At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
This major helps graduates prepare for technical positions in manufacturing, machine and tool design, computer drafting and design, computer integrated manufacturing, materials selection and processes, technical sales, and other related industries in mechanical applications. The primary objective of the program is to provide a broad foundation in mechanical systems and applications; computer systems in drafting (CAD), manufacturing (CAM), and automation and robotics (CIM); production and product design; mechanics, dynamics, and strength of materials.
Graduates of this major may qualify for admission to the baccalaureate degree majors in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology programs at Penn State Harrisburg; the Mechanical Engineering Technology and the Plastics Engineering Technology programs at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College; or the baccalaureate degree major in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology offered at Penn State Altoona, Penn State Berks, Penn State New Kensington, or Penn State York. Two tracks are available to streamline the transition to these baccalaureate degree programs. A general track is provided for students who do not plan to continue their engineering technology education at the baccalaureate level.
What is Mechanical Engineering Technology?
Mechanical engineering technology is the understanding of how products and machinery work and how they are designed, made, and used.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You are interested in computer-aided drafting (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing.
- You enjoy physics, math and statistics.
- You have a passion for robotics and automation.
- You have an interest in programming and data acquisition.
Entrance to Major
Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to change to this Associate degree after admission to the University.
Degree Requirements
For the Associate in Engineering Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, a minimum of 65 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 21 |
| Requirements for the Major | 54-64 |
12-15 of the 21 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 3 credits of GN courses; 3 credits of GQ courses; 6 credits of GWS courses, 0-3 credits of GH or GS.
Requirements for the Major
A First-Year Seminar is required for students at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| CAS 100 | Effective Speech | 3 |
| IET 215 | Production Design | 2 |
| IET 216 | Production Design Laboratory | 2 |
| MET 213 | Strength and Properties of Materials | 3 |
| MET 214 | Strength and Properties of Materials Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| MET 210W | Machine Design | 3 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| IET 101 | Manufacturing Materials, Processes, and Laboratory | 3 |
| MET 111 | Mechanics for Technology: Statics | 3 |
| MET 206 | Dynamics | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| ENGL 15 | Rhetoric and Composition  | 3 |
| or ENGL 30H | Honors Rhetoric and Composition | |
| Select 5-6 credits of the following: | 5-6 | |
| College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II and Plane Trigonometry and Applications of Trigonometry | ||
MATH 40 | 1,2 | |
| Technical Mathematics I and Technical Mathematics II 1,2 | ||
| Technical Mathematics II 1,2 | ||
| Select 3-4 credits of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Technical Physics I | ||
| General Physics: Mechanics | ||
| Introductory Physics I | ||
| Select 3-4 credits of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Technical Physics II | ||
| General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Introductory Physics II | ||
| Select at least 19-24 credits from one of the following three tracks: | 19-24 | |
| General Track | ||
| Cornerstone Engineering Design | ||
| Spatial Analysis in Engineering Design | ||
or EGT 114 | Spatial Analysis and Computer-Aided Drafting | |
| Electrical Systems | ||
| Computer Applications for Technologists | ||
| Critical Issues in Science, Technology, and Society | ||
or STS 233 | Ethics and the Design of Technology | |
or STS 245 | ||
Select at least 6 credits from the approved supporting course list for this track | ||
| Baccalaureate Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology (EMET) Track | ||
| Digital Electronics 1 | ||
| Digital Electronics Laboratory 1 | ||
| Cornerstone Engineering Design | ||
| Spatial Analysis in Engineering Design | ||
or EGT 114 | Spatial Analysis and Computer-Aided Drafting | |
| Electrical Systems | ||
| Electrical Circuits II 1 | ||
| Electrical Circuits Laboratory 1 | ||
| Technical Calculus 1,2 | ||
or MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | |
| Critical Issues in Science, Technology, and Society | ||
or STS/PHIL 233 | Ethics and the Design of Technology | |
or STS 245 | ||
| Baccalaureate Mechanical Engineering Technology (METBC or MET) Track | ||
| Electric Circuits, Power, and Electronics | ||
| Introduction to Graphics and Solid Modeling | ||
| Applied Solid Modeling | ||
| Computer Applications for Technologists | ||
Select 1 credit of First-Year Seminar | ||
Select 6 credits from the approved supporting course list for this track | ||
- 1
Students pursuing the baccalaureate track must take MATH 22 and MATH 26.
- 2
Students who choose to take MATH 81 and MATH 82 must select MATH 83. Students who choose to take MATH 22 and MATH 26 must select MATH 140.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all associate degree students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 3 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 3 credits
Knowledge Domains
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Note: Up to six credits of Inter-Domain courses may be used for any Knowledge Domain requirement, but when a course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement, the credits from the course can be counted only once.
