Engineering Technology

Introduction

The Department of Engineering Technology offers Bachelor of Science degree programs that prepare graduates for technical and professional careers in industry and one program to prepare students for careers in education. Each program offers a unique mix of theoretical course work and laboratory exercises where students apply the theory learned in lectures to solve practical problems and experience industrial applications of technology. Creativity is encouraged and emphasized. In addition, Western’s General University Requirements (GURs) provide graduates with a solid foundation in communication skills and contribute to a liberal education.

The programs are:

Electronics Engineering Technology
Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Manufacturing Engineering Technology – Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing
Plastics Engineering Technology
Plastics Engineering Technology – Vehicle Engineering Technology
Industrial Design
Industrial Technology – Vehicle Design
Technology Education

Engineering technology is a profession in which knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences, technical experience and practice are used to plan, design, create and enhance technologies that benefit humanity. Graduates are employed by major technological and industrial companies, including regional operations such as Boeing, Paccar, Alpha Technologies, Cypress Semiconductor, Nike, and Korry Electronics. Career opportunities range across the technological spectrum but graduates are best suited to areas that deal with application, manufacturing, implementation, engineering operations and production.

Students planning to major in any engineering technology program are encouraged to have a solid foundation in mathematics, chemistry and physics. Students planning to major in industrial design are also encouraged to have a sound background in art and design.

Faculty

TODD MORTON (1988) Chair and Professor. BSEE, MSEE, University of Washington.
JANET M. BRAUN (2007) Assistant Professor. BS, MS (mechanical engineering), Marquette University; MBA, Cardinal Stritch University.
STEVEN H. DILLMAN (1993) Professor. BS (chemical engineering), Rice University; PhD (chemical engineering), University of Washington.
STEVEN M. FLEISHMAN (2006) Assistant Professor. BTME, State University of New York College of Technology-Utica; MSEd (technology education), State University of New York-Oswego.
THOMAS GRADY (1986) Associate Professor. BA, BS, MSEE, University of Colorado.
F. DAVID HARRIS (1990) Professor. BSEE, Newark College of Engineering; MAT (Physical Sciences), Rhode Island College; MSEE, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Registered professional engineer.
NICOLE HOEKSTRA (1998) Professor. BSME, MSME, University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology.
KATHLEEN L. KITTO (1988) Professor and Associate Dean, College of Sciences and Technology. BS, MSME, Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology.
NICOLE M. LARSON (2005) Associate Professor. BSME, Bradley University; MSME, University of Washington.
ERIC C. LEONHARDT (2002) Associate Professor. BA, Whitman College; BS, Western Washington University; MS (automotive systems engineering), University of Michigan.
YING LIN (2010) Assistant Professor. BSEE, MSEE, Harbin Institute of Technology; MS (applied statistics), PhD (electrical engineering), Syracuse University .
ERIC K. MCKELL (1997) Associate Professor. BSMET, MSMFE, Brigham Young University. Registered professional engineer.
JASON A. MORRIS (2004) Associate Professor. BSME, West Virginia University; MID, Pratt Institute.
JEFFREY L. NEWCOMER (1998) Professor. BS, MEng, MS, PhD (mechanical engineering), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
ARUNAS P. OSLAPAS (1991) Professor. BFA, Montana State University; MFA, University of Illinois.
DEREK M. YIP-HOI (2006) Assistant Professor. BSME, University of the West Indies; MSME, State University of New York-Buffalo; PhD (mechanical engineering), University of Michigan.

Adjunct Faculty

MICHAEL J. FLAHERTY (1998) BEd, MEd, Western Washington University.
INDLE G. KING (1987). BA, MA, University of Washington.

Other Departmental Information

Declaration of Major

Students who intend to complete one of the majors should obtain advisement from a department advisor and declare the major early so that a program of study can be planned. Engineering technology programs require courses that also fulfill GURs (natural sciences and communications, for example). Both freshmen and transfer students may begin their studies within the department in their first year at Western. Declaration of a major does not decrease the opportunity to change plans or majors. Students or prospective students may wish to participate in department projects and student club organizations since that is often a good way to understand the different career opportunities and requirements of the majors.

Mid-Program Checkpoint

Students intending to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in one of the department majors within four years should complete the following courses by the start of their junior year. Students are expected to follow all prerequisite requirements for courses and seek early departmental advisement.

Electronics Engineering Technology

ETEC 270 , ETEC 271 , ETEC 272 , ETEC 273 , ETEC 274 , ETEC 371 , ETEC 372 , ETEC 375
MATH 124 or MATH 134 , MATH 125 or MATH 135
CHEM 121
PHYS 121 , PHYS 122 , PHYS 123
COMM 101 or COMM 235
CSCI 140
18 credits technical electives and/or GURs

Manufacturing Engineering Technology

ETEC 112, ETEC 113, ETEC 220, ETEC 222, ETEC 223, ETEC 224, ETEC 225
MATH 124 or MATH 134 , MATH 125 or MATH 135 , MATH 245
PHYS 121 , PHYS 122 , PHYS 123
CHEM 121
CSCI 140
COMM 101 or COMM 235
20-24 credits other GURs

Manufacturing Engineering Technology – Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Option

ETEC 112 , ETEC 113, ETEC 220, ETEC 222, ETEC 223, ETEC 224, ETEC 225
MATH 124 or MATH 134, MATH 125 or MATH 135
PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 123
CHEM 121
CSCI 138 or CSCI 140
COMM 101 or COMM 235
20-24 credit other GURs

Vehicle Design

A post-baccalaureate professional development certificate program in vehicle design is offered for students with an undergraduate degree in engineering. The three quarter lockstep program begins fall quarter, is self supporting and has a different tuition rate. Students interested in the post-baccalaureate program need to be referred by Eric Leonhardt, program coordinator of the Industrial Technology – Vehicle Design program. Upon referral, students should complete the Extension Undergraduate Application. Extension admission and registration information is available from Extended Education and Summer Programs, 360-650-3308.

Academic Standards

A grade of C- or higher is required to pass all engineering technology program sequence courses and all prerequisites for those courses. Students are required to drop any major class if they receive a K grade or a D+ or lower grade in the prerequisite class.

Students may request a program course exception (any grade lower than a C- in a required program course is always considered a program exception). To make a request, a student must submit an Exception Request Form for consideration by the department Curriculum Committee. The form can be found in the student information section of the Engineering Technology department website. In the exception request, a student must clearly and thoroughly state their request and provide a detailed explanation why the exception is being requested and why it is appropriate. The form is then submitted to their department faculty advisor who must add their comments and recommendation before forwarding the form to the committee. Students should expect that the curriculum committee will need ample time to consider the request; deadlines are listed on the form.