Program

This multidisciplinary program is designed to prepare men and women to meet the growing need for manufacturing professionals. The curriculum emphasizes organized laboratory experiences to provide students with a working knowledge of traditional and computer-aided design and production tools.

The program is built on a foundation of lower-division math, science, economics, and manufacturing concepts. Upper-division manufacturing technology (MFGT) classes integrate that foundation into a unified body of knowledge on the management of materials, processes, costs, and personnel. In addition to this core curriculum, the program currently offers a range of laboratory courses in three high demand areas:

Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

Metals Processing

Polymer/Plastics Processing

The Minor in Manufacturing is specially designed to complement business and engineering majors.

The MFGT Degree Program is professionally accredited by the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) and the Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF).

Career Outlook

Job opportunities are available throughout the manufacturing sector-in both large and small, local and national companies involved in the full range of operations-from research and development through mass production. Although the program is designed to educate students as technical managers, graduates are employed in numerous capacities. The median starting salary for 2005-2006 MFGT graduates was $54,500 per year for these entry-level positions:

Manufacturing/Operations Manager

Maintenance/Testing Manager

Manufacturing/Applications/Project Engineer

Technical Sales/Purchasing Representative

Production Planner/Supervisor

Quality Engineer/Specialist

Certified Technician/Practitioner

Tooling/Process Designer

Technical Instructor/Trainer

Industrial Support

Many organizations actively support the program by sponsoring projects, funding research, donating equipment and materials, and hiring graduates. The program's partners are exemplified by the Manufacturing Technology Advisory Board. Its members provide direction and guidance from their vantage point as senior managers in the manufacturing industry.

Student Organizations

Active participation in student chapters of professional organizations develops well-rounded individuals with leadership, managerial, social, and technical skills. Current on-campus student chapters include:

Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)

Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)

These student organizations arrange guest speakers, field trips, social activities, and sponsor professional certification exams. Manufacturing students also compete and excel in regional design and fabrication competitions.

Scholarships

In addition to university-wide scholarships, manufacturing students are eligible for twelve to fifteen MFGT-specific scholarships each year. Individual awards range from $100 to $1,000 and are based on academic performance/improvement, participation in activities, leadership qualities, and/or financial need.

Internships

On-campus work experience is available through a limited number of part-time production jobs and sponsored projects in the program's labs. Many students also take advantage of cooperative education/internship opportunities available through the Career Center's internship program. These are full-time, semester and/or summer positions with well-known companies. Participants gain professional experience, earn salaries of $2,500-$3,500 per month, as well as receiving upper-division course credit.