The National Research Council's Committee on the Education and Utilization of the Engineer conducted a study aimed at achieving a comprehensive understanding of engineering in the United States and an assessment of its capacity to meet present and future needs. This document reports on the findings of the committee's work over a 2-year period. The report is organized into three major sections. The first section provides background information on the study and a chapter dealing with the role of engineering in America. The second section, "Where Does Engineering Stand in America Today?" includes chapters on: (1) defining the engineering community; (2) the current status of engineering education; and (3) the utilization of engineering resources. The final section, "A Look at the Future," includes a chapter which looks at engineering's future from the perspective of the changing requirements for a changing environment. The appendices include a list of subcommittee and panel membership and consultants, a list of the committee reports generated by participants in the study, and a topic index. (TW)