Engineering and other Professions

Science

Scientists study the world as it is; Engineers create the world that has never been. —Theodore von Karman

Engineering is concerned with the design of a solution to a practical problem. A scientist may ask why a problem arises, and proceed to research the answer to the question or actually solve the problem in his first try, perhaps creating a mathematical model of his observations. By contrast, engineers want to know how to solve a problem, and how to implement that solution. In other words, scientists attempt to explain phenomena, whereas engineers use any available knowledge, including that produced by science, to construct solutions to problems. There is an overlap between science (fundamental and applied) and engineering. It is not uncommon for scientists to become involved in the practical application of their discoveries; thereby becoming, for the moment, engineers. Scientists may also have to complete engineering tasks, such as designing experimental apparatus or building prototypes. Conversely, in the process of developing technology engineers sometimes find themselves exploring new phenomena, thus becoming, for the moment, scientists.

However, engineering research has a character different from that of scientific research. First, it often deals with areas in which the basic physics and/or chemistry are well understood, but the problems themselves are too complex to solve in an exact manner. The purpose of engineering research is then to find approximations to the problem that can be solved. Examples are the use of numerical approximations to the Navier-Stokes equations to solve aerodynamic flow over an aircraft. Second, engineering research employs many semi-empirical methods that are foreign to pure scientific research. In general, it can be stated that a scientist builds in order to learn, but an engineer learns in order to build.

Medicine

There are significant parallels between engineering and medicine.[4] Both fields are well known for their pragmatism — the solution to real world problems often requires moving forward before phenomena are completely understood in a more rigorous scientific sense and therefore experimentation and empirical knowledge is an integral part of both. Part of medicine examines the function of the human body. The human body although biological has many functions similar to a machine. The heart for example functions much like a pump, the skeleton is like a linked structure with levers etc. This similarity has led to the development of the field of biomedical engineering that utilizes concepts developed in both disciplines.

Arts

There are also close connections between the workings of engineers and artists; they are direct in some fields, for example, architecture, landscape architecture and industrial design (even to the extent that these disciplines may sometimes be included in a University's Faculty of Engineering); and indirect in others. Artistic and engineering creativity may be fundamentally connected as the case of Leonardo Da Vinci indicates.

Politics

In Political science the term engineering has been borrowed for the study of the subjects of Social engineering and Political engineering that deal with forming political and social structures using engineering methodology coupled with political science principles.

Technologist/ Technician And Crafts Personnel

Technologist
A Professional Engineering Technologist is normally someone with an approved diploma in technical or software engineering or equivalent. His work is normally supportive to the engineer in such areas as computer aided design (CAD). This relieves the engineer of less demanding work. A Technologist uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems.
Technician
The Engineering Technician is normally involved in practical engineering work and holds an approved engineering certificate or equivalent. Their work can be the repair of sophisticated equipment such as computers, printers, scanners, refrigerating equipment, televisions, instruments, telephone systems , and household appliances such as fridges , washing machines , cookers, CCTV, and even digital cameras, etc. They can also be involved in installation work such as the installation of burglar and fire alarm systems and the repair of same, to the installation and maintenance of gas installations, and commercial equipment such as that used in aircraft and in industry etc . There are many types of technician, installation technician , service technician , sound technician, engineering technician , accounting, computer, laboratory, medical, television, etc.
Mechanic
A mechanic is someone who uses his skills to repair vehicular appliances, aircraft engines and other machinery . In general, anything with moving parts. You have car mechanics, aircraft mechanics, instrument mechanics, etc.
Fitter
Fitters are normally associated with the repair of heavy machinery such as that used in industry. They install and repair gas boilers and systems. They also repair such equipment as fire extinguishers, air conditioning systems, escalators, passenger lifts, industrial boilers and systems, commercial refrigeration systems, heavy earth-moving equipment such as bulldozers, etc.
Plumber
A plumber is a person who fits and repairs pipes and fixtures for water, drainage, or gas, mainly in domestic premises. Plumbers also repair and install domestic and commercial central heating boilers and systems.
Electrician
In some countries electricians are licensed. Their work involves the installation and maintenance of anything that is powered by electricity. This can be domestic appliances such as fridges, cookers etc. Their work varies from the installation and maintenance of domestic and commercial equipment to the maintenance of very high voltage lines such as that in National Grids.
Artisan
An Artisan is a skilled person who makes things by hand.
Installer
An Installer is normally a person skilled in the practical aspects of installation work but limited in the theoretical aspect, e.g., Burglar and Fire Alarm Installer, Gas Installation Installers, etc. For complex installations you would have a commissioning technician. Servicing would then be carried out by a service technician.
There can be some overlap between some of the above categories of craft persons.

