Development and implementation of a Baccalaureate Degree Program in Electromechanical Engineering Technology (BSEMET)

The objective of this paper is to describe the development of a new interdisciplinary baccalaureate degree program in electromechanical engineering technology (BSEMET) scheduled for implementation at the Penn State Altoona Campus in Fall 1995. The BSEMET program has developed out of a growing demand from small to medium sized U.S. manufacturing organizations for technical workforce with a wide range of skills for solving problems simultaneously involving electrical, mechanical, industrial, and computer technologies. The program is designed to teach students the theory and application of the broad range of electrical, mechanical, computer control, instrumentation, and industrial technologies used in today's state-of-the-art industrial settings. This paper presents a discussion of the major issues associated with the development and the implementation of the above mentioned interdisciplinary BSEMET program. First, the background for the above mentioned BSEMET program is described. Next, the methods used for conducting a need assessment for this program are presented. Moreover, the interdisciplinary courses to be studied in this program are outlined and the development of the labs needed to support this baccalaureate degree program is described.