Mechanical Engineering Technology
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William Leonard, Program Chair
www.rit.edu/cast/mmetps/mech.php
Mechanical engineering technology involves understanding how products and machinery work and how to design, make, or use them. From consumer products to high-performance automobiles, air-conditioned environments and jet aircraft, mechanical engineering technology has changed society for the better.
Mechanical engineering technology students will study the foundations of mechanics, materials, and energy. Students will learn technical skills such as computer-aided design, computer-aided engineering, how to test materials, and how to make parts. Students also will learn to apply these principles and skills to the various fields of mechanical engineering technology—such as product and machine design, power generation, utilities and manufacturing—through laboratories and design projects. Full-time students gain valuable industrial experience through the required cooperative education program.
The BS in mechanical engineering technology program is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, 1 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, telephone (410) 347-7700.
Program goals
The goal of the program is to prepare graduates for professional careers in machine design; manufacturing; test engineering; field service engineering; technical sales; thermal design; product design; utilities operations; heating, ventilating and air-conditioning design; or plant operations. The program emphasizes the development of a design methodology and is reinforced by project-oriented assignments.
Program educational objectives
Program educational objectives for mechanical engineering technology were established with the assistance of the industrial advisory board. Graduates will demonstrate the following objectives:
- a professional work ethic, a commitment to lifelong learning, quality, and continuous improvement through the clear ability to assume increasing levels of technical and/or management responsibility.
- participation and leadership while working on teams involved in the analysis, design, development, implementation, or oversight of mechanics and/or manufacturing systems and processes.
- an ability to design new and improved products, systems, and processes that are appropriate for their use.
- effective communication at all levels of an organization.
Curriculum
In the early quarters, students develop their skills in the fundamentals of mechanics, mathematics, materials technology, and computer-aided design. In later quarters, courses focus both on mechanical design and applied thermofluid engineering. The program includes five technical electives and three free electives, making it possible for students to create a specialization by using course electives in such areas as product design, air conditioning, thermal power, plastics processing, and manufacturing.
A substantial amount of laboratory and product work is required. Teamwork, technical writing, and computer use are emphasized throughout the program.
Transfer admission
Transfer students enter this program at the third-year level, having received an appropriate associate degree in mechanical technology, design-drafting technology, air-conditioning technology, engineering science, or an acceptable equivalent. It is expected that these associate degree programs will have provided the student with background in the following:
- mathematics through introductory calculus
- physics
- computer-aided design and drafting
- manufacturing processes
- statics and strength of materials
- computer skills (word processing, data analysis, presentation graphics, equation solving)
- metallurgy
- electric circuits
- statistics
- mechanical design
Elective concentrations in mechanical engineering technology
In the last three quarters of the program, students may elect to take a concentration in one of the following areas: product design; heat, power, and HVAC; or plastics processing. Customized sequences may be developed with department approval.
Evening program
Students who are employed full time and wish to pursue a baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering technology may take the upper-division portion of this program on a part-time basis during evening hours. The typical evening student requires approximately 13 quarters to complete the upper-division course requirements. Students also may elect certain courses from the computer-integrated manufacturing engineering technology and electrical engineering technology programs with department approvals.
Note: Some electives are not offered every year. Please check with an adviser when planning the program’s technical electives.
Mechanical technology, associate degree program
This part-time evening program is designed to prepare technicians for employment in the mechanical design and manufacturing fields. Since it is identical to the lower division of the full-time BS degree program, it prepares graduates for continuing their studies toward a baccalaureate degree in engineering technology. The program begins with courses in mathematics, physics, computer-aided drafting and design, and manufacturing processes. The advanced portion of the technical program covers topics in mechanics, hydraulics, materials, and machine design. Courses in composition, communication, social science, and humanities round out the program.
Mechanical engineering technology, BS degree, typical course sequence |
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Qtr. Cr. Hrs. |
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First Year |
Introduction to Materials Technology I 0610-211 |
3 |
Materials Testing 0610-304 |
1 |
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Manufacturing Processes I, II 0617-220, 420 |
8 |
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Calculus for Engineering Technology 1016-231 |
4 |
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First-Year Enrichment 1105-051, 052 |
2 |
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Solid Modeling and Design 0617-262 |
4 |
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Calculus for Engineering Technology II 1016-232 |
4 |
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Design, Dimensioning, and Tolerancing 0610-220 |
4 |
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Differential Equations for Engineering Technology 1016-304 |
4 |
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College Physics I 1017-211 |
4 |
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Liberal Arts* |
12 |
|
Second Year |
Introduction to Statics 0610-302 |
4 |
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems 0610-305 |
4 |
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Data Analysis, Lab 1016-319, 379 |
6 |
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College Physics II, III 1017-212, 213 |
8 |
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Engineering Economics 0617-436 |
4 |
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Electrical Principles for Design I 0609-411 |
4 |
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Strength of Materials 0610-303 |
4 |
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Liberal Arts* |
4 |
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Wellness Education† |
0 |
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Principles of Mechanical Design 0610-315 |
4 |
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Computational Methods for Engineering Technology 0610-309 |
1 |
|
Ethics Elective |
4 |
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Free Elective |
4 |
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Third Year |
Cooperative Education Preparation 0606-099 |
0 |
Effective Technical Communication 0535-403 |
4 |
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Applied Dynamics 0610-405 |
4 |
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Applied Fluid Mechanics 0610-460 |
4 |
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Fundamentals of Chemistry, Lab 1011-271, 205 |
4 |
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Mechanical Engineering Technology Lab II 0610-409 |
2 |
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Materials Technology 0610-416 |
4 |
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Applied Thermodynamics 0610-440 |
4 |
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Introduction to Chemistry of Materials, Lab 1011-273, 277 |
4 |
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Liberal Arts* |
4 |
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Cooperative Education (2 quarters) |
Co-op |
|
Fourth Year |
Failure Mechanics 0610-403 |
4 |
Mechanical Engineering Technology Lab I 0610-407 |
2 |
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Technical Elective |
8 |
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Machine Design I 0610-506 |
4 |
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Thermofluids Lab 0610-465 |
3 |
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Liberal Arts* |
8 |
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Cooperative Education (2 quarters) |
Co-op |
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Fifth Year |
Technical Electives |
12 |
Free Electives |
8 |
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Liberal Arts* |
8 |
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General Educational Elective |
4 |
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Cooperative Education (1 quarter) |
Co-op |
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Total Quarter Credit Hours |
196 |
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*Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information. †Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. For mechanical engineering technology, BS degree, upper-division evening, and mechanical technology, evening, typical course sequences, please see the Part-time Undergraduate Studies Guide or Online Studies Guide. |
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