Engineer's Degrees In Europe

Engineer's Degrees In Europe

In countries with significant German influence on higher education, universities specializing in technical studies award their students an engineer's degree instead of a master's degree. In addition to Germany itself, this includes states like Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine. The degree of Engineer may be the first one received (after five years of study), or more often, it may follow a bachelor's degree (usually three years for the bachelor's plus two years for the engineer's).

In local language, the degree is called inżynier (Polish), inžinier (Slovak) or inženýr (Czech), the abbreviation is Ir. (Ing. in the Czech Republic and Slovakia) and is written before the person's name (In Germany, Ing. is used for engineers without an academic degree, obtained after four years of study without scientific research, see below.) In German, the degree is Diplomingenieur and in Finnish, diplomi-insinööri, abbr. DI. The word diplom refers to the thesis written at the end of the studies.

There is also the degree Diplom-Ingenieur (FH) (abbr. Dipl.-Ing (FH)) in Germany, but this is a professional degree in engineering from a German Fachhochschule. It is intermediate in rank between a bachelor's degree and a master's degree and therefore not an engineer's degree in the meaning of this page.

In Belgium, the degree is Burgerlijk Ingenieur or Ingénieur Civil (abbrev. Ir.). In Portugal, the degree is Engenheiro (abbrev. Eng.), and in Spain it is called Ingeniero (Ing). In Greece, the degree is Διπλωματούχος Μηχανικός (diplomatouhos mihanikos) and the abbreviation is Διπλ.-Μηχ..

In the Netherlands, the degree is Ingenieur (abbrev. ir.). Also, ing is used in the Netherlands and in Belgium, but this is a non-academic, professional degree, roughly equivalent to the German Dipl.-Ing (FH).

In Denmark and Sweden, the degree is Civilingeniør/Civilingenjör (regardless of the actual specialty and thus not to be confused with the English civil engineer). This retains the 19th century idea that the "actual" engineers were the military ones.

In France, the degree is Diplôme d'Ingénieur, while the title is Ingénieur diplômé (ID) but is never used before the holder's name. In Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, the degree is специалист инженер (specialist inzener), a first degree after 5 years of study.

A German-style engineer's degree is considered equivalent to a MSc degree in U.S. or UK and in international context, the holders of the Engineer's degree are authorized to use MSc. However, there has been some debate over whether the Engineers should differentiate themselves from a Master of Science, this degree having become victim of inflation lately. It might also be argued that, because the European high school curriculum covers the topics of the typical U.S. freshman year, the five-year-long engineer's degree is actually the complete equivalent of the U.S. degree.

In Germany, the local engineer's degree (Diplom-Ingenieur, a first degree after 5 years of study) will be abolished by 2010, and will be replaced by postgraduate master's degrees (MSc and MEng). This disputed development is part of the German implementation of the Bologna process. However, this decision is favourable for German Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen), since the old Diplom-Ingenieur (FH) will be replaced by the same degrees. Therefore, in contrast to the former situation, a degree from a University of Applied Sciences will be equal in rank to the equivalent degree from a traditional German university

In France, the Diplôme d'Ingénieur (word for word: Engineer's Degree) can be obtained after five years of engineering studies after the Baccalauréat. Engineering is taught in Ecoles d'Ingénieurs, which are part of the French Grandes écoles famous system. Since the Bologna process, the Diplôme d'Ingénieur is officially considered to be at the level of a European master's degree, though many argue that it is a bit more than a mere master's degree since competitive exams allow only top students to enter the Grandes écoles system. It is often considered as something between MSc and MEng when compared to the U.S. system as it is a blend of strong theoretical knowledge and professional experience.

Common Abbreviations of Engineering Disciplines

Common abbreviations of engineering disciplines (U.S. and Canada)

An abbreviation of the discipline is often used to represent an engineer's degree where one might typically use M.S. or Ph.D. Several are potentially ambiguous, especially P.E.

Agricultural Engineer - Ag.E. or A.E. Biomedical Engineer - B.M.E. Chemical Engineer - Ch.E. or Chem.E. Petroleum Engineer - P.E. Building Engineer - B.E. Civil Engineer - C.E. Clinical Engineer - C.E. Computer Engineer - Cp.E. Electrical Engineer - E.E. Industrial Engineer - I.E. Structural Engineer - S.E Software Engineer - S.E. or S.W.E. Engineer in Aeronautics and Astronautics - E.A.A.

Engineer in Computer Science - E.C.S. Engineer in Mechanics - E.M. Environmental Engineer - Env.E. General Engineer - G.E. Geological Engineer - G.E. Materials Engineer - Mat.E. Mechanical Engineer - Mech.E. or M.E. Mechatronic Engineer - M.T.E. Naval Engineer - Nav.E. Nuclear Engineer - Nucl.E. Ocean Engineer - Ocean.E. Systems Engineer - Sys.E.

