The introduction of new engineering programs. A curse or a necessity?

Abstract

The traditional engineering disciplines seemed to have been around for a very long time, and divide our realm in the same manner that physicians and surgeons divide medicine. These classical regimes of distinctly different disciplines are so ingrained in our modern history, that few would be surprised if the latest Dan Brown novel (author of the DaVinci code) suggested that Noah had employed mechanical, electrical, civil and chemical engineers to build the Ark. The use of electrical engineers would perhaps convince the reader that the novel were fictional, unless fluorescent lighting was in fact part of the Ark’s original equipment, or an after market addition. Lately however the disciplines seem to be going through a transformation that could risk loosing this well established identity, in order to ensure that engineering vocations that require more specialised courses are served accordingly. Advances in technology demand that more and more (previously) niche areas, require more and more theoretical and technical engineering knowledge. In the last decade we have seen the introduction of Petrochemical degrees, Mechatronics Degrees, Environmental Degrees, Aerospace Degrees and Automotive Degrees. These programs have obviously been introduced to address a need, but at what expense to the more classical programs such as mechanical, electrical, civil and chemical? This paper will focus on one particular case study; the introduction of a new Automotive Engineering Degree at the University of Adelaide, discuss the reasons for its introduction, its popularity, its success and will leave an open question: what of the classical mechanical engineering degree?