Mechanical Engineering Technology
The mission of the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MECH) Program is to provide high quality technical and academic preparation for future engineering technologists. Our primary goal is to graduate engineering technologists who are technically equipped and highly motivated to successfully compete in the workplace. We are focused on the applications of computers to solving manufacturing problems.
Engineering technology is a part of the technological field which requires the application of scientific and engineering knowledge and methods combined with technical skills in support of engineering activities; it lies in the occupational spectrum between the craftsman and the engineer at the end of the spectrum closest to the engineer.
Most of the MECH courses will be very applications oriented with laboratory requirements that integrate the computer across all areas of manufacturing. The program includes a rigorous commitment to courses in Chemistry, Physics, Calculus I & II, and Statistics. Students may choose from numerous computer, technical, math, pre-engineering, and business courses to round out their educational experience.
Engineering Technology as a field of study is inherently an interdisciplinary one. Students who choose to challenge themselves with the rigors of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program will be rewarded with the analytical skills and knowledge to design complex systems and industrial machines to meet manufacturing needs. With a strong background in materials, mechanical and machine design, thermal and fluid system analysis, and a focus on automation, graduates from this program will be uniquely qualified to address the design needs of Texas manufacturing and related businesses. Finally, Because the Mechanical Engineering program builds on our departments long and successful track record in the field of manufacturing engineering. Having a skill set in traditional Mechanical engineering disciplines with background in Quality, project management, and continuous improvement theories make our graduates very valuable to small and large manufacturing alike.
With the rigors associated with the Mechanical Engineering Technology degree come the rewards. The qualified engineering technologist is highly sought by manufacturers and is highly rewarded monetarily. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates from Tarleton are in a favorable geographical location to take advantage of this explosive growth in high technology jobs, being situated near the I 35 industrial corridor that runs from Austin to the Fort Worth/Dallas Metroplex. Typical job placements include engineering and technology opportunities in Mechanical design, Tooling, Manufacturing engineering, and project management. These entry level positions often lead to further opportunities in Engineering or Management.
According to the Texas Department of Economic Development (Business and Industry Data Center), of the 21,000 manufacturers in the state, there are almost 5,000 manufacturers in the Metroplex area alone. About 1.1 million Texas workers are employed in manufacturing. During the 2000’s, Texas has created more manufacturing jobs than any other state.
Mechanical Engineering Technology (Bachelor of Science) Program Educational Objectives
Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments for which the program is preparing its graduates, i.e. what we expect the graduates to be doing in the first few years after graduation.
The Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) for the Mechanical Engineering Technology (Bachelor of Science) program were developed based on the needs of our constituents to meet the desired expectations in the industry. These PEOs are aligned with the mission of the university, the college, and the program. The Mechanical Engineering Technology (Bachelor of Science) PEOs are as follows:
- To produce graduates who can work effectively as team members, team leaders, or individually to solve complex real-world problems in a dynamic environment.
- To produce graduates with the tools and confidence to continue to learn and apply new knowledge commensurate with an expanding career path.
- To produce graduates who are able to communicate effectively and accurately, using various communication tools, in a professional and ethical manner with broad audiences.
- To produce graduates who immediately contribute to, and positively impact the industries they serve.
- To produce graduates who work ethically, morally, and professionally in business, industry, and society.
Mechanical Engineering Technology (Bachelor of Science) Student Outcomes
The Student Outcomes support the program educational objectives and achievement of these outcomes prepares graduates to enter the professional practice of engineering technology.
The Student Outcomes for the Mechanical Engineering Technology (Bachelor of Science) program are defined as the ABET Criterion 3.1-5 Outcomes. Graduates of the Mechanical Engineering Technology (Bachelor of Science) program will have demonstrated the ability to:
3.1 an ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline;
3.2 an ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline;
3.3 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;
3.4 an ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes; and
3.5 an ability to function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams.
Mechanical Engineering Technology Topics
Students in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program can expect to be educated in a wide range of manufacturing related topics such as:
- Principles of Drafting
- Engineering Static
- Machining Technology
- Solid Modeling
- Thermoplastic Materials Processing
- Industrial Design
- Industrial Controls
- Mechanical analysis
- Fluid Systems
- Applied Thermodynamics
- Material Testing and Analysis
- Machine design
- Advanced Industrial Controls
- Project Mgmt
- Industrial Projects