Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
(OP)
FE Assessment White Paper
How many were told about the FE and PE prior to enrollment? How were told to take the FE exam during the last year of college? How were never told?
I've run across some from large, prestigious universities that had never heard of the licensing process. I've wondered how much most universities do towards fostering professionalism.
How many were told about the FE and PE prior to enrollment? How were told to take the FE exam during the last year of college? How were never told?
I've run across some from large, prestigious universities that had never heard of the licensing process. I've wondered how much most universities do towards fostering professionalism.
Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC





RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
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"Is it the only lesson of history that mankind is unteachable?"
--Winston S. Churchill
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
All of our teachers stressed the importance of passing the FE, and later the PE, in order to be successful in our field.
I do consider myself lucky to have had predominantly excellent engineering professors.
I had heard of the PE prior to attending college, because I worked in construction, and had looked up the requirements before starting college.
We were also encouraged to join the student chapters of engineering associations.
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
Requirements for graduation (EE Dept):
IEEE student membership
Pass the FE exam
Demonstrate understanding of EE fundamentals in oral examinations
This was in the late 1970s at Christian Brothers Univ.
Good on ya,
Goober Dave
Haven't see the forum policies? Do so now: Forum Policies
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
- Steve
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
Let's be honest, though: Licensure is virtually meaningless for those in industry (machinery, consumer products, medical devices, etc) in the US.
Could it someday be meaningful? Maybe. But it's a both a chicken-and-egg problem and a motivation problem. As an engineer in industry, the hardest thing about getting my PE was finding the requisite number of PEs as references before I could sit for the test. And it has meant nothing for my career in industry or the few others I've met who have their PE.
Also peculiar to the US is the constant conflict between the free market and regulation, and licensure in industry would be a burdensome regulation. Curiously, this is an area where the usual free marketeers will cross the line to the other side (if they have a PE and are in a protected industry).
If not for my father's encouragement - BS Civil, MS Mechanical, PE, life long employment at a single defense company, occassional "hobby business" - I doubt the idea of getting my PE would have ever occured to me & I'm sure I never would have done it.
Rob Campbell
Imagitec: Imagination - Expertise - Execution
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
I'm occasionally surprised when meeting other engineers who don't understand my response when they ask whether I'm a PE. When I tell them its not generally useful in the aerospace industry, I usually get blank looks. Most of these same people (often PEs themselves) have never heard of a DER.
Maybe ABET should consider including information about professional licensure in various industries within their curriculum requirements? Would be a natural fit with ethics and legal course material. Not that I think this is likely, but it would be a welcome addition in my book.
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
Good on ya,
Goober Dave
Haven't see the forum policies? Do so now: Forum Policies
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
Both sound better than the real boring hell of the Monitored Professional Development Scheme. Loads of exciting paperwork. I bailed early and am still only AIMechE.
- Steve
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
Most engineers are not licensed, and there are precedents going both ways. Not all lawyers are members of the Bar (much like the P.E., they only need it if they hang out a shingle or plan to appear in court). All doctors are licensed, even if they do research on rodents and never treat patients.
My preference would be for ABET to require passing the FE prior to graduating as an Engineer (that would require that the scoring process be somewhat streamlined, actually how long does it really take to grade a multiple-choice answer sheet by computer?). After that, the current system of exempt and non-exempt activities makes good sense.
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
My dad's preferred way of putting it was, "If you want to hang out your shingle as an engineer, you need your PE."
Rob Campbell, PE
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
Either way, mostly every said that if you were going to pursue registration or thought you might down the road (presumably for all of us 2nd-rate engineers who didn't qualify for research assistant positions with the faculty in graduate school), it was best to take it at the end of college as you would never be better prepared for the topics on the test as you were leaving school.
It was true and I am thankful I decided to take it in my senior year and have it done with.
PE, SE
Eastern United States
"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
unless of course he added "the financial agent who loses their client's money, shall forfeit his own to redress"
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
I have long called that quote the Cunieform Building Code.
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"Is it the only lesson of history that mankind is unteachable?"
--Winston S. Churchill
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
And for any students who aren't sure, just take the FE. Even if you currently have no intentions of getting a PE, you don't necessarily want to close that door. Take the FE and take it while everything is fresh. The test isn't terribly difficult, but it's much easier recalling things when you took the course 1-2 years ago, as opposed to 4-6 years ago.
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
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RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
We had to take the FE during the last year of school to graduate. The year I took it the pass rate was 86%. We had some foreign students who were going home and didn't need it. They sat for a few minutes then left. In prior years, the engineering school had 100% pass rates.
Being a member of the appropriate engineering society was encouraged, too.
I have a lot of respect for my profs. Most were licensed and had years of industry experience before entering academia. They were all Ph.D.s but one and he got his shortly after my class graduated.
Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Fundamentals Exam Assessment for a few US programs
There was no requirement for FE or PE tests. It was mentioned by several professors and emphasized by one in particular to me. I was aware of the tests before college thanks to an excellent High School teacher.
Just sharing my personal (recent) experience.
Best Regards,
-Ian
"All models are wrong, but some are usefull" - George E. P. Box