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Engineering Technology (A.S. Degree)

Dordt's engineering technology courses blend hands-on learning in advanced manufacturing with a strong biblical foundation and workplace skills that will make you a better communicator, collaborator, and management lead.

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Program Overview

Experts in advanced engineering technology are highly sought after around the nation in a diverse range of industries. Engineering technology career opportunities include advanced manufacturing and robotics, CNC automation and programming, maintenance and engineering support, production, logistics and supply chain management, and much more.

Dordt's engineering technology program trains you to manage production, perform quality control, maintain machinery, oversee operations, handle workflow and assembly, as well as engage in more advanced manufacturing tasks.

Always Improving

͹Ƶranked tied for No. 6 - "Most Innovative among Regional Universities (Midwest)", which is determined by a peer assessment survey sent to college administrators, and looks at areas such as “improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology, or facilities.”

Professor helps student learn equipment

Career Preparation

͹Ƶ's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that ͹Ƶgraduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A ͹Ƶeducation provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”

What You'll Learn

A.S. Engineering Technology Tracks:

Manufacturing Industrial Processes Track

Track-specific study: Manual Machining, Metal Working, CNC Mill, CNC Lathe, CNC Plasma, CNC Press Brake, Print Reading, and Welding

Careers: CNC Machine Setup Technician, CNC Programmer, Robotic Cell Programmer/Setup Tech, QA/QC Technician

Automation Programming Instrumentation Track

Track-specific study: Computer Programming, Computer Systems, Data Communication, Computer Networking

Careers: Computer Programmer, Control System Analyst, Information Technology, Control System Programmer, Management Information Systems (MIS)

  • Introduction to Manufacturing: A foundations course that introduces students to a framework for obediently understanding and responding to the Lord’s call to work for his kingdom in the field of manufacturing. Examines the key elements of product development from the concept through design to production including just-in-time manufacturing principles and supply-chain management. Strong emphasis will be provided on manufacturing safety, quality and continuous improvements, manufacturing processes and production, and manufacturing maintenance awareness. Uses tours, activities, experiences, and industry discussions to develop an understanding of the opportunities available and responsibilities and competencies needed to serve effectively in manufacturing. This course is among the first courses in the logical sequence of manufacturing courses, which prepares students for their first internship experience. Additionally, the course content and topics support the Manufacturing Skills Standards Consortium (MSSC) curriculum, an internationally recognized manufacturing certification credential. Thus preparing students to take the MSSC Safety, Quality, Production, and Maintenance certifications test, which are the four modules required for the Certified Production Technician (CPT) certification.
  • Introduction to Computer Aided Engineering and Design: The design studio experience introduces concepts of graphical communication for engineers and develops basic 2-D and 3-D design skills with the use of a solid modeling software package. The course meets for one design studio per week.
  • Introductory Welding: An introduction to the principles of metal joining and cutting techniques. Students will evaluate methods and techniques for metal joining and cutting. The course will cover principles and practice of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), oxyacetylene welding, and cutting. Curriculum aligns to federally endorsed national standards for production workers.
  • Intermediate Welding: Students will learn and utilize intermediate techniques for metal joining and cutting. The course will cover intermediate level concepts, skills, and practices of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), oxyacetylene welding and cutting. The course will focus on project-based learning activities.
  • Dimensioning, Tolerancing, Measurement, and Inspection: Develops and applies size tolerancing, geometric dimensioning, thread and fastener specifications, detail and assembly drawings, weldments, external references, bill of materials and standardized drawing formats, engineering parts inspection, and reverse engineering processes.
  • Computer-Aided Manufacturing: This course introduces and applies concepts of plan reading and graphical communication for manufacturing and develops 2-D and 3-D design skills with use of Mastercam and related software. Includes principles of parametric design, functional assemblies, and development of a complete set of production drawings created using 3-D drawing environments. The course will also explore the principles of CAM-CNC production in manufacturing. Uses tours, activities, experiences, and industry discussions to develop an understanding of the opportunities available and responsibilities and competencies needed to serve effectively in the manufacturing domain of the Kingdom of God.
  • Machining, Metalworking, and Tooling: Develops competencies in the operation of lathes, milling machines, borers, grinders, and drill presses. Applies plan reading concepts to develop sketches, perform layouts, and generate specifications for where and how to machine metal. Includes tool and material selection and use of precision measuring devices to produce quality parts on CNC lathe and milling machines.
  • Electricity and Electronics: An introduction to industrial electrical wiring methods, industrial electronic sensors, and electrical safety. NEC (National Electrical Code) will be studied and wiring to NEC standards will be performed. This course provides extensive hands-on activities in industrial wiring methods including utilization of raceways and conduit such as EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) and Rigid Conduit. Transistor-based electronic sensors and power supplies will be studied including hands-on activities wiring these devices for the purpose of diagnostics and troubleshooting their functionality. Extensive use of electrical meters will be a part of all phases of this course to evaluate and troubleshoot electrical and electronic circuits.
  • Programming, Instrumentation and Data Acquisition: An introduction to programming and the principles of interfacing with a microcomputer for data acquisition using devices such as temperature probes, proximity sensors, pressure transducers, relays, analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, timers, counters, and the software to operate these devices.
  • Controls and Automation: Applies instrumentation and data acquisition principles to control and automate manufacturing processes.
  • Production Management and Lean Systems: Application of lean manufacturing concepts and lean tools in structuring industrial manufacturing processes in efforts to minimize manufacturing costs, enhance workplace safety, improve work flow, eliminate process variations, and to shorten products delivery time. Develops concepts related to rapid prototyping and enables critical thinking in new product development, process building, sustainability, and innovation theories. Ethical implications to workers and the community in design consideration are investigated.
  • Industrial Assembly: Principles of the applications of industrial assembly and additive manufacturing. Advantages of using additive manufacturing over traditional subtractive manufacturing processes are studied.
  • Quality and Continuous Improvement: Application of quality principles to process improvement and reduction of variation. Application of statistical techniques and concepts used in quality control; acceptance sampling; quality cost; reliability; applications of computers, software and other quality control tools to quality improvement.
  • Professional Networking for Internship: Students will develop and apply professional networking competencies in the process of securing their summer internship. Example activities include exploring and identifying internship sites, networking with company representatives to identify possible options, applying to and interviewing for positions, and completing pre-employment paperwork.
  • Engineering Technology Internship Closeout: Students will reflect on, evaluate, and share outcomes from their summer internships. Example activities include written reflections, exit interviews, discussions with peers, and presentations to summarize their activities and learning.
  • Engineering Technology Internship: An off-campus experience that provides technology students with opportunities to work with a mentor and apply knowledge, principles, skills, and attitudes gained in the program’s courses in a workplace environment.
  • Serving Christ’s Kingdom Through Technology Programs: A capstone course that develops and applies a Reformational framework for Christian service in technical vocations, within agriculture and engineering technology fields, and explores the relationship of these fields to other areas of Western society. The framework is applied to current cultural topics such as the role, appropriateness, and impacts of technology and automation. The course explores dualisms that tend to separate faith and work and applies a Reformed perspective to questions such as safety and risk, professional responsibility and authority, social and economic structures, and career choice.

