Is Engineering Technology as Prestigious as Engineering?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the perceived prestige and differences between Engineering Technology and traditional Engineering degrees, particularly in the context of manufacturing engineering technology. Participants explore the implications of these differences on career prospects, academic rigor, and accreditation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that Engineering Technology graduates do not hold the same prestige as Engineering graduates, suggesting that Engineering Technicians typically engage in more hands-on lab work compared to Engineers who focus on research.
  • There is a viewpoint that the term "technology" in a degree title may carry negative connotations, implying a less rigorous academic experience, although this can vary by institution.
  • One participant notes that the rigor of an Engineering Technology program is closely tied to its course offerings and whether it is ABET accredited, which is seen as a marker of quality.
  • A participant shares a link to their program's structure, highlighting that some classes have different names but cover similar content to traditional engineering courses, raising questions about the equivalency of the degrees.
  • Some participants express that the program described seems similar to a traditional engineering degree, while others caution about the lack of ABET accreditation and its potential impact on future employment and licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE).
  • Concerns are raised about the implications of attending a non-ABET accredited program, including the inability to become a licensed engineer and potential employer skepticism regarding the program's academic integrity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the prestige of Engineering Technology versus Engineering degrees. There are competing views on the implications of program structure and accreditation, with some expressing confidence in the quality of the discussed program while others emphasize the importance of ABET accreditation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the evaluation of the program's rigor and its impact on career opportunities depends on various factors, including course content, institutional reputation, and accreditation status. There is also uncertainty regarding the specific requirements for becoming a licensed engineer based on program accreditation.

jcsolis
Messages
37
Reaction score
1
hi everybody...i am about to start my sophomore year in manufacturing engineering technology. before attending college i didn´t know the differences between engineering and eng.technology so i ask to some people about that.
i got the idea but i am still confused. do eng.tech. graduates have the same prestige as engineering grads?? please can somebody explain me differences, working field, etc
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No, an Engineering Tech is not the same thing as an Engineer. An Engineering Tech will most likely find themselves doing labwork, where the Engineer will be the one doing the research. Without seeing a list of courses you take, it's hard to say what your degree is worth.
 
The term "technology" attached to the end of a field of study has classically had negative connotations. Usually the approach and an Eng. Tech. program is to be more hands on, where you will spend more time in the lab and doing projects than in lecture. The result is a "dumbed down" version of a science program where they often cut out the advanced math and research methods, or the shaping of your ability to evaluate engineering systems.

Now, this definition isn't absolute. It depends greatly on your institution, and what their requirements for your degree are. The end result for most engineering programs is 4-years undergraduate that will qualify you to take the FE, then the PE, then becoming a fully licensed engineer. Not everyone takes this path, but your program being able to qualify for the FE is what defines a "real" engineering program.

Manufacturing engineering is a broad field, it could focus on anything from engineering economics to something almost identical to mechanical engineering. The way you will be judged by future employers is on your qualification. Your knowledge of engineering systems is directly connected to the rigor of your academic courses. Also, whether or not your program is ABET certified will play heavily into how your education is valued.

If you post a link to how your program is structured it might help people give you better guidance
 
SRode said:
If you post a link to how your program is structured it might help people give you better guidance

Ok..here is the link to the program of study of my current major:

http://academics.utb.edu/catalog0607/bachelor_four_year/engin_tech-manufacturing.pdf?par_degree_ID=4&degreeList=4

Let me explain you what topics are covered in some classes:


Transport Technologies I: maybe this class sounds strange but it is a formal way to name Thermodynamics. Is basically the same class of Thermodynamics but with a different name.

Transport Techonologies II: another class with a formal name. This is class is equal to Fluid Mechanics.


Last semester I was thinking in change my major to engineering physics, I am very confused at this moment because I don´t know which one choose. I like working with CAD and all that stuff, but I also like the idea to learn how to do research...

If someone is studying Eng.Physics please help me, I want to know career opportunities, etc

thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Seems like a real engineering degree to me, or at least very close.
 
cyrusabdollahi said:
Seems like a real engineering degree to me, or at least very close.


I agree with you...comparing Eng.Tech and Eng. Physics degrees from my school there are very few differences.
 
Well, I never said anything about that comparison. I don't know what 'engineering physics' is.
 
You have a very good program that is similar to what a usual engineering program covers, and Univ. of Texas is a well known school. However, I couldn't find any accreditation for you program from ABET. I could be wrong, but schools will often hide this fact because employers will look down upon this. You should ask you chair point blank, and if it isn't accredited or "in the process" consider transferring.
 
It's funny... you do much more math than the usual engineering technology major. You basically cover most of the math that would be found in a non-'engineering technology' course.

Is there a non-'technology' option available to you? The amount of work it looks like you're doing is so close to a "real" engineering degree that it would suck for you to not get certain jobs because your degree says 'technology' at the end of it.

And, like another poster mentioned, make sure your degree is ABET accredited no matter what.
 
  • #10
what happen if a school is not ABET acredited? does it means that I can't be a PE or something like that?
 
  • #11
Yes I believe that is correct. You will not be able to become a licensed engineer.
 
  • #12
jcsolis said:
what happen if a school is not ABET acredited? does it means that I can't be a PE or something like that?

It could also prevent you from getting many jobs, an unaccredited program will cause potential employers to question your schools academic integrity. It could be that your school is trying to get accredited, and isn't there yet because its a long and costly process, but you don't want to be part of their educational experiment. Judging by the rigor of your programs outline I think its safe to say that if you can make it there you'd be able to succeed in a Mech. Eng or Manuf. Eng. program at an accredited school.
 
  • #13
Thanks for the advice
 

Similar threads

Courses Help choosing modules for electrical engineer - electronics degree
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
What's the best major between Physics & Chemistry for entering MS in Nuclear Engineering?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Programs Is doing a PhD in Engineering Part Time in 8 Years Possible?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
6K
Other How much does GPA and Prestigious school indicate success?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Studying Should I pursue a masters degree after 4.5 years working in IT?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Schools Engineering Technology to Engineering graduate school?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Deciding between Physics or Engineering after a very turbulent year
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
What do I study in school for Lorentz Force Propulsion R&D?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Admissions How Can I Improve My Chances of Getting into a PhD Program in Engineering?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
What Engineering Path Should I Choose for My Career?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K