The Engineer's Degree

The term engineer's degree may be used to represent a graduate academic degree intermediate in rank between a master's degree and a doctorate (U.S.), or it may also represent a higher (in total, 6-year) degree equivalent to or slightly more extensive than a master's degree (Europe).

The Engineer's Degree In The United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom the highest award for non-postgraduate studies is the Master of Engineering (MEng), which is a four year course or a 'sandwich' five year course (with a year out working in industry in year 3). The Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) is usually a three year course, or can also include a year in industry. Many universities offer the MEng, and may then allow a transfer onto the BEng (this is because the MEng is the quickest route to chartership).

The Engineer's Degree In The United States

In the United States, the bachelor's degree is the standard undergraduate degree awarded to engineering students and is generally the only degree required for licensure. There are, however, several degree options available to graduate students, with the master's degree being most common, followed by the doctorate, and the Degree of Engineer or Engineer's Degree a distant third. The master's degree is typically the first graduate degree earned and may be followed by either an engineer's or doctoral degree, although some universities allow direct entry into the higher programs. The availability of degrees and the specific requirements differ considerably between institutions and between specialties within an institution. Officially, both undergraduate programs and graduate programs at the master's-level may receive ABET-accreditation. In practice, although undergraduate accreditation is common, master's-level accreditation is rare unless an undergraduate program is not available.

In many other fields, the master's degree would naturally be followed by a traditional research doctorate (Ph.D.). But in this case, the engineer's degree provides an alternative that has been tailored for professionals rather than academicians. Some schools require a thesis. But, the requirements are generally less than those of Ph.D. candidates and more comparable to those of most Master of Science students. Many consider an engineer's degree to be on a level between a master's degree and a doctorate. Nonetheless, it is in fact a terminal degree. In the past, it was not uncommon for a would-be engineer to earn an engineer's degree as their first and only college degree. But since World War II this has fallen out of favor, and it becomes continually more difficult to find a school that offers this option.

A degree with some form of "engineer" in the title is not necessarily an engineer's degree in this sense. Particularly, a "Master of Engineering" (M.Eng.) or "Engineering Doctorate" (Eng.D) degree is not an Engineer's degree, nor is any other master's or doctoral degree. Rather, the engineer's degree is in a category of its own.

Gideon M. Adogbo
Chemical Engineering Department
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, Nigeria

The Engineer's Degree

The term engineer's degree may be used to represent a graduate academic degree intermediate in rank between a master's degree and a doctorate (U.S.), or it may also represent a higher (in total, 6-year) degree equivalent to or slightly more extensive than a master's degree (Europe).

The Engineer's Degree In The United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom the highest award for non-postgraduate studies is the Master of Engineering (MEng), which is a four year course or a 'sandwich' five year course (with a year out working in industry in year 3). The Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) is usually a three year course, or can also include a year in industry. Many universities offer the MEng, and may then allow a transfer onto the BEng (this is because the MEng is the quickest route to chartership).

The Engineer's Degree In The United States

In the United States, the bachelor's degree is the standard undergraduate degree awarded to engineering students and is generally the only degree required for licensure. There are, however, several degree options available to graduate students, with the master's degree being most common, followed by the doctorate, and the Degree of Engineer or Engineer's Degree a distant third. The master's degree is typically the first graduate degree earned and may be followed by either an engineer's or doctoral degree, although some universities allow direct entry into the higher programs. The availability of degrees and the specific requirements differ considerably between institutions and between specialties within an institution. Officially, both undergraduate programs and graduate programs at the master's-level may receive ABET-accreditation. In practice, although undergraduate accreditation is common, master's-level accreditation is rare unless an undergraduate program is not available.

In many other fields, the master's degree would naturally be followed by a traditional research doctorate (Ph.D.). But in this case, the engineer's degree provides an alternative that has been tailored for professionals rather than academicians. Some schools require a thesis. But, the requirements are generally less than those of Ph.D. candidates and more comparable to those of most Master of Science students. Many consider an engineer's degree to be on a level between a master's degree and a doctorate. Nonetheless, it is in fact a terminal degree. In the past, it was not uncommon for a would-be engineer to earn an engineer's degree as their first and only college degree. But since World War II this has fallen out of favor, and it becomes continually more difficult to find a school that offers this option.

A degree with some form of "engineer" in the title is not necessarily an engineer's degree in this sense. Particularly, a "Master of Engineering" (M.Eng.) or "Engineering Doctorate" (Eng.D) degree is not an Engineer's degree, nor is any other master's or doctoral degree. Rather, the engineer's degree is in a category of its own.

Gideon M. Adogbo
Chemical Engineering Department
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, Nigeria

Master Degrees in Engineering

The Master of Engineering (Magister in Ingeniaria), MASc, MEng, MIng, degree is awarded to students who have done graduate work at the master's level in the field of engineering.

In the United Kingdom, the MEng is an undergraduate award, available after pursuing a four or five year course of study. These are taught courses, with only a small research element in the final year, and are not available as postgraduate qualifications in most cases. Most British universities offer both the traditional three year or four courses in engineering, leading to a BSc or BEng, and MEng respectively. Some universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, offer only the four year MEng, although even these make provision for leaving at the end of the 3rd year. For those who leave after 3 years or fail the fourth year, a BA is awarded.

In terms of course structure, MEng degrees usually follow the pattern familiar from bachelor's degrees with lectures, laboratory work, coursework and exams each year. There is usually a substantial project to be completed in the fourth-year which may well have a research element to it, and a more teaching-based project to be completed in the third year. At the end of the third year, there is usually a threshold of academic performance in examinations to be reached to allow progression into the final year. At some universities, the structure of the final year is rather different to that of the first three - for example at York the Computer Systems and Software M.Eng final year consists entirely of project work and intensive advanced seminar courses rather than traditional lectures and problem classes. Final results are, in most cases, awared on the standard British undergraduate degree classification scale, although some universities award something structurally similar to 'Distinction', 'Merit', 'Pass' or 'Fail' as this is often the way that taught postgraduate master's degrees are classified.

In the United States, the Master of Engineering degree is generally a Professional degree offered as a coursework-based alternative to the traditional research-based Master of Science (M.S.). It is typically a two-year program, and many universities allow students to choose between the Master of Engineering and the Master of Science. The distinction between the two programs varies between schools, but the MS or M.Sc. is largely considered an academic degree, whereas the MEng is a professional degree

In Canada, the Master of Engineering degree is a graduate degree of typically two years length that involves coursework and a thesis or research paper of significant depth. Some Canadian universities offer a Master of Engineering or Master of Applied Science in engineering or both. Master of Engineering degrees usually require more coursework and less research, whereas Master of Applied Science degrees require less coursework and more research. However, this is not absolute since some universities only offer a Master of Engineering and some only offer a Master of Applied Science.

In Nigeria, candidates are awarded MSc, or MEng degrees after one or two years. The Master of Science (M.Sc) is awarded to master's degree students with a research focus (having completed work leading to a thesis), while an MEng is awarded to master's degree students with a coursework focus and the completion of a research work.

In Germany, the country of origin of the European engineer's degrees, the local engineer's degree (Diplomingenieur, a first degree after 5 years of study) will be abolished by 2010, and will be replaced by postgraduate master's degrees (MSc and MEng). The first Master of Engineering courses were introduced in Germany in 2000. This type of master's degree is in most cases offered by German Fachhochschulen (Polytechnics). Unlike the Master of Engineering degree in the United States, the German Master of Engineering, like the Canadian Master of Engineering degree is not regarded as a terminal degree. It is typically a two-year program with applied oriented coursework and an applied research thesis.

Gideon M. Adogbo
Chemical Engineering Department
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, Nigeria

Bachelor Degrees in Engineering

Bachelor of Engineering (BAI (in latin), BEng, or BE) is an undergraduate academic degree awarded to a student after three or four years of studying engineering at an accredited university in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India or five years of studying engineering at an accredited university in Nigeria. A Bachelor of Engineering is a Professional Degree and therefore a requirement for undertaking some engineering work. This is controlled by the national professional engineering society or institute who accredit the universities and is also often controlled by law.

A Bachelor of Science (B.S., B.Sc. or less commonly, S.B. or Sc.B. from the Latin Scientiae Baccalaureus) is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three years in Australia, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, England, Germany, Hong Kong, India, the Republic of Ireland, Israel, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Poland, Quebec, Malaysia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Wales and South Africa; or four years in North America, Iceland, Iran, Japan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Scotland and Brazil; or five years in Nigeria.

Baccalaureus in Arte Ingeniaria (BAI) (Latin), literally meaning Bachelor in the Art of Engineering, is a less common variety of the degree and is awarded by the University of Dublin, Ireland and more usually referred to Bachelor of Engineering.

Bachelor of Technology is an undergraduate academic degree conferred after completion of a three or four year program of studies at an accredited university or accredited university-degree level college in the Commonwealth of Nations, Norway, Republic of Ireland, the United States, and other countries. The common abbreviation for Bachelor of Technology is BTech, or BTech(Hons),if awarded with honours. Also written as B. Tech. The degree is awarded to those who have undertaken a Bachelor of Science degree program supplemented by either occupational placements (e.g., supervised practica , internships, industrial training) or practice-based classroom courses. Due to the supplemental requirements, the degree normally takes at least four years.

In Australia, the Bachelor of Technology programs are three to four years in duration. The BTech(Hons) designation is awarded to graduates of the four year program. In India, the Bachelor of Technology degree is used by the highly ranked Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT formerly UDCT) for professional engineering programs. Most other institutions in India use the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree. In Canada, most programs are four years in duration. The degree is no longer awarded in the United Kingdom. Those who take such programs are more commonly awarded a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree.

A Bachelor of Applied Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course of study that generally lasts three years in the UK or four or five years in North America. A Bachelor of Applied Science usually requires a student to take a majority of their courses in the applied sciences, specializing in a specific area. A Bachelor of Applied Science does not necessarily require the study of an engineering discipline, although many universities only offer Engineering Degrees as BASc (in Canada), instead of the traditional B.Sc.. For example, a Nursing degree is often offered a Bachelor of Applied Science. Majors may be taken in more practical applications of sciences such as applied physics or applied chemistry. Most universities that offer this degree require a rigorous course schedule (at the University of British Columbia, for example, Engineering students take on average twice the credit load as Arts students). A graduate of a Bachelor of Applied Science program receives the designation BAS, B.ASc., B.App.Sc or B.Appl.Sc for a major or pass degree and BAS(Hons), B.ASc.(Hons) or others for an honours degree.

Although some universities award either a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science degree to graduates of engineering study, a Bachelor of Engineering degree is typically given to students who take engineering courses as a majority of their course load. However, some universities in Canada award only the Bachelor of Applied Science degree to those finishing the undergraduate engineering program (never the Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science degree).

In Germany the Bachelor of Engineering was introduced as part of implementation of the bologna process. However, this degree is in fact only offered by German Fachhochschule-institutions. German technical universities award a Bachelor of Science in engineering rather than the BEng degree. A German BEng is somewhat unusual since it generally lasts for three and a half years.

Bachelor of Engineering (BE) (English), is a degree awarded by many universities in India.

The field is sometimes noted in the degree postnominals, e.g. BE(Aero) or BEng(Elec).

Gideon M. Adogbo
Chemical Engineering Department
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, Nigeria

Engineers in Information Technology

The IT profession has many types of application developers, system analysts, project managers, IT specialists, database administrators, webmasters, web designers, security specialists, testers, data architects, software engineers etc. But only one word on that list, “engineer,” is subject to deep scrutiny and heated debate. The use of the term "engineer" has been an ongoing issue between professional licensing bodies and the IT industry, where companies typically issue certification titles with word "engineer" as part of the title (such as Certified Novell Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer). In Canada, provincial licensing bodies for professional engineering destinations contend that only licensed professional engineers are legally allowed to use the title "Engineer". The IT industry, on the other hand, counters that 1) these title holders never presented themselves as "Professional Engineers", 2) provincial laws mandate only the use of term "Professional Engineer", and not any title with the word "Engineer" in it, and 3) the IT industry has used the term "engineer" since the dawn of the computing industry in the 60s.

Scholars are still debating whether Software Engineering is just another branch of engineering or a branch of computer science. The term began its “career” in the late 60’s in the computer science community, and has steadily gained acceptance ever since. Many colleges and universities offer software engineering courses. The term is also embedded in professional designations from major computer vendors – Microsoft’s MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) being the most popular, with some 25,000 holders in Canada alone.

Court rulings regarding the usage of the term "engineer" have been mixed. For example, after complaints from the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers, a court in Quebec fined Microsoft Canada $1,000 for misusing the "engineer" title by referring to MCSE graduates as "engineers" [1]. On the contrary, an Alberta court dismissed the lawsuit filed by The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) against Raymond Merhej for using the title "System Engineer", claiming that "The Respondent's situation is such that it cannot be contended that the public is likely to be deceived, confused or jeopardized by his use of the term…" APEGGA website (http://www.apegga.org/Members/Publications/peggs/Web05-02/titles.htm) APEGGA also lost the appeal to this decision. ASET Technology Alberta, p.2 (http://www.aset.ab.ca/publications/tab/tabv21n1.pdf)

