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U of M Portal
Engineering Technology

SCOTT C. SOUTHALL,
Interim Chair
Room 203 Technology Building
(901) 678-3292

CARL R. WILLIAMS, MS, MBA
Coordinator of Graduate Studies
(901) 678-3296
E-Mail: crwillia@memphis.edu

www.memphis.edu/et

I. The Department of Engineering Technology offers a Master of Science degree in Engineering Technology. Individual emphasis can be developed in the curriculum areas of Computer, Electronics, or Manufacturing. The department also offers a graduate certificate in Applied Lean Leadership.

Program objectives for the MS are: (1) ability to apply advanced knowledge of mathematics, physical sciences, and engineering principles to the solution of practical engineering problems; (2) meet or exceed the needs and expectations of public and private sector employers for MS graduates; and (3) preparation to pursue additional advanced studies if so desired.

All graduate students must comply with the general requirements of the Graduate School (see Admissions Regulations, Academic Regulations, and Minimum Degree Requirements) and the program requirements of the degree being pursued.

II. MS Degree Program

A. Program Admissions

Admission requirements of the College.

B. Program Prerequisites

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree, preferably in an appropriate area of Engineering or Engineering Technology. However, a bachelor's degree in an analytical field with professional experience in a related area is also acceptable.

    Candidates with deficiencies in their undergraduate work may be required to  pass appropriate undergraduate courses with a C or better to supplement their body of knowledge.  Basic competencies are reflected as prerequisites for courses, but may be waived with appropriate professional experience. All programs emphasize technical and analytical aspects that require strong command of math and science.  Key competencies that are needed depend on the student's academic goals and possible focus areas.  Examples include:

    Computer Engineering Technology courses expect students to already have competency in modern programming as well as basic electronics. Deficiencies may require additional preparation and course work.  Modern programming using Java can be taken as a graduate course, TECH 6262, which can count toward the MS degree requirements.  Basic electronics, however, may require preparation that includes completion of undergraduate course work that cannot be applied toward the MS semester hour requirement.

    Similarly, a focus in Electronics Engineering Technology will require familiarity with electronics prior to enrollment in graduate classes.

    Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduate courses expect a familiarity with industrial practices and operations.  Course prerequisites are important, but may be fulfilled through experience or completion of appropriate 6000 level courses.

    No more than 9 semester hours of 6000 level course work can be applied toward the MS degree semester-hour requirement.

