Mechanical Engineering Technology is a broad field which prepares students to work as mechanical engineers designing and developing new and innovative products and technologies. Mechanical engineers with an MET degree are involved in every process, from designing delicate tools and parts, to working on huge gears in large vehicles, to operation and maintenance.
New ‘Life in the Pines’ video series offers window into student experience at UMaine
“Life in the Pines,” an unscripted video series sharing stories of students at the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias, launched Monday, Dec. 16.
Follow Annabelle Collins, who is majoring in mechanical engineering technology.
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Program Offerings
Undergraduate
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology Overview
Throughout the program students are preparing for professional practice by developing both technical and interpersonal skills. Early in the program students learn to create 3D computer models and communicate with 2D drawings. Then they learn to bring drawings to reality in our workshop. They develop skills working on diverse teams.
Students acquire math and science skills through a structured math sequence and courses in physics and chemistry. They continue to build a solid foundation of engineering knowledge and skills. Topics include heat and work, materials, support and motion of rigid bodies and fluids, manufacturing processes, and electrical circuits. Students also learn to write and speak about technical issues as well as measure all things mechanical.
Students learn how to design complex mechanisms, then apply all their learnings to a senior capstone project. The capstone project is widely regarded because students find a real-world problem, design a solution, then build and test their design.
Students are urged to work in a technical job during each summer recess. If the job meets certain requirements students may obtain 3 hours of co-operative education degree credit via MET 394.
The Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.
Engineering and Engineering Technology – Similarities and Differences
It is apparent that many Engineering Technology graduates are employed as “engineers” of one sort or another. What is not so apparent are the differences (and similarities) between Engineering Technology and traditional Engineering degree programs, as well as the nature of the jobs obtained by program graduates. Some reference to the history of the programs is required to fully appreciate the current programs.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the ‘space race’ and similar efforts to be technologically first internationally caused engineering programs to focus on creating graduates who were targeted at making new discoveries for the benefit of mankind and the progress of technology. As a consequence, engineering programs became more conceptually (theoretically) based, with a shift toward engineering science. These programs relied heavily on a mathematical foundation to teach and learn. After all, if graduates are expected to discover what does not yet exist, they cannot very well work with it as a part of their education. This conceptual basis as the learning methodology continues today.
A traditional Engineering degree is the more established path to a professional engineering career and is the form of degree most typically offered within engineering colleges across the nation. It is also the most recognizable by other engineering professionals across the globe. Traditional Engineering programs typically require more math, science, and core engineering theory than is required in Engineering Technology programs. For those who may want to pursue graduate studies or research in the future, the traditional Engineering degree provides the greatest versatility in choosing among opportunities.
Engineering Technology, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the applied aspects of engineering, aimed at preparing graduates for practice in industry. For those who may have struggled with math and science courses in high school but are still interested in a career in applied engineering, an Engineering Technology degree offers an alternative. Other students are simply more interested in applied production and construction than in design, development, prototyping, and analysis.
Department Information
School Director: Will Manion
School of Engineering Technology
5711 Boardman Hall, Room 119
Orono, Maine 04469-5711
Tel: (207) 581-2340
Fax: (207) 581-2113
um.set@maine.edu
sCHOOL OF Engineering Technology
Our school was established in 1975 and offers four degree options for our students. Our programs are explicitly designed to prepare graduates for engineering careers. We accomplish this by working closely with industry to ensure that students are provided “hands on” experience with today’s technology and applications.
Our four engineering technology programs are explicitly designed to prepare graduates for engineering careers. We accomplish this by working closely with industry to ensure that students are provided “hands on” experience with today’s technology and applications.
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