| ASTM is pleased to announce that it is now ASTM International.
Along with the new name, our corporate identity now also includes the tagline, “Standards Worldwide,” under an updated logo. ASTM International was founded in 1898 and provides a global forum for the development and publication of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems and services. This name change reflects not a new direction for ASTM, but a better definition of how the organization has always operated. ASTM has long encouraged and promoted international participation. Its consensus-based standards-development process is founded on the balanced representation of producers, users, consumers, government, and academia—not on national identity. In addition, Internet-based initiatives, such as Forums for 24/7 interactive standards development and Web balloting make it easy for interested parties from around the world to participate in the ASTM International process.
Career Enhancement Through ASTM International ASTM International serves its members and standards users around the world by providing a forum for the development of standards in 130 technical areas. But ASTM also provides other programs that complement the development of these important documents. Training Courses Symposia Online Career Resources Engineering Across Disciplines Engineers are working across traditional disciplines and collaborating with other professionals as a necessary means to address complex challenges and solve the problems of today’s modern technological era, according to a new study by ASME International (American Society of Mechanical Engineers). The study, New Dimensions in Multidisciplinary Thinking, examines change in the way in which engineering is practiced and learned. According to the ASME study, where traditionally engineers worked in narrow and specialized areas, today they function in hybrid fields and move seamlessly among several engineering disciplines. Multidisciplinary thinking in engineering promotes a systems-oriented approach to technology development, which the study says is the essence of innovation and a key driver in the emergence and maturation of such fields as nanotechnology, bioinstrumentation, and micro-electro mechanical systems. According to the study, the multidisciplinary environment blurs the boundaries between traditional technical roles and distinctions and promotes increased teamwork on projects. Multidisciplinary approaches also foster knowledge transfer. Multidisciplinary thinking has implications for engineering education. According to the ASME study, some mechanical engineering programs are changing core courses and adding new electives in biology and chemistry. // Systems Engineering Growing as an Emerging Discipline As the engineering community considers different licensure approaches to adapt to new areas of practice, some engineers are making the case for systems engineering to be one of those areas. Systems engineers have begun discussions with the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) concerning the accreditation of systems engineering programs. Licensure is also being considered for this emerging discipline. Before it can become a widely recognized discipline, however, the engineering world must reach a consensus on what is meant by “systems engineering” (SE). There are many different definitions floating around. According to the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), a relatively young and growing organization, SE is an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems. Professional Engineer Phillip Brown, director of Systems Engineering Associates Inc. and a leader within INCOSE, says, “Systems can range from a computer chip manufactured by Intel to the system of systems now being deployed by the U.S. Department of Defense.” INCOSE says SE focuses on defining customer needs and required functionality early in the development cycle, documenting requirements, and then proceeding with design synthesis and system validation while considering the complete problem. INCOSE is working toward a systems engineering PE exam by first developing a guide to that body of knowledge, Brown says. He adds that the United Kingdom is also moving toward the chartering of systems engineers. —Rachel Davis (Excerpted with permission from “Systems Engineering Experiences Growth as Emerging Discipline,” November 2001 Engineering Times, a publication of the National Society of Professional Engineers.) Women in a Knowledge-Based Society The 12th International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists, “Women in a Knowledge-Based Society,” will be held July 27-31, 2002, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The ICWES12 Conference brings together engineers, scientists, social scientists and students to challenge the world to a new vision of women’s roles and contributions in the areas of science, engineering, and technology. The event will bring important issues such as the environment and the impact of technology on women and society to the attention of all participants and the public. For information, please send e-mails with the subject line ICWES12 to: Cheryl_Cadrin@carleton.ca (Web site). // Copyright © ASTM, 2001 |
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From initiation of a standards activity to publication of the
final product, ASTM is improving its longstanding commitment to
creating a forum in which the world may gather to develop standards.
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