Department of Engineering Technology

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Dorothy W. Ortego, Head
Faculty: Connella, Garner, Hutchins, Liu, Nyberg, 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.

Electronics and Instrumentation Educational Objectives and Outcomes

The Associate of Science in Engineering Technology with concentrations in Electronics and Instrumentation serves the needs of both students and industry, as it prepares graduates for employment as entry-level technicians in the electronics and process control industries 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 entry-level technical positions in the electronics or instrumentation (process control) fields;
2. apply their communication and teamwork skills first practiced during their degree programs to perform in a more supervisory role;
3. pursue further study in managerial or technical fields.

In order to prepare students for employment in these areas, students will meet the following program outcomes, which indicate the skills developed by the program. By the time they graduate, students will be able to:

1. Be able to troubleshoot electronics and instrumentation systems using current equipment and systems.
2. Analyze and solve problems in electronics and instrumentation systems - in particular those dealing with analog and digital circuits, meters and instruments, and process control.
3. Graduates will understand the fundamental principles of electrical and electronics circuits and instrumentation, enabling them to understand current technology and to adapt to new devices and technologies.
4. Communicate using proper technical terminology both verbally and in writing.
5. Contribute as part of a team.
6. Recognize that a successful career in engineering technology requires more than technical knowledge; it requires the knowledge of professional and ethical responsibilities, a respect for societal issues, a commitment to quality and timeliness, and the ability to engage in lifelong learning.

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology with concentrations in Electronics and Instrumentation builds upon the skills developed at the associate level and prepares graduates to fill supervisory or technical expert positions in industry, as well as providing a background for graduate study. 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 more technically demanding and supervisory positions in the electronics or instrumentation (process control) fields; and
2. pursue graduate study in managerial or technical fields.

To prepare them for such positions, students will meet the following program outcomes in addition to those given for the associate level program. By the time they graduate, students will be able to:

1. Analyze, design, and implement systems using current electronic and instrumentation equipment.
2. Troubleshoot existing programs and create new programs for use in electronics  and process systems - in particular those using programmable logic controllers and higher-level computer language programming for microcontrollers.
3. Appreciate the requirements of employees and supervisors in an industrial workplace.

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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