Mechanical Engineering Technology Major
Why study mechanical engineering technology at CMU?
The engineering technology program prepares students who are interested in pursuing careers related to manufacturing or mechanical engineering technology. Consider these key features distinguishing this program at CMU:
- A $16.2 million facility featuring 30 state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms for electronics, robotics, manufacturing systems, design, and more
- Internship opportunities with Michigan industries
- Involved faculty members who also work closely with business and industry
- CMU's annual cardboard boat race for engineering students, which was named one of the "102 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate" by Sports Illustrated on Campus
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:
- Overall employment of engineering technicians is expected to increase about 9 to 17 percent.
- Opportunities will be best for individuals with extensive job training in engineering technology.
- As technology becomes more sophisticated, employers will continue to look for technicians who are skilled in new technology and require a minimum of additional job training.
Career options
Graduates of the engineering technology program at CMU will find career opportunities in a variety of areas. Some of these may require additional education.
- Chemical Production
- Construction Management
- Design Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Food Processing
- Project Management
- Quality Control
- Research
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires.
For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin
AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education
courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Mechanical Engineering Technology Major
The Mechanical Engineering Technology major is designed to prepare students with knowledge, problem solving ability, and hands-on skills to enter careers in the design, installation, manufacturing, testing, evaluation, technical sales, or maintenance of mechanical systems. The mechanical engineering technologist makes significant contributions in supporting engineering design, testing, production, research, and development operations in a wide variety of industrial, aerospace, and government organizations. Students must complete the coursework in major requirements and electives.
( Total: 60 semester hours )
(42 hours)
Required Courses I
3
IET 130 Industrial Materials and Testing
An overview of industrial materials including metals, plastics, composites and ceramics. Topics include material properties, material selection, and material testing.
3
IET 154 Engineering Design Graphics
Focus on engineering design fundamentals, design processes, and the utilization of graphics within design. Computer-Aided design and product data management techniques are covered.
3
IET 170 Manufacturing Processes I
Introduction to the processing of metal materials through casting, fabricating, machining, and basic welding.
3
IET 181 Alternative Energy Analysis
A quantitative comparison and analysis of current alternative energy technologies and systems.
3
IET 350 Mechanism Design
Study of mechanisms with graphical and analytical analysis of displacement, velocity, acceleration, motion, gearing, gear trains, linkages, and cams. Recommended: MTH 106, MTH 108, or MTH 130.
3
IET 352 Applied Fluid Mechanics
Study of the basic principles and their application to practical applied problems in the fluid statics, fluid dynamics, flow in pipes, and open channel flow. Prerequisites: PHY 145, 175; or PHY 130, 170.
3
IET 356 Thermodynamics
Study of thermodynamics and basic tools necessary to obtain quantitative solutions to common engineering applications involving energy and its conversion, conservation and transfer. Prerequisites: PHY 145, PHY 175; or PHY 130, PHY 170.
3
IET 359 Parametric Design and Modeling
Development and production of engineering and technical models with computer systems and specialized computer aided software applications; introduction to parametric modeling and design. Prerequisites: IET 154
3
IET 365 Manufacturing Processes II
Introduces basic polymer formulization, properties of plastics materials, methods of molding plastics, and the fabrication and decoration of plastic articles. Prerequisites: IET 130, 170.
3
IET 375 Robotics
A basic study of robotics including components, programming, and industrial applications. Prerequisite: IET 291. Recommended: IET 292.
3
IET 450 Mechanical Computer-Aided Engineering
Mechanical components design, structural analysis, and mechanism analysis by using computer aided design system and simulation tools. Prerequisite: IET 359.
3
IET 454 Machine Design
Study of problem solving, applied mechanics, manufacturing methods, and the generation, transformation, or consumption of mechanical energy in the design of a mechanical system. Prerequisite: IET 379.
3
IET 464 Heat Transfer
Fundamental laws of heat transfer by mechanism of conduction, convection and radiation, and boundary layer concepts. Prerequisites: MTH 132, IET 352, 356.
3
IET 472 Instrumentation and Controls
A study of instrumentation and control technology including process control fundamentals, signal conditioning, sensor measurements, control components, and feedback control characteristics. Prerequisites: MTH 132, IET 375.
(3 hours)
Required Courses II
Select one of the following:
3
EGR 251 Engineering Statics
The course will cover free body diagrams and equilibrium of particles and rigid bodies, internal forces in machines, and beams, friction, and application to machines. Prerequisites: MTH 132; PHY 145; Pre/Co-Requisite: EGR 120.
3
IET 279 Applied Statics
This course will cover force systems, resultants and equilibrium, trusses, frames, beams, and shear and moments in beams. Prerequisites: PHY 130 or 145.
