When did science become vast?

[random_soldier1337]

Interesting. What kinds of topics/subjects are covered/available?

 

[leggo PE]

There are PDH/etc. webinars, talks at conferences, seminars, etc. covering anything from broad topics to specific ones for basically all disciplines. Not all webinars/talks/seminars/etc. will automatically be worth PDH's, but if they are, they will surely list it as it can be a way to draw more people in to attend. Often such webinars/seminars/etc. are geared towards design in the specific discipline.

However, today I got an email that is offering a webinar that will provide 1.5 hours of continuing education (approval in all states) with the title "How to Read the Copyright Clause in Your Contract". That's not design-related, but is something that can be valued as important in the profession when considering contracts.

 

[Tiger15]

Interesting. What kinds of topics/subjects are covered/available?

Requirements vary from state to state but almost any engineering related learning can count. It's just about keeping your knowledge up to date and always improving. Here's a couple quotes from Louisiana's rules as an explanation. 

The primary purpose of licensing for professional engineers and professional land surveyors is to help protect the public from unqualified or unethical practitioners. The requirement for continuing professional development is also intended to help protect the public by reinforcing the need for lifelong learning in order to stay more current with changing technology, equipment, procedures, processes, tools, and established standards. This Chapter [of the rules] provides flexibility in selecting among a broad range of activities that are intended to strengthen or maintain competency in technical, managerial (business) or ethical endeavors. Licensees are encouraged to select meaningful continuing professional development activities which will be of benefit in the pursuit of their chosen fields.

Acceptable Activity―subject matter which is technical in nature or addresses business management practices, professional ethics, quality assurance, codes or other similar topics which facilitate the licensee's professional development as a professional engineer or professional land surveyor, and/or serves to safeguard life, health and property and promote the public welfare. Any course/activity offered by a board-approved sponsor/provider will qualify as an acceptable activity. It will be the responsibility of the licensee to determine if a course/activity offered by an unapproved sponsor/provider is an acceptable activity.

Louisiana allows a pretty wide range of things to count for PDH hours. I'm not sure how this compares to other states. That being said, most engineers use seminars, trainings, workshops, or conferences. The other stuff is much more rare.

• college courses
  
• almost any technical seminar, in-house company training, workshops, technical presentation made at meetings, conference, etc
  
• teaching a technical class that required research or preparation
  
• membership in a professional organization
  
• authoring and publishing a paper
  
• obtaining a patent
  
• preparing problems for NCEES
  
• serving as a thesis director for students
  
• serving on a government technical committee
  

 

[random_soldier1337]

From the sound of it, I assume most opt for seminars/conferences/etc. because of relative cheapness and ease compared to something like take or teaching a college course?