<p>“Here’s a brief description of engineering technology programs. In sum, these programs require less calculus and more labs.”</p>
<p>Yes, even my Physics classes had 3 hours labs once a week.</p>
<p>“A BS in Engineering Technology (BSET) is a more hands-on and less theoretical course of study than is a BS in Engineering (BSE). These programs require less math than do BSE programs (typical BSET programs require two semesters of applied calculus, and may or may not require an applied version of differential equations). The physics required is non-calculus-based. These programs require more labs.”</p>
<p>I had plenty of Math and Statistics courses and Calculus, typical BSME degrees goes right into Calc I, II and III and assumes you have a strong foundation in Algebra and Trig. Depends on the school and program. My Physics were non-calc based as well but with a lot of labs indeed, applied problems that had to be solved and calculated and then replicated in the lab physically.</p>
<p>“Graduates of these programs primarily get more hands-on jobs, such as test engineers, field engineers, applications engineers, manufacturing engineers or jobs in manufacturing management. They are far less likely to become design engineers.”</p>
<p>Not in my experience and other classmates pre and post my graduation, also I have many connections on LinkedIn who are BSET grads and they work in similar fields and have similar titles.</p>
<p>“There is some controversy about whether engineering technologists are engineers or not. Some call them engineering-lite programs. Two-thirds of the states will license them as PE’s with a couple more years of work experience than a BSE grad needs, but a small number of states will not license them regardless of their number of years of experience.”</p>
<p>Again, what’s a “Technologist”? I never been called one and never seen anyone else referred to, but yes I have seen this wording listed on ABET’s site and various school sites including mine. Though it’s far from reality. I never heard “Engineering-Lite” either. I could get my PE in several states, but it’s not needed in my field of Engineering. In terms of whether or not us BSET grads are Engineers, I have broken that myth over my 20 years of experience, sure I have worked with some elite BSE grads who had an agenda due to my degree, but when I proved myself and fixed a lot of their design mistakes, that thought was put to rest in a hurry though a lot of losing face went around and some never got over it. Especially when the Boss came to me to fix the problem,which I did and saved the company thousands of $ on top of delivering a solution.</p>
<p>“If you choose a BSET program, bear in mind that you may be limiting your options somewhat, compared with the options a graduate of a BSE in Engineering program will have.”</p>
<p>I agree with you on this, Graduate school aside from MBA or MEM, there isn’t much options for graduate school, but I know several of my classmates who went on to get a PhD with a BSET after finding a program that allowed them to get a Masters. It’s possible, just not as open as it would be for a BSE. I also think that job options are limited, though I really cannot complain I think a BSE will open more doors since it’s a cookie cutter standard in the industry and in reality the BSET degree is not well marketed or understood in the industry, but this seems to be changing albeit at a slow rate. 20 years ago, it was even worse. Still though there are some companies and Hiring Managers who are way too ignorant to even consider a BSET regardless of the level of experience they have.</p>