Engineering Design

Problems, requirements, ideas, models, prototypes, testing, iteration, and tradeoffs.

Visual learning: These pages use real Wikimedia Commons engineering photographs and technical diagrams.
Bridge Engineering
Bridge EngineeringLarge bridges combine structural analysis, materials, foundations, and construction planning.
Jet Engine
Jet EngineAerospace engineering combines thermodynamics, materials, aerodynamics, and control systems.
Circuit Board
Circuit BoardElectrical and computer engineering connect hardware, signals, sensors, and software.
Prosthetic Engineering
Prosthetic EngineeringBiomedical engineering applies design to medicine and human movement.

Define the Problem

Explore the key ideas behind define the problem.

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Requirements

Explore the key ideas behind requirements.

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Generate Ideas

Explore the key ideas behind generate ideas.

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Modeling

Explore the key ideas behind modeling.

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Prototypes

Explore the key ideas behind prototypes.

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Testing

Explore the key ideas behind testing.

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Iteration

Explore the key ideas behind iteration.

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Tradeoffs

Explore the key ideas behind tradeoffs.

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Define the Problem

Define the Problem shows how engineers turn scientific ideas into practical systems. Engineers begin with a problem, define requirements, compare possible designs, calculate forces or performance, build models or prototypes, and test results. For define the problem, success is not only about making something work. Safety, reliability, cost, maintenance, energy use, materials, accessibility, and environmental effects are also part of the design. Modern projects usually involve teams with several specialties.

Requirements

Requirements shows how engineers turn scientific ideas into practical systems. Engineers begin with a problem, define requirements, compare possible designs, calculate forces or performance, build models or prototypes, and test results. For requirements, success is not only about making something work. Safety, reliability, cost, maintenance, energy use, materials, accessibility, and environmental effects are also part of the design. Modern projects usually involve teams with several specialties.

Generate Ideas

Generate Ideas shows how engineers turn scientific ideas into practical systems. Engineers begin with a problem, define requirements, compare possible designs, calculate forces or performance, build models or prototypes, and test results. For generate ideas, success is not only about making something work. Safety, reliability, cost, maintenance, energy use, materials, accessibility, and environmental effects are also part of the design. Modern projects usually involve teams with several specialties.

Modeling

Modeling shows how engineers turn scientific ideas into practical systems. Engineers begin with a problem, define requirements, compare possible designs, calculate forces or performance, build models or prototypes, and test results. For modeling, success is not only about making something work. Safety, reliability, cost, maintenance, energy use, materials, accessibility, and environmental effects are also part of the design. Modern projects usually involve teams with several specialties.

Prototypes

Prototypes shows how engineers turn scientific ideas into practical systems. Engineers begin with a problem, define requirements, compare possible designs, calculate forces or performance, build models or prototypes, and test results. For prototypes, success is not only about making something work. Safety, reliability, cost, maintenance, energy use, materials, accessibility, and environmental effects are also part of the design. Modern projects usually involve teams with several specialties.

Testing

Testing shows how engineers turn scientific ideas into practical systems. Engineers begin with a problem, define requirements, compare possible designs, calculate forces or performance, build models or prototypes, and test results. For testing, success is not only about making something work. Safety, reliability, cost, maintenance, energy use, materials, accessibility, and environmental effects are also part of the design. Modern projects usually involve teams with several specialties.

Iteration

Iteration shows how engineers turn scientific ideas into practical systems. Engineers begin with a problem, define requirements, compare possible designs, calculate forces or performance, build models or prototypes, and test results. For iteration, success is not only about making something work. Safety, reliability, cost, maintenance, energy use, materials, accessibility, and environmental effects are also part of the design. Modern projects usually involve teams with several specialties.

Tradeoffs

Tradeoffs shows how engineers turn scientific ideas into practical systems. Engineers begin with a problem, define requirements, compare possible designs, calculate forces or performance, build models or prototypes, and test results. For tradeoffs, success is not only about making something work. Safety, reliability, cost, maintenance, energy use, materials, accessibility, and environmental effects are also part of the design. Modern projects usually involve teams with several specialties.