Mechanical Engineering Technology (AAS)

Application Code:
0493
Degree Received:
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department:
Mechanical Engineering Technology

Description:

Mechanical engineering technology graduates pursue careers in industry. Areas of work include design of machinery, process equipment design, power generation, manufacturing equipment design, consumer product design, quality and reliability systems. Other areas include computer-aided design, technical sales and product development. Graduates will be able to test, analyze, and specify mechanical systems and will have laboratory and analytical experience working with engines, compressors, fans, pumps, control systems, instrumentation, and material testing. The program combines basic sciences and mathematics with engineering technology and provides a good background in physics, chemistry and mathematics.

Laboratory work is emphasized for "hands on" realistic experiences supporting theory. A capstone mechanical design, analysis and build project is assigned to all baccalaureate students during their fourth year. The capstone project encourages the student to bring together his practical and theoretical mechanical skills to accomplish a typical industry assignment.

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

A laptop computer is required for students entering the mechanical engineering technology programs. The College will provide a list of appropriate laptops and wireless modem cards in April to all students who have been accepted to attend Alfred State College.

Program Educational Objectives

Program educational objectives were established with the assistance of the Industrial Advisory Committee and are reviewed periodically. The AAS in the mechanical 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 function effectively in an applications-oriented environment by using the techniques, skills, and modern engineering technology tools necessary to support applied technology practice.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations:

  • Math A & B (algebra, geometry, and trigonometry) required
  • Physics recommended
  • Drafting beneficial

Accreditation/Certification:

Accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (TAC/ABET), 111 Market Place - Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202; (410) 347-7700.

Features & Facilities:

Provides general mechanical engineering technology background including:

  • Internal combustion engines
  • Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration
  • Process equipment and turbomachinery
  • Energy technology

Mechanical principles are applied in laboratories, giving students a balance of theory and practical experience in installation, operation, and testing of a wide variety of industrial equipment including internal combustion engines and HVAC-R systems

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 two years for the AAS degree.

Graduation Requirements:

  • 67 credits + HPED XXX1 physical education
  • 28 credits of liberal arts and sciences
  • MATH 1063 or equivalent
  • 2.0 grade point average in major courses (in bold text below)
  • 2.0 cumulative grade point average
  • Approval of department faculty

Transfer Opportunities:

A cooperative/transfer program involving one year of appropriate study in either mechanical engineering technology or engineering science at selected regional community colleges, together with a second year of study at Alfred State, will result in award of the AAS degree to qualified graduates.

Graduates from the associate-level mechanical engineering technology program are eligible to continue their education by enrolling in a baccalaureate degree programs in mechanical or related engineering technology at Alfred State or elsewhere. Our mechanical engineering technology AAS two-year degree program is the same as the first two years of the mechanical engineering technology BS four-year degree program.

Career Opportunities:

  • Production development
  • Equipment design and application
  • Equipment testing
  • Equipment sales
  • Systems design
  • Project management
  • Controls technician
  • Technical representative
  • Service

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 18 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 Semester credits
MECH 1001 Freshman Year Experience 2
MECH 1203 Materials Science 3
MECH 4523 Control Systems 3
COMP 1503 Freshman Composition 3
MATH 1033 College Algebra 3
  xxx3 Soc Sci or Gen Ed Elective 3
      16
Second Semester credits
MECH 2123 Thermofluid Mechanics 3
MECH 2121 Thermo Mechanics Lab 1
MECH 1603 Graphics/CAD 3
MECH 1643 Manufacturing Processes 3
MECH 1641 Mftg Processes Lab 1
PHYS 1024 General Physics I 4
MATH 2043 College Trigonometry 3
      18
Third Semester credits
MECH 2603 Applied Mechanics 3
MECH 3223 Mechan Design Principles 3
PHYS 2023 General Physics II 3
MATH 1063 Technical Calculus I 3
LITR 2603 Introduction to Literature AND/OR  
    Tech Elective 3-4
      15-16
Fourth Semester credits
EMET 3424 Electromechanical Analysis 4
MECH 1104 AC Principles I 4
MECH 3304 Engine Characteristics Theory 4
  xxx3 Soc Sci or Gen Ed Elective 3
LITR 2603 Introduction to Literature AND/OR  
    Tech Elective 3-4
      18-19
Technical Electives
MECH 2543 Advance Drafting Applications
MECH 3203 Computer Aided Manufacturing
MECH 1423 Intro to Solid Modeling
MECH 4224 Mechanical Systems Design
Social Science Electives
SOCI 1163 General Sociology
SOCI 1193 Marriage & Family Accross World Civilization
PSYC 1013 General Psychology
Typical General Education Electives
HIST 1113 History of Western Civilization
HIST 1143 Survey of American Histroy I
HIST 2153 Survey of American History II
PLSC 1043 American Government
PLSC 1053 International Relations
Also required: One unit of Physical Education.
Employment and Transfer Report
Employment and Transfer Rate:
100%
Survey Details200420052006
Receiving Degrees 2 5 6
Responding to Survey 2 (100%) 2 (40%) 6 (100%)
Employed -- 2 (100%) 2 (33%)
Employed in Field -- 2 (100%) 2 (100%)
Transfered 2 (100%) -- 4 (67%)
Unemployed & Seeking Employment -- -- --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment -- -- --
Salary Information
NACE Annual Average Salary Survey Data
(2003-04 survey for associate degree program;
2006-07 for baccalaureate degree program)
$35,300
DOL Annual Mean Salary
(2006 survey for those employed in this career path)
$53,800