Why study Mechanical Engineering Technology
The engineering technology degree offered by APSU is ideal for students who are interested in engineering and technology and who want to focus more on the practical aspects and on being a “doer.” This degree works well for people with industrial and/or military experience who are a bit older than the average college student and are seeking a degree as a path to new career opportunities. With our mechanical engineering technology concentration, graduates are well-prepared for careers in this area. An engineering technology degree offers a path to employment in the field of engineering and technology. For the student with practical skills and interests but may not have been the top math student in their class, this degree can be the perfect fit. With its focus on applications and more limited requirements in mathematics, it is a very good fit to the person who has been in the workplace and now needs a degree for advancement.
Through the Engineering Technology department, APSU offers degrees in engineering technology. This is similar to but not the same thing as a degree in engineering. An engineering technology degree puts more emphasis on applications and less on mathematics and theory. The focus of an engineering technology degree is to prepare a graduate to be a “doer” – to implement a plan, to work out the details, solve the problems, and make something work. When compared to a mechanical engineering degree program, the math requirements are not as high, and the classes focus more on applications. The field of mechanical engineering and technology covers every aspect of technology - from machines to produce and transmit power to suit specific applications in machines for every function. This includes engines for airplanes and helicopters, trucks and automobiles, pumps, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, refrigeration machines and air conditioning systems. This includes machines for manufacturing, construction, agriculture, commercial food processing, and the mechanical side of electric motors and other electrical equipment. This includes machines– refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioning, water heating, power tools, and many other machines that bring comfort and convenience to the home. Mechanical engineering and technology touches virtually every part of modern life. There is a strong demand for people in this field. With a degree in this field, you would be well prepared for work in design, manufacturing and quality inspection, maintenance, distribution, and operations. You could follow a career path into customer support or technical sales. The region around APSU is home to many industrial employers, and these employers need people for their design and manufacturing teams with qualifications in the mechanical field. Our graduates can be found working for industrial employers throughout the region and beyond. Our degree programs have helped many people find a better career and given them the basis for career advancement.
We are unique in that we offer the entire degree program in the evening at the Army
Education Center at Fort Campbell. People who are working in regional industries and
have to be at work during the day can come to us and take courses at night, along
with active duty military personnel. Courses at Fort Campbell run on an accelerated,
eight-week term schedule. For the more traditional college student, we offer some
first-year courses during the daytime on the Clarksville campus following the traditional
sixteen-week term schedule as well. With courses in the evenings, students are free
to look for internships and even full-time employment during the day. This is ideal,
as most employers expect interns to work during regular business hours.
Engineering Technology faculty have a range of backgrounds and experience. The department has a mix of senior, experienced faculty as well as new faculty coming on board. All have either Masters or Ph.D. degrees. One of the faculty in mechanical engineering technology is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Tennessee. The department also brings in engineers from industry as adjunct faculty to teach classes.
What will I Learn
- A foundation that is a broad scope and gives graduates a well-rounded education in technology.
- Students will take courses that open the doors to internships with regional industrial employers.
- Knowledge of the software package that will teach CREO Parametric, which is a software that is leading in the industry-standards and is used by employers in the region.
- Skills gained with this particular software package can be carried over to software from other companies.
- After completion of the first course, they can claim almost 40 hours of instruction on design software used by employers throughout the region.
- Students will gain highly marketable job skill to help them seek internships or even full-time employment.
- Students will learn about computer-aided design, solid modeling, machine design, manufacturing, robotics, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, refrigeration and power systems as well as energy conversion.
- The Engineering Economics course will assist with preparing them to deal with practical economic issues related to plan operation and the purchase of new equipment.
- The capstone project will assist them with learning teamwork and leadership skills as well as applying knowledge to practical problems.
Program Information
Mechanical Engineering Technology Program Requirements
Engineering Technology: Mechanical Engineering Technology Sample 4 Year Plan
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology with concentration in Mechanical Engineering Technology (B.S.E.T) is "accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org."