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I agree with G.P. Where I think the engineering education makes a big difference is evaluating computer output. An engineer can look at some numbers and think, "Huh, that looks a little odd!" He/she can also perform the correct hand calculations to verify that the computer results are right. We have an office policy to do that on every project. The engineer also needs to understand and verify that all of the computer programs assumptions are correct.
I have to add that we look at a lot of calculations for items such as steel connections. There are usually pages and pages and pages of very official-looking computer output. When we look closer at them, there are often some glaring problems and inconsistencies. It kind of scares us to see what is coming out of engineering offices!
aarons914, the fact that you don't "get it" just underscores the difference between the two programs. It reminds me of architects who learn how to use steel design tables in school and then think they can challenge us on why we sized columns as large as we did! They're not taking into account a lot of variables that need to be considered.
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