A new collaboration will allow Ivy Tech-Columbus students who earn an associate of science in mechanical engineering technology (MET) to transfer all credits to the bachelor’s degree program in that same field to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), according to Steven Bardonner, chair of the departments of design technology and mechanical engineering technology at Ivy Tech Community College-Columbus. Course offerings in this transfer program began this fall.
The agreement is between IUPUI and three of the 14 regions of Ivy Tech Community College: Columbus, Indianapolis, and West Lafayette. Students working toward associate and bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering technology take general education courses, including such courses as English composition, college algebra, and public speaking, and MET courses, such as technical graphics, CAD fundamentals, mechanical graphics, and fluid power basics, at Ivy Tech and the last two years of a bachelor’s degree at IUPUI.
“Many manufacturing companies are settling in this area and are seeking people to fill such positions as project manager, team leaders, tool designer, and machine designer,” commented Bardonner. “In addition to manufacturing companies, such as Cummins, Honda, and Toyota, companies focusing on areas other than manufacturing, such as Seimens Hearing Instruments, which is creating alternative fuel sources, are proliferating in the area. Graduates will be able to secure jobs and will be well trained for them.”