2024-2025

Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Science

Engineering

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences

Engineering Technology is the practical application of engineering principles and practice to real-world problems. Engineering Technology is differentiated, in part, by the level and amount of math involved but also in the emphasis on engineering applications rather than theory and research. While there is overlap in career outcomes for students in both Engineering and Engineering Technology, careers in Engineering Technology tend to be more applied and would include construction and manufacturing process management, field engineering, engineering sales and marketing, product service and support, product testing, and product quality control.

Students in the Engineering Technology Program will learn computational tools for engineering, engineering design methods, engineering ethics and standards, quality systems, and elective content focused on general engineering and semiconductor manufacturing. The NAU experience culminates in a one-semester Capstone where students will work with our industry partners on real-world problems that will prepare them for jobs and give them industry networking opportunities.

NAU’s BS in Engineering Technology (BSET) program includes flexible pathways that include: (1) a 90-30 option for students at Pima Community College who have completed both their AGEC requirements and an Associate of Applied Science in select Industry, Manufacturing & Construction programs, (2) a two-year BS completion option for students with significant community college coursework which includes select technical coursework, and (3) as a four-year stand-alone option for students interested in completing an engineering technology degree wholly at NAU.

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • General Engineering - Emphasis
  • Semiconductor Fabrication - Emphasis

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • For this major the liberal studies prefix is ET.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA C
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 125
University Honors Program Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan
Emphasis Required

An emphasis is required for this major.

Purpose Statement

Engineering Technology is the practical application of engineering principles and
practice to real-world problems. Engineering Technology is differentiated, in part, by the level and amount of math involved but also in the emphasis on engineering applications rather than theory and research. While there is overlap in career outcomes for students in both Engineering and Engineering Technology, careers in Engineering Technology tend to be more applied and would include construction and manufacturing process management, field engineering, engineering sales and marketing, product service and support, product testing, and product quality control.

Students in the Engineering Technology Program will learn computational tools for engineering, engineering design methods, engineering ethics and standards, quality systems, and elective content focused on general engineering and semiconductor manufacturing. The NAU experience culminates in a one-semester Capstone where students will work with our industry partners on real-world problems that will prepare them for jobs and give them industry networking opportunities.

The Engineering Technology program has two emphases. The General Engineering emphasis allows students to select upper-division elective coursework to match their interests and provide broad practice in engineering technology. The Semiconductor Fabrication emphasis allows students to take specific coursework related to electronic materials, devices, and fabrication. While the General Engineering emphasis provides a broad foundation in engineering technology principles and practice, the Semiconductor Fabrication emphasis provides specialized training for careers in the electronics and semiconductor industry.

Student Learning Outcomes

We intend to seek accreditation for this degree from ABET and thus it uses the following ABET learning outcomes:

  • Problem-Solving: an ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
  • Design: an ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
  • Communication: an ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
  • Experimental Design and Analysis: an ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes.
  • Teamwork: an ability to function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams.
Semiconductor Fabrication Emphasis
  • An ability to analyze, design, and implement electronic systems involved in semiconductor fabrication.
General Engineering Emphasis
  • An ability to work across different engineering specializations with the ability to apply principles and practices across disciplinary boundaries.

 

Major Requirements

  • This major requires 85 - 86 units distributed as follows:

    • Pre-Professional Requirements: 55 - 56 units
    • Professional Requirements: 12 units
    • Emphasis Requirement - Select one: 18 units
      • General Engineering Emphasis
      • Semiconductor Fabrication Emphasis
     

    Take the following 85 - 86 units:

  • Pre-Professional Requirements (55 - 56 units)

    • ET 105 (3 units)
    • CHM 130 (4 units)
    • Select from the following (3 - 4 units):
    • MAT 125 (4 units)
    • Select from the following (4 units):
    • Select from the following (4 units):
    • Additional units from any 100- to 200-level Engineering Technology (ET) courses (18 units)
    • Technical electives at the 200-level or above, from science and engineering disciplines: CENE, CHM, CM, CS, CYB, EE, ET, INF, MAT, ME, MRE, PHY, and STA. (15 units)
      • Selected in consultation with your advisor.

  • Professional Requirements (12 units)

    • ET 315, ET 405 (6 units)
    • ET 325W which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)*
    • ET 486C which meet the senior capstone requirement (3 units)*

    *Courses are pending approval by the General Studies Committee.

  • Emphasis Requirement - Select one (18 units)

    • General Engineering Emphasis (18 units)

      • Additional 300- to 400-level ET courses (18 units)

  • No more than two Ds are allowed in ET coursework.

    Upper-division ET coursework requires the completion of the Engineering Technology Milestone, which requires completing the following courses with a Grade of "C" or better:

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.