See the course catalog for more information

Students looking to get an engineering technology degree will take 14 engineering technology courses and seven elective credits from engineering technology 271-276. This coursework includes an engineering technology internship.

Common Fields of Study

Electricity, Electrical Sensors, Electrical Controls, Motor Controls, Programmable Controls (PLC), Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), Instrumentation Calibration

Common Careers

Maintenance Technician, Electrical Technician, Instrumentation Technician, Process Improvement Technician, Engineering Technician, Process Controls Technician, Control System Programmer

Faculty

With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.

Science and Technology Center

As an Engineering Technology Major, you'll have the opportunity to spend time in Dordt's Science and Technology Center. Informally known as the "Science Building", the Science and Technology Center is home to labs for mechanical engineering, electronics, electrical engineering, and computer-aided design.

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Student Stories

͹Ƶstudents and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.

A picture of Cole Boonstra

Unique Opportunities

Cole Boonstra

The balance that ͹Ƶprovides Cole between his classes and internship has allowed him to experience the working world while still being able to be involved as a student.

Cole Boonstra

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Empathy and Mystery

Aidan Bender

Dealing with the constant uncertainty of what he wanted to do with his future, Aidan was able to lean on ͹Ƶprofessors and mentors to help him become more open-minded and flexible, eventually finding a place where he fit in.

Aidan Bender

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Emotional Engineering

Nicholas Kuperus

During his time at Dordt, Nicholas learned invaluable skills that prepared him to enter the field of engineering and grew in many areas, especially in his spiritual life.

Nicholas Kuperus

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Gaining in Engineering

Monique Lieuwen

Monique travels from Canada to get a Christian education and engineering degree

Monique Lieuwen

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