ENGR 1101 Introduction to Engineering Fall 2006

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ENGR 1101Introduction to EngineeringFall 2006
The University of Texas-Pan American College of
Science and Engineering
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Objectives

• Define Engineering.
• Explain the Characteristics of the Most
  Successful Engineering Students.
• Review Student Financial Aid Programs.
• Assignment
• Write an essay on why YOU are studying
  engineering and your engineering major. Please
  include a discussion about your future career
  plans. Due in two weeks, 2-page report,
  journalist style.

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What does Engineering mean to YOU?

• Few suggestions by students
• Creative Problem Solving.
• Creating, designing, testing, and improving
  systems.
• Applying math and science to life.
• The study of how things work and how we can make
  them work better.

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ABET Definition of Engineering

• The profession in which knowledge of the
  mathematical and natural sciences, gained by
  study, experience, and practice, is applied with
  the judgment to develop ways to use,
  economically, the materials and forces of nature
  for the benefit of mankind.

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Is there more to Engineering than Science and
Mathematics?

• Yes, Engineering is art

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Is there more to Engineering than Science and
Mathematics?

• Engineering is invention

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Is there more to Engineering than Science and
Mathematics?

• Engineering is measurement
• and estimation

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Is there more to Engineering than Science and
Mathematics?

• Engineering is approximation,
• modeling and simulation

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Common Reasons to Study Engineering

• Proficiency in math and science.
• Suggested by a high school counselor.
• Has a relative who is an engineer.
• Heard its a field with tremendous job
  opportunities.
• Read that it has high starting salaries.
• A yearning to understand why/how things work.

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Reasons to Study Engineering

• What is really important is that a student
  embarking upon a degree program, and ultimately a
  career, understands what the career entails and
  the options it presents.

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The Keys to Success (CASPA)

• Commitment
• Application
• Strategy
• Perseverance
• Associations

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Commitment

• Decide to be successful.
• Set appropriate goals.
• Stay focused.
• Stay determined to succeed.
• Remind yourself of the reasons you chose
  engineering.

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Application

• Apply yourself fully to attain your goals.
• Work hard.

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Strategy

• Work smart and maximize effectiveness.
• Know what your instructor assumes you know.
• Make the most of lectures and classroom time.
• Your textbook is a supplement.
• Write effective solutions to all problems (clear,
  detailed, and organized).
• Practice, practice, ask, ask.
• Develop an examination technique.

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Perseverance

• Dont give up after the first, second, or third
  tryKeep trying.
• Stay focused on your goals.
• Use power thinking.

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Associations

• Associate with people that maintain a positive
  attitude people that will help you attain your
  goals.
• Avoid underachievers and those who do not share
  your objectives, for they will only distract you
  and may cause you to deviate from what you set
  out to accomplish.

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Student Financial Aid

• It is critical that you plan well financially for
  your education.
• The true costs of college are far higher than the
  tuition you pay at such schools.

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Financial Aid

• There are five main areas from which you can draw
  money
• Parents.
• Scholarships and grants .
• Loans.
• Work-study programs.
• Work.

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Scholarships/Grants

• It is your responsibility to seek out private
  scholarships and grants. These may include awards
  given by your or your parents employers grants
  given to members of certain ethnic groups or
  funds earmarked for specific majors, location of
  colleges, or future career choices.

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Scholarships/Grants

• Free National computerized scholarship search
  service called fastWEB at
• http//www.fastweb.com/
• UTPA offers numerous scholarships that anyone can
  apply for
• http//www.ess.panam.edu/finaid/new20wp/T
  ypes/scholarship.html
• Do your own homework to avoid scholarship service
  rip-offs.

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Loans

• Loans may be secured from lending institutions
  and state and federal loan programs.
• These sources can be located by asking questions
  to the admissions officers on campus.
• They can provide you with the needed paperwork to
  apply for these loans.

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Work-Study or Just Plain Work

• Work can be approached in a number of different
  ways
• On-campus or off-campus employment during school.
• Summer jobs.
• Internships.
• Co-ops.
• A combination of the above.

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Cooperative Education (co-op)

• Academic programs in which college students are
  employed in positions directly related to their
  major field of study. There are many types of
  co-op education
• Alternating a full semester of employment
  alternated with a full semester of school.
• Parallel part-time employment and school on a
  concurrent basis.
• Back-to-back semesters two consecutive semesters
  of employment, then back to school for two
  semesters.

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Open Forum

• Financial Aid Assignment (due next week) Written
  report (typed) of at least three
  scholarships/grants available to engineering
  students (organization, requirements, deadlines,
  more information).