Careers in Science and Careers in Science and EngineeringEngineering

Dr. Robert MerlinoDr. Robert Merlino

Department of Physics and AstronomyDepartment of Physics and Astronomy

The University of IowaThe University of Iowa

Regina High School Career DayThursday March 22, 2007

Science vs. Engineering, what’s the difference?

goal of science is to goal of science is to discoverdiscover the composition the composition and behavior of the physical world – the “laws of and behavior of the physical world – the “laws of nature”nature”

the basic objective of engineering is to the basic objective of engineering is to design design (INVENT) (INVENT) useful thingsuseful things

scientists discover new science; engineers apply scientists discover new science; engineers apply science to design useful thingsscience to design useful things

the training of scientists and engineers is similar, the training of scientists and engineers is similar, both learn basic science, but scientists training both learn basic science, but scientists training goes beyond the basics to the frontiers of goes beyond the basics to the frontiers of knowledgeknowledge

physics and engineering (examples)physics and engineering (examples) John Bardeen discovered how semiconductors John Bardeen discovered how semiconductors

work, electrical engineers used this to make work, electrical engineers used this to make radios, TVs, . . . computers . . .radios, TVs, . . . computers . . .

Hertz discovered radio waves, Marconi invented Hertz discovered radio waves, Marconi invented wireless communication wireless communication

Roentgen discovered x-rays, engineers make x-Roentgen discovered x-rays, engineers make x-ray machines used in hosptialsray machines used in hosptials

Physicists discovered nuclear magnetic Physicists discovered nuclear magnetic resonance; engineers design MRI systemsresonance; engineers design MRI systems

Sometimes there are many years between Sometimes there are many years between discovery of the science and the applicationdiscovery of the science and the application

some discoveries may have no practical some discoveries may have no practical applicationapplication

Science vs. EngineeringScience vs. Engineering

engineering is neither better or worse than science, it is engineering is neither better or worse than science, it is differentdifferent

scientists try to advance knowledge beyond what is scientists try to advance knowledge beyond what is already knownalready known

engineers study applied subject areas that are engineers study applied subject areas that are specifically useful in designing things. e.g., strength of specifically useful in designing things. e.g., strength of beams and the performance of enginesbeams and the performance of engines

most engineers are qualified for useful work without most engineers are qualified for useful work without reaching the Ph. D., but most scientists attain a Ph. D. reaching the Ph. D., but most scientists attain a Ph. D.

there is a direct path from undergraduate engineering there is a direct path from undergraduate engineering degree to a career in engineeringdegree to a career in engineering

engineers usually pursue their professional licenseengineers usually pursue their professional license in science the Ph.D. is a sort of license to do researchin science the Ph.D. is a sort of license to do research

Scientists in industryScientists in industry

there is no definite line between science there is no definite line between science and engineering – you will find many and engineering – you will find many physicists working in industry physicists working in industry biophysicsbiophysicsplasma TV systemsplasma TV systems fiber optics and lasersfiber optics and lasershigh-tech managementhigh-tech management finance and marketingfinance and marketingMRI physicists (health physics)MRI physicists (health physics)quality engineersquality engineers

Branches of engineeringBranches of engineering

aerospace engineeringaerospace engineering agricultural engineeringagricultural engineering biomedical engineeringbiomedical engineering chemical engineeringchemical engineering civil engineeringcivil engineering construction engineeringconstruction engineering electrical engineeringelectrical engineering

manufacturing engineeringmanufacturing engineering materials engineeringmaterials engineering nuclear engineeringnuclear engineering environmental engineeringenvironmental engineering mechanical engineeringmechanical engineering computer engineeringcomputer engineering industrial engineeringindustrial engineering

Positions held by physics alumniPositions held by physics alumni

Consultant, Lockheed MartinConsultant, Lockheed Martin Physicist, U.S. ArmyPhysicist, U.S. Army Consultant, Rail Co.Consultant, Rail Co. Advisory Engineer, Westinghouse ElectronicAdvisory Engineer, Westinghouse Electronic Systems GroupSystems Group Senior Engineer, Marine CorpsSenior Engineer, Marine Corps Test Pilot, U.S. NavyTest Pilot, U.S. Navy Physicist, Naval Air Warfare CenterPhysicist, Naval Air Warfare Center Senior Scientist, University of VirginiaSenior Scientist, University of Virginia Radiation Oncologist, Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, MDRadiation Oncologist, Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, MD Financial Analyst, American Hospital Supply, Corp.Financial Analyst, American Hospital Supply, Corp.

