Engineering Technology

The answer to this question could be quite involved. Nevertheless, this simplified response gives some useful distinctions between engineering technology and engineering. To understand what an engineering technologist does, it is helpful to consider three types of technical people: technicians, engineering technologists, and engineers. Technicians, at one end of the spectrum, receive specialized training on individual systems. (Associate degree graduates often become technicians.) Technicians operate equipment and perform some system maintenance. At the other end of the spectrum, engineers generally use theoretical principles to design systems. They frequently accomplish their design work at a computer. Engineering technologists bridge the gap between technicians and engineers with an understanding of both operations and design. Engineering technologists are capable of analyzing, implementing, modifying, and maintaining systems and of advising both the engineer and the technician. Engineering technologists are hands-on people who work directly with systems. NSU is proud to have graduated many outstanding engineering technologists for the modern workforce.

Four-year Electronics Engineering Technology students learn how to analyze, build, test, operate, and maintain electrical systems. At NSU, we concentrate on control systems, communications systems, and microprocessor systems. Four-year students learn some electrical design and complete a senior design sequence prior to graduation. All courses in the associate degree count toward the baccalaureate degree.

Industrial Engineering Technology (IET) students learn to develop, implement, and improve integrated manufacturing systems that include materials, facilities, operations, personnel, costs, and information. They learn to use appropriate analytical and computational procedures to create efficient and effective integrated systems. This is the first and only IET program in Louisiana!

The two-year pre-engineering program consists primarily of mathematics and science courses (and a few social science and English courses) that are needed for an engineering degree. Students completing the pre-engineering program may transfer these credits to any engineering school in the State of Louisiana to which they have been admitted. The pre-engineering program does not culminate in a degree at NSU. Students must transfer to an engineering school to earn an engineering degree. Some students elect to change their major to one of NSUs degree-producing programs.

They are 18-hour undergraduate certificate programs, which are delivered online and face-to-face. They fulfill workforce need on effective decision-making in technical, manufacturing, and service providing industries.

Graduates of engineering technology programs at NSU seldom have difficulty finding a job upon graduation. Many employers remain in contact with the department faculty members. They often visit the department to meet with students and prospective employees. There is more information about employment on the pages for each degree program.

Professional societies are our link to engineers and engineering technologists in the “real world.” These societies are dedicated to helping their members stay current in the fast-paced technical world. They host technical conferences, publish technical material, and provide for the continuing education of the members. You can find out more about our two student chapters at the following links.

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)