<p>some schools offer my major, but its under engineering technolgies. Is it the same thing.</p>
<p>it's not the same thing, My understanding is that this is a new area that has arisen that sort of bridges the gap between engineers and technicians. Generally it is a 4-yr degree so it is a step up from a 2-yr trade/technician degree and may include similar responsibilites as some beginning engineering positions but definitely will not allow the same room for advancement or as many opportunities as an engineering degree. It is also generally more application than theory so the classes you take for technology do not overlap much with engineering courses. Here's a blurb from Northeastern's website that explains the different disciplines a little better (son is attending in fall for engineering but had considered technology as well):</p>
<p>"What is Engineering Technology
The following definition of engineering technology was established by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and was approved by the Engineering Technology Council of the American Society for Engineering Education. </p>
<p>Engineering technology is the profession in which a knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences gained by higher education, experience, and practice is devoted primarily to the implementation and extension of existing technology for the benefit of humanity.</p>
<p>Engineering technology education focuses primarily on the applied aspects of science and engineering aimed at preparing graduates for practice in that portion of the technological spectrum closest to product improvement, manufacturing, construction, and engineering operational functions.</p>
<p>Thus engineering technology is the application of engineering principles and modern technology to help solve or prevent technical problems. </p>
<p>Engineering technology is a relatively new discipline. Before engineering technology programs like Northeastern's emerged, people with scientific or technical ambitions had a difficult decision to make-what kind of education should they pursue? College-bound students had three choices. </p>
<p>Choice number one meant selection of a major from among the pure sciences, such as physics, chemistry, or biology. However, these majors are appropriate only for people interested in pursuing additional degrees, laboratory research, or careers in education. </p>
<p>The second choice involved selection from among the engineering science majors like civil engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering. But engineering requires highly developed analytical skills and prepares people for careers conceptualizing and designing technical devices or systems. </p>
<p>The third choice was deciding not to attend college, but to enroll in a technical or vocational school. This route is best suited for people interested in the trades; that is, for people who want careers physically building, operating, or repairing machinery. </p>
<p>Engineering technology curricula provide a fourth option. The programs are designed to meet the growing need created by the technology revolution for college-educated problem solvers who can support the engineering process. </p>
<p>Engineering technology programs include scientific and engineering principles relevant to your chosen field: you will come to understand why a system is designed in a particular fashion and how it works. </p>
<p>In addition, engineering technology students acquire hands-on technical skills that enable them to solve production and system implementation problems and help them explain solutions. </p>
<p>People who are part of the technology workplace include scientists, engineers, technologists, technicians, and tradespeople. All these people have specialized education or training beyond the high school level and often work together as a team. As on any team, the players have different but important roles. </p>
<p>Scientists are concerned with advancing our understanding of the laws of nature and our knowledge of scientific principles. The scientist is primarily involved in research. </p>
<p>Engineers employ the scientific knowledge developed by scientists in planning, designing, and constructing technical devices and systems. The engineer is a developer of technological innovations. </p>
<p>Engineering technologists work closely with engineers in coordinating people, material, and machinery to achieve the specific goals of a particular project. The engineering technologist is often responsible for design and development."</p>
<p>Strange, the college board says something different. Including that the degeree is offered at both associate's and bachelor's level. </p>
<p>you can find info here: <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/majors/15.0000.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/majors/15.0000.html</a></p>
<p>hope it helps</p>
<p>The main thing is that, hierarchically speaking, engineering technology is below an engineer and this will be reflected in the salary. And presumably a 4-yr degree will earn more than a 2-yr degree (or it's just another way to get 4 yrs of tuition out of unknowing students instead of 2?)</p>
<p>“Engineering” and “technology” programs are different. They are accredited separately by ABET, and are legally different for purposes of engineering licensure.</p>
<p>“Engineering” degrees take 4 years, and are often followed by graduate school. An engineering degree is more “theoretical” than a technology degree; the engineering degree has a greater emphasis on basic science, and much more math. </p>
<p>“Technology” degrees can take either 2 or 4 years, and are rarely followed by graduate school. Technology programs are more “hands-on”, and focus on current practical tools and techniques, as opposed to mathematical or scientific theories.</p>
<p>People with engineering degrees are generally responsible for designing new products or facilities. People with technology degrees are generally responsible for implementing these designs. </p>
<p>Starting salaries are good for both types of degrees. However, people with engineering degrees are more likely to earn graduate degrees, qualify for professional licenses, and move into senior managerial positions. The long-term salary potential is therefore greater with an engineering degree.</p>
<p>See <a href="http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos112.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos112.htm</a></p>
<p>Good thread, it helps clear things up. </p>
<p>I do know there is a big difference between a 2 yr and 4yr engineering technology degree. The 4 yr curriculum looks very simular to an engineering one, without the advanced calculus. The 2 year degree seems almost worthless. </p>
<p>I am suppose to be heading into the mechanical eng technology program. But I keep thinking how I hate the thought of always being a step down on the ladder with the same amount of college.</p>
<p>One of my civil engineering professors keeps saying that an engineering technician relies solely on software to do problems, but engineers know the theory behind the software; they know how to solve something by hand.</p>
<p>In Canada, the designation is "CET" - Certified Engineering Technologist and I think it lies somewhere between a technician and engineer. In industry, it is well viewed if someone completed the CET first before proceeding to study engineering. The CET provides a good hands own application and this is well complemented with the theory later in engineering studies.</p>
<p>There are also Certified Engineering Technologists in the US. It's a voluntary certification program organized by NICET, a private non-profit organization. </p>
<p>CET certification differs from engineering (PE) licensure. Engineers are licensed by state governments, and a Professional Engineer's license is mandatory in certain situations (typically facilities engineering, as opposed to product engineering). </p>
<p>In many states, it is possible to qualify for an engineering license with a technology degree, although extra work experience is typically required in such cases.</p>
<p>bringing back from the dead:</p>
<p>i dont think the information on these sources are accurate. They are refering more to the associates level since there are only a few universities that have it as a 4 year program. I’m a Junior in a Mechanical Engineering Technology major and believe me, we do indeed use math. The difference i see, is that its less calculous based and more real world based problems.</p>
<p>The analogy someone metioned earlier about how Technologists rely on software, where the Engineers understand how the software works… well in most of my classes, they tell us we are the ones that need to understand why the software works. In the real work, most engineers do use software for calculating things simply because they do not make errors and are faster. When they say its more “hands on”, it does not mean you do more physical work. It means you do more calculations that are real world situations. I’ve yet to do any physical hands on, other than my labs in physics. Other than that, all of my classes are basically donig math problems all day.</p>
<p>Some people believe engineering technology isn’t as hard as engineering. I dont know how you can measure this really. You take more calc based classes in engineering and need to know how to use them. If this is what determines that, and if you persoanlly find the calc classes are hard because you don’t have a good solid base, then yes, it wil be harder. But dont think Engineering Technology is easy. Many of the disiplines cross between the two, and still require hours and hours of studying everyday in order to get a good grade.</p>
<p>The analogy that are given to us is that MET engineers existing techology, while ME researches and discovers new technologies. In the real world after school, most of them will end up having the same jobs. After the first job, its purly based on work performance, and diminishes the fine line between the two.</p>
<p>I hope this helps some people out.</p>