Mechanical Engineering Technology, B.S. (Behrend)

Program Code: METBC_BS

Program Description

This major may be taken either as a four-year baccalaureate program or in a "2+2" degree format. The latter allows graduates of associate degree programs in mechanical engineering technology or related areas to gain greater breadth and depth of knowledge in mechanical engineering technology. The baccalaureate program emphasizes applied design and analysis, complementing a hands-on manufacturing and materials focus. The graduate gains valuable knowledge of total manufacturing processes ranging from applied design to manufacture.

This major includes instruction in materials engineering, thermodynamics, heat transfer, hydraulics, finite-element analysis, and use of parametric solids modeling design packages, as well as supporting course work in mathematics and science. Oral and written communications are stressed, as is the ability to work within a team-oriented environment. The major culminates with a capstone design project involving an actual design or manufacturing problem sponsored by regional industry. This program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Graduates have qualified for careers in a wide variety of industries that manufacture or use mechanical systems. Careers include positions in applied product design, manufacturing process development, field service support, supervision of manufacturing facilities, tool and die design, quality control, plant supervision and management, and technical sales.

What is Mechanical Engineering Technology?

Mechanical engineering technology is the application of engineering and technology principles for the creation of products and mechanical systems. It emphasizes applied design and analysis of engineering systems and materials. Mechanical engineering technology differs from mechanical engineering in that its focus is the practical application and implementation of engineering principles as opposed to theoretical development and exploration of those principles.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You like working with your hands.
  • You are interested math, physics, and mechanical systems.
  • You find complex problems exciting.
  • You enjoy working on team-based projects.

Entrance to Major

To be eligible for entrance to the Mechanical Engineering Technology major, a student must have

  1. attained at least a 2.00 cumulative grade-point average, and
  2. completed MATH 81 or MATH 26, and MATH 82 or MATH 22, and MATH 83 or MATH 140, and PHYS 250, and earned a grade of C or better in each of these courses.

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, a minimum of 131 credits is required:

Requirement Credits
General Education 45
Electives 0-1
Requirements for the Major 103-106

18 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 3 credits of GWS courses.

Per Senate Policy 83.80.5, the college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of coursework in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned.

Requirements for the Major

A student enrolled in this major must earn at least a grade of C in each 300- and 400-level course.

To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Prescribed Courses
CHEM 110Chemical Principles I Keystone/General Education Course3
CHEM 111Experimental Chemistry I Keystone/General Education Course1
ENGL 202CEffective Writing: Technical Writing Keystone/General Education Course3
IET 215Production Design2
IET 216Production Design Laboratory2
MATH 211Intermediate Calculus and Differential Equations with Applications Keystone/General Education Course3
MET 214Strength and Properties of Materials Laboratory1
MET 107Computer Applications for Technologists3
PHYS 251Introductory Physics II Keystone/General Education Course4
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
MATH 210Calculus with Engineering Technology Applications Keystone/General Education Course3
MET 111Mechanics for Technology: Statics3
MET 213Strength and Properties of Materials3
MET 206Dynamics3
MET 210WMachine Design3
MET 306Computer-Aided Design3
MET 320Strength of Materials II3
MET 330Thermodynamics3
MET 331WHeat Transfer4
MET 341Mechanical Measurements and Instrumentation3
MET 415Finite Element Analysis Applications I3
MET 425Finite Element Analysis Applications II3
MET 432Fluid Power3
MET 470Materials Engineering3
MET 480Senior Capstone1
MET 485Senior Industrial Project3
PHYS 250Introductory Physics I Keystone/General Education Course4
Additional Courses
Select one of the following:3-4
Electric Circuits, Power, and Electronics
Electrical Circuits I
Electrical Systems
and Electrical Circuits Laboratory I
Select one of the following:6-7

and Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting
and Spatial Analysis and Computer-Aided Drafting
and Advanced Computer Aided Drafting
and Transition From 2-D CAD to Solid Modeling
Introduction to Graphics and Solid Modeling
and Applied Solid Modeling
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
IET 101Manufacturing Materials, Processes, and Laboratory3
or MET 105 Mechanical Systems
MATH 22College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II Keystone/General Education Course3
or MATH 82 Technical Mathematics II Keystone/General Education Course
MATH 26Plane Trigonometry and Applications of Trigonometry Keystone/General Education Course3
or MATH 81 Technical Mathematics I Keystone/General Education Course
MATH 83Technical Calculus Keystone/General Education Course4
or MATH 140 Calculus With Analytic Geometry I Keystone/General Education Course
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 6 credits of technical electives from school-approved list6
Select 2-3 credits of business electives from school-approved list2-3

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 baccalaureate 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 Keystone/General Education Course 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): 6 credits
  • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

  • Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

  • GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
  • GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

  • United States Cultures: 3 credits
  • International Cultures: 3 credits

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 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 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

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. 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.

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

David Clippinger, Ph.D.
Program Chair, Teaching Professor
240 Burke Center
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-7023
dcc73@psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2023-24 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contains suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).

Mechanical Engineering Technology, B.S. 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
FallCreditsSpringCredits
EGT 1203EGT 1213
ENGL 15 or 30H‡† 3MATH 83*#†4
IET 101*3MET 111*3
MATH 41*‡#†4PHYS 250*#†4
PSU 71General Education Course3
General Education Course3 
 17 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
IET 2152CHEM 1103
MATH 210*3CHEM 1111
MET 213*3EET 1003
MET 2141IET 2162
MET 1073MATH 210*3
MET 206*3MET 320*3
 MATH 2113
 15 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CAS 100‡†3ENGL 202C‡†3
MET 210W*3MET 331W*4
MET 306*3MET 341*3
MET 330*3MET 415*3
PHYS 2514MET 432*3
 General Education Course (GHW)1.5
 16 17.5
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MET 425*3MET 485*23
MET 470*13Technical Elective (300,400-level)*3
MET 480*11General Education Course3
Technical Elective (300,400-level)*3General Education Course3
Business Elective3General Education Course3
General Education Course3General Education Course (GHW)1.5
 16 16.5
Total Credits 133
*

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), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

1

 The following course is only offered in the FALL semester.

2

The following courses are only offered in the SPRING semester.

Program Notes:

  • Permissible Math substitutions: MATH 26 instead of MATH 81, MATH 22 instead of MATH 82, and MATH 140 instead of MATH 83.

Advising Notes:

  • Only students who have gone through the entrance-to-major (ETM) process and have been accepted into the MET or IBE majors may register for junior and senior-level MET courses.

Career Paths

Mechanical engineering technology coursework and laboratory experiences emphasize development of your skills in applied design and analysis. You’ll also receive instruction in the selection and application of manufacturing processes and engineering materials. Penn State Behrend has a comprehensive support system to help you identify and achieve your goals for college and beyond. Meet with your academic adviser often and take advantage of the services offered by the Academic and Career Planning Center beginning in your first semester.

Careers

Penn State Behrend’s B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates conceptualize new designs and use computer-aided design and measurement technologies to analyze designs, select materials, and discover ways to optimize manufacturing processes and quality control. They work in the automotive, aeronautical, petroleum, defense, medical, power generation, transportation, and materials fields. Their careers include applied product design, manufacturing processes development, field service engineering, quality control, plant management, and technical sales. Employers of recent Behrend MET graduates include Boeing, Cummins, Exxon Mobile, Wabtec, General Dynamics, Komatsu, SKF, Sandia National Laboratory, U.S. Steel, Westinghouse, Zurn Industries, and Parker.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Graduate programs in mechanical engineering technology delve more deeply into methods of analysis, statistical methods, computer network applications, and applied dynamics. Or, you can use a master’s degree to learn management skill; Penn State Behrend offers a Master of Manufacturing Management (M.M.M) degree program for aspiring organizational leaders.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Professional Resources

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology at Penn State Behrend is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Mechanical Engineering Technology Program Criteria.

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
814-898-6153
engineering@psu.edu

https://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-engineering