IE or IET?

SELECTING A COURSE OF STUDY IN college is an important and sometimes difficult decision. For many students who wish to pursue industrial engineering, the decision is even more complex: Should my degree be in industrial engineering or industrial engineering technology? The degree you should choose

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The American Society for Engineering Education defines the two professions as follows:

* Engineering is the profession in which knowledge of advanced mathematical and natural sciences gained by higher education, experience, and practice is devoted to the creation of new technology for the benefit of humanity. Engineering education for this profession focuses primarily on the conceptual and theoretical aspects of science and engineering aimed at preparing graduates for the practice of engineering closest to the research, development, and conceptual design functions.

* Engineering technology is the profession in which knowledge of the applied mathematical and natural sciences gained by higher education, experience, and practice is devoted to application of engineering principles and implementation of technological advances for the benefit of humanity. Engineering technology education focuses primarily on analyzing, applying, implementing, and improving existing technologies and is aimed at preparing graduates for the practice of engineering closest to the product improvement, manufacturing, and engineering operational functions.

To understand these definitions a bit better, Stephen Cheshier, in his text Studying Engineering Technology, states that he finds it useful to visualize a technological spectrum showing both the professions and functions found within it. This makes it obvious that engineering and engineering technology are two different avenues to closely related career opportunities. The skill sets taught in their courses of study are very similar (both teach the same topics) but simply have a different emphasis; therefore, graduates end up prepared for work in similar functions.

However, an engineering degree better prepares a graduate for a design career and conducting research, whereas an engineering technology degree better prepares a graduate for applying principles learned such as improving workstation layouts in a factory. With this in mind, there are overlaps in possible career opportunities. Employers are not ignorant of the differences in the degrees and will hire the applicant deemed appropriate for a particular situation.

I hope this explanation of the differences in the engineering and engineering technology professions sheds some light for individuals trying to make the decision between obtaining a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or industrial engineering technology.

VOICE YOUR OPINION

To submit an opinion for this column, e-mail the text to Managing Editor Monica Elliott at melliott@iienet.org. Columns must be 500 to 600 words in length. All submissions are subject to editing. Include a brief bio that includes your IIE membership status.

Susan Scachitti is an associate professor of industrial engineering technology at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond, Ind. She is the IET faculty advisor for Purdue's IIE student chapter and represents IIE on the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET.