You are here

Home ›

Mechanical Design Engineering Technology

Application Code: 
1336
Degree Received: 
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department: 
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology
Description: 

Mechanical design engineering technology graduates pursue careers in the design of machinery and industrial consumer products. Related areas of employment include technical sales, automotive component design, manufacturing, and performance testing of machines and products. Graduates will be able to use industry accepted codes and specifications such as ANSI-ASME, AGMA, AWS, AISC, ASTM, and ABMA to complete mechanical analysis and create working industrial drawings. This will be accomplished using the latest two-dimensional CAD and three-dimensional solid modeling software packages. Machinery will be animated for motion analysis, and strength calculations will be performed. Excel will be used to perform parametric mechanical analysis for calculations to determine the size and dimensions of components and parts. The program provides general mechanical engineering technology fundamentals with an emphasis in the design and development of products and machines.

A laptop computer is required for students entering the mechanical design engineering technology program. See laptop specifications.

Program Educational Objectives

Program educational objectives were established with the assistance of the Industrial Advisory Committee and are reviewed periodically. The mechanical design engineering technology program produces graduates who:

  1. have knowledge and skills to succeed in continued technical and formal education;
  2. can function effectively as technicians in the mechanical or related field of engineering technology;
  3. can function professionally and with ethical responsibility as an individual and on multidisciplinary teams;
  4. can demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in oral, written, visual, and graphical modes in both interpersonal and group/team environments;
  5. can continuously improve, engage in lifelong learning, and adapt to rapidly changing technologies;
  6. can effectively design products and machines using sound engineering principles and practice;
  7. can produce proper documentation for design using appropriate methods such as CAD drawings, calculations, and codes.
Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 

Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry (Math A and B)
Recommended: Physics

Accreditation/Certification: 

Mechanical design engineering technology is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. [TAC/ABET, 111 Market Place Suite 1050 Baltimore, MD 21202; (410) 347-7700, Fax: (410) 625-2238; e-mail: accreditation@ABET.org; Web site: http://www.ABET.org].

Features & Facilities: 

Focuses on machine design including:

  • CAD design and calculation for machinery and products
  • Mechanical devices and products
  • Mechanical engineering technology
  • CAD work station
  • Computers
  • CNC machinery
  • Shop equipment
  • Robots
  • Engines
  • Microscopes
  • Fluid power
  • Machine controls
  • TAC/ABET accredited
Articulation Agreements: 

Graduates may enroll in the Alfred State bachelor of science program in mechanical engineering technology. The Alfred State BS program can be accomplished in two years beyond the AAS degree.

Graduation Requirements: 
  • 69 maximum credits
  • 20 credits of liberal arts and sciences
  • 2.0 grade point average in major courses (in bold text below)
  • 2.0 cumulative grade point average
  • Approval of department faculty
  • 5 of 10 General Education areas

* Any student who does not enroll in SOCI 1193 or PLSC 1043 must enroll in two courses that satisfy General Education requirements.

Career Opportunities: 

The graduate is prepared for entry level careers in the industrial environment such as:

  • Mechanical Designer
  • Mechanical CAD Designer
  • Aerospace Industry
  • Mechanical Technician
  • Manufacturing Process Planner
  • Product Development
  • Fluid Power System Designer
  • Sales and Applications
  • Test Technician
  • Machinery Field Technician
  • Field Service
  • Product Designer
  • CAD Drafter
  • Tool and Die Design
  • Heavy Equipment Designer
  • Hydraulic Designer
  • Installation Supervisor
Transfer Opportunities: 

Mechanical design engineering technology is a 2 + 2 program in which the graduate, at the successful completion of two years of course work, earns an AAS degree. The graduate can start his career in industry or continue directly into the third and fourth year to complete a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering technology here at Alfred State College. The direct continuance of studies into the third and fourth year enhances the graduate's skills in a wider selection of mechanical engineering technology courses. The graduate improves and expands career opportunities with a special emphasis in mechanical design.

Typical Semester Layout: 

Students spend 13 to 16 hours a week in lecture classes and four to 11 hours in laboratory hands-on experiences. The lecture hours include mechanical engineering technology courses and also general studies courses such as mathematics, English, and social sciences. This totals about 17 credit hours a semester. Class sizes range between 20 and 35 students. Class schedules for each semester are arranged with the help of the student's faculty adviser. The combination of technology courses and general studies courses entitles the graduate to an associate in applied science (AAS) degree which is also transferable to an upper-division BS program.

First Semestercredits
MECH 1003 Intro to Mechanical Engineering Tech 3
MECH 1603 Graphics/CAD 3
MECH 1203 Materials Science 3
HPED xxx1 Phys Ed Elective
 1
COMP 1503 Freshman Composition 3
MATH 1033 College Algebra 3
      16
Second Semestercredits
MECH 1643 Manufacturing Processes 3
MECH 1641 Manufacturing Processes Lab 1
MECH 2543 Advanced CAD Applications
 3
SOCI 1193 Marriage and Family * OR
PLSC 1043 American Government 3
MECH 4523 Control Systems 3
MATH 2043 College Trigonometry 3
      16
Third Semestercredits
MECH 3223 Mechanical Design Principles 3
MECH 3113 Statics
 3
MATH 1063 Technical Calculus I 3
MECH 3203 Computer Aided Manufacturing 3
PHYS 1024 General Physics I 4
LITR 2603 Introduction to Literature 3
      19
Fourth Semestercredits
MECH 4024 Dynamics 4
MECH 4224 Mechanical Systems Design
 4
MECH 4003 Solid Modeling
 3
MATH 2074 Technical Calculus II
 4
PHYS 2023 General Physics II 3
      18
Employment and Transfer Rate: 
100%
Employment and Transfer Survey Details: 
Survey Details200820092010
Receiving Degrees 6 1 2
Responding to Survey 5 (83%) 1 (100%) 2 (100%)
Employed 2 (40%) 1 (100%) --
Employed in Field 2 (100%) 0 (0%) --
Transferred 3 (60%) -- 2 (100%)
Unemployed & Seeking Employment -- -- --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment -- -- --
Employment and Transfer Salary Information: 

Not available