Engineering Technology Exploration

Spend up to a year exploring RIT's portfolio of engineering technology degrees before you declare a major.

Overview for Engineering Technology Exploration

Engineering technology exploration helps you decide which major best meets your career aspirations.
Spend up to one year (two semesters) exploring majors in the College of Engineering Technology.
Courses completed in the exploration option are applied to the major you choose.

Are you passionate about engineering, science, technology, robotics, mechatronics, or manufacturing?

Are you seeking ways to help make a big contribution toward saving the environment?

Are you looking for ways to combine your interests in technology and graphic design?

Engineering technology exploration gives you an opportunity to explore all your interests while you identify which major in the College of Engineering Technology can best help you reach your career aspirations.

Engineering Technology Courses: What You'll Study

Throughout your first year in engineering technology exploration, you will complete foundational courses that introduce you to multiple areas of engineering technology, and our degree programs that focus on the environment and graphic communications. You'll also gain an in-depth understanding of each of our majors, enabling you to identify which one best meets your interests and career aspirations. Ultimately, you will gain a better understanding of the career path you want to pursue. You'll spend up to one year exploring our majors while earning course credit that may be applied to any of our majors.

Engineering vs. Engineering Technology

Two dynamic areas of study, both with outstanding outcomes rates. Which do you choose?

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 a major in engineering vs. engineering technology is more about identifying what you like to do and how you like to do it.

Industries

Aerospace
Automotive
Health Care
Defense
Electronic and Computer Hardware
Consumer Packaged Goods
Manufacturing
Utilities and Renewable Energy

Curriculum for Engineering Technology Exploration

View Printable Curriculum

Engineering technology exploration, typical course sequence

Course		Sem. Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
ENGT-110	Engineering Technology Exploration Seminar This seminar course is designed to introduce students to the technical disciplines in the School of Engineering Technology. Students will learn about the various programs through informational sessions led by faculty from the various programs, tours, presentations by current students and alumni, and assignments developed to assist the students with exploring the different career options. Assignments will be completed both individually and in small teams. Students will be required to demonstrate oral and written communication skills. Lec/Lab 2 (Fall).	1
EEET-111	DC Circuits Develops the skills to analyze and design practical DC circuits used in electronic devices. Topics include resistance with circuit techniques of Ohm's Law; current and voltage division; simplification of series, parallel, series-parallel circuits: bridge and ladder networks: Kirchhoff's source conversions, branch analysis; Thevenin and Norton theorems; superposition theorems and nodal analysis. Inductance and capacitance are introduced and transient circuits are studied. (Co-requisites: EEET-112 and (MATH-111 or MATH-171 or MATH-181 or MATH-181A) or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).	3
EEET-112	DC Circuits Lab Develops skills and practice in the design, fabrication, measurement and analysis of practical DC circuits used in electronic devices. Topics include the measurement relative to: resistance, current, and voltage with circuit techniques of Ohm's Law; current and voltage division; simplification of series, parallel, series-parallel circuits: bridge and ladder networks: Kirchhoff's Laws; power; and transient circuit behavior. Laboratory verification of DC analytical and techniques is included. Printed circuit board (PCB) design, fabrication, and assembly is also included emphasizing the development of soldering skill proficiency. (Co-requisites: EEET-111 or equivalent course.) Lab 2 (Fall, Spring).	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. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).	3
MFET-105	Machine Tools Lab	1
	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
	Wellness Education*	0
Spring Semester
Choose two courses from the following majors:
	Electrical Engineering Technology
	Mechanical Engineering Technology
	Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Technology
	Computer Engineering Technology
	Civil Engineering Technology
	Environmental Sustainability, Health and Safety
	Packaging Science
	General Education Perspective	3
Choose one of the following:		4
MATH171	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).
	Math Sequence
PHYS-111	General Education: College Physics I 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 (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