2024-2025 Student Catalog 
    
    Nov 23, 2024  
2024-2025 Student Catalog

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Mechanical Technology: Mechanical Design, A.A.S.



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Contact Information

Program Requirements

Typical Program

Degree/Certificate:   Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code:           5303
SUNY Code:            0595
Major Code:            MECH

The Career

Mechanical technicians are employed as engineering support staff in a variety of diverse positions. These positions are in areas such as engineering design, product development and laboratory testing.

The SUNY Niagara Approach

This is a broad-based program for men and women who are interested in the exciting career field of mechanical technology. It includes courses in Engineering Drawing, Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), Robotics, Hydraulics and Pneumatics, Mechanics of Materials and Mechanical Design. Such courses provide students with a solid educational foundation which enable graduates to pursue various technical careers and compete in the global economy. Additional courses in mathematics, physics and computer applications establish a base for further advancement. Assignments in the college laboratories are intended to simulate industrial situations.

Graduates of this program are readily accepted by industry and may also transfer to bachelor degree programs in mechanical engineering technology or industrial technology.

Admission

Students admitted in fall, spring and summer.  It is possible to obtain advanced standing by taking appropriate technology preparation (Tech Prep) courses in high school.

Because of the sequencing of courses, it may take more than four semesters of full-time study if a student begins this program in a spring or summer semester.

A background in high school mathematics, which includes at least elementary algebra, is expected. Students lacking the entry-level mathematics skills can acquire them at the college. However, it will take a student longer to complete this program. Courses in this program are offered both day and evening, and most of the courses are taught by full time faculty who have both academic credentials and industrial experience.

Dual Admissions

SUNY Buffalo State University

Articulation Agreements

SUNY Buffalo State University
SUNY College/Empire State

Program Goals and Objectives

  • Provide an AAS technical program which enables graduates to be employed as technicians. A secondary goal is transfer to upper-division programs, in a related area, for a bachelor’s degree
  • Provide a selection of technical courses for students from other programs at the college, such as the Computer Aided Drafting and Design certificate and associate degree programs
  • Provide a core of technical courses for currently employed individuals to strengthen their academic background

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will:

  • Apply concepts of mathematics (algebra and trigonometry) and scientific principles to solve technical problems
  • Incorporate drafting and graphical techniques in the presentation of technical ideas
  • Integrate established design procedures in problem solving
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of modern manufacturing processes and procedures
  • Communicate with others, including both general and scientific information, in an oral and written manner
  • Utilize the computer literacy skills necessary to function in modern industry

Program Requirements Day and Evening (MECH)


  1. A total of at least 63-credit hours with a minimum curriculum grade-point average of 2.0. Academic Foundations courses do not count toward the degree.
  2. Technology: A minimum of 33-credit hours to include:
    DRF 173 - Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting Design  - CADD
    DRF 173L - Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting Design Lab  
    ELT 110 - Principles of Electricity 
    ELT 110L - Principles of Electricity Lab  
    MET 110 - Engineering Drawing I 
    MET 125 - Processes 
    MET 125L - Processes Lab  
      
      
     
    MET 270 - Instrumentation 
    MET 270L - Instrumentation Lab  
    TEC 102 - Introduction to 3D Technology 
    TEC 102L - Introduction to 3D Technology Lab   
    TEC 250 - Introduction to Robotics 
    TEC 250L - Introduction to Robotics Lab  
    Plus 8-credit hours of mechanical design electives. The mechanical design electives are to be selected from the area of computer aided drafting and design.  Typical courses include:
    DRF 180 - Drafting Techniques I   
    DRF 279 - Technical Seminar   
    DRF 283 - Mechanical Design (CADD) 
    DRF 283L - Mechanical Design (CADD) Lab   
  3. Applied Mathematics and Sciences: A minimum of 5-credit hours to include:
    TEC 110 - Introduction to Technical Calculations 
    TEC 120 - Applied Engineering Mechanics 
    TEC 121L - Applied Engineering Mechanics Lab  
  4. Health/ Physical Education: A minimum of 2-credit hours
  5. Communication - Written and Oral (COMW and COMO): A minimum of 6-credit hours to include:
    ENG 101 - Writing I *
    Communication - Oral General Education approved elective 
  6. Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (MATH) General Education : A minimum of 4-credit hours to include:
    MAT 111 - Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry  or higher level mathematics by advisement*
    Students planning to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program are advised to take more than the minimum mathematics required.
  7. Natural Science and Scientific Reasoning (NSCI) General Education: A minimum of 4-credit hours to include:
    PHY 131  -  General Physics I 
    PHY 131L  -  General Physics I Lab  
  8. Diversity: Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice (DVRS) General Education: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
    ___  ___ - General Education approved elective that meets DVRS
  9. Technical  Electives: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
    ___  ___ - A minimum of 3-credit hours selected from technology courses
  10. General Education: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
    ___  ___ - A minimum of 3-credit hours to be selected from SOCS, USCV, ARTS, HUMN, GLBL, WLNG

Typical Program Day


First Semester


Total Credit Hours: 16


Total Credit Hours: 17


Total Credit Hours: 15


Fourth Semester


  • 4 Cr.
  • 0 Cr.
  • Mechanical Design elective (selected from computer aided drafting and design) 4 Cr.
  • Technical elective 3 Cr.
  • Health/Physical Education elective 1 Cr.
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice (DVRS) General Education elective 3 Cr.

Total Credit Hours: 15


Typical Program Evening


First Semester - Evening


Total Credit Hours: 9


Total Credit Hours: 7


Total Credit Hours: 8


Total Credit Hours: 7


Fifth Semester - Evening


Total Credit Hours: 9


Total Credit Hours: 8


Seventh Semester - Evening


Total Credit Hours: 6


Eighth Semester - Evening


  • Communication - Oral General Education elective 3 Cr.
  • Technical Elective 3 Cr.
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice elective 3 Cr.

Total Credit Hours: 9


Note:


* Dependent upon the fulfillment of Academic Foundations requirements.

Additional Costs


Students must purchase a scientific calculator and some basic drafting equipment. A laptop computer would also be useful.

Scholarship Opportunities


There are several scholarships available to SUNY Niagara students. Scholarship deadline dates vary each semester.  For more information, please visit the scholarship webpage at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/scholarships. The SUNY Niagara Foundation/Scholarship Office is located within the Foundation Office, A-265 or by phone (716) 614-5910.

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