Proposed New Title for Engineers

THE PROPOSED NEW INTERNATIONAL TITLE

The proposed new international title for engineers is Engineer International and the new initials Eng - i and P.Eng-i . Also, Ing-i and P.Ing-i for Continental Europe.
Any approved Graduate Engineer and a FULLY paid-up member of any of the following Engineering Societies / Institutions mentioned below, are entitled to use the new International Initials, Eng - i , or Ing - i , FREE of CHARGE . The Engineering Societies / Institutions include: Engineers Ireland. ( Associate Engineer, Chartered Engineer, Eur-Ing ), Engineering Council (UK). ( Incorporated Engineer, Chartered Engineer, Eur-Ing ), Engineers Australia, IPENZ (NZ), IEI (India), NSPE (US), CCPE (CANADA), The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Pakistan Engineering Council, Professional Engineers Board (Singapore), ECSA (South Africa), The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET ) – US, and The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) - Canada.
Licensed Professional Engineers to use the International Initials, P.Eng - i , or P.Ing - i for Continental Europe. Eng - i is a single identity and is equivalent to all existing approved Graduate qualification initials in existence, worldwide. These initials are self-explanatory as far as the public are concerned, something that is not the case with most of the other Engineer-initials in existence at present, e.g., P.E , C.Eng , CPEng, IntPE , etc.
A study has shown that the public see P.E as meaning Physical Education or Physical Educator since this is the interpretation, internationally. C.Eng meaning Certified Engineer. CPEng meaning Certified P.... Engineer. In Addition, the Engineer must ; Be a FULLY paid-up member of an approved Professional Engineering Society / Institution, must adhere to the ethics of that Professional Engineering Society, and must, where professionally possible, refrain from facilitating the misuse of the title, “Engineer “.

The Engineer's Registration: United Kingdom

United Kingdom

In general, there is no restriction on the right to practice as an engineer in the UK. There are a few fields of practice, generally safety related, which are reserved by statute to licensed persons.[5] The UK has Professional Engineering titles registered via the Engineering Council (UK) (ECUK): Incorporated Engineer (IEeng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng).[6] Incorporated Engineer is a first-cycle qualification for Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science degree holders. The term chartered engineer is a UK professional certification in engineering. There is often confusion between professional engineers and mechanics and technicians. In Britain anyone can call themselves an engineer due to protected status being awarded to the term "chartered engineer" and not just engineer. Chartered Engineer is a second-cycle qualification usually reserved for holders of integrated Master of Engineering degrees or Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Science plus Master of Science degrees. Both IEng and CEng require substantial professional experience, a professional review and interview.

It is illegal in the UK to hold that one is a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer unless so registered with the ECUK. The title of "engineer" by itself is not regulated in the UK. While ECUK is the primary body registering Engineers in UK, there are other professional societies that register engineers as well. Under its Royal Charter, the Engineering Council UK grants licenses to engineering institutions allowing them to assess candidates for inclusion on it Register of Professional Engineers and Technicians, and to accredit academic programmes and professional development schemes. There are over 30 institutions licensed to register professional engineers with EC UK. Other not EC UK licensed societies that register Professional Engineers in UK are Society of Professional Engineers UK (SPE) and the Institute of British Engineers UK (IBE).

In the remainder of Europe, the term Diploma Engineer implies that the person has completed typically one more year of academic work beyond the basic engineering Bachelor's degree. A major academic project, similar to a Master's thesis, is completed as well. Diploma Engineer is therefore a university degree, and not a professional registration or license.

The Engineer's Registration: Nigeria

Nigeria

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, is a body set-up by the Decrees 55/70 and 27/92 (now Acts 110). The Decrees empowered the Council to regulate and control the training and practice of engineering in Nigeria and to ensure and enforce the registration of all engineering personnel (i.e. Engineers, Engineering Technologists, Engineering Technicians, and Engineering Craftsmen) and consulting firms wishing to practice or engage in the practice of practice of engineering. [7]

COREN has been able to regulate that a person desiring to become a registered Engineering Personnel must, after obtaining the approved/accredited required academic qualification, must have four (4) years post-graduate experience which must be under the supervision of a senior registered Engineer. Council believes that the continuing effectiveness of an engineering personnel depends on his contact with a recognized professional society and therefore advises engineering personnel to belong to a recognized professional society. It must be emphasized that membership of a society does not by itself grant automatic right to registration. Council still needs to satisfy itself that the academic qualification is registrable for the category applied for.

APPROVED SCHEDULE OF ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS INTO ENGINEERING CADRES

S/N	ENGINEERS	TECHNOLOGISTS	TECHNICIANS	CRAFTSMEN
1.	B.Sc, B. Eng, B. Tech in Engineering	HND in Engineering from COREN accredited Polytechnics or Monotechnics.	ND in Engineering from accredited Polytechnics or Monotechnics.	WAEC Technical/NABTEB
2.	HND in an Engineering field + COREN accredited PGD in the same field, e.g. HND Civil Engineering + PGD Civil Engineering.	Degrees in Engineering from East Bloc translated as B.Sc in Engineering.	Full Technological Certificate (FTC) – Technician.	Trade Test I
3.	HND in an Engineering field + NSE Graduateship Exam in the same field, e.g. HND Electrical + NSE Grad in Electrical Engineering.	Diploma – Grad from Continental Europe.	Technicians Professional Examination for registered Craftsmen.	Craft Certificate from City & Guilds.
4.	B.Sc Physics with Electronics or B. Sc Computer Science + COREN accredited PGD in Electrical/Electronics Engineering or NSE Grad in Electrical/Electronics Engineering = B.Sc or B.Eng. or B.Tech. in Electrical/Electronics Engineering.	B. Tech in Engineering from some accredited American Universities as contained in ABET List.
5.	B. Sc Physics + COREN accredited PGD or NSE Grad in Metallurgical & Materials Engineering = B.Sc. or B.Eng. or B.Tech. in Met. &Mat.	Technologists Professional Examination for registered Technicians
6.	B. Sc Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry + COREN accredited PGD or NSE Grad in Chemical Engineering = B.Sc. or B.Eng. or B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering.
7.	HND in an Engineering field + COREN accredited Post HND in the same field.
8.	Diploma – Engineer from Continental Europe.
9.	Degrees in Engineering from the East Bloc translated as M. Sc.
10.	B.Sc (Building) + PGD (Civil) or NSE Grad in Civil.
11.	New B.Sc in some countries in Eastern Bloc as degree.
12.	H.N.D in a field + M.Sc in the same field.
Note: For further clarification on foreign qualifications, Consult ABET or FEANI