(3 hours)
Required Courses III
Select one of the following:
3
EGR 290 Circuit Analysis I
Introduction to circuit elements, variables, resistive circuits, circuit analysis techniques, network theorems, inductance and capacitance, sinusoidal steady state analysis and power calculations. Prerequisites: MTH 133 with a grade of C- or better; PHY 145. Pre/Co-requisite: EGR 120.
3
IET 291 Applied Circuits
A study of the fundamentals of applied circuits including Direct Current (DC) circuits, Alternating Current (AC) circuits, and basic electronics. Prerequisites: MTH 105 or 106 or 130.
(3 hours)
Required Courses IV
Select one of the following:
3
EGR 253 Engineering Dynamics
Fundamentals of engineering dynamics covering kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies. Prerequisites: EGR 251 with grade of C- or better, MTH 133.
3
IET 351 Dynamics
Study and engineering application of relationship between the forces acting on a body, the mass of the body, and the motion of the body Prerequisites: PHY 145; PHY 175 or PHY 130; PHY 170.
(3 hours)
Required Courses V
Select one of the following:
3
EGR 255 Strength of Materials
Introductory course in mechanics of materials that covers mechanical stress and strain, deformations, torsion, bending and shearing stresses, and deflections of beams. Prerequisites: EGR 251 with grade of C- or better, MTH 133.
3
IET 379 Mechanics of Materials
Introduction to methods of determining the internal stresses and deflections of basic load-carrying members of construction and machine applications. Prerequisites: PHY 145, PHY 175; or PHY 130, PHY 170.
(6 hours)
Technical Electives
Select 6 hours from the following:
3
EGR 120 Introduction to Engineering
A general introduction to mechanical and electrical engineering with an emphasis on problem solving, engineering tools, engineering design processes, and teamwork. Recommended: MTH 106 or higher.
3
IET 284 Fluid Power Technology
A study of hydraulic and pneumatic technologies related to the generation, transmission, and control of fluid power in fluid power systems. Prerequisites: MTH 130 or IET 180. Recommended: IET 120 or MTH 105.
3
IET 326 Manufacturing Methods Analysis
Study of methods, materials, tools and equipment for optimizing production operations.
3
IET 327 Industrial Safety
A study of the principles and practices of safety management with emphasis on occupational safety standards and loss control.
3
IET 377 Computer Numerical Control Programming
Programming and operation of CNC machines, including CNC vertical milling center and turning center. Emphasis on manual programming, CAM design, and machine setup and operation. Prerequisites: IET 154, 170.
2-8
IET 425 Industrial Internship
Supervised work experiences in industry. CR/NC only. Prerequisite: departmental permission.
3
IET 426 Plant Layout and Materials Handling
Study of plant layout through the development of overall layout, area detailing, scale models, and drawing of flow diagrams.
3
IET 428 Manufacturing Quality
Study of specific quality techniques used by production departments to monitor processes, products, and reliability so quality can be improved. Prerequisites: junior standing; permission of instructor.
2-5
IET 437 Independent Study
Individual investigation and research to increase ones technical competency. Prerequisite: departmental pre-registration.
3
IET 451 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
Complete fundamentals of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) concepts as interpreted in the American National Standards Institute document ANSI Y14.5M, Dimensioning and Tolerancing. Prerequisite: IET 359.
3
IET 455 Tool Design
Covers the process of planning and developing tools, fixtures, and devices for efficient and economical manufacture of a product. Prerequisites: IET 170, IET 359.
3
IET 457 Computer-Aided Design
Development and production of computer generated graphical images for solid-based models and basic system assemblies utilizing mass properties and boolean operations. Recommended: IET 359.
3
IET 458 Surface Modeling
Development and production of industrial and engineering designs with conceptual and parametric surface modeling tools. Utilization of generative shape design functions to model engineering designs. Prerequisites: IET 359.
3
IET 459 Computer-Aided Design Engineering Analysis
Development and production of computer-generated graphical images for advanced finite element models, setting of load and thermal constraints; introduction to mechanism analysis. Recommended: IET 458.
3
IET 477 Advanced Computer Numerical Control Programming
Advanced CNC programming techniques including advanced GM codes, 3D surface machining, and multi-axis programming in CNC vertical milling center and turning center. Prerequisites: IET 359, 377.
3
IET 500 Production Concepts
Comprehensive review of current factors which influence productivity. Emphasis is placed on the integration of people, methods, machines, materials, and management. Prerequisite: 12 IET credit hours.
3
IET 526 Industrial Ergonomics
The study of human characteristics, capacities and limitations for the design of productive, safe, and comfortable work spaces, tools, equipment, tasks, and facilities. Prerequisites: IET 327; or senior/graduate standing and permission of instructor.
3
IET 576 Industrial Automation
A study of electro mechanical devices, industrial robotics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and automated work cell designs. Prerequisites: IET 375; MTH 132; CPS 150 or CPS 180.