About

Are you interested in big-picture problem solving to help companies increase productivity and profitability? Do you want an engineering related degree that is focused on improving systems, but less on mathematics? Do you want to have a variety of professional options after graduation?

IET majors are highly sought after by business and industry employers as they are good in two arenas: (1) making components and parts work together to create functioning automated systems, and (2) lead problem solving teams to improve productivity and profitability for business processes.

The industrial engineering technology program prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in the improvement of processes in production and service environments. This includes instruction in process and productivity improvement, production line operations, inventory control, operations management, cost and capital project analysis, plant layout, work planning, quality systems, and statistical quality control. Our society needs technologists who can apply math and science to operate and improve complex systems and operate and manage production facilities to produce complex products.

Students in the program also gain valuable knowledge and experience in the establishment of systems, systems analysis, electronics and instrumentation, computer-aided design and manufacturing, programmable logic controllers, electronics, hydraulic and pneumatic control systems, robotics, and automation. Graduates from this program are hired as industrial engineers/technologists, productivity improvement specialists, process and quality control engineers, and for overall management in manufacturing and service industries. The program employs an application-oriented hands-on approach to allow students to learn and practice skills in communications, teamwork, problem solving, management, and leadership. Knowledge of Lean manufacturing, Lean Enterprise and Six-Sigma are also cornerstones of the program. A capstone project is conducted in the final semester by students to validate the concepts learned. After successfully completing the capstone project, many students from the program are offered full-time employment where they have conducted the project.

ECU Advantage

Instructors at ECU who teach in the IET program have several years of practical experience in their fields, and constantly consult with industry. This allows them to impart the latest knowledge to the students. The students also benefit by the instructors familiarity with regional industry through meaningful capstone projects and better job prospects. The ECU IET program, due to the wide knowledge-base covered, prepares students to work in a variety of professional fields immediately after graduation, including manufacturing, health care, banking, and other service industries.

Graduates from the IET program have performed extremely well in above mentioned areas in manufacturing and services businesses, and managed to quickly move into higher level technology and engineering functions. The wide appeal for the IET program is shown by the diverse range of firms who have employed the graduates. Graduates from this program with a bachelor's degree can expect a median salary in the range from $50,000 to $65,000.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Merwan Mehta (204 Science and Technology Building; 252-328-9721; tsys@ecu.edu)

The Industrial Engineering Technology, BS prepares students for careers in production and project engineering and management, quality assurance/quality control, inventory control, and technical and industrial supervision. The program utilizes an application oriented, hands-on approach to teach fundamentals of engineering technology and skills in communications, teamwork, problem solving, technical management, and leadership, which are highly sought by industrial employers and other businesses in our region and nation.

The technical content of the curriculum covers materials and processes, electro-mechanical and electronic systems, process control, quality engineering, production planning, lean manufacturing, six-sigma philosophy, design for manufacturing and assembly, and product and process design. Students choose approved electives based on personal interest. A capstone project is conducted by students to validate concepts learned, where students work with teams from industry and other organizations to solve real-life business issues.

Opportunities are also available to program graduates to obtain further industry experience through co-op positions, internships and course-based projects in the program and by graduating with extra credentials like a minor in business, Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) certified manufacturing technologist (CMT), and certification in lean six-sigma yellow belt (LSSYB).

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. of as follows:

1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • ECON 2113 - Principles of Microeconomics

  • MATH 1065 - College Algebra OR
  • PHYS 1250 - General Physics I
  • PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I
  • PHYS 1260 - General Physics II
  • PSYC 1000 - Introductory Psychology
  • PSYC 3241 - Personnel and Industrial Psychology
    • Note:

    PHYS 1261 counts as the general education elective requirement for this degree. See note in cognate section.

    2. Core - 69 s.h.
    • DESN 2034 - Engineering Graphics I
    • DESN 2035 - Engineering Graphics I Laboratory
    • DESN 2036 - Computer-Aided Design and Drafting
    • DESN 2037 - Computer-Aided Design and Drafting Laboratory
    • IDIS 3790 - Technical Presentations
    • IENG 2020 - Materials and Processes Technology
    • IENG 2021 - Materials and Processes Technology Laboratory
    • IENG 2076 - Introduction to Computer Numerical Control
    • IENG 2077 - Introduction to Computer Numerical Control Laboratory
    • IENG 3020 - Robotics in Computer Integrated Manufacturing
    • IENG 3021 - Robotics in Computer Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory
    • IENG 3300 - Plant Layout and Materials Handling
    • IENG 3600 - Statics and Strength of Materials
    • IENG 4020 - Manufacturing System Planning
    • IENG 4023 - Advanced Manufacturing Systems
    • IENG 4200 - Work Methods and Ergonomics Analysis
    • IENG 4900 - Capstone
    • ITEC 2000 - Industrial Technology Applications of Computer Systems
    • ITEC 2054 - Electricity/Electronics Fundamentals
    • ITEC 2055 - Electricity/Electronics Fundamentals Laboratory
    • ITEC 2080 - Thermal and Fluid Systems
    • ITEC 2081 - Thermal and Fluid Systems Laboratory
    • ITEC 2090 - Electromechanical Systems
    • ITEC 2091 - Electromechanical Systems Laboratory
    • ITEC 3200 - Introduction to Statistical Process Control
    • ITEC 3290 - Technical Writing
    • ITEC 3292 - Industrial Safety
    • ITEC 3300 - Technology Project Management
    • ITEC 3800 - Cost and Capital Project Analysis
    • ITEC 4293 - Industrial Supervision
    • ITEC 4300 - Quality Assurance Concepts
    3. Cognates - 3 s.h.

    (PHYS 1261 counts toward the general education elective requirement for this degree. See note in general education section. Semester hour earned for this course is not included in the 3 s.h. cognate requirement.)

    • MATH 2283 - Statistics for Business
    • PHYS 1261 - General Physics Laboratory II
    4. Approved elective - 3 s.h.

    (Choose from the following.)

    • IENG 4024 - Electromechanical Systems Integration AND
    • IENG 4025 - Electromechanical Systems Integration Laboratory
      • OR
    • IENG 4092 - Operations Research
      • OR
    • ITEC 4503 - Special Topics: Industrial Technology
    5. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
      For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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