Mechanical Engineering Technology

The mission of the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program is to prepare students for successful Mechanical Engineering Technology careers, responsible citizenship, and continued professional growth. The MET program strives to produce graduates with a strong foundation in engineering fundamentals, application skills, design expertise, problem recognition and resolution skills, project management skills, communication skills, and a commitment to professional and ethical responsibility. The Montana State University Mechanical Engineering Technology Program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical Engineering Technology and Similarly Named Programs.

Mechanical Engineering Technology Program Objectives:

The Mechanical Engineering Technology program strives to prepare graduates who:

  • Successfully establish themselves as professionals within a diverse range of engineering technology activities
  • Conduct themselves ethically in all activities
  • Contribute to industry and society, through service activities and/or professional organizations
  • Advance in their profession, maintain currency within the profession, and demonstrate leadership qualities

MET Program Curriculum and Career Information

The undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program is designed with an applications-oriented structure. Many of the technical science courses have an accompanying laboratory component providing hands-on learning activities. Coursework emphasizes mechanical design, thermal systems design, manufacturing processes design and implementation, measurement, data collection and analysis, documentation, and written/oral report preparation/presentation.

The program aims to develop core competencies in engineering fundamentals (statics, strengths of materials, materials science, fluid dynamics, and electrical circuits), manufacturing applications (manufacturing processes, machining, welding and joining processes, design for manufacturing and tooling, quality assurance, etc.), mechanical design (computer-aided design, design and analysis of mechanisms, machine design, fluid power technology, measurement and test, etc.), and thermal sciences (thermodynamics, heat transfer, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, etc.). Extensive course work in the physical sciences and mathematics is included.

Technical elective courses are chosen by the student in consultation with an academic advisor. Core coursework includes offerings such as humanities, arts, and social sciences. The overall curriculum is designed to provide the student with an ability to apply scientific and engineering knowledge and methods combined with technical skills in support of engineering activities.

Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates are prepared to apply scientific and engineering knowledge in support of a wide range of engineering activities. Specifically, the mechanical engineering technology professional provides the engineering services required to support the transformation of the results of scientific endeavors into useful products and services. Students who choose a career in mechanical engineering technology may pursue any number of career paths including, but not limited to: machine and product design engineering, product and system evaluation, research laboratory experimental support, prototype evaluation, plant operation and management, quality assurance, technical sales, manufacturing methods improvement, building energy systems design, control and installation, project management, energy systems support, alternative energy development and systems sustainability.

The mechanical engineering technology graduate is equipped to perform analysis and planning steps to convert ideas into finished products, in the most efficient and safe manner. They may be the engineering professional who develops designs and design-build instructions using various computer programs, develops efficient manufacturing processes and manages the operation of manufacturing equipment, handles inspections, analyzes and resolves production problems, and manages the implementation of product realization and product improvement activities.

The demand for the mechanical engineering technology graduates continues to be strong. Average starting salaries are very competitive, and indications are that this trend will continue. MSU Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates are actively recruited, and many of our alumni hold engineering positions of considerable responsibility in industry.

Student Performance and Retention Requirements

No further requirements apply in order to advance in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program

Freshman YearCredits
FallSpring
CHMY 121IN - Introduction to General Chemistry
& CHMY 122IN - Introduction to General Chemistry Lab
4  
WRIT 101W - College Writing I13  
M 165Q - Calculus for Technology I3  
ETME 100 - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Technology1  
University Core Electives6  
COMX 111US - Introduction to Public Speaking (formerly COM 110US)
or CLS 101US - Knowledge and Community
or US 101US - First Year Seminar
  3
M 166 - Calculus for Technology II  3
EMEC 103 - CAE I-Engineering Graphics Communications  2
PHSX 205 - College Physics I  4
University Core Electives  3
Year Total: 17 15
Sophomore YearCredits
FallSpring
EMEC 250 - Mechanical Engineering Materials3  
EMAT 252 - Materials Struct and Prop Lab1  
EGEN 203 - Applied Mechanics3  
ETME 202 - Mechanical Engineering Technology Computer Applications3  
PHSX 207 - College Physics II4  
ETME 311 - Joining Processes3  
EGEN 208 - Applied Strength of Materials  3
ETME 215 - Manufacturing Processes  3
ETME 216 - Manufacturing Process Laboratory  1
EGEN 324 - Applied Thermodynamics  3
ETME 203 - Mechanical Design Graphics  3
EELE 250 - Circuits, Devices and Motors  4
Year Total: 17 17
Junior YearCredits
FallSpring
EGEN 331 - Applied Mechanics of Fluids3  
EGEN 350 - Applied Engineering Data Analysis2  
EMEC 360 - Measurement & Instrumentation3  
EMEC 361 - Measurement & Instrument Lab1  
ETME 310 - Machining and Industrial Safety3  
ETME 340 - Mechanisms3  
EGEN 310R - Multidisciplinary Engineering Design  3
ETME 303 - CAE Tools in Mechanical Design  3
ETME 321 - Applied Heat Transfer  3
ETME 341 - Machine Design  3
ETME 362 - Applied Electronics and Power for Mechanical Systems  3
Year Total: 15 15
Senior YearCredits
FallSpring
EGEN 330 - Business Fundamentals for Technical Professionals3  
ETME 422 - Principles of HVAC I3  
ETME 424 - Thermal Processes Lab1  
ETME 489R - Capstone: Mechanical Engineering Technology Design I2  
Professional Electives26  
ETME 415 - Design for Manufacturing and Tooling  3
ETME 499R - Capstone: Mechanical Engineering Technology Design II  3
EGEN 488 - Fundamentals of Engineering Exam  0
Professional Electives2  6
University Core Electives  3
Year Total: 15 15
Total Program Credits: 126

 Pre-Approved MET Professional Elective Courses:

EGEN 365Introduction to Mechatronics3
EIND 300Engineering Management & Ethics3
EIND 313Work Design and Analysis3
EIND 371Introduction to Computer Integrated Manufacturing3
EIND 373Production Inventory Cost Analysis3
EIND 410
EIND 411
Interaction Design
and Interaction Design Project
3
EIND 413Ergonomics & Human Factors Engineering3
EIND 422Introduction to Simulation3
EIND 425Technology Entrepreneurship3
EIND 434Project Management for Engineers3
EIND 477Applied Statistical Quality Control with Python3
EMAT 350Engineering Materials3
EMAT 461Friction and Wear of Materials3
EMAT 462Manufacturing of Composites3
EMAT 463Composite Materials3
EMAT 464Biomedical Materials Engineering3
EMEC 424Cellular Mechanotransduction3
EMEC 440Biomechanics of Human Movement3
EMEC 444Mech Behavior of Materials3
EMEC 447Aircraft Structures4
EMEC 462System Dynamics and Control3
EMEC 465Bio-inspired Engineering3
EMEC 467Micro-Electromechanical Systems3
EMEC 466Acoustics, Engineering and the Environment3
ETME 309
ETME 327
Building Information Modeling in MEP
and Commercial Building Energy Assessment Lab
3
ETME 410Computerized Numerical Control and Computer-aided Manufacturing Technology3
ETME 423Principles of HVAC II3
ETME 430Fluid Power Systems Design3
ETME 460Advanced Instrumentation3
ETME 462Industrial Processing Automation and Controls3
ETME 470Renewable Energy Applications3
ETME 490RUndergraduate Research1-3
ETME 492Independent Study1-3
ETME 498Internship1-3
1

 Students exempt from MSU writing requirement must still complete a 3 credit writing intensive course. See MIE Writing Policy.

2

 See  MET PE Policy for details.

A minimum of 126 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.