Mechanical Engineering Technology, Diploma

Program Information
Credential: 
Diploma
Duration: 

2 years

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 
Program Cost Estimates

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dale Gust
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca
Related Careers

Mechanical Engineering Technologists find long-term, rewarding careers in many areas including:

  • Manufacturing and Fabrication Industries: Oilfield Equipment (valves, pressure vessels, hydraulics), Agricultural Machinery, Outdoor Recreational Products (boats, snowmobiles, quads, and accessories), Wood Products and Production Equipment (lumber, pulp and paper mills)
  • Process Industry: Piping Design, Mechanical Equipment Design, Materials Specification and Testing
  • Engineering Consultants: Design, Fabrication, Production, Quality Control
  • Government Agencies: Research, Development, Standards, Regulation
  • Technical Sales
  • CAD Operator
The Program

The Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) diploma program is designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in the rapidly growing manufacturing, petroleum, and infrastructure design industries in Central Alberta. Students will use both hands-on and theoretical approaches to learn mechanical engineering fundamentals including mathematics, solid mechanics, thermal-fluid sciences, and kinematics, blended with industry-focused topics such as automation, control, lean and computer integrated manufacturing, and reliability. Based on National Technology Benchmarks for Mechanical Engineering Technology, this program, coupled with industry experience, will lead to the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) and Professional Technologist (PTech) designations.
 
Graduates will develop knowledge and skills enabling the learner to:

  • Employ relevant industry health and safety standards, codes, policies and procedures in accordance with current legislation, regulations and organizational policy.
  • Prepare, analyze, evaluate and modify mechanical engineering drawings and other related technical documents.
  • Analyze and specify the requirements for product and manufacturing operations to optimize manufacturability.
  • Apply and demonstrate knowledge of material and engineering principles to manufacturing operations and processes to produce components according to required specifications.
  • Analyze and solve complex technical problems by applying principles of advanced mathematics and science.
  • Design, analyze, specify, interface, program, and maintain computer integrated manufacturing systems.
  • Apply the principles and practices of project management.
  • Research, analyze, prepare, author, and communicate in written, verbal, nonverbal, and presentation formats, technical documentation appropriate for a variety of audiences.
  • Identify, develop, and demonstrate strategies for maintaining continuing competency and practice standards associated with global industry trends and practices.
  • Design, specify, and analyze mechanical components and equipment by applying the fundamentals of mechanical engineering.
  • Design, specify, deploy, and maintain mechanical systems; and apply principles of facilities management.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Minimum average of 65% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2 or equivalent
  2. Math 30-1 or equivalent
  3. Physics 20 or equivalent
  4. Two of Chemistry 30, Mathematics 31, Physics 30, Science 30 or of Computer Science Advanced-Level CTS (5 credits) or equivalent

Note:  For the 2019-2020 Academic Year, the admission requirements will be: 

Minimum average of 65% with no mark below 50% in:
  1. ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2 or equivalent
  2. Math 30-1 or equivalent
  3. Physics 20 or equivalent
  4. One of Chemistry 30, Physics 30 or Math 31 or equivalent

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

Other Requirements: 

Note: Applicants are required to have a laptop computer. Please check specifications with the program prior to making a purchase.

Graduation Requirements: 

The student must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Program Content

Year 1

  • GET 101 Introduction to Instrumentation
  • GET 103 Technology Physics
  • GET 106 Engineering CAD
  • GET 108 Project Management
  • GET 111 Engineering Mathematics
  • GET 112 Advanced Engineering Mathematics
  • GET 114 Computer Programming
  • GET 116 Engineering Communication
  • MET 102 Fabrication
  • MET 120 Statics
  • MET 125 Materials Science
  • MET 130 Fluid Mechanics
  • MET 135 Thermodynamics
  • MET 140 3D CAD

Year 2

  • GET 202 Statistics
  • GET 204 Professional Practice
  • MET 201 Fluid and Bulk Materials Systems
  • MET 205 Dynamics
  • MET 208 Mechanical Design
  • MET 210 Building Systems
  • MET 212 Manufacturing
  • MET 220 Strength of Materials
  • MET 224 Reliability and Failure Analysis
  • MET 230 Robotics
  • MET 235 Computer Integrated Manufacturing
  • MET 240 CNC Manufacturing
  • MET 258 Capstone Project
  • MET 260 Manufacturing Automation
Year 1 Course Descriptions

GET 101

Introduces students to basic instrumentation and measurement systems and components.

GET 103

Explore multi-dimensional engineering problems in kinematics, Newton's laws, circular motion, torque, electromagnetic and mechanical waves, conservation laws and steady sate linear circuits.

GET 106

Employ graphical language of drafting using free-hand sketching and 2D CAD. Construct objects in orthographic, isometric, and sections views. Examine principles of component identification and documentation.

GET 108

Explore the project management process: the role of the project manager; how projects help organizations achieve thier objectives; organizational structure of projects. Use project management software.

