Engineering Technology

Introduction

The Department of Engineering Technology offers Bachelor of Science degree programs that prepare graduates for technical and professional careers in industry. 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

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. BSME, MSME, Marquette University; MBA, Cardinal Stritch University.
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.
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 .
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) Associate Professor. BSME, University of the West Indies; MSME, State University of New York-Buffalo; PhD (mechanical engineering), University of Michigan.
JEFF R. WRIGHT (2011) Professor and Dean of College of Sciences and Technology. BA/BSE, MSE, University of Washington; PhD, The John Hopkins University.

Adjunct Faculty

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

Other Departmental Information

Advising and Declaration of Major

Students who intend to complete one of the majors should immediately obtain advisement from a department advisor to declare the major and plan a program of study. Because engineering technology programs require long course sequences with strong prerequisite structures, both freshmen and transfer students should begin their studies within the department in their first year at Western. Students should start immediately fulfilling the math and science requirements of the program.

Vehicle Design Post-Baccalaureate

A post-baccalaureate professional development certificate program in vehicle design is offered for students who already have 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

Students are expected to follow all prerequisite requirements for courses and seek early departmental advisement. A grade of C- or higher is required to pass all engineering technology program requirements 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 http://www.etec.wwu.edu/. 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.