Engineering Technology Curricula

As defined by the Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), engineering technology is that part of the technological field which requires the application of scientific and engineering knowledge and methods combined with technical skills in support of engineering activities; it lies in the occupational spectrum between the craftsman and the engineer at the end of the spectrum closest to the engineer.

The engineering technology specialties offered at Texas A&M University focus upon the latest technologies and make special efforts to infuse creativity and innovation. While directly related, these curricula are distinct from engineering by virtue of the greater focus on hardware, laboratory procedures and instrumentation, and the development of technological skills. Due to the greater emphasis on hands-on laboratory experience and the development of technological skills, there is less theoretical analysis required than in the typical engineering curricula.

Engineering technology graduates fulfill vital roles in industry as members of technological teams that work closely with engineers as well as with technicians and craftsmen. They fulfill such tasks as improving product design and development, material and product testing for assurance of quality, production management, and operation/service of complex technological systems.

Specialty areas are offered in electronics, manufacturing, mechanical and telecommunications engineering technology. Graduates are awarded Bachelor of Science degrees in engineering technology.

Students must earn grades of C or better in major (ENTC) courses, Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) courses, and any prerequisites for these courses. If a student earns a grade of D or F in any of these courses, the student is required to repeat the course before enrolling in a more advanced course that has the D/F course as a prerequisite. A student may attempt a course no more than three times, including courses graded Q or W but excluding those graded NG, unless approval has been received from the department. A student who has not successfully completed a course after attempting it three times will be blocked from further enrollment in Engineering Technology.

Students seeking major degree sequence admission to Engineering Technology (ET) must earn a grade of C or better in each of the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) courses and have a GPR in these courses, as well as overall, which meets or exceeds a standard set by each program to manage the number of students in the upper division consistent with the program's resources. The CBK courses for the Electronics or Telecommunications ET option are CHEM 107; CPSC 206; ENGL 104; ENTC 210, 219 and 250; MATH 151 and 152; and PHYS 208 and 218. The CBK courses for the Manufacturing ET option are CHEM 107, CPSC 206, ENDG 105, ENGL 104, ENTC 181, ENTC 206 or 207, MATH 151 and 152, and PHYS 218. The CBK courses for the Mechanical ET option are CHEM 107, ENGL 104, ENGR 111 and 112, ENTC 181, ENTC 206 or 207, MATH 151 and 152, and PHYS 218.

The curricula are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202, (410) 347-7700.

Electronics Engineering Technology Option

Electronics engineering technology prepares students for careers in industry and government which depend upon electronics for control, computation and communications. There is a strong foundation of mathematics and science, specialized course work in electronics engineering technology and courses in oral and written communications. The specialty prepares students for careers in electronics-related industries, including medical imaging, instrumentation and control, communications, semiconductor device manufacturing, and power testing. Graduates use their in-depth understanding of microprocessor-based hardware and the C programming language to excel in jobs which involve design, test and systems applications of hardware and software. The students are also very well prepared for positions in field and sales engineering as well as project and product management.

Telecommunications Engineering Technology Option

Telecommunications engineering technology prepares students for the non-broadcast sector of the telecommunications industry. This industry includes telephone companies, long-distance carriers, corporations which have their own telecommunications networks, and vendors of telecom equipment.

Manufacturing Engineering Technology Option

Manufacturing engineering technology prepares students for a dynamic career in industry. Upon graduation from the Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MFS) program, a graduate is versatile and effective in diverse areas that require understanding of the dependencies among material properties, product design, costs, and manufacturing systems and process technologies. The MFS student views manufacturing from an enterprise and system perspective, recognizing the importance of customer and supplier interactions. To meet these diverse needs, this specialty provides a foundation of mathematics, science and specialized technical courses, as well as preparation in oral and written communication. The three main areas of concentration are product design, manufacturing systems integration and automation, and manufacturing competitiveness. Studies in these areas are supported by a solid foundation in materials and manufacturing processes.

Mechanical Engineering Technology Option

Mechanical engineering technology prepares students for careers in fabrication, manufacturing, oil production, petrochemical and related areas. The work of a mechanical engineering technologist may include development and application of new equipment and processes, customer sales and service, specifications and standards, and supervision of production operations. To meet these diverse needs, the mechanical specialty provides a strong foundation of mathematics and science, specialized course work in mechanical engineering technology and related technical areas, and courses in oral and written communications.