Engineering Graphics and Design Technology (EGR)
Professionals in this field use computer-aided design, computer-aided engineering, and computer-aided manufacturing in order to analyze the overall worth of a potential product and to help in the assembly of a product by graphically documenting its parts.
Engineering graphics and design technology saves companies time and money. Many products that we use today have been designed and tested before manufacturing takes place. At Western you will learn this process on a variety of state-of-the-art CAD systems, and you will practice testing designs for usefulness using a wide variety of analysis systems. The equipment and software our students use directly contribute to developing the technical skills employers desire from graduates in this field. Our recent graduates have worked as product designers, documentation and standards supervisors, technical publication specialists, CAD managers and even mechanical engineers. They have been employed at such organizations as
After earning prerequisites in subjects such as communications, chemistry, physics, and statistics, you will have the opportunity to study design for production, computer-aided design, CAD applications, computer-aided manufacturing, computer-aided analysis, and design verification (metrology) in a state-of-the industry campus designed to promote the future success of our students. The EGR program also offers specialties in automotive technology, plastics processing, cast metals, ergonomics, and production planning. |
Consider ThisAt WMU our goal is to produce job-ready graduates, and our EGR program upholds this by preparing students to be versatile in business and industry environments. By the time you receive your degree, you will be able to apply the fundamentals of processing to plastics machining, rapid prototyping and design verification; you will be able to design products on several types of CAD systems, and you will be familiar with a multitude of analysis systems. Keep in mind that you'll be doing all of this in one of the most professional learning environments in North America, built to help your transition from college to business or industry. In addition to the fact that you will be developing the skills that employers seek, you will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on projects with local industry, qualify for our departmental scholarships, and become a member of the Sunseeker solar racing team or one of our student societies, such as Tau Alpha Pi.
A Student's Perspective"WMU is intertwined with major industries both locally and throughout the surrounding area which increases the potential for job placement and internships. WMU provides students with the best of both worlds. They have a brand new state-of-the-art engineering facility which houses the latest advancements in technology as well as a reputable faculty that is very helpful in mentoring students so that they will be better prepared to enter the job market. "Western is small enough where students will not feel overwhelmed or insignificant, yet it possesses all the essential ingredients a student needs to compete in today's job market in terms of providing a top-notch education." -Eric Locker - BS, Engineering Graphics, 2005 |
Program Options
Western's program allows you to pursue one of three career specialties:
- The cast metal option, preparing you for a career in die casting, sand casting, and casting design.
- The plastics option, preparing you for a career in plastics molding, extrusion, tooling design, and quality assurance.
- The automotive option, preparing you for a career in automotive product development, manufacturing or assembly, testing, customer relations, sales of components, and systems and vehicles.
Engineering Graphics & Design Technology Objectives
- Use technological tools effectively in engineering design.
- Transfer engineering designs to engineering and manufacturing processes.
- Plan, design, analyze, implement, and improve cost-effective manufacturing/service systems.
- Communicate effectively in verbal, written, and graphic forms.
- Practice engineering design as a responsible, global professional.
Engineering Graphics & Design Technology Outcomes
- Ability to use electronic tools -CAD, Microsoft Office, research, communication, etc. - in an engineering or technical environment
- Ability to design, analyze, and use experiments and experimental results to improve processes
- Ability to apply logical decision-making techniques
- Ability to identify and use tools and technologies effectively
- Ability to critically analyze, evaluate, and improve manufacturing processes
- Ability to use and modify computer-aided design and computer-aided analysis tools
- Ability to define problems, design solutions, and compare alternatives to technical problems
- A commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous improvement.
- Demonstration of good oral, written, and graphical communication
- A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, lifelong learning, including participation in professional activities and maintaining currency in the profession.
- Function effectively as a team member.
