Mechanical Engineering Technology

Bachelor of Science Degree

The goals of the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program are to provide quality undergraduate studies, prepare students to enter professional careers and graduate study, and find employment in their field after graduation. This program values and encourages academic and intellectual achievement of the highest quality and the technical competencies inherent to the field of MET. The faculty are committed to the integration of these elements in a coherent program of higher education.

MET graduates are problem solvers with hands-on skills and a well-rounded technical background. They work in a wide range of advanced mechanical systems and processes. Job functions include design and development, installation, maintenance, documentation, manufacturing, fabricating, testing and evaluation, and technical sales. Typical starting jobs for MET graduates include product development and design, computer-aided design and manufacturing, and technical management and supervision. Graduates of this program pursue careers not only in MET, but also in related fields such as computer science and industrial, manufacturing, and civil engineering.

Mechanical Engineering Technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. 

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology — 128 total credits

Students shall satisfy the requirements listed below.

I. SUNY General Education Requirements (30 credits)

All SUNY students must satisfy the following requirements.

No fewer than 30 credits must be attained from the SUNY approved General Education Course List with the following provisions:

  • Mathematics (MAT 121 or equivalent recommended by program)
  • Basic Communication (ENG 101 or equivalent)

At least five (5) out of the following eight (8) SUNY General Education categories:

  • Natural Science (PHY 101T & PHY 101L recommended by program)
  • Social Science
  • American History
  • Western Civilization
  • Other World Civilization
  • Humanities
  • The Arts
  • Foreign Language

NOTE: You may take more than one course in a given category to complete this 30 credit hour requirement, but you must also satisfy the appropriate number of categories.

II. Liberal Arts/Sciences Requirements (30 credits)

The New York State Education Department (SED) requires a student earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree to attain no fewer than 60 credits of combined SUNY General Education and Liberal Arts/Sciences courses. There may be overlap between courses meeting both the SUNY General Education Requirements and Liberal Arts/Sciences Requirements, but a student may receive course credits only once even if multiple requirements are satisfied by a single course. The total number of combined credit hours must be no fewer than 60 credits.

SUNY Poly degree requirements:

  • Natural Sciences: one course which may be a General Education Natural Science course; for Mechanical Engineering Technology students, the requirement is satisfied by PHY 101T & PHY 101L and a second Natural Science class CHE 110T & CHE 110L . Both courses must be with a lab.
  • Upper-Division Writing Course (COM 306)

Specific requirements for Mechanical Engineering Tech majors:

  • MAT 121 Calculus I
  • MAT 122 Calculus II
  • MAT 230 Differential Equations
  • PHY 101T & PHY 101L Physics I **
  • CHE 110T & CHE 110L Essentials of Chemistry **
  • Physics Elective **

** Students are encouraged to take calculus-based sciences

  • COM 300 Oral Communication
  • Computer Programming Language (CSC 310V, 301J,317, or upper-division programming language)

Liberals Arts/Sciences Electives (remainder of credits)

III. Technical Core Coursework (66 credits)

A. Required Courses

A grade of “C” or better in each of the following courses:

  • MTC 101 Intro to Engineering Technology
  • MTC 136 Material Science Applications
  • MTC 162 Computer-Aided Design
  • MTC 211 Manufacturing Processes
  • MTC 218 Statics
  • MTC 222 Strength of Materials
  • MTC 240 Solid Modeling & 3D Printing
  • MTC 301 Professionalism in the Workplace
  • MTC 308 Mechanical Components
  • MTC 352 Thermodynamics
  • MTC 430 Engineering Dynamics
  • MTC 454 Engineering Heat Transfer
  • MTC 461 Fluid Mechanics
  • MTC 420 Capstone Experience*

*Taken during senior year at SUNY Poly

B. Mechanical Electives 

At least 12 credits must be 400-level and taken at SUNY Poly.

C. Electrical Elective 

  • ETC 102 Electric Circuits

IV. Unrestricted Electives (remainder of 128 credits)

Mechanical Laboratories
The MET program has numerous laboratories with equipment to provide hands-on application of classroom learning. These laboratories encompass many aspects of the MET curriculum, including:

  • Instron multi-purpose testing machine
  • Bending moment and deflection of beams apparatus
  • Electronic strain measurement equipment
  • Static equilibrium devices
  • Dynamics test stands: centrifugal force, ballistic projectiles, linear momentum, conservation of potential energy, acceleration, forces of gravity
  • Machine shop for prototyping
  • Computer Numeric Control (CNC), CNC machining center turret lathe and mill
  • 3D printers
  • Heat exchangers – conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer units
  • Heat pipes and pumps, solar energy systems
  • Subsonic wind tunnels, reaction and impulse turbines
  • Mechanical measurements lab with a wide range of electro-mechanical sensors and data acquisition electronics

Electrical course requirements also include dedicated laboratories with circuits and electronic equipment.

Computer Skills
This curriculum provides students experience with modern software and hardware that is used in industry. Some of the advanced courses are taught using software such as:

  • AutoCAD for mechanical design and layout
  • AutoDesk Inventor Professional
  • ALGOR for finite element analysis
  • LabVIEW for mechanical measurements
  • MATLAB/SimuLink for simulation
  • SolidWorks for modeling and 3D printing

The MET program has several dedicated computer labs, and students have access to numerous other modern computer labs throughout the campus. For the computer language requirement, students may learn C/C++, JAVA, and Visual Basic.

Student Clubs
MET students may join chapters of the following professional societies:

  • ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • SAE Society of Automotive Engineers
  • SME Society of Manufacturing Engineers
  • SWE Society for Woman Engineers
  • ASQ American Society for Quality

Recent activities of these clubs include the SAE Baja project, where students design and build a single-passenger off-road vehicle for the international race and design competitions. Members of the ASME club have also participated in regional and international design competitions.

Areas of Concentration (students are not required to complete a concentration)

Mechanical Design 

  • MTC 308 Mechanical Components
  • MTC 336 Material Science Applications
  • MTC 362 Experimental Stress Analysis
  • MTC 363 Mechanisms Analysis & Design
  • MTC 430 Engineering Dynamics
  • MTC 464 Vibrations Analysis
  • MTC 465 Advanced Machine Design
  • MTC 476 Finite Element Analysis

Thermal Sciences 

  • MTC 210 Heating, Ventilating, & Air Conditioning
  • MTC 350 Solar Energy Technology
  • MTC 352 Thermodynamics
  • MTC 450 Solar Energy Concepts
  • MTC 454 Engineering Heat Transfer
  • MTC 461 Fluid Mechanics
  • MTC 462 Turbomachinery
  • MTC 471 Space Technology

Computer-Aided Engineering Graphics 

  • MTC 240 Solid Modeling & 3D Printing
  • MTC 398 Mechanical Measurements
  • MTC 405 Solid Modeling/Rapid Prototyping
  • MTC 442 Computer-Aided Manufacturing
  • MTC 465 Advanced Machine Design
  • MTC 467 Computer-Aided Design
  • MTC 476 Finite Element Applications

Energy Systems

  • MTC 210 Heating, Ventilating, & Air Conditioning
  • MTC 215 Sustainable Energy Systems
  • MTC 220 Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Technology
  • MTC 350 Solar Energy Technology
  • MTC 352 Thermodynamics
  • MTC 450 Solar Energy Concepts
  • MTC 454 Engineering Heat Transfer
  • MTC 466 Wind Turbines