK Department for Technology and Industry, and industrial supporters including British Petroleum, six universities were selected from thirty three applicants. Four "Pilot Programmes" were launched at Cardiff University, Nottingham Trent University, Portsmouth University and Sheffield Hallam University.
In 1989, The Nottingham Trent University (UK) admitted students to first of the Engineering Council's new Integrated Engineering Degree Programme courses. The course was accredited, at the CEng and European Engineer level, by the Institutions of Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers.
Generic engineering programmes are common. Integrated Engineering is distinct through emphasizing the development of personal competencies, especially the ability of students to work within groups. It is design led, and integration of all the subjects of study is a defining characteristic, achieved partly through the medium of project based learning.
Following the successful experience at The Nottingham Trent University, Integrated Engineering programmes were established in 1993, at selected universities in Bulgaria and Hungary, with the aid of European Union funding granted under the Tempus Programme.
In University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
, the Integrated Engineering Program is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is the British engineering society based in central London, representing mechanical engineering. It is licensed by the Engineering Council UK to assess candidates for inclusion on ECUK's Register of professional Engineers...
and the Institution of Electrical Engineers
Institution of Electrical Engineers
The Institution of Electrical Engineers was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. The I.E.E...
, and can lead to Chartered Engineer status.
United States
In the U.S. Southern Utah UniversitySouthern Utah University
Southern Utah University, or SUU, is located in Cedar City, Utah. It was founded in 1897 as an extension of the Agricultural College of Utah, by the citizens of Cedar City.During its history, the school has been known as:...
requires its students to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam
Fundamentals of Engineering exam
The Fundamentals of Engineering exam, also referred to as the Engineer in Training exam, and formerly in some states as the Engineering Intern exam, is the first of two examinations that engineers must pass in order to be licensed as a Professional Engineer in the United States...
(FE) before they graduate and received ABET accreditation in 2004 that extended retroactively through October 2003. The graduates are also able to obtain a Professional Engineer
Professional Engineer
Regulation of the engineering profession is established by various jurisdictions of the world to protect the safety, well-being and other interests of the general public, and to define the licensure process through which an engineer becomes authorized to provide professional services to the...
(P.E.) license.
Korea
In Korea the Department of Integrative Engineering at Chung-Ang UniversityChung-Ang University
The Chung-Ang University is a private comprehensive institution in South Korea, located over two campuses in Seoul and Anseong. It was founded subsequent to liberation from Japanese colonial rule for the benefit of the nation and advancement of civilization, with the educational philosophy of...
aims to develop human resources that will contribute to building a knowledge infrastructure by effectively responding to rapid educational and social changes.
The department will focus on developing fundamental and application technologies by realizing future-oriented converging technologies and, through a global network, on strengthening convergence-related competitiveness at the university and national level. To accomplish the goals, based on imaginative education using an innovative system, the department will develop “integrative engineering” people who are equipped with initiative research abilities.
See also
- University of Western OntarioUniversity of Western OntarioThe University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
- University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British ColumbiaThe University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
- Engineering Undergraduate Society of the University of British ColumbiaEngineering Undergraduate Society of the University of British ColumbiaEngineering Undergraduate Society , is the engineering society at the University of British Columbia. It organizes Engineering department events but is perhaps best known for practical jokes it has played in the past, including hanging the frame of a Volkswagen Beetle off bridges...
- Southern Utah UniversitySouthern Utah UniversitySouthern Utah University, or SUU, is located in Cedar City, Utah. It was founded in 1897 as an extension of the Agricultural College of Utah, by the citizens of Cedar City.During its history, the school has been known as:...
- Chung-Ang UniversityChung-Ang UniversityThe Chung-Ang University is a private comprehensive institution in South Korea, located over two campuses in Seoul and Anseong. It was founded subsequent to liberation from Japanese colonial rule for the benefit of the nation and advancement of civilization, with the educational philosophy of...
External links
- Southern Utah University: Integrated Engineering and Pre-Engineering
- University of British Columbia: Integrated Engineering
- University of Western Ontario: Integrated Engineering
- University of Liverpool: Integrated Engineering
- University of Windsor: Integrated Engineering
- University of Nottingham: Integrated Engineering