Engineering Health PhysicsBusiness/management University Faculty

CFO, Dennys, Inc..CFO, Dennys, Inc.. Professor of Pediatrics, University of PittsburghProfessor of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh Professor of Pediatrics, Temple UniversityProfessor of Pediatrics, Temple University Radiology, Duke University Medical CenterRadiology, Duke University Medical Center Assistant Professor, Physics, Villanova UniversityAssistant Professor, Physics, Villanova University Radiologist, Richmond Medical Imaging AssociatesRadiologist, Richmond Medical Imaging Associates Pilot, U.S. NavyPilot, U.S. Navy Technical Director, E.G.&G.Technical Director, E.G.&G. Program Manager, U.S. ArmyProgram Manager, U.S. Army Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology,

University of PittsburghUniversity of Pittsburgh Manager, Interet IncManager, Interet Inc.. Physicist, Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoryPhysicist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Program Manager, Vitro CorpProgram Manager, Vitro Corp..

Staff Engineer, Hawaiian Electric Co.Staff Engineer, Hawaiian Electric Co. President, Maui Electronic Co., Ltd.President, Maui Electronic Co., Ltd. Heath Physicist, Radiochemist, U.S. NavyHeath Physicist, Radiochemist, U.S. Navy Nuclear Engineer, Bechtel PowerNuclear Engineer, Bechtel Power Consulting PhysicistConsulting Physicist Health Physicist, Digital Systems ResearchHealth Physicist, Digital Systems Research Territorial Manager, Ross LaboratoriesTerritorial Manager, Ross Laboratories Accounts Underwriter, Kemper InsuranceAccounts Underwriter, Kemper Insurance Vice President, Cigna InternationalVice President, Cigna International Scientist, SESScientist, SES Research Associate, DuPont Imaging SystemsResearch Associate, DuPont Imaging Systems Case Manager, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Case Manager, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and

EnergyEnergy Senior Physicst/Systems Analyst, The John Hopkins UniversitySenior Physicst/Systems Analyst, The John Hopkins University Functional Manger, Hewlett PackardFunctional Manger, Hewlett Packard Civil Engineer, Sinclair Oil Corp.Civil Engineer, Sinclair Oil Corp. Vice President, Licensing , Wyeth-Ayert LaboratoriesVice President, Licensing , Wyeth-Ayert Laboratories Engineer, GTE Fiber Optics CommunicationEngineer, GTE Fiber Optics Communication

Manager, Network Equipment TechnologiesManager, Network Equipment Technologies LCDR, U.S. NavyLCDR, U.S. Navy Director if Research, IatroMed, Inc.Director if Research, IatroMed, Inc. Director of R&D, LaJolla Technology, IncDirector of R&D, LaJolla Technology, Inc.. Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University

of Kentuckyof Kentucky Development Engineer, Reed Research, IncDevelopment Engineer, Reed Research, Inc.. Test Engineering Manager, Du PontTest Engineering Manager, Du Pont Dean, Sangamon State University, Springfield IlDean, Sangamon State University, Springfield Il Technical Manager, Jet Propulsion LaboratoryTechnical Manager, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Physicist, Cornell Aero. LabsPhysicist, Cornell Aero. Labs U.S. Sales Manager, AT&T ParadyneU.S. Sales Manager, AT&T Paradyne Consultant, Arthur Anderson & CoConsultant, Arthur Anderson & Co..

