THE UNIVERSITY SENATE OF MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
PROPOSAL 17-08
“PROGRAM NAME CHANGE - ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY”
School of Technology
(Voting Units: Academic)
This proposal recommends a
name change of the current Electrical Engineering Technology program (EET) to
Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology program (ECET).
I. General Description
ABET describes electrical engineering technology as a
branch of engineering education that emphasizes the practical, hands-on
laboratory work that is closely coordinated with theoretical classroom
discussion. The Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Technology prepares graduates to be electrical or computer engineering technologists
with career options in micro-controller applications, robotics, industrial
automation, instrumentation, control, power engineering, and the development
and implementation of computer systems.
The addition of computer engineering technology
elective courses enables the students to either define an emphasis area or
simply broaden their expertise in computer related studies.
II.
Rationale
The Electrical Engineering Technology program (EET) requests to
change its name to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET)
program to more accurately reflect the curriculum and education that the
program has established.
The EET program has added a Computer
Engineering Technology focus area to enhance and strengthen the current
curriculum. The main motivation for developing the new focus area in computer
engineering technology was to respond to the market needs of skilled computer
engineering technologists with skills in microcontrollers and their
applications in industrial automation, robotics, control, instrumentation, and
automated testing. The addition of the new focus was a result of a national
trends and consultation with the program industry advisory board. As a result,
the School of Technology is stepping up to this challenge by introducing the
new focus area to give the students the opportunity to learn and experience the design and implementation of computer-based
applications.
The new ECET program will attract more
students by providing them with areas of specialization that prepare them for
careers in a wider scope industry. The new specialization areas will represent
and build a stronger program within the School of Technology that prepares
graduates for high demand, high skill, and high pay positions.
The career opportunities awaiting
computer engineering technologists are excellent. According to the United
States Department of Labor, the job outlook is on the rise and among the
fastest growing occupations in addition to the largest numerical job growth.
The experts in the US Bureau of Labor believe that a graduate with a bachelor’s
degree and relevant work experience will have higher chance in finding a job in
this field.
The addition of the Computer Engineering
Technology focus area fills a recognized void in the curriculum and is in line
with the School of Technology and University strategic plan. As an engineering technology
program, a significant hands-on lab experience and applied research is our
uniqueness. Faculty members and
undergraduate students will engaged in applied research projects and these applied
research opportunities will provide more in-depth training for ECET
undergraduate students in the School of Technology.
III.
Planned Implementation Date
Fall 2008.
Withdrawn: 05 March 2008