19th Century
Scientists: develop new science, driven by curiosity
Inventors: develop technology, driven by creativity
Industrialists: apply technology, driven by profit
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1900 - 1950
Engineers defined by degree programs
Education: communication skills
scientific knowledge
appreciation of society
acquaintance with business practice
Technicians: apply known technology
Scientists: develop new science
Engineers: apply known technology
develop new technology using known science
Context: science is in a form useful to engineers
science changes slowly
scope of technology changes slowly
society changes slowly
technology conforms to society
Result: Education valid for 40 years
Engineers well suited for industrial leadership
Scientists responsible for intellectual base
One degree program: practice
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
19th Century
Scientists: develop new science, driven by curiosity
Inventors: develop technology, driven by creativity
Industrialists: apply technology, driven by profit
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1900 - 1950
Engineers defined by degree programs
Education: communication skills
scientific knowledge
appreciation of society
acquaintance with business practice
Technicians: apply known technology
Scientists: develop new science
Engineers: apply known technology
develop new technology using known science
Context: science is in a form useful to engineers
science changes slowly
scope of technology changes slowly
society changes slowly
technology conforms to society
Result: Education valid for 40 years
Engineers well suited for industrial leadership
Scientists responsible for intellectual base
One degree program: practice
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1950-1990
Engineers defined by degree programs
context: science is SOMETIMES NOT in a form useful to engineers
science changes FASTER
scope of technology EXPANDING
society changes slowly
technology conforms to society
Technicians: apply known technology
Scientists: develop new science
Engineers: apply known technology
develop new technology using known science
DEVELOP NEW SCIENCE APPROPRIATE FOR ENGINEERING
Education: scientific knowledge
contemporary practice
design experience
research
Result: Education valid for 40 years
Engineers well suited for industrial leadership
ENGINEERS responsible for intellectual base
TWO DEGREE PROGRAMS: PRACTICE, RESEARCH
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Current
Engineers defined by degree programs
Context: science is OFTEN NOT in a form useful to engineers
science changes VERY FAST
scope of technology EXPLODING
society changes FASTER
technology conforms to society
Technicians: apply known technology
Scientists: develop new science
Engineers: apply known technology
develop new technology using known science
USE FORMERLY IRRELEVANT FIELDS OF SCIENCE
develop new science appropriate for engineering
Education: EXPANDED SCOPE OF scientific knowledge
FLEXIBLE SPECIALTIES
contemporary practice
design experience
research
Result: Education valid for LESS THAN 40 years
ENGINEERS NEED TO LEARN NEW THINGS DURING THEIR CAREERS
Engineers well suited for industrial leadership
EDUCATION SUITABLE FOR DIVERSE CAREER PATHS
engineers responsible for intellectual base
THREE DEGREE PROGRAMS: BASIC, PRACTICE, RESEARCH
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Current
Engineers defined by degree programs
Context: science is OFTEN NOT in a form useful to engineers
science changes VERY FAST
scope of technology EXPLODING
society changes FASTER
technology conforms to society
Technicians: apply known technology
Scientists: develop new science
Engineers: apply known technology
develop new technology using known science
USE FORMERLY IRRELEVANT FIELDS OF SCIENCE
develop new science appropriate for engineering
Education: EXPANDED SCOPE OF scientific knowledge
FLEXIBLE SPECIALTIES
contemporary practice
design experience
research
Result: Education valid for LESS THAN 40 years
ENGINEERS NEED TO LEARN NEW THINGS DURING THEIR CAREERS
Engineers well suited for industrial leadership
EDUCATION SUITABLE FOR DIVERSE CAREER PATHS
engineers responsible for intellectual base
THREE DEGREE PROGRAMS: BASIC, PRACTICE, RESEARCH
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Future
Engineers defined by degree programs
Context: science is often not in a form useful to engineers
science changes very fast
scope of technology UNLIMITED
society changes VERY FAST
SOCIETY MUST ADAPT TO NEW TECHNOLOGY
Technicians: apply known technology
Scientists: develop new science
Engineers: apply known technology
develop new technology using known science
DEVELOP NEW SCIENCE APPROPRIATE FOR ENGINEERING
HELP SOCIETY ADAPT TO NEW TECHNOLOGY
Education: EXPANDED SCOPE OF scientific knowledge
contemporary practice
design experience
research
SOCIETAL LEADERSHIP
Result: Education valid for less than 40 years
Engineers well suited for industrial leadership
ENGINEERS NEEDED FOR SOCIETAL LEADERSHIP
engineers responsible for intellectual base
FOUR DEGREE PROGRAMS: BASIC, PRACTICE, RESEARCH, LEADERSHIP
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Click here for information on MIT Accessibility