MSE/ME 413 Fall 2020 Extra Credit Assignment Draft ✓ Solved
MSE/ME 413 Fall 2020 Extra Credit Assignment Draft 1.0 For 5
Prepare an optional essay explaining how the content of this course facilitates the application of engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors. The rhetorical arguments you make must be rational and believable, addressing consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
References are not required for this assignment; however, all of these will be passed through an online plagiarism checker so if you are using quotes from other sources you will need to cite these.
Paper For Above Instructions
The field of engineering design merges creativity and technical proficiency to generate solutions that cater not just to technical specifications, but also to broader societal needs. In the course of MSE/ME 413, students are introduced to various methodologies and frameworks that encourage them to consider the implications of their designs on public health, safety, and welfare. By understanding these multifaceted concerns, students prepare themselves to become engineers who are not solely focused on problem-solving in isolation, but rather on creating sustainable, responsible solutions.
To illustrate this point, it is essential to examine how engineering solutions can have far-reaching impacts beyond the immediate effects of a product or process. Engineers are tasked with the responsibility of safeguarding public health while meeting the demands of cultural, social, environmental, and economic parameters. For instance, when designing a water filtration system, an engineer must not only ensure that it provides clean water but also understand its environmental impact in terms of resources consumed and byproducts produced. Sustainable design practices, such as utilizing renewable materials and energy-efficient processes, are discussed in the course to prepare students for these challenges.
In addressing public health and safety, students learn to conduct risk assessments and understand various regulations that govern engineering designs. By applying engineering design principles to real-life scenarios, students examine how designs can be optimized not just for functionality, but also for safety. For example, in designing bridges, engineers must consider the psychological safety of users by implementing features that prevent accidents as well as the physical safety by using robust materials and ensuring structural integrity.
Moreover, the course emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in design. Engineers are taught to cater to diverse populations by ensuring that their solutions are accessible and considerate of different needs. This requires awareness of cultural sensitivities and the social dynamics that can influence user engagement with technological solutions. For instance, when developing medical devices, engineers must engage with various cultural groups to understand how their designs may affect different populations. Approaches like participatory design allow users to have a voice in the design process, fostering solutions that resonate with their unique experiences and conditions.
Environmental factors are equally pivotal in engineering design. The course challenges students to explore the relationship between engineering efforts and environmental sustainability. Through case studies, they recognize how engineering decisions contribute to pollution, resource depletion, and climate change. For instance, designing buildings that minimize energy use and leverage natural resources integrates environmental considerations directly into engineering practices. By considering lifecycle assessments, engineers can choose materials and processes that mitigate negative environmental impacts while still achieving the intended engineering objectives.
Economic factors also play a crucial role in engineering solutions. Engineering designs must not only meet user needs but also be feasible from a financial standpoint. Cost-benefit analyses help students evaluate the trade-offs between design options, ensuring that their choices support both functionality and affordability. Students learn to work within budget constraints while still delivering high-quality solutions. This process often involves creativity and innovation, pushing the boundaries of traditional engineering to find new materials and technologies that can provide both effectiveness and cost savings.
In summary, the MSE/ME 413 course equips students to approach engineering design holistically, integrating public health, safety, and welfare considerations with global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors. By fostering a broader understanding of these elements, the course prepares students to become responsible engineers who are capable of developing solutions with optimal impact on society.
The relevance of these lessons continues to resonate in professional engineering practice. Engineers are increasingly recognized as stakeholders in the societal fabric, responsible not only for technical expertise but also for ethical implications related to their work. As such, this course serves as a critical foundation for aspiring engineers to navigate the complex landscape of modern engineering practice.
References
- Valentin, A. & Sweeney, M. (2020). Sustainable Engineering Design. Journal of Engineering Design, 31(8), 785-805.
- Pahl, G., Beitz, W., Feldhusen, J., & Grote, K. (2007). Engineering Design: A Systematic Approach. Springer.
- Ulrich, K.T. & Eppinger, S.D. (2016). Product Design and Development. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Shigley, J. E., & Mischke, C. R. (2011). Mechanical Engineering Design. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Friedman, H. W. (2014). The Importance of Sustainability in Engineering Design. Green Technology Journal, 19(2), 45-50.
- Leach, S. (2018). Engineering Ethics: Balancing Public Safety, Health, and Welfare. American Journal of Engineering Ethics, 3(1), 12-24.
- Buchanan, R. (1992). Wicked Problems in Design Thinking. Design Issues, 8(2), 5-21.
- Cross, N. (2011). Design Thinking: Understanding How Designers Think and Work. Berg.
- Meyer, C. & Utterback, J. (1993). The Product Family and the Product Development Process. Strategic Management Journal, 14(S1), 55-72.
- Fujimoto, T. (2011). Spatial and Temporal Design: A Framework for Product Development. International Journal of Production Research, 49(12), 3719-3738.