- Understanding of ethical behavior in engineering design
- Understanding of the professional, societal, and global impact of technology and design activities
Curriculum 2009-2010
Semester I - Fall (17 Credits) |
|
| Course | Credits |
| IME 1020 Technical Communication (Prof. 1) | 3 |
| IME 1420 Engineering Graphics | 3 |
| IME 1500 Introduction to Manufacturing (Area VII) | 3 |
| CHEM 1100 General Chemistry 1 (Area VI) | 3 |
| CHEM 1110 General Chemistry 1 Lab (Area VI) | 1 |
| MATH 1220 Calculus I (Prof. 3)(or Math 1700) | 4 |
17 |
|
Semester II - Spring (17 Credits) |
|
| Course | Credits |
| IME 2540 Machining Processes | 3 |
| MATH 1230 Calculus II (Prof. 4)(or MATH 1710) | 4 |
| PHYS 1130 General Physics I (Area VI) | 4 |
| PHYS 1140 General Physics I Lab (Area VI) | 1 |
| COM 1040 Public Speaking (Prof. 4) | 3 |
| Area VIII Health and Well Being | 2 |
17 |
|
Semester III - Fall (17 Credits) |
|
| Course | Credits |
| IME 1440 Descriptive Geometry | 3 |
| IME 2810 Statics and Strength of Materials | 4 |
| IME 2830 Thermodynamics | 2 |
| ECE 1000 Fundamentals of Circuits & Electronics | 3 |
| PHYS 1150 General Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 1160 General Physics II Lab | 1 |
17 |
|
Semester IV - Spring (16 Credits) |
|
| Course | Credits |
| IME 2460 Computer-Aided Design | 3 |
| IME 2840 Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics | 2 |
| ECE 1010 Fundamentals of Electronics/Machines | 3 |
| STAT 2600 Elementary Statistics (or IME 2610)(Prof. 4) | 4 |
| MSE 2540 Properties of Materials (or ME 2500) | 3 |
| MSE 2550 Materials Science Lab (or ME 2500) | 1 |
16 |
|
Semester V - Fall (16 Credits) |
|
| Course | Credits |
| IME 2500 Plastics Properties and Processing | 3 |
| IME 3200 Engineering Cost Analysis | 3 |
| IME 3480 Design for Production | 3 |
| IME
4220 Engr. Teams: Theory and Pract. (AREA V) |
3 |
| CS 1110 Computer Science I | 4 |
16 |
|
Semester VI - Spring (15 Credits) |
|
| Course | Credits |
| IME 3460 Programming/Computer-Aided Design | 3 |
| IME 3580 Computer-Aided Manufacturing | 3 |
| IME 4810 Metrology | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 |
AREA I* Fine Arts |
3 |
15 |
|
Semester VII - Fall (14 Credits) |
|
| Course | Credits |
| IME 4460 CAD Applications | 3 |
| IME 4480 Computer-Aided Analysis | 3 |
| IME 4910 Multidisciplinary Sr. Proposal (Prof. 2) | 2 |
| AREA II* Humanities | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 |
14 |
|
Semester VIII - Spring (15 Credits) |
|
| Course | Credits |
| IME 4440 Advanced Product & Machine Design | 3 |
| IME 4920 Multidisciplinary Sr. Project (Prof. 2) | 2 |
| IME 4930 Multidisciplinary Sr. Proj. Consultation | 1 |
| Approved Elective | 3 |
| AREA III* United States: Cultures & Issues | 3 |
| AREA IV* Other Cultures & Civilizations | 3 |
15 |
|
Total Credits = 127 |
* At least two of these courses must be at the 3000-4000 level; Depth must be met with a sequence of courses from one department
NOTE: A grade of "C" or better in gate courses (indicated in italicized type) is required for enrollment in upper division courses offered by the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.
Preparation
To enter the Engineering Graphics and Design Technology program, you should have completed in high school at least three and a half years of college preparatory mathematics, including trigonometry, and two years of basic science such as physics and chemistry.
Admission
To apply to WMU, write to:
Office of Admissions,
Western Michigan University,
Kalamazoo , MI 49008-5211
Call 269-387-2000, or go to http://www.wmich.edu/admissions
Advising
An academic advisor will work with you to ensure that you take the right sequence of courses and get maximum benefit from your studies at WMU.
To make an appointment with an advisor, call 269-276-3270.
Financial Aid
Information about financial assistance such as scholarships, employment opportunities, loans, and grants is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Write to Student Financial Aid,
Western Michigan University,
Kalamazoo , MI 49008-5337
Call 269-387-6000, or go to http://www.wmich.edu/finaid
Career Placement
Career services helps WMU students and alumni in job search planning.
Call 269-387-2745, or go to http://www.wmich.edu/career
For More Information
For more information about Engineering Graphics and Design Technology, write
Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Western Michigan University
Parkview Campus
Kalamazoo , MI 49008-5336
Call 269-276-3350, or Email ime-info@wmich.edu
For information about other engineering programs at Western Michigan University, visit the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences' web page at: http://www.wmich.edu/engineer
Our Engineering Graphics and Design Technology program is fully accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - Tel: (410)347-7700.