According to a survey of "American Perspectives on Engineers and Engineering," conducted by Louis Harris and Associates in late July 1998, the American public feels uninformed about the engineering enterprise and exhibits a starling lack of knowledge about engineers' involvement in key areas of american endeavor. This revised edition brings useful exposure into the engineering profession enabling students to make better more informed decisions when considering engineering as a career. The book has been updated to reflect what modern engineers do in their daily practice and is especially strong in its coverage of ethics and public responsibility. This edition is ambitious in providing a readable, yet well-referenced, introduction to the engineering profession. Overall, the main objective of this book aims to inform the public about the engineering enterprise and about engineers' involvement in key areas of American endeavor. For instance, one critical reason for improving public awareness of engineering is to address the workforce problems that our nation will face unless greater numbers of women and minorities choose to become engineers.
This is a standard textbook for an introductory course in engineering for freshman college students or senior year high school students considering a profession in engineering. This book is also helpful for engineering professionals.