Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and fire protection engineers use a stimulating mix of engineering disciplines, math, computer science, and even psychology to prevent smoke from ever appearing. If you’re a mechanical, civil, electrical, or chemical engineer, you already possess much of the necessary training to pursue a career in fire protection engineering. View the infographic below to…Continue Reading 5 Reasons To Be A Fire Protection Engineer [Infographic]
New eBook: BIM in Theory and Practice
Have you heard of BIM? It’s taking the worlds of construction, design, and engineering by storm, and for good reason. BIM, or Building Information Modeling, is a revolutionary software that streamlines building projects and facilitates communication between stakeholders at all points in the construction process: architects, contractors, even facilities managers after the job is complete. In our latest…Continue Reading New eBook: BIM in Theory and Practice
Mechanical Engineering: The Root of Innovation [Infographic]
The different sectors of engineering are like trees; while there may be many branches, they all lead back to their roots. Aerospace, Robotics, and Electrical & Computer Engineering are all limbs on the Mechanical Engineering tree. See how M.E. cultivates innovation in our new infographic. Get the foundation you need to make a difference. Explore the field of…Continue Reading Mechanical Engineering: The Root of Innovation [Infographic]
Crash the Course: Introduction to Systems Thinking
In this first installment of Crash the Course*, I’m taking you on a journey into WPI Online’s “Introduction to Systems Thinking” course. I don’t just work at WPI; I’m also a student in one of the first courses offered in a revolutionary new education model: Personalized Online Education (or POE). Here’s why POE works for me. It’s convenient – I’m…Continue Reading Crash the Course: Introduction to Systems Thinking
Corrosion-Resistant Steel: What’s the Best Recipe?
The composition of steel isn’t one-size-fits all. There are dozens of variations of steel, all of which rely on a specific balance of iron, carbon, and one or more other elements for their distinctive properties. For every variety of steel there are unique purposes for which it is best suited across a range of industries….Continue Reading Corrosion-Resistant Steel: What’s the Best Recipe?
Getting the Most Out of Structural Materials
By Mike Ahern, Director, Corporate & Professional Education Like many new structural engineers, I graduated with a good understanding of elastic behavior and how to perform elastic analysis. I was also well-versed in factors of safety and conservative design. When I started my first job at a leading gas turbine engine manufacturer, I realized I…Continue Reading Getting the Most Out of Structural Materials
Change Your Mind with Systems Thinking
Systems thinking is an effective, holistic way to view any problem you may have in business and personal relations. But don’t take our word for it! Our online and corporate graduate students are raving about WPI’s Intro to Systems Thinking course, and how it has positively affected different aspects of their lives. SYSTEMS THINKING…Continue Reading Change Your Mind with Systems Thinking
Automating Communication Through Building Information Modeling
My old boss had a favorite saying for occasions when our team failed to keep each other informed. In exasperation, he’d bellow: “All communication… is a miracle!” He’d deliver the last three words with a dramatic flourish. It stuck with me as a simple truth; that we, as engineers and managers, struggle to keep our…Continue Reading Automating Communication Through Building Information Modeling
What Do Fire Protection Engineers Do?
If you’ve researched the topic of fire protection engineering, you probably have a general understanding that fire protection engineers use a variety of sciences and disciplines to protect people and property from fires. What does that mean, though? What does a fire protection engineer actually do? Quite a lot, as it turns out. We’re so…Continue Reading What Do Fire Protection Engineers Do?
Enabling More Renewable Power
More and more people are installing power generation – solar, wind, emergency generators, micro-turbines and fuel cells. These are all examples of “distributed generation” and many of them are renewable. While this is a positive trend for sustainability and helps with resiliency, it can be a challenge to the safe and reliable operation of the power delivery…Continue Reading Enabling More Renewable Power