Mechanical Engineering Technology

Building the Future of Innovation, One Design at a Time

Preparing students for careers in infrastructure development by combining construction, engineering, and management principles. Graduates gain hands-on experience and expertise, making them highly sought after by employers nationwide in various construction sectors.

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UMaine MET students designed an adaptive wheelchair for shooting competitions

The University of Maine’s Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program is all about real-world problem solving. When athlete and activist Enock Glidden came to the MET capstone with a unique challenge — to adapt his wheelchair for shooting competitions — students met the task with skill, creativity and an open-mindedness that resulted in a useful finished project, and a lifelong bond.

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Mechanical Engineering Technology Overview

Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) is a broad field which prepares students to work as mechanical engineers designing, developing, and manufacturing 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.

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 by 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. During the capstone project, 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 break. 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.

The Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Program Offerings

Undergraduate Degrees

Fabrication Projects

And with us you’ll learn how!

Engineers routinely design for and work with machinists. To do so, you will need to understand machining processes. Don’t know how to machine, no problem. In fact, only a few first-year students have prior machining experience. If you’ve never machined before, think of machining as high-end arts-and-crafts – or very meticulous sculpture.

MET prepares you for your engineering career by giving you hands-on machining experience.

First you’ll learn the computer-aided design (CAD) skills to make an image of what you want to fabricate.

Then you’ll fabricate the parts from your detailed drawings.

All students learn to program the computer numerical controlled (CNC) mills and lathes, including using computer-aided design/computer-aided machining (CAD/CAM) software to translate a part drawing into a machining program.

Some students also choose an elective course to design and fabricate more complex parts

Although most students starting in MET have no experience machining or welding, a few do have prior experience in one or the other of these areas. You won’t become a machinist or a welder in our program, but you will be able to make what you design!

If you’ve never done this before, you can think of it as high-end arts-and-crafts – or very meticulous sculpture.

First you’ll learn the computer-aided design (CAD) skills to make an image of what you want to fabricate.

Then you’ll fabricate the parts from your detailed drawings.

All students learn to program the computer numerical controlled (CNC) mills and lathes, including using computer-aided design/computer-aided machining (CAD/CAM) software to translate a part drawing into a machining program.

Some students also choose an elective course to design and fabricate more complex parts

Why choose MET?

MET is an adaptable major. So no matter how much your interests evolve during your college years, your MET degree will still be applicable for reaching your post-grad dreams!Here are examples of what being an MET student is like: MET graduates help us conserve energy at Efficiency Maine, while keeping our feet comfortable making New Balance Shoes. At iRobot Corp they keep our soldiers safe by finding roadside bombs using robots. They design efficient building heating and piping systems at Woodard & Curran. MET graduates support national defense building and repairing naval vessels at Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, supply us with Chinette paper plates produced at Huhtamaki Co., provide electrical power from turbines built at General Electric Power Systems, and keep us on the move manufacturing jet engines at Pratt & Whitney. About 70% of our graduates work in Maine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about Mechanical Engineering Technology? Whether you’re a prospective student exploring career options or a current student looking for program details, this FAQ covers everything you need to know. From course topics and career opportunities to hands-on learning and industry demand, get answers to your most common questions about this exciting and evolving field.

1. How products are made – (Manufacturing Processes)

You’ll build a strong foundation in design and manufacturing through a hands-on curriculum. In Mechanical Drawing, you’ll learn how to use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to bring ideas to life. In Machine Design, you’ll create a product and fabricate it yourself in the machine shop. Machine Tool Lab I & II will teach you how to operate real-world machining tools and turn your CAD designs into precision parts. Manufacturing Processes explores everything from die casting toy cars to injection molding lipstick cases. In Computer-Aided Machining and Computer-Aided Engineering, you’ll program CNC machines and use advanced software to analyze and optimize mechanical systems. Supporting courses like Chemistry and Engineering Materials cover topics such as heat treating steel for strength and using carbon fiber composites for applications like bike frames.
You can also tailor your experience with technical electives in CNC Projects, Plastics Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing, and Lean Six Sigma.

