WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY MAJORS?

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) is an applications-oriented program, providing educational opportunities to students who are interested in applied science and applications of engineering and technology. Our program provides an educational background that is rich in real-world applications. Emphasis on applying current knowledge and practices to the solution of technical and standard design problems is a hallmark of engineering technology education at WVU Tech.

An engineering technology graduate is an implementer, working best in careers with an emphasis on constructing, producing, installing, maintaining and operating systems. Graduates enter all sectors of industry, government and business in construction, product design and development, testing, technical operations or technical services and sales. Graduates often find hands-on laboratory, testing, operations, construction or field careers.

Both engineering technology and engineering are challenging academic programs; however, there are significant differences between the two. One size does not fit all as some students are attracted to engineering technology while others pursue engineering depending on their academic preparation and career interests.

Engineering Technology

1. An engineering technology (ET) graduate is an implementer.
2. Curriculum emphasis is on applying current knowledge and practices to the solution of specific technical problems and standard design problems. Students engage in discipline topics early in the freshman and sophomore years.
3. New graduates generally enter industry in construction, product design, development, testing, technical operations or technical services and sales.
4. Graduates are readily accepted into graduate school and often pursue graduate study in construction & facilities management, fire protection & administration, engineering management, business administration or similar programs.
5. Graduates are eligible for professional registration in most states with wide variation in licensing requirements.
6. Students are more likely to get a hands-on laboratory, testing, construction or in-the-field job.
7. Coursework includes algebra, trigonometry, applied calculus and college level sciences. The required level of math is not as in-depth as engineering programs and curriculum focuses on applications of the engineering disciplines in the freshmen and sophomore years of study. Students planning on subsequent graduate study often take additional mathematics as part of their undergraduate preparation.

Engineering

1. An engineering graduate is an innovator.
2. Curriculum emphasis is on developing new methods of analysis and solutions for open-ended, complex and unique design problems. Most discipline study occurs in the junior and senior years.
3. New graduates generally aspire to an entry-level position in conceptual design, systems engineering, product research or development.
4. Graduates are readily accepted to graduate school for advanced study in engineering.
5. Graduates are eligible for professional registration in all states through examination and documented experience.
6. Students are more likely to get a research, development or design job.
7. Coursework includes multiple semesters of calculus and calculus–based theoretical university level science courses during the first two years followed by engineering science, analysis and design in the junior and senior years.