The decree specifies the abbreviation to be used by each cadre as follows: A Registered Engineer shall use the abbreviation “Engr” before his name. A Registered Engineering Technologists shall use the abbreviation “Engn. Tech” after his name. A Registered Engineering Technician shall use the abbreviation “Tech” after his name. A Registered Engineering Craftsman shall use his full title “Craftsman” with his trade in bracket under his name.

It is illegal:

1. For any firms or persons to engage in engineering practice unless they are:
Fully registered by COREN to practice in their appropriate cadre (except engineering personnel still undergoing practical training e.g. pupil engineers, etc, for the purpose of acquiring the requisite experience for registration). Financially up to date in the payment of their practicing fees.

2. For any person, government or company to: Engage a non-registered engineering person or consulting firm to execute or participate in doing engineering work in an engineering project (except engineering personnel still undergoing practical training e.g. pupil engineers, etc, for the purpose of acquiring the requisite experience for registration). Use non-engineering personnel to perform engineering functions. Assign non-engineering functions to engineers below managerial levels, particularly where the engineering functions are available. Engage expatriate engineering personnel to do engineering work when qualified Nigerian engineering personnel are unemployed and available to be engaged to do such work.

COREN has established a network of Inspectors headed in each of the many zones around the country by a Chief Inspector. The Inspectors are very senior, experienced registered engineers selected from branches of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in the various zones. These Inspectors, constituted into teams of four or more members, are empowered to visit industrial and construction sites as well as company offices and work locations to ensure that COREN regulations are being observed. Their indictment of any person or firm will lead to possible prosecution. Inspectors will ensure that:

· All those assigned engineering functions are engineering personnel and are duly registered by COREN.

· All registered engineering personnel have paid their practicing fees.

· Engineering personnel are not used for non-engineering jobs when they can appropriately be engaged in engineering function, and

· Consulting firms engaged by Industry or Government for engineering jobs are fully registered by COREN.

The Inspectors will also ascertain that engineering personnel not yet registered by COREN are not employed on or promoted to positions beyond the following levels:

· Unregistered engineers NOT TO BE APPOINTED OR PROMOTED BEYOND the level of Senior Manager or equivalent (Grade Level 10).

· Unregistered technologists in engineering NOT TO BE APPOINTED OR PROMOTED BEYOND the level of Principal Technologists (GL.10).

· Unregistered technician NOT TO BE PROMOTED OR APPOINTED BEYOND the level of FOREMAN or Equivalent (GL.06)

It is illegal for any tertiary institution to run engineering programmes at the University degree and Higher National Diploma Levels without full accreditation of COREN. Defaulting institutions shall be compelled to close down such programmes instantly. It is illegal and an offence punishable by fine or imprisonment as prescribed by Decree 55/70 to engage non- engineering personnel to do engineering work.

By law, engineering practice is defined to include any professional service or creative work requiring the application of special knowledge of mathematics, physics and engineering in form of consultation, invention, discovery, valuation, research and teaching in recognized engineering institution, planning, operation, maintenance, supervision of construction and installation involving investigating, advising, operating, evaluating, measuring, planning, designing, specifying, laying and directing, constructing, commissioning, inspecting or testing in connection with any public or private utilities, structures, buildings, machines, equipment, processes works or projects. The Federal civil Service commission, the States Civil Service commission, the local Government Service commissions, the Federal and State government parastatals and companies and industries within the organized private sectors shall in particular ensure compliance.

COREN over the years have been advocating for graduating engineering students of the nation's tertiary institutions to be exposed to a mandatory one year internship programme called Supervised Industrial Training Scheme in Engineering (SITSIE) before proceeding on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. This novel programme is still far from taking off.

