Western Illinois University - Quad Cities - Academics
Audience Menu
Web Tools and Search Bar
Explore WIU-QC
Apply NowTop Navigation
Quad Cities Campus
Engineering Technology at WIU Quad Cities
Program of Study
Western Illinois University–Quad Cities’ Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MET) degree program is designed to provide an up-to-date and challenging program in response to continuously changing technology and an increasingly competitive global marketplace. The MET degree program offers students the flexibility to study in one of two areas: Automation and Robotics or Manufacturing Design and Production. Students are prepared for careers in areas such as quality auditing, continuous improvement, production management, cost estimating, scheduling, and a variety of technical fields. Course content that combines a unique blend of theory, principles, and concepts with know-how, practical application, and problem-solving skills ensures that students are prepared to work in a team environment. Laboratories support contemporary design and animation software and CAD/CAM plus production equipment, including CNC machining centers and material testing devices. The curriculum combines technical education with instruction in engineering, design, construction, and management practices currently employed in manufacturing.
Students learn to organize the available workforce, materials, and equipment in order to design, construct, operate, maintain, and manage technical engineering projects. Immediately upon graduation, students are ready to take an active role in manufacturing and to apply technical solutions to the problems that arise.
Scope and Objectives
The MET curriculum has a strong core foundation focused on the development of the skills and knowledge associated with manufacturing and construction. The program goals include enabling students to understand, apply, and control engineering procedures, and to understand methods of production related to their field. Objectives of the curriculum include the ability to integrate the facilities and systems to produce quality products with optimal expenditures. Students learn problem-solving and critical-thinking skills that will be needed by successful managers working with technical applications. This program also includes a strong foundation in business management principles and practices. Beyond this core, students specialize in one of the following areas:
Automation and Robotics – This specialization educates and prepares students to effectively apply advanced production and electronic techniques as engineering solutions through the study of electronics, automation simulation, and fluid power systems.
Manufacturing Design and Production – This focus educates and prepares students to effectively apply advanced production and design techniques as engineering solutions through the study of material science, material handling, computer-aided drafting/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and computer numerical control (CNC) machining.
Faculty
The faculty in the Department of Engineering Technology have received their academic preparation from noted universities. Their academic preparation, combined with industry experience, provides them with the insight and competencies to develop and oversee diverse, integrated programs of study. Many faculty hold professional certification as well as advanced degrees in their areas of specialization.
Special Learning Facilities and Equipment
Departmental laboratories contain high-tech equipment, which offers students practical experience in automated manufacturing, manufacturing processes monitoring, and computer design.
Internship Requirements
All students are required to complete an internship as part of the major curriculum. The internship provides qualified MET students with supervised experience in production practices, management techniques, research applications, and other activities in their chosen fields.
Career Opportunities
This is a major that is in very high demand in industry, with excellent employment opportunities. Depending on their area of specialization, students are prepared for careers in areas such as automation, CAD/CAM, robotics, CNC, and electronics. Program graduates are qualified to assume entry-level management positions in all areas.
Departmental Scholarship Support
The department provides a variety of additional support beyond the conventional financial assistance programs provided through the Financial Aid office. There are specific departmental scholarships and limited opportunities for co-op experiences.
Detailed information on scholarships is available from the department advising office, (309) 298-2100; Western’s Scholarship Office, (309) 298-2001; or on the Web at wiu.edu/Scholarship.
Professional Organizations and Certifications
All students in the MET degree program are invited to become members of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). Students are eligible to sit for the Certified Manufacturing Engineer and/or the Certified Manufacturing Technologist certification exams upon completion of their degrees. Students can also take certification exams from the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE, formerly NAIT). ATMAE’s certifications are the Certified Manufacturing Specialist (CMS), Certified Senior Manufacturing Specialist (CSMS), Certified Technology Manager (CTM, formerly CIT), and the Certified Senior Technology Manager (CSTM, formerly CSIT). In addition, students can pursue certifications that match their career paths from the American Society of Quality (ASQ).
Honors in Engineering Technology
Engineering Technology will be installing a new honorary on campus this year. Students who are in high academic standing at WIU will be invited to join Epsilon Pi Tau, the honorary for the Professions in Technology. Installation is planned for April of 2010.
To be eligible for the Centennial Honors College, entering freshmen must have an ACT composite score of at least 28 OR have a 26 or 27 composite ACT and be in the top 15% of their graduating class OR have an ACT composite score of at least 24 and be in the top 10% of their high school graduating class. Comparable SAT score is acceptable. Transfer and current WIU students who wish to join the Honors College (including the Quad Cities Honors Program) must have a 3.4 grade point average on a 4.0 scale based on 12 or more semester hours. Honors credit is given for honors coursework completed at other accredited institutions. To find out more, visit wiu.edu/Honors.
For More Information
For admissions process and general program information, contact Western Illinois University–Quad Cities at (309) 762-9481. For specific program questions, contact our Advising Center at (309) 762-1988.
