IAAAE Canada

What is Engineering?

Membership

What is engineering? The word itself comes from the Latin ingenerare, to create. According to Webster's II New Riverside University Dictionary, engineering is "the application of mathematical and scientific principles to practical ends, as in the design construction, and operation of economical and efficient structures, equipment, and systems." This definition is not wrong, but it doesn't begin to describe the many components of engineering.

So what, really, is engineering? It's art and communication, politics and finance, modeling and simulation, invention, approximation, measurement and estimation, and more. It's a way to think about problems.

Basically, engineers are problem-solvers. They put scientific knowledge to practical use, applying science and math to solve problems creatively. They are involved with the design, construction and operation of everything from bridges to computer chips to mountain bikes to roller coasters. In fact, without engineers, our modern way of life would not be very modern at all!

Canadian Council of Professional Engineers

The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, & Geophysicists of Alberta

Association of Professional Engineering and Geoscientists of BC

Association of Professional Engineers & Geo-Scientists of Saskatchewan

Professional Engineers Ontario

The License to Engineer

The National Engineering Week

Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering

For more information about why you should choose engineering please email the society at info@iaaae.com.