Engineering Technology Leadership
2015-2016

Admission | Courses | Program | Requirements | Profile

Chairperson:  C. Ray Diez
Graduate Committee Chairperson: G. David Hunter
Office:  Knoblauch Hall 135
Telephone: (309) 298-1091 Fax: (309) 298-1061
E-mail: miiet@wiu.edu
Website:  wiu.edu/engrtech
Location of Program Offering: Macomb

Graduate Faculty
Professors

  • C. Ray Diez, D.I.T., University of Northern Iowa
  • Garrett D. Hunter, Ph.D., Purdue University

Associate Graduate Faculty
Professors

  • Kevin Hall, Ed.D., Illinois State University
  • Brent Payne, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University

Associate Professors

  • Denise Gravitt, Ph.D., Indiana State University
  • Seongchan Kim, Ph.D., Texas A&M University
  • Rafael Obregon, M.S., Western Illinois University

Assistant Professors

  • Roger Runquist, Ed.D., Illinois State University
  • Brian Stone, Ph.D., Arizona State University

 Program Description

The Department of Engineering Technology offers a Master of Science degree in Engineering Technology Leadership. The program is designed to prepare leaders in a global economy. Students will learn about leadership that can be applied for continuous improvement of productivity and the management of people who are in charge of production processes and the production enterprise as a whole. Course work will emphasize those tools that allow the production enterprise to focus on lean thinking, a lot size of one, elimination of waste, determining the value stream for an organization, creating an environment of continuous improvement, and providing training that augments these philosophies. This program will help students develop the knowledge base and skills that will allow them to become leaders in production enterprises.

The program addresses principles of world-class organizations and restructuring of production practices, which include, but are not limited to: mission, vision, strategic planning, leadership for production planning, lean thinking, decision-making, operations management, research and development, and intellectual property protection. The program permits advanced course work for those persons having baccalaureate degrees in a variety of related technological fields (manufacturing, construction, graphic communication, engineering, business, and production are a few examples). For those persons actively engaged in manufacturing or production management positions, this program offers an opportunity to develop leadership skills for business, industry, and government services.

The program enables the University to assist individuals in industry who wish to advance into positions of increased leadership responsibility in engineering technology and the production enterprise. The program permits those in industry to keep abreast of changes in productivity tools and continuous improvement strategies enabling those with a technical-managerial background to gain experience at the graduate level prior to or while being employed full-time.

The Engineering Technology Leadership program helps students connect theories and principles learned in courses to real-world professional practice. The opportunity to participate in industrial work experiences (internships), to pursue independent studies, and to perform independent research provides a balanced program of studies that may be designed to meet the individual needs of the student. A significant portion of all course work within the department involves technical writing at required industry standards

 Admission Requirements

Students who wish to be admitted to the Master of Science in Engineering Technology Leadership degree program must meet the following entrance requirements:

1. Submit a completed application packet for the Master of Science in Engineering Technology Leadership.

a. Completed application form.
b. A two- or three-page essay addressing the topic, “Why I want to be a leader in a technological world.”
c. Three letters of reference.

2. Graduated with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.

3. Completed at least 15 s.h. of technology related course work.

Additional materials that would aid the Department Admission Committee would be the submission of the results of the Graduate Records Examination (GRE).

The Engineering Technology Leadership degree program is open to graduates from the liberal arts, science, mathematics, business, education, and other fields. Students who have been awarded a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and who have had less than 15 s.h. of course work in the technical areas may enroll in a two-phase program. Phase One consists of obtaining a total of 15 s.h. of Engineering Technology courses as proposed by the student and advisor and approved by the Departmental Graduate Committee. Phase Two is the completion of the program as outlined below.

 Degree Requirements

All students must complete the general requirements and the additional requirements of one of the three exit options listed below. The capstone experiences, which culminate each exit option, include either a thesis or an expository paper, along with an oral presentation to the graduate faculty.

Students must file a degree plan after completion of nine semester hours in the program and satisfy any undergraduate deficiencies. Undergraduate deficiencies may be taken P/F, but must be completed before graduation.

I. Core Courses: 21 s.h.

ETL 515 Engineering Technology: Research Design, Visualization, and Dissemination (3)
ETL 525 Management of Engineering Technology (3)
ETL 535 Engineering Technology Leadership (3)
ETL 545 Information Measurement Theory (3)
ETL 590 Research Techniques in Technical Areas (3)
or
MGT 540 Applied Business Research (3)
or
DS 533 Applied Business Forecasting and Planning (3)
DS 503 Business Statistics for Managerial Decision Making (3)
ETL 548 Planning Techniques for Leaders (3)

Students will have an option to include (with prior ETL graduate advisor approval) up to 12 semester hours of (500-level) courses from either the College of Business and Technology or Departments of Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics, and other pre‑selected courses. No more than one‑third of the degree plan may come from outside the department.

II. Select directed electives from related field of study: 6 s.h.

III. Select one of the following exit options: 3 s.h.

A. Thesis Plan

ETL 601 Thesis (3)

B. Professional Internship Plan

ETL 593 Internship in Manufacturing Systems (3)
ETL 603 Comprehensive Exam (0)

C. Independent Research Plan

ETL 592 Independent Research (3)
ETL 603 Comprehensive Exam (0)

TOTAL PROGRAM: 30 s.h.

The independent studies (ETL 580) or research (ETL 592) courses may not be taken until the student has been admitted to candidacy. When registering for ETL 601, work must be completed within the calendar year. Exceptions may only be granted prior to registration by the Departmental Graduate Committee.

 Course Descriptions

Engineering Technology (ET)

482G Fundamentals of Computer Aided Design. (3) The application of computer aided design techniques utilizing industrial software within a minicomputer and workstation environment. Two hours lecture, two hours lab. Prerequisite: ET 207.