The Engineer's Registration: Canada

Canada

In Canada, regulation and registration are accomplished through a self governing body, called the Association of Professional Engineers, that is given the power to register and discipline engineers as well as regulate the field of engineering in their province, with groups such as Professional Engineers Ontario. Many of these associations are also responsible for regulating other related professions. The process for registration is generally as follows:

Graduate with a degree from an accredited program in engineering or applied science. Complete an Engineer in Training program under the direction of a P.Eng. (This is normally a four-year program). Review of work experience by the Association. Pass a professional practice exam (essentially an engineering ethics and law exam).

Engineers are not registered in a specific discipline but are prohibited by the Code of Ethics from practicing beyond their training and experience. Breaches of the code are often sufficient grounds for enforcement, which may include the suspension or loss of license, as well as financial penalties and now, through recent changes to Canadian law, could also result in jail time should negligence be shown to have played a part in any incident in which there is loss of human life.

Engineers are not tested on technical knowledge during the licensing process; however, the accreditation of schools and their accredited degree granting status are tightly monitored and controlled. The Canadian system thus ensures that a specific and regimented curriculum is offered and tested with strict accordance to set national standards. This streamlines the overall licensing process and ensures a firm national standard on the quality of engineering in Canada. This accreditation process is governed by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers through their active group the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. The accreditation process is continuous and enforced through regular accreditation reviews of each school. These reviews typically include the review of the school's curriculum (including marked final exams and assignments), interviews of current students, extra curricular activities and teaching staff as well additional areas the visiting board may feel need addressing. The specific areas considered are Curriculum Content, Program Environment, and General Criteria. The associations are granted both an exclusive right to title and an exclusive right to practice.

There are only a few exceptions specifically noted in the acts and it does not include any "industrial exemptions". Therefore, a practicing engineer is legally required to be registered. The level of enforcement varies depending on the specific industry. The federal government is exempt from provincial laws, but in general the federal government will only give the title "engineer" to their employees who as part of their job requirements are able to be registered as a licensed Professional Engineer.

Engineer's Registration: United States

United States

In the United States, registration or licensure of Professional Engineers is performed by the individual states. Each registration or license is valid only in the state in which it is granted. Many Professional Engineers maintain licenses in several states for this reason, and comity or 'reciprocity' between states can make it easy to obtain a license in one state based on licensure in another state without going through the full application process. The licensing procedure varies but the general process is :

Graduate with a degree from an accredited four-year university program in engineering. Complete a standard Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) written examination, which tests applicants on breadth of understanding of basic engineering principles, and optionally some elements of an engineering specialty. Completion of the first two steps typically qualifies for certification in the U.S. as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT), sometimes also called an Engineer Intern (EI) [3].Accumulate a certain amount of engineering experience under the supervision of a P.E. In most states the requirement is four years, but in others the requirement is lower. Complete a written Professional Engineering examination, testing the applicant's knowledge and skills in a chosen engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical, civil, for example), as well as engineering ethics.

In a few states, it is still possible for an individual to bypass steps 1 and 2, and apply to take the Professional Engineering examination, as long as a P.E. will sponsor the applicant and work experience can be substituted for academic experience. The years of experience may also vary; for instance, in California it is possible to take the Professional Engineering examination with only two years of experience after a bachelor's degree, or one year of experience after graduate school. Some states issue generic Professional Engineering licenses. Others, known as "discipline states", issue licenses for specific disciplines of engineering, such as Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. In all cases, however, engineers are limited to practicing in their area of competency, which is usually a small portion of a discipline. While licensing boards do not often enforce this limitation, it can be a factor in negligence lawsuits.

Since regulation of the practice of engineering is performed by the individual states in the U.S., areas of engineering involved in interstate commerce are essentially unregulated. These areas include much of Mechanical Engineering, such as Automotive Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, and Chemical Engineering, and may be specifically exempted from regulation under an "Industrial Exemption". An industrial exemption covers engineers who design products such as automobiles that are sold (or have the potential to be sold) outside the state in which they are produced, as well as the equipment used to produce the product. Structures subject to building codes are not covered by an industrial exemption, except small residential buildings often do not require an engineer's seal.

The title "Engineer" is legally protected in many states, meaning that it is unlawful to use it unless permission is specifically granted by a state, through a Professional Engineering license, an industrial exemption, or certain other non-engineering titles such as "operating engineer". Employees of state or federal agencies may also call themselves engineers if that term appears in their official job title. These laws are not frequently enforced unless the individual is explicitly offering engineering services to the public. Likewise, a business cannot offer engineering services to the public or have a name that implies that it does so unless it employs at least one Professional Engineer. Most states limit the practice of engineering, except where specifically exempt, to those individuals with the appropriate license or to people working under the direct supervision of a licensed engineer. Some states require corporations that do engineering design work to be registered as well since incorporation creates a legal entity separate from the engineers. There is a movement to require a master's degree or equivalent for licensure. [4]