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Engineering Technology
Two-Year Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree Program
Available at the State College Main Campus
Available at the State College Main Campus
Take the Path to an Exciting Engineering Career
With applications in manufacturing, research and development, construction, architecture and more, the Engineering Technology program at South Hills School of Business & Technology prepares students for careers through the study and practice of three disciplines – Architectural, Mechanical and Civil Engineering. This challenging program incorporates drafting, solid modeling, Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD), and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) programming with team-building, mathematics, and problem-solving.
A successful ET student…
- Is technologically inclined
- Has strong math skills
- Has strong science skills
Our two-year Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree program can ready you for employment as a:
- CAD Technician
- Architectural Designer
- Field Surveying Technician
- Engineering and Materials Technician
- Drafter/Designer
Engineering Technology Student Projects at South Hills
Get a closer look at some of the finished final projects designed and assembled by South Hills School of Business & Technology's second-year Engineering Technology students.
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Why South Hills?
Professional development.
You’ll learn to develop innovative engineering solutions while you problem-solve independently and as part of a team.
Small class sizes.
Keeping our student-to-faculty ratios low ensures you receive the kind of one-on-one attention and mentorship you need to succeed.
Expert instructors.
Our instructors are working professionals with up-to-date experience in every facet of the industry.
Real-world job insights.
A second-year internship gives you critical exposure to the field of your choice.
Student Internship Locations
- Barton Associates, Inc.
- Pennoni Associates, Inc.
- Homeland Manufacturing Services
- Stahl Sheaffer Engineering, LLC
- GP Cabinets LLC
A Comprehensive Curriculum
In the Engineering Technology program, you’ll learn to develop innovative solutions, apply critical thinking skills, and utilize modern technology to assist professional mechanical, civil, or architectural engineers. You can become proficient in CAD and learn to use a variety of precision measuring instruments. The ET program prepares students to:
- Create technical documents, estimates, and proposals
- Identify, analyze, and solve broadly-defined engineering technology problems
- Design using computer-aided design (CAD) software
- Exhibit competence in applying industry standards and codes
- Accurately measure using a variety of precision measuring instruments in the architectural, mechanical, and civil engineering fields
Course Highlights
- Intro to Geographic Information Systems
- Applied Physics for Engineering Technology
- Building Codes
- Technical Drawing
- Solid Modeling CAD
Complete Course List
Engineering Technology Course List
Engineering Technology Course List for 2020-21
| Term | Course # | Course Name | Credits | Clock Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | GE117 | Applied Algebra | 4 | 60 |
| GE183 | Business English I | 4 | 60 | |
| CP283 | Microsoft Office | 4 | 60 | |
| PD110 | Professional Development | 2 | 24 | |
| IM108 | Technical Drawing I | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 18.5 | 264 | ||
| Second Term | GE230 | Applied Algebra II | 4 | 60 |
| GE184 | Business English II | 4 | 60 | |
| IM109 | Engineering Excel | 3 | 36 | |
| IM238 | Materials Science | 5 | 60 | |
| IM245 | Technical Drawing II | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 20.5 | 276 | ||
| Third Term | IM210 | Applied Physics for Engineering Technology | 4.5 | 60 |
| IM211 | Applied Physics for Engineering Technology Lab | 0.5 | 10 | |
| CE111 | Building Codes | 3 | 36 | |
| IM222 | Geometry & Trigonometry for Engineering Technology | 4 | 60 | |
| IM107 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 | 36 | |
| IM239 | Mechanical CAD | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 19.5 | 262 | ||
| Fourth Term | IM106 | Architectural CAD I | 5 | 72 |
| CE201 | Civil CAD | 5 | 72 | |
| IM110 | Introduction to Geomatics Geospatial Science | 4 | 48 | |
| IM233 | Machining Processes | 3.5 | 48 | |
| IM234 | Machining Processes Lab | 2 | 24 | |
| GE259 | Technical Writing | 2.5 | 36 | |
| Totals: | 22 | 300 | ||
| Fifth Term | IM214 | Architectural CAD II | 4.5 | 60 |
| CE205 | Civil Design | 4.5 | 60 | |
| IM215 | CNC Programming | 3.5 | 48 | |
| IM221 | CNC Programming Lab | 2 | 24 | |
| CD207 | Job Search Skills | 2 | 24 | |
| IM244 | Solid Modeling CAD | 5 | 72 | |
| Totals: | 21.5 | 288 | ||
| Sixth Term | IM257 | Architectural CAD III | 4.5 | 60 |
| IM258 | Engineering Technology Project | 4 | 80 | |
| GE178 | Human Relations in the Workplace | 2.5 | 36 | |
| IM243 | Mechanical Design | 4 | 60 | |
| GE258 | Statistical Methods and Applications | 4 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 19 | 296 | ||
| Seventh Term | CD106 | Career Preparation | 0.5 | 10 |
| GE261 | Engineering Economics | 2 | 21 | |
| IM259 | Engineering Technology Internship | 11 | 330 | |
| Totals: | 13.5 | 361 | ||
| ET PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS | ET PROGRAM TOTAL HOURS | |||
| 134.5 Credits | 2,047 Clock Hours |
Meet the Faculty
Maggie Ferguson
Program Coordinator / Instructor
State College Main Campus
Gary Powers
Instructor
State College Main Campus
Gary's Biography
Gary Powers has been teaching at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 1998. He spent 20 years as an instructor in the Engineering Technology program. Gary earned his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and served our country for 11 years in the Navy, in both operations and engineering.
