Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Technology - Frequently Asked Questions

One of the main differences is the math and physics. According to SUNY Transfer Path, ME requires a higher level of math and physics. On the other hand, most of the MET courses have a laboratory component which offers more hands-on experience to the students.

The SUNY Transfer path links below show the basic lower-division major requirements of both programs.

• https://www.suny.edu/attend/get-started/transfer-students/suny-transfer-paths/pdf/transferSUNY_Mechanical_Engineering.pdf
• https://www.suny.edu/attend/get-started/transfer-students/suny-transfer-paths/pdf/transferSUNY_Mechanical-Engineering-Technology.pdf

PC is highly recommended.  There are the three main software we use in the MET courses. 1). Autodesk Inventor, 2). Autodesk Nastran IN-CAD, and 3). MasterCAM. Please visit their website for the hardware requirement.

• https://www.autodesk.com/
• https://www.mastercam.com/

Note: MAC is NOT recommended because there are no MAC version of Autodesk Inventor and MasterCAM.  

There are two main systems you should know.

• OASIS: you will use it to register for courses and manage your profile.
• DegreeWorks: you will use it for advisement and to view the progress of your degree completion. 

If you are a new freshman student, you will be advised by the AAIC prior the school starts. However, AAIC advisors will not be your permanent advisors. You will then be assigned to an MET faculty advisor few weeks after you start the first semester.

If you are a new transfer student, you must have your transcript(s) evaluated by the transfer office and then meet with the MET department Chair and be advised by the Chair prior the school starts. You will then be assigned to an MET faculty advisor few weeks after you start the first semester.

Your advisor’s name is posted on the bulletin board outside Lupton 169. It is a department policy that all students must be advised by their advisor prior to registration.

Yes, you are. For example, you can take MTH150 instead of MTH130. You can take PHY143 instead of PHY135.

It is the culmination of your education in the MET programs where you will work on a hand-on project to research, design, analyze, and build a solution to a problem or a need defined by you/your advisor/a local company. Thus it is not a traditional lecture-based class. You are expected to do all the above steps (design, analysis, …) on your own but with the help of a faculty advisor that will guide your efforts.

Senior project will test your skills and educations and teach you how to obtain new skills and knowledge. Tackling unexpected problems (technical & non-technical) and addressing them promptly to finish the project on time is another key learning outcome of this course. You will also produce a professional technical report and present your work to your peers as parts of the requirement of the course

The date varies between semesters. However Registrar’s office will send out emails regarding to your registration date about 7 weeks after the semester starts. But if you do not see the email for any reason, please contact your advisor about 7 weeks after the semester starts.

Your advisor’s name is posted on the bulletin board outside Lupton 169. It is a department policy that all students must be advised by their advisor prior to registration.

Email is one of the best ways to contact your advisor. However, during the registration period, all of our advisors will receive significant amounts of emails from all of their advisees. Please allow two business days for your advisor to respond to your emails. Therefore, it is recommended to contact your advisor as soon as you receive the email for registration to avoid delay.

There are few possible reasons.

• You do not have your pin number. You need to contact your advisor for advisement and your pin number.
• You may have a hold, you will need to clear the hold with the corresponding office (e.g. admission, registrar, or financial aid office) before registering for any courses.
• The course you tried to register is full. Please see your advisor for an alternative option or see the department Chair for the waiting list of the course.    
• The course you tried to register requires prerequisite course(s).

If you are taking the prerequisite course(s) in the current semester, please see the Chair.
If you do not have the prerequisite course(s), you will need to consult with your advisor for another course. 

Unfortunately, students are not allowed to bypass prerequisites and/or co-requisites. The requirement is designed to ensure your success in the program. By completing the prerequisite courses, you will have the necessary background of the courses you are going to take.

Below are the typical MET prerequisite chains for your reference.

Prerequisites required for MET307

• MTH129 => PHY135 => PHY136 => MTH130 => MET230 => MET307

Prerequisites required for MET351

• MET117 + MET105L => MET127 => MET351

Prerequisites required for MET305 

• MET117 + MET05L => MET127 + MET150 => MET207 => MET305 

Prerequisites required for MET400

• MTH129 => MTH130 + PHY135 => MET201 (C or Better) => MET206 (C or Better) => MET150 + MET308 => MET400

Prerequisites required for MET302

• MTH129 => PHY 135 => PHY136 + MTH130 => MET201 + MTH236 (C or Better) => MET302

Prerequisites required for MET409

• MET117 + MET105L => MET127 + MET150 => MET252 => MET409

Prerequisites required for MET411

• MTH129 => PHY 135 => PHY136 + MTH130 => MET212 + MTH236 => MET411

Prerequisites required for MET415

• MTH129 =>  MTH130 => MTH236 + Senior Status => MET415

Prerequisites required for IND405

• MTH129 => PHY 135 => PHY136 + MTH130 => MET314 + MET212 + MET230 => IND405

Therefore, please meet with your advisor every semester for advisement to assure you are on time for graduation.