Department of Engineering Technology

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Dorothy W. Ortego, Head
Faculty: Connella, Garner, Liu, Piñeros, Schulte

The Department of Engineering Technology offers an associate and bachelor degree in Engineering Technology. The associate degree offers concentrations in Electronics, Instrumentation, and Process Plant, and the bachelor degree in Engineering Technology offers concentrations in Electronics, Instrumentation, Process Plant with Management Pathway, and Process Plant with Technical Pathway.

Purpose

The purpose of the Department of Engineering Technology is congruent with the purpose of the college as well as the University. The department has established the following specific goals: (1) to prepare graduates to enter industrial employment as a productive member of the engineering team, (2) to maintain up-to-date curriculum standards, (3) to assist local industry in providing up-to-date training for their present and future employees, and (4) to provide an atmosphere and the facilities to stimulate Engineering Technology students toward maximum intellectual growth.

The purposes are achieved by: (1) providing a qualified faculty with previous industrial experience, (2) making necessary curriculum revisions as dictated by technological advances and advice of industry, (3) providing laboratory facilities with up-to-date equipment, and (4) providing laboratory hands-on experience in all major courses.

Curricula

The Associate of Science degree in Engineering Technology with concentrations in Electronics, Instrumentation, and Process Plant Technology is designed to offer students an opportunity for specialized training and education in the fields of engineering and science technologies. The technicians employed in these fields understand the principles used by engineers and scientists, and are skilled in installing, maintaining, inspecting, producing, and distributing goods and services of a technical nature. They are members of engineering and science teams and often have important roles in planning, research, and supervision. The need for engineering and science technicians is growing and the shortage is increasing. Research has shown that on the average industry utilizes five technicians for each engineer or scientist.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology with concentrations in Electronics, Instrumentation, Process Plant with Management Pathway, and Process Plant with Technical Pathway is designed to furnish the final two years of a bachelor’s program for Engineering Technology students who have completed the Associate of Science degree in Engineering Technology degree. Each student will take those electives he chooses to enhance his background or work.

Process Plant Concentration Educational Objectives and Outcomes

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology with a concentration in Process Plant serves the needs of both students and industry, as it prepares graduates for employment in the process industry and related fields. To this end, the concentration is designed to help graduates achieve the educational objectives listed below. With appropriate work experience and desire, graduates will be able to:

1. fill supervisory and technical support positions in the process industry;
2. become sales representatives, technical experts, and supervisors for companies serving the process industry; and
3. pursue graduate study in managerial or technical fields.

In order to meet the educational objectives for the Process Plant B.S. concentration, students will be able to:

1. think critically and make decisions, even if information is incomplete;
2. analyze and solve problems in process systems - in particular those dealing with equipment performance, fluid flow, and material and energy balances;
3. understand the fundamental principles of equipment operation so they will know not just how equipment is operated but why it is operated that way;
4. communicate using proper technical terminology both verbally and in writing;
5. contribute as part of a team; and
6. appreciate the requirements of employees in an industrial workplace.

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