Following his Naval experience, Gary worked in production and engineering with Corning, Inc. He inspires his students, instilling them with leadership and critical thinking skills, and stays up to date on the “state-of-the-art” in engineering developments and innovations. In 2009, Gary was named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA).
Gary Powers has been teaching at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 1998. He spent 20 years as an instructor in the Engineering Technology program. Gary earned his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and served our country for 11 years in the Navy, in both operations and engineering.
Following his Naval experience, Gary worked in production and engineering with Corning, Inc. He inspires his students, instilling them with leadership and critical thinking skills, and stays up to date on the “state-of-the-art” in engineering developments and innovations. In 2009, Gary was named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA).
John Henry
Adjunct Instructor
State College Main Campus
John's Biography
John Henry has been a Computer Aided Drafting instructor at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 1998. After graduating from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering, John started his career at Grove Manufacturing in Shady Grove, PA. He then moved back to Centre County and has worked at Chemcut and Scientific Systems. He is currently employed at Supelco and has been there for the past 17 years.
John brings his diverse manufacturing background and real world examples into the classroom to help his students become successful in their future careers.
John Henry has been a Computer Aided Drafting instructor at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 1998. After graduating from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering, John started his career at Grove Manufacturing in Shady Grove, PA. He then moved back to Centre County and has worked at Chemcut and Scientific Systems. He is currently employed at Supelco and has been there for the past 17 years.
John brings his diverse manufacturing background and real world examples into the classroom to help his students become successful in their future careers.
Todd Rhodes
Adjunct Instructor
State College Main Campus
Program Advisory Committee
State College Main Campus
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| George Dick | Technician | Stahl Sheaffer Engineering |
| Todd Rhodes | Designer | Barton Associates |
| Jeremy Rickard | Engineer Technician | Stahl Sheaffer Engineering |
| Dan Ring | Process Engineer | Avail Technologies |
ET Program, Student, & Alumni News
Engineering Technology and Information Technology Students Tackle LEGO Instruction Writing Project
December 12, 2018
As a mid-term assignment, South Hills School of Business & Technology's Engineering Technology and Information Technology students worked together in teams to create LEGO brick building projects and instructional slideshows.
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South Hills Utilizes Local Experts to Prepare Students for the Workplace
November 20, 2018
To keep the curriculums for its 11 specialized associate degree programs current and relevant to the community's workforce needs, South Hills School of Business & Technology relies on input from Program Advisory Committees that are comprised of local employers, internship site supervisors, and South Hills alumni.
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Engineering Technology Students Visit Sports Complex Construction Site
November 7, 2018
In November 2018, students from South Hills School of Business & Technology's Engineering Technology specialized associate degree program went on an academic field trip to a sports complex under construction to see the concepts they've been studying in use in real life.
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ET (Engineering Technology) Club Visits Famed Fallingwater House
May 10, 2018
Members of the ET (Engineering Technology) Club at South Hills School of Business & Technology in State College recently travelled to Mill Run, PA to visit Fallingwater, a historical and architectural home designed in 1935 by renowned American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.
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South Hills Main Campus Announces New Technology Open House
March 6, 2018
South Hills School of Business & Technology will hold a Technology Open House on Thursday, April 19 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Main Campus. The event is open to the public and will offer demonstrations and exhibits featuring the Information Technology program, the Engineering Technology program, and Drone Initiative non-credit classes and events.
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