# College and University question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 13, 2007, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-and-university-question/422607 "2007-10-13T20:25:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-and-university-question/422607/21 "2007-10-17T22:48:41Z")
[QUOTE=Una Persson] Very important. In my State (and most others, IIRC) an ABET certification is mandatory to sit for the PE. Yes, and as amazing as it may seem, I can personally attest to people who went through all 4 years of an Engineering Technology degree and did not realize that it was not an “Engineering” Degree that would let them be a PE (then again, I knew a guy who dropped $10,000 for one year of tuition at a college _that did not actually have offer diplomas in what he was studying!_). You just have to wonder why they never…well, wondered. [/QUOTE] How is an Engineering Technology degree different from one in Engineering? I mean, as a rule. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-and-university-question/422607/22 "2007-10-17T23:47:03Z")
[QUOTE=Spectre of Pithecanthropus] How is an Engineering Technology degree different from one in Engineering? I mean, as a rule. [/QUOTE] Engineering Technology programs are more nuts and bolts oriented. They are less concerned with why things work as opposed to how they work. They are oriented to field personnel who need to be able to interpret plans and specs that are prepared by actual engineers. Engineering programs are more theory-based and prepare graduates to actually be an engineer and design new things. –robby, P.E. (as of last month!) ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-and-university-question/422607/23 "2007-10-18T00:07:54Z")
[QUOTE=Spectre of Pithecanthropus] How is an Engineering Technology degree different from one in Engineering? I mean, as a rule. [/QUOTE] Well, my experience is limited to the schools I went to, but the Engineering Technology folks: - Took many more CAD classes, including practical labs. - Only had to have “basic” calculus and “basic” physics. - Did not have advanced heat transfer or fluid mechanics. In general, my experience tracks what **robby** said. Of course, there are a very large number of Engineers in the industry who could have their job done very well by an Engineering Technologist. The difference seems to matter most whenever comples analysis comes into play. Salary is different as well. At a company where a BS-ME might get hired for $50-55k, a BS-MET might get hired for $35-40k. And the difference can get larger as time goes on, as some firms will look to people holding a PE or at least an Engineering degree for promotion. And congratulations, **robby!** ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-and-university-question/422607/24 "2007-10-18T00:26:43Z")
[QUOTE=Spectre of Pithecanthropus] How is an Engineering Technology degree different from one in Engineering? I mean, as a rule. [/QUOTE] I checked the salary difference where I’m working. That would be mostly Civil Engineers or Techs. As a new-hire, out of college, the difference is about $12,600/year. If they both make it to senior, the difference tops out at $59,000/year. (And the engineer will need to pass the PE to get to associate or senior engineer.) If the engineer goes on to Department Director, the difference is $92,000/year. That’s where it tops out here, it can go higher other places. Of course the Tech doesn’t certify plans with his seal and signature, so he can’t be sued for deficiencies in those plans that show up years later. So contratulations **robby**. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-and-university-question/422607/25 "2007-10-18T01:37:05Z")
[QUOTE=Yllaria] Of course the Tech doesn’t certify plans with his seal and signature, so he can’t be sued for deficiencies in those plans that show up years later. [/QUOTE] As most PEs work for a corporation, I’ll wager they’re covered by their corporate liability insurance. Of course, your company would likely fire you if you screwed up enough… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-and-university-question/422607.md?page=1)