2. How to design safe products – (Mechanics and Design)
You’ll put your math and physics knowledge to work in courses like Statics and Dynamics, where you’ll learn how to design structures—like a car frame that supports the vehicle’s weight—and explore surprising phenomena, such as why a cart on a wavy track can reach the end faster than one on a straight track of equal length. In Strength of Materials and Design I & II, you’ll study how materials behave under stress—like ensuring the links in a bicycle chain won’t snap when you pedal hard.

You can further explore your interests through technical electives such as Computer-Aided Engineering, Experimental Mechanics, and more.

3. How to use energy efficiently – (Thermal and Fluid Systems)

You’ll also apply your math and physics skills to real-world energy and systems challenges. In Thermal Systems and Thermal Applications, you’ll calculate how much fuel is needed to heat a building—and explore ways to reduce that energy use. Fluid Flow Technology will teach you how to select the right pump for any application (after all, every tap in America relies on one). You’ll also gain a foundation in the electrical engineering needed to control heating and pumping systems effectively.

Elective options let you dive deeper into areas like Automotive Technology, Fuel Cells, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Industrial Controls, Vibration Analysis, and Energy Management to keep systems running efficiently and sustainably.

“Cooperative work experience in mechanical engineering technology at full-time employment for at least a ten-week period.”

Cooperative education is not required in the MET program, but students can select MET 394 as a technical elective. MET 394 students are required to identify and apply for possible cooperative experiences. The Career Center is one campus resource to help find positions.

MET 394 students state:
US. Naval Research Laboratory: “There are two projects I am currently working on at the US Naval Research Laboratory. First is the testing of batteries to measure their capacity after various operations have been performed on them. Second is the design of testing fixtures for tests on various helmet materials and padding configurations. In both of these projects I have multiple roles to aid in testing, design and analysis….It seems that I have used almost every portion of my school knowledge in just this last month alone. This position has offered challenges in product and process selection, testing apparatus and setup, material selection, design, and much more…”

Metso Paper Company: “Metso is an international supplier of custom designed drying and web handling equipment for the paper and non-woven industries…Working at Metso has taught me key principles on how a company can use engineering principles to stay successful:

Proactive approach to problem solving ideas:
Discussing different approaches involved with operators, the repairmen, the process group and the technical planners to develop data;
Data driven recommendations to improve machine performance and reduce cost.”

State of Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT): “My main concentration is to serve as a field inspector for the MDOT on active contracted construction projects. My responsibilities are to assure all work meets the standard specifications and contract requirements and inform resident of any work that does not meet specifications, and document all work that is completed…”

The Mechanical Engineering Technology program welcomes transfer students to apply to the School of Engineering Technology. Please visit The Office of Undergraduate Admissions website for information about applying to the University.

Residents of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont pay a substantially reduced tuition when they major in Mechanical Engineering Technology at UMaine. Please visit the web page describing the New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break program for details about the New England Regional Student Program (RSP).

Our Faculty and Staff

At MCEC, our faculty is the heartbeat of our academic community. Dedicated, inspiring, and deeply knowledgeable, our professors go beyond the traditional classroom experience to foster real-world skills and a passion for learning. Whether mentoring, leading innovative research, or providing personalized support, our faculty members are committed to empowering students to achieve their highest potential

Anne Dunham

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology

Kyle Forsythe

Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering Technology

Brett Ellis

Professor & Coordinator, Mechanical Engineering Technology

Keith Berube

Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology

Peter Howorth

Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering Technology

S David Dvorak

Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology

Engineering and Engineering Technology – Similarities and Differences

Many engineering graduates find roles as “engineers”, but the differences between various engineering degree programs and the nature of the jobs they lead to are often unclear. A look at the history of these programs helps to better understand their evolution.

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