The MET program offers the Bachelor of Science degree, which is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) of ABET. The educational approach is hands-on with more than 60 percent of the courses requiring laboratory work in addition to lectures. Under the revised rules and regulations of the Colorado State Board for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, ET students at MSU Denver may take the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination within 30 semester hours of graduation. During their senior year, all students will take a MET assessment exam. In addition, those students wishing to work towards becoming a Professional Engineer can take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam during their senior year.
The MET program offers both day and evening classes to meet the needs of its diverse student population. The MET curriculum is continually upgraded to reflect state-of-the art technology while meeting the needs of industry and employers of the mechanical engineering technology graduates. An advisory committee, which includes employers, graduates, and students of the program, meets with faculty and administrators to review curriculum, student and faculty recruitment, program needs, progress, problems and probable solutions, laboratory equipment, facilities, and to assist in the placement of graduates. The committee assures a high level of community awareness and support of the program.
Besides traditional classes, the MET program also offers state-of-the-art, computer-aided engineering courses to keep students updated with current engineering technology and computer applications in the industry. These new, computer-aided engineering courses will provide students with training in the areas of computer programming, computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, three-dimensional modeling, and computer-aided analysis.
Graduates enter the engineering profession as engineering technologists. After taking the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) examination, some graduates choose to begin the six-year process, at a minimum, to become a registered professional engineer (P.E.). Some attend graduate school to pursue further education. The majority obtain gainful employment in a variety of industries ranging from large aerospace companies to small manufacturing and custom-design businesses. Job titles range from technician and engineering technologist to engineer.
For every MET course, a minimum grade of C is required for all prerequisites before a student can progress. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required. If considering graduate school studies in engineering or physical sciences, students are encouraged to elect the recommended mathematics minor. A full-time student may complete the program in four years (eight semesters). Since many of the courses build on each other, it is important that the courses are taken in the proper order.
All students completing the mechanical engineering technology major and minor must participate in assessment during their last semester. This assessment consists of a series of examinations in mechanical engineering technology courses. See the Mechanical Engineering Technology Coordinator for details.
