Theory and practice in engineering

During the past decade a great deal of thought has been given to the place of the sciences in an engineering curriculum and in engineering practice. There is often a difference in point of view between the traditional engineer who understands through experience how to build structures that will stand up, how to build rotating machinery that will not fail, how to build tools that will do the job, and the physicist or student of theoretical mechanics who feels he can treat any problem on a theoretical basis alone. But neither is solely correct. The problem each has before him is how these two aspects are to be combined. How is one going to make sure, in any particular case, that the best engineering experience is brought to bear and, at the same time, that the best theoretical knowledge is given appropriate consideration.

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