Engineering Technology Exploration

Take up to a year to explore majors in RIT's College of Engineering Technology, including our portfolio of engineering technology degrees and our majors in environmental sustainability and health and safety program, and our print and graphic media technology–all without impacting your time to graduation.

Overview for Engineering Technology Exploration

Hands-on approach to exploring which major best suits your career goals.
Spend up to one year (two semesters) exploring majors in the College of Engineering Technology, and graduate on time.
Apply courses completed in the exploration program to the major you choose.

Find Your Perfect Fit for a Career in Engineering Technology

Learn More

Engineering technology exploration is an exciting opportunity for you to explore all the College of Engineering Technology’s academic majors to determine which one best meets your career aspirations. And, you have the freedom to explore early in your college career, so you can determine your interests before committing to a major.

What is Exploration?

The tech exploration program is designed to help you learn more about all the majors in the College of Engineering Technology, the courses you will take, and the career paths within each program. You can spend up to two semesters exploring and learning before you decide on a major. A key benefit of tech exploration is the freedom to identify your interests while remaining on track for graduation.

Is engineering technology exploration right for you? It’s a great fit if you are:

Inspired to tackle real-world problems facing society
Passionate about engineering, science, technology, robotics, mechatronics, or manufacturing
Seeking ways to help make contributions toward saving the environment
Interested in exploring ways to keep employees safe, healthy, and productive on the job
Looking for ways to combine your interests in technology, packaging science, and print and graphic media.
Interested in continuing your career exploration before declaring a major

Exploring Majors

Throughout your time in the engineering technology program, you will learn about each of the college’s nine majors while you complete foundational courses that apply to all engineering technology degrees in the college. This enables you to explore your options while working toward your degree.

You'll gain an in-depth understanding of each major through hands-on labs and projects. While developing foundational principles of engineering and applied science, you will learn about courses and career paths associated with each of our majors. This approach will help you identify which academic areas are most aligned with your career aspirations.

Which engineering technology degree will you explore?

What is Engineering Technology?

Engineering technology majors focus on using scientific and engineering principles to implement new technologies. Those who choose a degree in engineering technology are typically interested in the application of innovative ideas and technologies to solve real-world problems.

What’s the Difference Between Engineering and Engineering Technology?

It’s a question we’re asked all the time. While there are subtle differences in the course work between the two, choosing the right major in engineering or engineering technology is more about identifying what you like to do and how you like to do it.

Become Part of a Supportive and Encouraging Environment

In the College of Engineering Technology, you’ll be surrounded by people who want to see you do well, who will offer you encouragement, moral support, and mentoring. You will feel challenged and grow from the exhilarating ‘a-ha’ moments while being involved in a community that is rooting for you and your success, just as you root for them and their success.

Curriculum for 2023-2024 for Engineering Technology Exploration

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

View Printable Curriculum

Engineering technology exploration, typical course sequence

Course		Sem. Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
ENGT-110	College of Engineering Technology Exploration Seminar This hands-on, experiential learning course is designed to develop student understanding of the majors in the College Engineering Technology (CET). Students engage in team-based and individual projects related to each undergraduate major in the college. Additionally, students will meet with and learn from recent alumni and current students as they explore the different majors, learn about career opportunities, and reflect on their own personal aspirations. Lec/Lab 3 (Fall).	1
MCET-101	Fundamentals of Engineering Students will apply engineering problem solving methods used in industry to complete projects involving engineering topics such as mechanics, circuits, robotics, and thermodynamics. Software tools are used to model their designs, perform design calculations, collect and analyze data. Finally, students will present their work professionally using both written and oral communication software. The goal of the class is to have students become familiar with the many aspects of mechanical engineering through hands on, experiential learning and prepares them to work professionally and effectively in a team setting both in college and in industry. (This class is restricted to MCET-BS or MECA-BS or RMET-BS or EEET-BS or CPET-BS or ENGTEH-UND students.) Lecture 3, Recitation 1 (Fall, Spring).	3
	General Education-First Year Writing	3
	General Education Perspective	3
ACSC-010	Year One The Year One class serves as an interdisciplinary catalyst for first-year students to access campus resources, services and opportunities that promote self-knowledge, personal success, leadership development, social responsibility and life academic skills awareness and application. Year One is also designed to challenge and encourage first-year students to get to know one another, build relationships and help them become an integral part of the campus community. Lecture 1 (Fall, Spring).	0
YOPS-10	RIT365: RIT Connections RIT 365 students participate in experiential learning opportunities designed to launch them into their career at RIT, support them in making multiple and varied connections across the university, and immerse them in processes of competency development. Students will plan for and reflect on their first-year experiences, receive feedback, and develop a personal plan for future action in order to develop foundational self-awareness and recognize broad-based professional competencies. (This class is restricted to incoming 1st year or global campus students.) Lecture 1 (Fall, Spring).	0
	Wellness Education*	0
Spring Semester
Choose any three courses from the following majors:		9
	Electrical Engineering Technology
	Mechanical Engineering Technology
	Mechatronics Engineering Technology
	Robotics and Manufacturing Engineering Technology
	Computer Engineering Technology
	Civil Engineering Technology
	Environmental Sustainability, Health and Safety
	Packaging Science
	Print and Graphic Media Technology
	General Education Perspective	6
Choose one of the following:
MATH-161	Applied Calculus This course is an introduction to the study of differential and integral calculus, including the study of functions and graphs, limits, continuity, the derivative, derivative formulas, applications of derivatives, the definite integral, the fundamental theorem of calculus, basic techniques of integral approximation, exponential and logarithmic functions, basic techniques of integration, an introduction to differential equations, and geometric series. Applications in business, management sciences, and life sciences will be included with an emphasis on manipulative skills. (Prerequisite: C- or better in MATH-101, MATH-111, MATH-131, NMTH-260, NMTH-272 or NMTH-275 or Math Placement Exam score greater than or equal to 45.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).	4
MATH-171	Calculus A This is the first course in a three-course sequence (COS-MATH-171, -172, -173). This course includes a study of precalculus, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions, continuity, and differentiability. Limits of functions are used to study continuity and differentiability. The study of the derivative includes the definition, basic rules, and implicit differentiation. Applications of the derivative include optimization and related-rates problems. (Prerequisites: Completion of the math placement exam or C- or better in MATH-111 or C- or better in ((NMTH-260 or NMTH-272 or NMTH-275) and NMTH-220) or equivalent course.) Lecture 5 (Fall, Spring).	3
PHYS-111	College Physics I (General Education) This is an introductory course in algebra-based physics focusing on mechanics and waves. Topics include kinematics, planar motion, Newton’s laws, gravitation; rotational kinematics and dynamics; work and energy; momentum and impulse; conservation laws; simple harmonic motion; waves; data presentation/analysis and error propagation. The course is taught using both traditional lectures and a workshop format that integrates material traditionally found in separate lecture, recitation, and laboratory settings. Lab 4, Lecture 2 (Fall, Spring, Summer).	4
Total Semester Credit Hours		32

Please see General Education Framework for more information.

* Please see Wellness Education Requirements for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two different Wellness courses.

Admissions and Financial Aid

First-Year Admission

A strong performance in a college preparatory program is expected. This includes:

4 years of English
3 years of social studies and/or history
3 years of math is required and must include algebra, geometry, and algebra 2/trigonometry. Pre-calculus is preferred.
2-3 years of science. Chemistry or physics is required and biology is recommended.
Technology electives are preferred.

Learn How to Apply

Financial Aid and Scholarships

100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.

RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships