wooden racquets; the composite materials used in stealth military planes with specific electro-
magnetic properties; and the ceramic tiles on the space shuttle that protect the shuttle during
reentry into the atmosphere (ceramics are nonmetallic materials that can withstand high
temperatures).
Materials engineering may be further divided into metallurgical, ceramics, plastics, and
other specialties. You can find materials engineers working in aircraft manufacturing; various
research and testing labs; and electrical, stone, and glass products manufacturers. Because of
the low number of current graduates, the job opportunities are good for materials engineers.Engineering Technology
In the preceding text, we introduced you to the engineering profession and its various areas of
specialization. Let us now say a few words about engineering technology. For those of you who
tend to be more hands-on and less interested in theory and mathematics, engineering technol-
ogy might be the right choice for you. Engineering technology programs typically require the
knowledge of basic mathematics up to integral and differential calculus level, and focus more
on the application of technologies and processes. Although to a lesser degree than engineers,
engineering technologists use the same principles of science, engineering, and mathematics to
assist engineers in solving problems in manufacturing, construction, product development,
inspection, maintenance, sales, and research. They may also assist engineers or scientists in
setting up experiments, conducting tests, collecting data, and calculating some results. In
general, the scope of an engineering technologist’s work is more application-oriented and
requires less understanding of mathematics, engineering theories, and scientific concepts that
are used in complex designs.
Engineering technology programs usually offer the same type of disciplines as engineering
programs. For example, you may obtain your degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Mechan-
ical Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, or Industrial Engineering
Technology. However, if you decide to pursue an engineering technology degree, note that
graduate studies in engineering technology are limited and registration as a professional engi-
neer might be more difficult in some states.
The engineering technology programs are also accredited by the Accreditation Board
for Engineering and Technology (ABET). According to ABET, the Baccalaureate engineering
technology programs must consist of a minimum of 124 semester hours or 186 quarter hours
of credit. Associate degree programs (two-year) must have a minimum of 64 semester hours or
96 quarter hours of credit. Moreover, each engineering technology program must have five
components: communications, mathematics, physical and natural science, social sciences and
humanities, and a technical content. The technical content of a particular engineering tech-
nology program is focused on the applied side of science and engineering, and is intended to
develop the skills, knowledge, methods, procedures, and techniques associated with that
particular technical discipline.
According to ABET, an accredited engineering technology program must demonstrate that
their students at the time of graduations have:- an appropriate mastery of the knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of their
disciplines; - an ability to apply current knowledge and adapt to emerging applications of mathematics, sci-
ence, engineering and technology;
1.5 Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology 21
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