Exploration
- Any General Education course (including GHW and Inter-Domain): 3 credits
University Degree Requirements
Cultures Requirement
3 credits of United States (US) or International (IL) cultures coursework are required and may satisfy other requirements
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 60 degree credits must be earned for a associates degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 60 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Program Educational Objectives
The Associate Mechanical Engineering Technology program prepares students with technical and professional skills for the professional practice. Due to their experience in our program, within few years of graduation, we expect our graduates to have the ability to:
- Safely practice in the areas of applied design, manufacturing, testing, evaluation, technical sales, or 2D and 3D modeling.
- Collaborate effectively in project team activities through recognizing the global, societal, and ethical contexts of their work.
- Work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams and assume an increasing level of responsibility and leadership within their organizations.
- Demonstrate troubleshooting skills by following protocols and using technical literature.
Student Outcomes
Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. The Associate Mechanical Engineering Technology program is designed to enable students to:
- Apply knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve well-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
- Design solutions for well-defined technical problems and assist with the engineering design of systems, components, or processes appropriate to the discipline.
- Apply written, oral, and graphical communication in well-defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
- Conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results.
- Function effectively as a member or leader on a technical team.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Erie
Fredrick Nitterright
Assistant Teaching Professor
227 Burke Center
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6185
fxn101@psu.edu
DuBois
Douglas J. Miller
Assistant Teaching Professor and Program Coordinator
1 College Place
110 DEF Building
DuBois, PA 15801
814-375-4731
djm290@psu.edu
York
Andrea Giorgioni
Lecturer and Program Coordinator
4 Romano Administration Building
York, PA 17403
717-771-4033
aug19@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.
Mechanical Engineering Technology, A.ENGT. at Erie Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| EGT 120 | 3 | EGT 121 | 3 |
| ENGL 15 or 30H (GWS)‡† | 3 | IET 215 | 2 |
| First Year Seminar | 1 | MATH 41 (GQ)* | 3 |
| IET 101* | 3 | MET 111* | 3 |
| MATH 22 (GQ)* | 3 | PHYS 250 (GN)* | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| IET 216 | 2 | CAS 100 (GWS)‡† | 3 |
| MET 213 | 3 | EET 100 | 3 |
| MET 214 | 1 | MET 210W | 3 |
| MET 107 | 3 | PHYS 251 (GN)† | 4 |
| MET 206* | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| MET Track Elective | 3 | ||
| MET Track Elective | 3 | ||
| 18 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 68 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ) and Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
College Notes:
- Permissible Math substitutions: MATH 26 or MATH 41 instead of MATH 81, MATH 22 instead of MATH 82, and MATH 140 instead of MATH 83.
- 2MET Technical Electives:
- AET 297* (1-3), BA 242 (2), BA 243 (2), CHEM 101 (3), CHEM 110 (3), CHEM 111 (1), CMPSC 101 (3), EDSGN 210 (2), EET 114 (4), EET 118 (1), EGT 201 (2), EGT 297* (1-9), IET 105 (2), IET 109 (3), IET 297* (1-3), IST 110 (3), IST 210 (4), IST 220 (3), IST 250 (3), MATH 83 (4), MATH 140 (4), MATH 141 (4), MATH 210 (3), MET 281 (4), MET 297* (1-3), MET 306 (3), MET 320 (3), MET 330 (3), MET 341 (3), MGMT 301 (3), PLET 205 (3), STAT 200 (4), SUR 111 (3)
- Upon approval of the College of Engineering, students may be allowed to select technical elective courses from other disciplines. * Requires prior approval from the Mechanical Engineering Technology Department Chair.
Career Paths
Graduates from the mechanical engineering technology program work in a variety of industries such as automotive, aeronautical, petroleum, defense, medical, power generation, transportation, and materials.
Accreditation
The A.ENGT. in Mechanical Engineering Technology at Penn State Behrend is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical Engineering Technology and Similarly Named Programs.
Professional Licensure/Certification
Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.
Contact
Erie
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
242 Jack Burke Research and Economic Development Center
5101 Jordan Road
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6125
engineering@psu.edu
https://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-engineering
DuBois
1 College Place
DuBois, PA 15801
814-375-4731
djm290@psu.edu
https://dubois.psu.edu/academics/degrees/engineering/options
York
4 Romano Administration Building
York, PA 17403
717-771-4113
mfc5@psu.edu
https://www.york.psu.edu/academics/associate/mechanical-engineering-technology
University Park
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING DESIGN AND INNOVATION
213 Hammond Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-2952
adviser@engr.psu.edu