Engineering Technology Leadership (ETL)

515 Engineering Technology: Research Design, Visualization, and Dissemination. (3) The development of a foundation and strategy for using digital and conventional applications for implementing research documentation and scholarly dissemination in engineering technology.

525 Management of Engineering Technology. (3) A comprehensive study of the fundamentals used to manage and lead the integration process for emerging and developing technologies for successful development and production of products, goods, and services in a global society.

535 Engineering Technology Leadership. (3) Teachings and practice of leadership skills, principles and theory related to modern day leadership for the engineering technology arena. Theoretical leadership styles applied to industry-related practices will allow students to define their leadership style. Case studies and guest lecturers. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

545 Information Management Theory. (3) The use of statistical quality control tools to include attribute and variable data to control, troubleshoot and improve manufacturing processes. Design of experiments will be included.

548 Planning Techniques for Leaders. (3) A comprehensive study of activities, elements, and principles of production planning and control, including decision-making schemes, and appropriate implementation of production and process management practices.

550 Industrial Workshop. (1–3)

580 Independent Study. (2–3, repeatable to 6) Topics for independent study include (section 1) drafting technology; (section 3) graphic arts technology; (section 5) industrial education; (section 7) industrial wood technology; (section 9) fluid power technology; (section 11) automotive technology; (section 13) metals technology; (section 15) electronics technology; (section 17) computer‑aided technology; (section 19) manufacturing technology. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy and approval of the graduate advisor.

590 Research Techniques in Technical Areas. (3) Application of various research techniques in technical subjects. Practice in selection, and reporting of industrial research.

592 Independent Research. (3) This course will be designed by the student for independent study. Approval of a written proposal must be obtained prior to registration. The independent research may involve; a) industrial techniques, materials, or processes; b) teaching or teaching techniques. All independent research will be presented upon completion in written form to the Graduate Committee and orally to graduate faculty and graduate students in the department. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: Admission to candidacy and approval of the Graduate Committee.

593 Professional Internship in Manufacturing Systems. (3) Off-campus work experience in a pre‑approved manufacturing site or research facility. During the internship, the student will be able to demonstrate her/his ability to analyze, integrate, organize, and manage a manufacturing system. Prerequisites: Completion of Engineering Technology master's core courses, an additional 12 semester hours of approved course work, and a minimum of 3.0 GPA.

601 Research in Engineering Technology-Thesis. (3, repeatable to 6) Independent research and study on a selected and approved problem. A written thesis will be presented to the Departmental Graduate Committee.

602 Professional Certification. (0) Students will present evidence of current professional engineers license or professional certification from SME/MECI, APIC or other department approved certification.  Graded S/U.

603 Comprehensive Exam in Manufacturing Systems. (0) The student will complete a written comprehensive examination covering contemporary topics in manufacturing systems. The exam content will reflect course work and all other material covered during the student's master's program. The exam will be graded S/U. The exam will be offered once each term. The student may repeat the exam. Prerequisites: Completion of engineering technology master's core courses, an additional 12 semester hours of approved course work, and a minimum of 3.0 GPA.

Graphics Communication (GCOM)

412G Digital Image Manipulation. (3) The use of digital image manipulation equipment in creating special effect images.  Emphasis will be placed upon advanced color theory, color separation, and digital enhancement.  2 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. lab.  Prerequisite: GCOM 312.

414G Advanced Image Transfer and Printing Processes. (3) The study of advanced printing and image transfer systems and processes. Emphasis will be upon supervised experience in a graphic communication lab. Prerequisite: GCOM 313.

415G Printing Production Management. (3) The study and application of estimation and production practices in the publishing industry.  Emphasis will be on methods, planning, production, estimating, and techniques characteristic of the publishing industry. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab. Prerequisite: GCOM 312.

416G Production Printing. (3) In-plant production techniques are utilized throughout this course allowing the opportunity to view and practice the fundamental methods used in the printing industry. Prerequisites: GCOM 217 and 312 or permission of the instructor.

417G Electronic Desktop Publishing II. (3) Advanced work with electronic desktop publishing programs. Emphasis will be upon advanced design and layout techniques. Projects include multiple page documents, forms, booklets, and brochures. Integration of work from multiple software programs will also be stressed. Two hours lecture, two hours lab. Prerequisites: GCOM 217 and 313, or permission of the instructor.

Graphics Communication (GCOM)

412G Digital Image Manipulation. (3) The use of digital image manipulation equipment in creating special effect images.  Emphasis will be placed upon advanced color theory, color separation, and digital enhancement.  2 hrs. lecture; 2 hrs. lab.  Prerequisite: GCOM 312.

414G Advanced Image Transfer and Printing Processes. (3) The study of advanced printing and image transfer systems and processes. Emphasis will be upon supervised experience in a graphic communication lab. Prerequisite: GCOM 313.

415G Printing Production Management. (3) The study and application of estimation and production practices in the publishing industry.  Emphasis will be on methods, planning, production, estimating, and techniques characteristic of the publishing industry. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab. Prerequisite: GCOM 312.

416G Production Printing. (3) In-plant production techniques are utilized throughout this course allowing the opportunity to view and practice the fundamental methods used in the printing industry. Prerequisites: GCOM 217 and 312 or permission of the instructor.

417G Electronic Desktop Publishing II. (3) Advanced work with electronic desktop publishing programs. Emphasis will be upon advanced design and layout techniques. Projects include multiple page documents, forms, booklets, and brochures. Integration of work from multiple software programs will also be stressed. Two hours lecture, two hours lab. Prerequisites: GCOM 217 and 313, or permission of the instructor.