Harare Institute of Technology Engineering & Technology

Departments in the School

• Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
• Department of Electronic Engineering
• Department of Chemical & Process Systems Engineering
• Department of Polymer Technology and Engineering

Defining Science, Engineering and Technology

The distinction between science, engineering and technology is not always clear. Science is the reasoned investigation or study of phenomena, aimed at discovering enduring principles among elements of the phenomenal world by employing formal techniques such as the scientific method. Technologies are not usually exclusively products of science, because they have to satisfy requirements such as utility, usability and safety.

ngineering is the goal-oriented process of designing and making tools and systems to exploit natural phenomena for practical human means, often (but not always) using results and techniques from science. The development of technology may draw upon many fields of knowledge, including scientific, engineering, mathematical, linguistic, and historical knowledge, to achieve some practical result.

Technology is often a consequence of science and engineering — although technology as a human activity precedes the two fields. For example, science might study the flow of electrons in electrical conductors, by using already-existing tools and knowledge. This new-found knowledge may then be used by engineers to create new tools and machines, such as semiconductors, computers, and other forms of advanced technology. In this sense, scientists and engineers may both be considered technologists; the three fields are often considered as one for the purposes of research and reference.

SET produces Engineers and Engineering Technologists….What are they?

An Engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge , mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical and practical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, safety and cost] The word engineer is derived from the Latin root ingenium, meaning “cleverness”. Engineers are grounded in applied sciences, and their work in research and development is distinct from the basic research focus of scientists The work of engineers forms the link between scientific discoveries and the applications that meet the needs of society.

An Engineering Technologist, is a specialist devoted to the implementation of existing technology within a field of engineering . Technologists often work with engineers in a wide variety of projects by applying basic engineering principles and technical skills. The work of technologists is usually focused on the portion of the technological spectrum closest to product improvement, manufacturing, construction, and engineering operational functions

Introduction to the School

Technology and Engineering Education with a strong foundation of practical project courses and technoprenurship anchor.

Enginnering degree programs offered by the school all have fundamental courses in engineering to include mathematics (which is core) design & graphics, mechanics and electronics basics. All programmes have practical project courses that run from year 2 to year four and include the following:

HIT 200 – (offered in Part II) Practical project course in which engineering students are grouped into teams and undertake research projects premised on design and innovation or product development. Students are expected to produce prototypes or designs that are industrially applicable and have to face a departmental examiners panel to present their projects and test their prototypes. Prototypes produced have to be functional and if not the students are deemed to have failed the project course.

HIT 300 (offered in Part III) – Design & Innovation Project course in which students now individually embark on research projects which are of design and innovation in nature. Students are expected to produce designs of equipment or process systems and should be able to present their research project reports before a departmental examiners panel at the end of the third academic year. As with HIT 200 students are expected to produced functional prototypes.

Technopreneurship – This is a course mandatory in all programmes that runs from year 1 to year 4 and involves study and practical appreciation of entrepreurial knowledge with technology. The aim is to produce graduates who are not only technologists cum engineers but technopreneurs as well.

The desirable attributes of graduates of the school are deemed as the following:

• 1. Problem-solving abilities
  2. Analytical skills
  3. Communication skills—oral, written, graphic
  4. Ability to relate to practical aspects of Engineering.
  5. Inter-personal skills.