Transcript Careers in Science and Engineering

Regina High School Career Day
Thursday March 22, 2007
Careers in Science and
Engineering
Dr. Robert Merlino
Department of Physics and Astronomy
The University of Iowa
Science vs. Engineering, what’s the difference?
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goal of science is to discover the composition
and behavior of the physical world – the “laws of
nature”
the basic objective of engineering is to design
(INVENT) useful things
scientists discover new science; engineers apply
science to design useful things
the training of scientists and engineers is similar,
both learn basic science, but scientists training
goes beyond the basics to the frontiers of
knowledge
physics and engineering (examples)
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John Bardeen discovered how semiconductors
work, electrical engineers used this to make
radios, TVs, . . . computers . . .
Hertz discovered radio waves, Marconi invented
wireless communication
Roentgen discovered x-rays, engineers make xray machines used in hosptials
Physicists discovered nuclear magnetic
resonance; engineers design MRI systems
Sometimes there are many years between
discovery of the science and the application
some discoveries may have no practical
application
Science vs. Engineering
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engineering is neither better or worse than science, it is
different
scientists try to advance knowledge beyond what is
already known
engineers study applied subject areas that are
specifically useful in designing things. e.g., strength of
beams and the performance of engines
most engineers are qualified for useful work without
reaching the Ph. D., but most scientists attain a Ph. D.
there is a direct path from undergraduate engineering
degree to a career in engineering
engineers usually pursue their professional license
in science the Ph.D. is a sort of license to do research
Scientists in industry
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there is no definite line between science
and engineering – you will find many
physicists working in industry
biophysics
 plasma TV systems
 fiber optics and lasers
 high-tech management
 finance and marketing
 MRI physicists (health physics)
 quality engineers
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Branches of engineering
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aerospace engineering
agricultural engineering
biomedical engineering
chemical engineering
civil engineering
construction engineering
electrical engineering
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manufacturing engineering
materials engineering
nuclear engineering
environmental engineering
mechanical engineering
computer engineering
industrial engineering
Positions held by physics alumni
Engineering
Business/management
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Health Physics
University Faculty
Consultant, Lockheed Martin
Physicist, U.S. Army
Consultant, Rail Co.
Advisory Engineer, Westinghouse Electronic
Systems Group
Senior Engineer, Marine Corps
Test Pilot, U.S. Navy
Physicist, Naval Air Warfare Center
Senior Scientist, University of Virginia
Radiation Oncologist, Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, MD
Financial Analyst, American Hospital Supply, Corp.
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CFO, Dennys, Inc..
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh
Professor of Pediatrics, Temple University
Radiology, Duke University Medical Center
Assistant Professor, Physics, Villanova University
Radiologist, Richmond Medical Imaging Associates
Pilot, U.S. Navy
Technical Director, E.G.&G.
Program Manager, U.S. Army
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology,
University of Pittsburgh
Manager, Interet Inc.
Physicist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Program Manager, Vitro Corp.
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Staff Engineer, Hawaiian Electric Co.
President, Maui Electronic Co., Ltd.
Heath Physicist, Radiochemist, U.S. Navy
Nuclear Engineer, Bechtel Power
Consulting Physicist
Health Physicist, Digital Systems Research
Territorial Manager, Ross Laboratories
Accounts Underwriter, Kemper Insurance
Vice President, Cigna International
Scientist, SES
Research Associate, DuPont Imaging Systems
Case Manager, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and
Energy
Senior Physicst/Systems Analyst, The John Hopkins University
Functional Manger, Hewlett Packard
Civil Engineer, Sinclair Oil Corp.
Vice President, Licensing , Wyeth-Ayert Laboratories
Engineer, GTE Fiber Optics Communication
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Manager, Network Equipment Technologies
LCDR, U.S. Navy
Director if Research, IatroMed, Inc.
Director of R&D, LaJolla Technology, Inc.
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of
Kentucky
Development Engineer, Reed Research, Inc.
Test Engineering Manager, Du Pont
Dean, Sangamon State University, Springfield Il
Technical Manager, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Physicist, Cornell Aero. Labs
U.S. Sales Manager, AT&T Paradyne
Consultant, Arthur Anderson & Co.
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Director, Bell Atlantic
Professor of Astronomy, Villanova University
Sr. Principal Engineer, Computer Sciences Corp.
Asst. Professor of Physics, Temple University
Electronics Engineer Honeywell Electro
OpticsPresident, California University of PA
Project Engineer, New Jersey Dept. of Transportation
Field Engineer, Ultratech Stepper
Engineer, Lockheed Martin
Electronics Engineer, USAF
Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Wright
State University
Assistant Scientist, Leeds and Northrup
What to do now to prepare for
careers in science and engineering
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take re-algebra, algebra, advanced algebra and precalculus courses
take every available science course- physical science,
biology, chemistry and physics
for physics careers read
The Elegant Universe, by Brian Greene
A Brief History of Time, by Stephen Hawking
Flying Circus of Physics, by Jearl Walker
get involved in science fairs, extracurricular science
clubs
find a mentor – someone (teacher or professor) who can
help you and answer questions about things that intrigue
you about science
What do University professors do?
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TEACHING
I teach a large lecture class (300) for mostly
freshman –The Physics of Everyday ExperienceHow things work – Mon Wed Fri 11:30 – 12-30
I spend at least an hour before each class
preparing demonstrations to illustrate the
principles found in our common experiences
On Tues and Thus mornings I meet individual
students to answer questions, provide help, etc
I advise graduate students who are working
toward their MS and PhD degrees
Research
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I conduct experiments in plasma (ionized gases) physics
in my lab
Both undergraduates and graduate students work with
my as part of a team
I write research proposals to federal agencies to get the
money to do the research
I spend lots of time writing reports on the experiments
that we perform – these reports get published as articles
in journals read by other scientists
I attend research conferences where I present our
results to groups of scientists who can offer feed back
and criticism
I am usually in my office M-F, 8:30 – 5:30, but I spend a
good deal of time in the evenings and weekends reading
articles about the work of other scientists.
ASTRONOMY
Rosette Nebula
Comet Hale-Bopp
Naturally Occurring Plasmas
High Voltage Outdoor Plasma
Neon lights are a plasma !
Aurora Over Chippewa Falls, WI
Brett Walker, Nov. 5, 2001
ITER
A plasma lurks inside every
fluorescent lamp !
The fluorescent lamp shown has part of the
phosphor removed to reveal the blue glow
of the plasma inside.