GET 111

Apply the fundamental principles of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, nonlinear equations, matrices, determinants and differntial calculus to engineering related problems.

GET 112

Extend the understanding of calculus to include integration techniques and applications, differential equations, Maclaurin and trigonometric Fourier series, Laplace transforms and inverse Laplace transforms. Prerequisite: GET 111

GET 114

Develop structured C/C++ programming skills involving decision and loop structures, functions, arrays and pointers code libraries, and debugging methods. Strong emphasis on algorithim planning, program design, code documentation.

GET 116

Use industry standard software tools to collect, summarize and organize data in order to aid in critical decision making processes. Employ professional presentation and communication skills to exchange technical data, operational narratives, and information.

MET 102

Learn basic fabrication operations, tools, and industrial safety practices. Experience the fabrication environment and the application of layout tools, hand tools and measuring tools. Learn about welding methods and surface processes. Prerequisite: GET 101, GET 106

MET 120

Engineering design: forces, loads and stresses. Establish free body diagrams, calculate moments and stresses and study vector mathematics, centroid, distributed loads, strains, safety factor, Hooke's Law. Prerequisite: GET 111

MET 125

Gain an understanding of the effects of physical and chemical influences on the properties of solid materials. Study and investigate mechanical, thermal, electrical and magnetic behaviors. Destructive and nondestructive testing will be covered in detail.

MET 130

Study fluid statics, pressure types and units, manometry laws, similarity and dimensional analysis as well as Bernoulli's equation, laminar and turbulent flow, Reynolds number buoyancy, energy loss and pump design, forces on gates, and flow an pressure measurement. Prerequisite: GET 111

MET 135

Examine the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Analyze thermodynamic cycles, including heat pumps, heat engine, and refrigeration. Learn the fundamentals of heat transfer. Prerequisite: GET 111

MET 140

Extend knowlege of 2D CAD to 3D parametric solid modelling of parts and assemblies. Learn geometric dimensioning and tolerancing for manufacturing applications. Reconstruct actual surfaces in software. Prerequisite: GET 106

Year 2 Course Descriptions

GET 202

Apply concepts and techniques of statistical theory to process control, quality assurance, data collection, summarization, and presentation.

GET 204

Prepare for field work experience and practice interpersonal skills for career success. Prerequisite: Term three course completion or consent of Associate Dean.

MET 201

Learn about the concepts, design, and applications of hydraulic and pneumatic fluid power systems and bulk materials handling systems. Simulation and practical troubleshooting of fluids circuits will be explored. Prerequisite: MET 130, MET 135

MET 205

Learn the mechanical principles of motion and forces of dynamic systems. Study the kinematics and kinetics of objects in translation and rotation, the effect of acceleration on motion, in addition to conservation of energy principles and applications. Prerequisites: GET 112, MET 120

MET 208

Learn and apply the concepts of machine design, including the analysis and selection of components such as shafts, threaded fasteners, bearings, gears, and springs. Specific applications to work holding (jig and fixutre design) will be included. Prerequisite: MET 140, MET 205, MET 220

MET 210

Design building systems such as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), fire protection, and piping/plumbing. Learn how to calculate thermal loads. Develop skills needed to interpret building system drawings, specifications and codes. Prerequisite: MET 135

MET 212

Gain an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of material removal, addition, and shaping manufacturing processes. Operate manufacturing equipment such as machining and rapid prototyping tools. Prerequisite: MET 102, MET 125, MET 140

MET 220

Review the basic concepts of strength of materials as well as stress and strain due to various loadings including thermal loading. Prerequisiste: GET 112, MET 120, MET 125

MET 224

Gain the knowledge and tools needed to design for reliability and conduct an engineering investigation to assess potential sources, causes and solutions for failure prevention and analysis. Prerequisite: GET 101, GET 202, MET 125

MET 230

Study robotics as a convergence of electrical & mechanical engineering, computer science, control theory and automation. Learn robot applications, types, tools, programming, drive systems, object detection, safety, communications and specifications. Prerequisite: GET 103, GET 112 Corequisite: MET 205

MET 235

Explore Computer Integrated Manufacturing, including materials handling systems, group technology, industrial robots, computer vision, and Coordinate Measuring Machines. Test and simulate an assembly line using a miniature production system. Prerequisite: MET 230, MET 260

MET 240

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining processes and programming. Select suitable machine tools, set up correct parameters, understand machining process critical path, and carry out simulations and processes on industrial CNC machines. Prerequisites: MET 140, MET 212

MET 258

Researching and compling a technical report on a topic that will incorporate the skill set of a Mechanical Engineering Technology graduate. Progress reports occur at regular intervals. Concluding oral presentation to an industry audience. Prerequisite: Term three course completion or consent of Associate Dean

MET 260

Install, configure, program, and interface a variety of hardware and software in a manufacturing environment. Use Human Machine Interfaces to link with Programmable Logic Controllers and other devices to monitor and control equipment and processes. Prerequisite: GET 101, GET 103, GET 114