Engineering Essentials

Engineering Essentials provides students with a comprehensive and approachable introduction to the engineering profession. The text equips readers with a foundational knowledge base that will support them as they progress in their studies and take more advanced and specialized engineering courses.

The opening chapter defines engineering and provides students with an overview of engineering majors and a discussion of key topics. Additional chapters cover engineering measurements and significant figures; engineering units, conversions, and dimensional analysis; and the estimation of errors and approximations. Students learn the way to approach problem-solving as an engineer, as well as how to apply statistics and probability within the discipline. Closing chapters address circuits and Ohm's Law, and provide readers with an introduction to statics and dynamics. Robust appendices provide students with ample labs, exercises, and examples of technical writing for engineers.

The second edition features updates for each chapter, as well as a new chapter on dynamics. The lab activities have been updated, and the authors added a new lab activity and homework problems to aid in student retention of the material.

Designed to provide students with basic, critical knowledge, Engineering Essentials is well-suited for introductory courses within the discipline.

Kenneth Leitch is an associate professor of civil engineering within the College of Engineering at West Texas A&M University. He holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering from New Mexico State University. Dr. Leitch's research interests include engineering education pedagogy, sustainable construction, structural analysis, materials testing, close-range photogrammetry, and 3D modeling techniques.

Freddie Davis is a former associate professor and department head within the College of Engineering at West Texas A&M University. He holds a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University. Dr. Davis' research interests include heat transfer and nuclear safety.