Director, Bell AtlanticDirector, Bell Atlantic Professor of Astronomy, Villanova UniversityProfessor of Astronomy, Villanova University Sr. Principal Engineer, Computer Sciences CorpSr. Principal Engineer, Computer Sciences Corp.. Asst. Professor of Physics, Temple UniversityAsst. Professor of Physics, Temple University Electronics Engineer Honeywell Electro Electronics Engineer Honeywell Electro

OpticsPresident, California University of PAOpticsPresident, California University of PA Project Engineer, New Jersey Dept. of TransportationProject Engineer, New Jersey Dept. of Transportation Field Engineer, Ultratech StepperField Engineer, Ultratech Stepper Engineer, Lockheed Martin Engineer, Lockheed Martin Electronics Engineer, USAFElectronics Engineer, USAF Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Wright Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Wright

State UniversityState University Assistant Scientist, Leeds and NorthrupAssistant Scientist, Leeds and Northrup

What to do What to do nownow to prepare for to prepare for careers in science and engineeringcareers in science and engineering

take re-algebra, algebra, advanced algebra and pre-take re-algebra, algebra, advanced algebra and pre-calculus coursescalculus courses

take every available science course- physical science, take every available science course- physical science, biology, chemistry and physicsbiology, chemistry and physics

for physics careers readfor physics careers read The Elegant UniverseThe Elegant Universe, by Brian Greene , by Brian Greene

A Brief History of TimeA Brief History of Time, by Stephen Hawking , by Stephen Hawking

Flying Circus of PhysicsFlying Circus of Physics, by Jearl Walker , by Jearl Walker get involved in science fairs, extracurricular science get involved in science fairs, extracurricular science

clubsclubs find a mentor – someone (teacher or professor) who can find a mentor – someone (teacher or professor) who can

help you and answer questions about things that intrigue help you and answer questions about things that intrigue you about science you about science

What do University professors do?What do University professors do?

TEACHINGTEACHING I teach a large lecture class (300) for mostly I teach a large lecture class (300) for mostly

freshman –The Physics of Everyday Experience- freshman –The Physics of Everyday Experience- How things work – Mon Wed Fri 11:30 – 12-30How things work – Mon Wed Fri 11:30 – 12-30

I spend at least an hour before each class I spend at least an hour before each class preparing demonstrations to illustrate the preparing demonstrations to illustrate the principles found in our common experiencesprinciples found in our common experiences

On Tues and Thus mornings I meet individual On Tues and Thus mornings I meet individual students to answer questions, provide help, etcstudents to answer questions, provide help, etc

I advise graduate students who are working I advise graduate students who are working toward their MS and PhD degreestoward their MS and PhD degrees

ResearchResearch I conduct experiments in plasma (ionized gases) physics I conduct experiments in plasma (ionized gases) physics

in my labin my lab Both undergraduates and graduate students work with Both undergraduates and graduate students work with

my as part of a teammy as part of a team I write research proposals to federal agencies to get the I write research proposals to federal agencies to get the

money to do the researchmoney to do the research I spend lots of time writing reports on the experiments I spend lots of time writing reports on the experiments

that we perform – these reports get published as articles that we perform – these reports get published as articles in journals read by other scientistsin journals read by other scientists

I attend research conferences where I present our I attend research conferences where I present our results to groups of scientists who can offer feed back results to groups of scientists who can offer feed back and criticismand criticism

I am usually in my office M-F, 8:30 – 5:30, but I spend a 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 good deal of time in the evenings and weekends reading articles about the work of other scientists.articles about the work of other scientists.

Rosette Nebula

ASTRONOMY

Comet Hale-BoppComet Hale-Bopp

Naturally Occurring PlasmasNaturally Occurring Plasmas

High Voltage Outdoor PlasmaHigh Voltage Outdoor Plasma

Neon lights are a plasma !Neon lights are a plasma !

Aurora Over Chippewa Falls, WIAurora Over Chippewa Falls, WI

Brett Walker, Nov. 5, 2001

I T E RI T E R

A plasma lurks inside every A plasma lurks inside every fluorescent lamp !fluorescent lamp !

The fluorescent lamp shown has part of thephosphor removed to reveal the blue glow

of the plasma inside.