Engineering

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ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

The Principles of Technology and Engineering course introduce the student to the engineering field and the technology types that may result from the engineering design process. Students also gain an understanding of the available career options in this field, and the education, experience and skills required to work in these careers.
Students learn how to successfully solve problems. They become familiar with steps in the invention process and investigate ways in which engineers take an idea to a working technology, from an initial concept.
They learn of real-world examples of engineering innovations, which include global civil engineering projects, environmentally friendly designs and cutting-edge medical technology.
Students also learn about the relationship between science, technology and engineering. They learn how scientific knowledge is applied for the creation of technology beneficial to society. In addition, students learn how to make design modifications based on an analysis of the underlying principles from chemistry, physics, biology and earth sciences.

Objectives
 Understand the engineering field and technology that can result from the process of engineering design.
 Distinguish steps in the process of engineering design and apply the process to solve problems or meet challenges.
 Construct a prototype to present a workable solution to a problem using critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
 Classify energy resources as nonrenewable or renewable and analyze energy efficiency and usage.
 Recognize the health, social, economic and environmental benefits and costs of renewable energy sources in comparison to the nonrenewable sources.
 Critique the technology resulting from the process of engineering design and suggest science-based principles for modifications.
 Define phrases and terms associated with engineering systems and products and use these to communicate their analysis in written or oral form.
 Identify career options in the engineering field, and explain the educational requirements and benefits for every option.

For the assignments and topics in this course, it is helpful for students to have a basic understanding of the scope of scientific investigations, which include the question types that science does and does not address.
It is also useful for students to familiarize themselves with carrying out research online and be able to evaluate the credibility of online sources. Students who are not comfortable assessing the credibility of online sources may obtain information on this topic from various educational websites such as mason.gmu.edu and library.columbia.edu.

INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

This course introduces students to the technical skills and knowledge base that will assist them in successfully competing for positions in the Information Technology Career Cluster. Lessons have been structured such that students are able to learn and then demonstrate not only analytic skills and critical assessment, but also interpersonal skills that are so highly valued among IT employers.
We explore a range of career tracks which include network engineers, systems analysts and programming/application developers. These career paths have been described in depth, in discussing typical job responsibilities, licensure and educational requirements, job outlooks and working conditions. The lessons assist students in placing in context the evolution of job opportunities and technology such that they grasp their vital role in furthering this development. It is our belief that the most successful IT professionals combine technical know-how with ability in leadership. To this end, students learn that the expertise they acquired comes with the responsibility of representing themselves and the companies they work for within the highest ethical and legal standards.

Objectives
 Identify the basic structure and components of a computer system and its use within a communications/networking environment.
 Design and implement a basic network during an introduction to multiple network system types.
 Apply both industry and ethical standard security policies to the networks.
 Discuss the development and history and use of Internet in society and business.
 Explain the development of interaction in human-centered technology.
 Apply capabilities in mobile computing technology to business and learning.
 Identify the various operating systems found on laptops, desktops and mobile devices.
 Understand mobile application deployment, marketing and architecture.
 Determine best practice application skills for various information technology systems which are available for implementation.
 Planning, development and implementation of an information system.
 Maximizing Internet use in businesses and homes.
 Identify wireless communication network structures and the mechanisms behind their functionality.
 Develop and identify protocols for using Internet within a business.
 Develop and identify information system libraries and information repositories.
 Understand the logic behind object-oriented programming.
 Identify the multiple programming languages used in Internet/mobile application development.
 Develop, plan and implement an Internet/mobile application.