What is the difference between Engineering Technology and Engineering?
The differences between engineering technology and engineering vary between the disciplines. In the most basic form, engineering technology is less mathematically and scientifically rigorous than engineering. Many ET applications rely on more basic mathematical and scientific skills for problem solution than does engineering. As a consequence, ET students generally need only 2 academic mathematics courses in high school than does an engineering student, who requires 3 or 4 courses. Also, many ET programs do not require physics or chemistry as a pre-requisite for admission, whereas most engineering programs do. This does not imply that engineering technology is inferior to engineering. Quite the opposite is true. Engineering Technology graduates are more widely schooled in the practical applications of the mathematical and scientific principles to solve problems than many engineering graduates. As a result, ET graduates are very well prepared for employment in areas that lead to quick s
The engineering technology degree is a hands on, applications oriented method of engineering that is primarily aimed at the work force to fit between an Engineer and a Technician. Sometimes they are called Technologists. After several years of experience many of our engineering technology graduates have obtained titles of engineer. The engineering degree is more of a theory and research oriented degree.
This is a common question that many prospective students ask. To understand the difference and to help decide if PSU’s Engineering Technology is a good choice for you, please read the PDF file below. The comparisons were taken in part from a brochure, “Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Which Path Will You Take”, published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Changes have been made to apply the comparisons to undergraduate engineering programs and PSU Engineering Technology programs.
