Engineering Fundamentals and Problem Solving

Engineering Fundamentals & Problem Solving presents a complete introduction into the engineering field and remains the most comprehensive textbook for an introductory engineering course. This text will help students develop the skills needed to solve open-ended problems in SI and customary units while presenting solutions in a logical manner. Students are introduced to subject areas, common to engineering disciplines, that require the application of fundamental engineering concepts. Engineering Fundamentals & Problem Solving provides students a realistic opportunity to learn to apply engineering principles to the solution of engineering problems. Furthermore, the author's approach keeps students on task toward an engineering career by showing how the materials apply to the student's school, life, and career.

McGraw-Hill's Connect, is also available as an optional, add on item. Connect is the only integrated learning system that empowers students by continuously adapting to deliver precisely what they need, when they need it, how they need it, so that class time is more effective. Connect allows the professor to assign homework, quizzes, and tests easily and automatically grades and records the scores of the student's work. Problems are randomized to prevent sharing of answers an may also have a "multi-step solution" which helps move the students' learning along if they experience difficulty.

Arvid R. Eide received his baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University. Upon graduation he spent two years in the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer and then returned to Iowa State as an instructor while completing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Professor Eide has worked for Western Electric, John Deere, and the Trane Company. He received his Ph.D. in 1974 and was appointed professor and Chair of Freshman Engineering, a position he held from 1974 to 1989, at which time Dr. Eide was appointed Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. In 1996, he returned to teaching as a professor of mechanical engineering. In January 2000 he retired from Iowa State University as professor emeritus of mechanical engineering.

Roland D. (Rollie) Jenison taught for 35 years in aerospace engineering and lower-division general engineering. He taught courses in engineering problem solving, engineering design graphics, aircraft performance, and aircraft stability and control, in addition to serving as academic adviser to many engineering students. He was a member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and published numerous papers on engineering education. He served as chair of the Engineering Design Graphics Division of ASEE in 1986–1987. He was active in the development of improved teaching methodologies through the application of team learning, hands-on projects, and open-ended problem solving. He retired in June 2000 as professor emeritus in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at Iowa State University.

Steven K. Mickelson is the Chuck R. and Jane F. Olsen Professor of Engineering at Iowa State University. His tenure home is in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE). Dr. Mickelson was the Chair for the ABE department from 2011 to 2021. He is currently the Special Advisor to the Senior Vice President and Provost, co-leading the roleout of Iowa State University’s new student information and receivable system. His teaching specialties include computer-aided graphics, engineering problem solving, engineering design, and soil and water conservation engineering. His research areas include evaluation of best management practices for reducing surface and groundwater contamination, manure management evaluation for environmental protection of water resources, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Dr. Mickelson has been very active in the American Society for Engineering Education and the American Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers for the past 40 years. He received his agricultural engineering degrees from Iowa State University in 1982, 1984, and 1991. He is a fellow within the American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Larry L. Northup is a professor emeritus of civil, construction, and environmental engineering at Iowa State University. He has 40 years of teaching experience, with 25 years devoted to lower-division engineering courses in problem solving, graphics, and design. He has two years of industrial experience and is a registered engineer in Iowa. He has been active in ASEE (Engineering Design Graphics Division), having served as chair of the Freshman Year Committee and Director of Technical and Professional Committees (1981–1984). He also served as chair of the Freshman Programs Constituent Committee of ASEE in 1983–1984.