Manufacturing Engineering Technology Major
Department: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering and Technology
The baccalaureate program in manufacturing engineering technology is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.
MFG Program Educational Objectives
Within five years into their careers, the graduates from the Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program at Bradley University will have successful careers based on:
- Demonstrated ability to move into a leadership role in various phases of a manufacturing system while communicating objectives and intentions to a diverse team of cross functional members.
- Demonstrated ability to expand into different areas of manufacturing using transferable skills learned through hands-on experience.
- Demonstrated ability to serve both the profession and the society balanced with the work environment.
- Demonstrated ability to gain additional knowledge and skills by obtaining certifications and additional education.
MFG Student Outcomes
In order to meet these program educational objectives, students graduating from Bradley’s Manufacturing Engineering Technology program will attain the following outcomes.
- An ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline
- An ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline
- An ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature
- An ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes
- An ability to function effectively as a member or leader on a technical team.
The goal of the department is to provide the intellectual and physical learning environment in which students achieve these outcomes. The intellectual component of this environment is supplied by the IMET faculty members, in their roles as mentors, advisors, and engineering professionals, as well as by the curriculum they establish for the programs. The physical component consists of quality facilities equipped with state-of-art instrumentation, equipment, computers, and professional software.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Manufacturing Engineering Technology program are well-prepared for a diverse range of careers in industries where physical products are produced, including automotive, aerospace, heavy machinery, medical devices, consumer products, and food production. They play vital roles in transforming product designs into tangible, economically viable, and reliable products. Common job titles for our graduates include design engineer, industrial engineer, quality engineer, project manager, process improvement engineer, systems engineer, and production engineer.
One of the unique aspects of our program is the ability to customize elective courses in management and marketing, allowing students to tailor their education to their career aspirations. Many students take advantage of this flexibility to earn minors in management or marketing, significantly enhancing their competitiveness in the job market. This combination of technical expertise and business acumen prepares our graduates for leadership and management roles, such as project managers, supply chain managers, and operations directors. Additionally, the extensive hands-on engineering courses ensure that students gain practical experience, making them highly effective in implementing and optimizing production processes.
Our department maintains close ties with industry through an outstanding Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering & Technology Department Advisory Council, which includes distinguished members from industry, government, and education. This collaboration ensures that our curriculum remains relevant and aligned with industry needs, providing our graduates with a competitive edge.
The Discipline
Today's industry faces complex challenges, including government regulation, consumerism, inflation, foreign competition, high labor costs, and escalating business expenses. Addressing these challenges requires individuals who can blend theoretical knowledge with practical skills to effectively implement cutting-edge technologies. Our Manufacturing Engineering Technology program is designed to meet these industry needs by integrating studies in mechanical design, modern manufacturing processes, materials science and technology, automation, management practices, and social sciences.
Graduates from our program are well-equipped for roles in various phases of management, production, product development, test and evaluation, sales, and service. The curriculum includes technical concentrations that develop competence in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and other technical sciences such as mechanics, strength of materials, and electronics. Laboratory activities support the fundamental concepts studied and provide hands-on experience with actual hardware, its theory of operation, and its uses in the current state of the art.
Moreover, the program offers technical elective courses in management and marketing, enabling students to customize their education according to their career goals. This flexibility allows many students to earn minors in management or marketing, further enhancing their job prospects. The combination of rigorous technical training and business education ensures that our graduates are not only proficient in engineering principles but also adept at navigating the business aspects of the manufacturing industry.