Mechanical Engineering Technology - Aeronautical and Computer-Aided Design Options, BS

The BS degree in mechanical engineering technology has been developed to provide students with a solid foundation in the use of computers in math, science and the graphic arts with application to the mechanical engineering technology field, and to engage students with technical problems and projects that stimulate their critical thinking and build communication and teamwork skills.

Exposure to the design process exists throughout the curriculum in various engineering courses such as Solid Edge, Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application (CATIA), PATRAN/NASTRAN, Computational Method in Engineering with MATLAB and a capstone degree project.

The goal is to provide students with the fundamentals of engineering, and the knowledge and experience in analytical, computational and experimental methods as well as an ability to design and evaluate these approaches for use in a given situation. With this in mind, students in the mechanical engineering technology program can choose one of the following two options:

1. Aeronautical Option: This option strives to provide an in-depth application of engineering technology with a focus on aeronautical engineering principles.
2. Computer-aided Design Option: This option stresses the fundamentals of engineering with an emphasis on 3-D graphics using CATIA and Solid Edge for the design and analysis of structures.

This program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of (ABET), www.ABET.org.

Program Objectives

The mechanical engineering technology program educational objectives are developed to prepare students for the post-graduation activities. These program objectives are intended to produce versatile engineering technology graduates who:

1. Will be successful in their chosen career. Graduates of this program will obtain positions that require design, analysis, development and implementation of mechanical systems
2. Will pursue professional education, graduate study, and/or continued education.
3. Will conduct themselves as responsible members of society through involvement in community and professional engagement.

Student Outcomes

The BS mechanical engineering technology program seeks to provide an engaging educational experience for students. These form the basis for particular abilities that students should be able to demonstrate prior to graduation. These abilities coincide with new ETAC ABET criterion 3 (1) through (5) requirements as presented below:

1. Graduates will demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly-defined engineering problems used in mechanical engineering technology program
2. Graduates will demonstrate an ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate of a mechanical engineering technology related system
3. Graduates will demonstrate an ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly- defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature
4. Graduates will demonstrate an ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes of a mechanical system
5. Graduates will demonstrate an ability to function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams.