An engineering technologist is a specialist dedicated to the development and implementation of existing technology within a field of engineering. Engineering technology education is more applied than the more theoretical science-based engineering degree education. Technologists often work with engineers on a wide variety of projects by applying basic engineering principles and technical skills. Engineering technologists also may assume senior management positions in industry or become entrepreneurs.
The work of technologists is usually focused on the portion of the technological spectrum closest to product improvement, manufacturing, construction, and engineering operational functions. Engineering technology deals with the same topics as engineering, but the knowledge is more applied, as opposed to purely theoretical knowledge. The mathematics and basic sciences, as well as the technical courses, in technology programs are taught with more applications and less theory than related engineering courses. Engineering courses also typically require a higher level of knowledge of mathematics, as well as natural and engineering sciences, and prepare a student to continue studies and perform research at the graduate level. Engineering technology courses generally have labs associated with the courses that require applied or hands-on applications of the topics being studied.
Internationally, the sydney accord is an agreement signed in 2001 acknowledging the academic equivalence of accredited engineering technology programs in the signatory nations. In some countries, only those individuals who have graduated from an accredited curriculum in engineering technology and have a significant amount of work experience in their field may become registered technologists. A technologist's recognition may be in the form of a certification or a professional registration.
Nature of work
Technologists are employed in a large and wide array of industries, including manufacturing, construction, industrial, maintenance, and management. They may be hired as managers of technology, depending on the technologist's educational emphasis on management preparation. Entry-level positions (such as product design, testing, product development, systems development, field engineering, technical operations, and quality control are all common positions for engineering technology graduates.In general, the work of engineering technologists focuses on the applied and practical application of engineering principles, whereas the work of engineers emphasizes the theoretical aspects of mathematical, scientific and engineering principles. The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) describes the difference between engineering and engineering technology:
- "The distinction between engineering and engineering technology emanates primarily from differences in their educational programs. Engineering programs are geared toward development of conceptual skills, and consist of a sequence of engineering fundamentals and design courses, built on a foundation of complex mathematics and science courses. Engineering technology programs are oriented toward application, and provide their students introductory mathematics and science courses, and only a qualitative introduction to engineering fundamentals. Thus, engineering programs provide their graduates a breadth and depth of knowledge that allows them to function as designers. Engineering technology programs prepare their graduates to apply others' designs."[1]
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- Engineering undergraduate programs include more mathematics work and higher-level mathematics than technology programs.
- Engineering undergraduate programs often focus on theory, while technology programs usually focus on application.
- Once they enter the workforce, engineering graduates typically spend their time planning, while engineering technology graduates spend their time making plans work.
- At ABET, engineering and engineering technology programs are evaluated and accredited by two separate accreditation commissions using two separate sets of accreditation criteria.
- Graduates from engineering programs are called "engineers," while graduates of technology programs are called "technologists."
- Some U.S. state boards of professional engineering licensure will allow only graduates of engineering programs—not engineering technology programs—to become licensed engineers."[2]
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