BYU MET

Objectives and Outcomes for Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MET) Graduates

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The Manufacturing Engineering Technology program at BYU prepares graduates to contribute to the successful operation of manufacturing enterprises.  This is to be accomplished by having graduates achieve the following twelve objectives within a few years after graduation.  Their preparation for attaining these objectives is assessed based on their performance in the numbered outcomes supporting each objective. Each outcome is followed by letters referencing the ABET topic to which it pertains..

1. 1. Leadership
   Objective: The ability to develop a vision and effectively lead a team or organization.

   Description: An effective leader must have both short- and long-term vision that stretches capabilities yet is achievable. Leaders can assess the current situation, visualize opportunities for improvement and show others how to get there. Leaders are inspired and are able to inspire others to embrace a vision and motivate them to succeed. A good leader is able to orchestrate the effort of others to achieve a common goal. This includes mentoring, coaching and teaching. An effective leader has good negotiation and facilitation skills for resolving conflict and gaining consensus including selling ideas. Finally, a good leader is one who leads by example.

   Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Understand how to develop and implement a strategic plan. [g, a - comprehensive design project]
   2. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team. [e]
   3. Understand how to communicate effectively to build relationship and to gain support and commitment of others. [g, l]
   4. Understand that the essence of leadership is to build people through development of individual talents and fostering life-long growth and learning. [h, j]

    

   2. Professionalism
   Objectives: High ethical values, good work habits and on-going development of relevant knowledge and skills.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals uphold high moral standards including honesty, truthfulness, kindness, compassion, respect and duty. Principles of ethical behavior are followed at all times and never compromised by expediency, convenience or other pressures (economic. peer. etc.).  Work habits and personal conduct reflect these moral values and show a commitment to excellence including the development of good work habits such as neatness, orderliness and punctuality. Personal deficiencies are continually addressed through ongoing education and personal improvement.

   Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Complete work in a timely manner with high quality. [k]
   2. Accept lifelong professional, ethical, and social responsibilities. [i, j]
   3. Understand how to stay current in technical fields and how to engage in lifelong learning. [h]
   
   

    

   3. Creativity and Problem Solving
   Objective: The ability to see problems from multiple and new perspectives and generate innovative solutions.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals are resourceful and innovative making the best use of the time, materials and talents at hand. The most innovative solutions to problems come when one is able to identify underlying relationships between seemingly diverse situations and borrow or adapt solutions from them. Creativity often requires one to take risks and try solutions that are novel and unproven. It is important to channel creative energies to come up with solutions that are likely to succeed and provide the best benefits.

   Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:
           1.  Conduct, analyze, and interpret experiments and apply experimental results to improve processes. [c]
           2.  Apply creativity in the design of systems, components and processes.  [d]
           3.  Identify, analyze, and solve technical problems.  [f]
           4.  Utilize effectively the tools of creativity and innovation in furthering lifelong learning.  [d, h]

    

   4. Management
   Objective: The ability to plan and manage projects so they are completed on time and within budget.

   Description: Success on the job is largely a function of how well one is able to work as part of a team in developing and carrying out project and process plans. Manufacturing professionals work as part of a technical or project team to develop and execute a work plan. This includes prioritizing, communicating, allocating resources, scheduling, and follow‑up. Many software tools and planning techniques have been developed to aid in planning and management. Managers participate in the selection, evaluation, and growth of their employees.

   Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Develop a detailed project plan including realistic time, cost and resource estimates. [a - management]
   2. Perform appropriate economic analyses for guiding equipment selection, make-or-buy decisions, and optimizing the supply chain. [f, a - management, statistics].
   3. Effectively monitor and control a project to keep it on schedule and within budget. [a - management, comprehensive design project].
   4. Effectively communicate plans and report progress to concerned stakeholders.  [g, i, k].

    

   5. Materials
   Objective: An understanding of the physical and mechanical properties of engineering materials.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals must understand how various engineering materials behave both in service and in processing.

   Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Select appropriate materials for tooling and for products.  [b, f, a - materials]
   2. Assess the effects of manufacturing processes on material properties.  [b, a - materials, mfg. processes]
   3. Specify treatments affecting the property and structure relationships of materials.  [b, a - materials]
   
   

   6. Processes
   Objective: An understanding of manufacturing processes and their applications.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals understand the capabilities , limitations, economics, and effect on material properties of many manufacturing processes.

   Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Select appropriate processes and equipment based on their capabilities and economics. [f, a - processes]
   2. Analyze a part print for manufacturability. [d, e, a - mfg. processes]
   3. Develop a process plan. [f, a - mfg. processes, production operations, comp. design project]

    

    7. Quality
   Objective: A commitment to quality and an ability to effectively measure and improve product and process quality.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals appreciate the importance of quality in products and processes and are competent in quality improvement methods such as Six Sigma. This includes assessing the expectations of the customer, evaluating current quality levels, identifying potential areas of improvement, understanding how to apply continuous improvement tools and techniques, and coordinating implementation of improvement efforts.

   Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:
   1.   Asses the nature, types and impact of variation.  [b, a - quality, statistics]
   2.   Understand how to effectively define, measure, analyze, improve and control quality.  [b, c, f, k, a - statistics, quality]
   3.   Understand the reason for, and impact of, national and international regulatory standards and certifications.  [j, k, a - quality, industrial organization]

    

   8. Systems
   Objective: An understanding of how to plan and implement effective and efficient manufacturing/supply-chain systems.

   Description: Manufacturing professionals understand system dynamics including the effect of interdependencies and variability on system performance. They are familiar with various production planning and control techniques and how they are implemented.  They are also familiar with supply-chain planning and management.

   Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Understand key system metrics and how they are controlled.  [c, k, a - production operations,  ind. org. ]
   2. Effectively integrate people, processes and technology to achieve system objectives.  [d, e, g, k, a - prod. op., ind. org.]
   3. Understand and implement system improvement concepts (lean, TOC, etc.).  [c, d, k, a - quality, prod. op.]
   4. Analyze and specify requirements for automating system operations.  [a - automation]

    

   9. Design
   Objective: The ability to effectively design tooling and participate on product-design teams.

   Description: Design is an iterative process.  Manufacturing professionals regularly apply their creativity and engineering know‑how to improve products and processes. They follow the basic design process of needs analysis, conceptual design, detailed design, implementation, and assessment. They are able to deal with open‑ended problems and loosely-defined objectives. They must coordinate their efforts with users, stakeholders and other team members. They address all aspects of design related to manufacturing. They effectively document and communicate design decisions, status and details.

   Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:

   1. Clearly identify the requirements and constraints to be met by a design considering all stakeholders.  [d, i, a - comp. design project]
   2. Understand and apply Design for Manufacturing and Assembly principles to products & tooling.  [d, f, a - mfg. proc., tooling, comp. design proj.]
   3. Make effective use of CAD and related design tools. [d ]
   4. Design manufacturing tools that can successfully produce parts to specifications. [a, tooling, mfg. proc.]

    

   10. Communication
   Objective: The ability to effectively receive and convey information.

   Description: Communication is vital to a well functioning business or organization.  Communication is a two‑way process involving both listening and expressing thoughts and information. Manufacturing professionals are proactive in communication at many levels to ensure that information is properly reported and that feedback is being received. Familiarity with the use of modern communication technology is vital.

   Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:
   1.     Communicate effectively  [g ]
   2.     Use modern tools of communication such as charts, graphs, media, and other visual aids.  [e, g]

    

   11.  Global Awareness
   Objective:  An awareness of the issues and challenges associated with global manufacturing.

   Description:  Knowledge about and experience in globalization has become a critical attribute of leaders in industry.  The growth of multinational companies, the outsourcing of manufacturing around the globe, and the importance of participation in global markets requires manufacturing engineers be knowledgeable about how the emerging global strategies impact their businesses and lives.  Graduates’ awareness of global issues should be focused enough to address company-specific issues yet broad enough to understand overall impact on their own organization and on countries in which they do business.

   Outcomes:  Graduates will be able to:
           1. Comprehend the challenges of global supply chains.  [i, j]
           2. Understand issues in the operation of international manufacturing.  [i, j, a - prod. op., indus. org.]
           3. Aquire an understanding of diverse cultures, perceptions, expectations, and professional practices. [i, j ]
           4. Understand the critical role manufacturing plays in the development and stability of a country and society. [i, j]

    

   12.  Safety and Environmental Issues
   Objective:  The ability to effectively assess and address human and environmental safety in manufacturing.

   Description:  Environmental issues in manufacturing are important for ethical, financial and legal reasons.   World-class companies place safety programs at the top of their priority list.  Manufacturing professionals understand why safety is critical to successful operations and they are ready to contribute to this effort.   They understand the impact of their operations on the environment, both within the plant and in the surrounding community.

   Outcomes:  Graduates will be able to:
           1.         Identify safety hazards and maintenance requirements in a plant shop floor or a lab setting.  [i, a - prod. op., indus. org., maintenance]
           2.         Apply ergonomic principles and industrial hygiene practices to their workplace.  [l, a - prod. op.]
       3.         Appreciate and minimize negative effects of manufacturing on the environment. [i, j ]

    

   a.     22       all ABET topics covered                                                                                                                                        
   b.     5
   c.     5
   d.     9
   e.     4
   f.     8
   g.     5
   h.     3
   i.      9
   j.      8
   k.     7
   l.      2