C. Program Requirements

  1. Non-thesis (Project) option: A minimum of 33 semester hours. Students selecting the non-thesis option must complete TECH 7991, Projects I. Projects require a proposal before permits can be issued.  Proposals are to provide insight into the scope, depth, and extent of work and how the project relates to coursework that has been completed.  Permits must be provided by a graduate faculty member for a section they agree to administer.
  2. Thesis option: A minimum of 30 semester hours plus a minimum of 6 semester hours of thesis. Students must complete TECH 7996, Thesis, for six semester hours credit. NOTE: Students electing to write a thesis should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before starting to write.
  3. Each student must complete the following core courses:
    1. Statistics: TECH 7015 or ISDS 7020
    2. Technical writing: TECH 7020 or ENGL 7805 or ENGL 7808
    3. Leadership: TECH 7105 or METH 6381.
  4. A minimum of 21 semester hours must be completed from graduate level courses in the Department of Engineering Technology. Courses taken in other colleges/departments, including those for core courses, cannot apply toward the specified minimum.
  5. Students may elect to establish an area of emphasis, but this is optional. Courses in each of the three traditional emphasis areas include courses from more than one focal area. Suggested courses in each of the emphasis areas include but are not limited to:
    1. Computer: TECH 6241, 6242, 6262, 6263, 6272, 6281, 7263, 7273, 7283, 7801, 7831, 7841.
    2. Electronics: TECH 6281, 6823,  7263, 7273, 7801, 7822, 7831, 7841. 
    3. Manufacturing: TECH 6381, 6460, 6464, 6466, 6472, 6474, 6476, 7401, 7404, 7406, 7408, 7414, 7801, 7822.
  6. Students are encouraged to develop a plan that includes courses outside the department for a more cross-functional academic experience. While prior permission is required, electives can be selected from other departments in Herff College of Engineering and the Fogelman College of Business and Economics or the Department of Computer Science. Acceptable courses depend upon student-selected emphasis area as well as relevance to the student's academic and professional interest. Examples include the following courses by areas of emphasis:
    1. Computer Engineering Technology:
      1. COMP 6022, Programming Unix
      2. MIS 7605, Business Daba Base Managment
      3. COMP 7150/MIS 7670, Cryptography/Data Security
      4. COMP 7125, Computer Forensics
    3. Manufacturing Engineering Technology
      1. ACCT 7110, Accounting for Decision Making
      2. ACCT 7330, Cost Management
      3. ISDS 7080, Principles of Production and Operations
      4. ISDS 7310, Seminar in Production Operations Management
  8. No more than 9 semester hours of 6000-level courses will count toward the degree. Students cannot receive credit towards graduation for a 6000 level course if they had completed the 4000 cognate of that same course. E.g.: You cannot use TECH 6381 Supervision if you have already completed TECH 4381.
  9. Candidates for the degree must average a 3.0 in all Technology courses.
  10. Candidates for the degree must pass a comprehensive examination.
    1. Comprehensive examinations may be taken by students in good standing during the term in which core and concentration course work are completed. Exams are not given for TECH 7991, 7992, or 7993.
    2. The comprehensive written examination will be administered Monday of the tenth week of classes during the fall and spring semesters.
    3. A follow-up oral examination is optional with the examining committee.
  11. Graduate assistantships will not be awarded to students enrolled in TECH 7993, Internship, unless the combined hours of student work is fewer than 20 hours per week.

III. Graduate Certificate in Applied Lean Leadership

A. Program Admission

Students must have completed a bachelor's degree with a cumulate grade point average of at least 2.5 and apply for admission to the Graduate School with the classification of "Graduate Certificate." To apply students must submit:

  1. Transcripts of undergraduate degree program and any prior graduate study to Graduate Admissions;
  2. A letter describing their intent to pursue the certificate and its relevance to their career goals to the Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Engineering Technology;
  3. When seeking to  waive a course prerequisite, two professional letters of recommendation describing pertinent work experience must be sent to the Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Engineering Technology.

B. Program Requirements

Completion of 12 semester hours distributed as follows:

  1. Required courses: Total 6 credits
    TECH 7105, Project Planning and Scheduling
    TECH 7401*, Advanced Lean Concepts and Practice
    *Course prerequisites will be waived for students who have demonstrated relevant work experience
  2. Electives: 6 credit hours chosen from the following:
    TECH 7404*, World-Class Manufacturing
    TECH 7406*, Materials Handling and Automation
    TECH 7408, Production Processes
    TECH 7414*, Manufacturing Strategy and System Design
    *Course prerequisites will be waived for students who have demonstrated relevant work experience

    Students may enroll in up to two electives from the Fogelman College of Business and Economics. Selection of the two business electives must be approved by the student's academic advisor and the Associate Dean of the Fogelman College.

    A maximum of 9 credit hours of the certificate program may be shared with a master's program.

  3. Graduation:
    1. Students must file and "Intent to Graduate" with the Graduate School at the beginning of the semester in which they will complete their 12-semester-hour requirement.
    2. A minimum grade of "B" in each course applicable to the certificate and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required.
    3. Students must also submit a Candidacy Form to the Engineering Technology Graduate Coordinator in order to verify information and collect approvals and signatures required for the Graduate School.

TECHNOLOGY (TECH)

NOTE: Students taking Engineering courses will be charged an additional $25 per credit hour.