BTC’s Associates in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology prepares students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in a wide variety of projects and industries. This program includes instruction and hands-on practice in various engineering support functions for research, production, and operations, as well as application to mechanical engineering.
The mechanical specialty includes classroom and high-tech lab practice to prepare students to learn drawing and design skills to use as a mechanical engineering technician, mechanical drafter, computer aided drafter, engineering technician, or production planner.
Data are provided on a program (not credential) level
82% BTC graduate placement rate1
$50,741 starting annual wage2
$61,244 average annual wage2
$76,672 potential annual wage2
Students may begin working toward this degree quarterly.
Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.
MATH& 151 | Calculus I | 5 CR |
PHYS& 221 | Engineering Physics I w/Lab | 5 CR |
CHEM& 161 | General Chemistry w/ Lab I | 5 CR |
ENGL& 101 | English Composition I | 5 CR |
ENGL& 235 | Technical Writing | 5 CR |
(May substitute any Humanities course for ENGL& 235) |
TOTAL Academic Core Course Credits | 25 CR |
ENGR 100 | Engineering Orientation | 2 CR |
ENGR& 104 | Introduction To Engineering & Design | 5 CR |
ENGR 115 | Graphics | 5 CR |
ENGR 180 | Parametric Modeling | 5 CR |
ENGR& 214 | Engineering Statics | 5 CR |
ENGR 270 | Introduction To Materials Science | 5 CR |
OR |
ENGT 216 | Applied Mechanics Of Materials | 5 CR |
TOTAL Engineering Core Course Credits | 27 CR |
ENGT 116 | Advanced Graphics | 5 CR |
ENGT 134 | AutoCAD I | 5 CR |
ENGT 135 | AutoCAD II | 5 CR |
ENGT 222 | Advanced Parametric Modeling | 5 CR |
ENGT 233 | Intro To CATIA | 5 CR |
ENGT 250 | Capstone Project | 5 CR |
MACH 191 | Manual Machining for non-Majors | 5 CR |
MACH 193 | CNC Machining for non-Majors | 5 CR |
TOTAL Mechanical Design Core Course Credits | 40 CR |
Any 100 level or higher courses with prefix ENGR*, ENGT*, CET, COMP, ENET, or CENG |
Any Math course with prefix MATH* at level of MATH& 146 or higher |
Any Physics course with prefix PHYS* at the level of PHYS& 222 or higher |
Any Chemistry course with prefix CHEM* at the level of CHEM& 162 or higher |
CS& 131 | Computer Science I C++ | 5 CR |
*Courses taken to meet the General Education, Program Core, or Program Specialty requirements may not be used to meet Elective requirements |
TOTAL Engineering Electives Course Credits | 10 CR |
About 79% of BTC Mechanical Design graduates are employed within nine months of graduation. The average annual wage in this field is $63,357, with an earning potential of about $78,811 per year.*
Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry.
Scott Reiss is tenured faculty at BTC where he has been instructing the Mechanical Engineering Technology program since 2003. Scott has over 20 years of industry based mechanical engineering experience. Before Scott joined BTC he owned and operated J. Scott Reiss Consulting, where he performed 3D solid modeling, stress analysis, and patent work for various clients. For ten years prior to that, Scott worked for the PACCAR Technical Center in Mount Vernon as a stress analyst. In this capacity, Scott performed finite element analysis and developed testing strategies to support the development of new class 8 trucks and remedy issues with existing vehicles. Other work experience includes jobs on the east coast where Scott worked in R&D labs developing products and performing test and analysis work.
Tim Stettler is a Civil Engineering Instructor at Bellingham Technical College (BTC). He has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Washington State University and an A.A.S. in Civil Engineering from Spokane Community College. In addition to his 14 year role at BTC, Tim worked with the Spokane County Engineering Department and with other private engineering firms for a total seven years designing and constructing a variety of Infrastructure projects including stream restoration and mitigation, roadway, bridge, sewer, and waterline projects. Tim also has 18 years of heavy industrial construction and construction management experience. His most recent projects have included the Ronald Regan Office building, the Seventh and Flower subway station, and the Palisades Promenade Building in Los Angeles California. He has also worked on refineries, power plants, and waste to energy plants.