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A Message from the Department Head

Howdy and welcome to the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University! We are very proud of our Department, which ranks among the top Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution programs in the country, and is homed in the Top 10 ranked Dwight Look College of Engineering.

"Engineering Technology" is the profession in which knowledge of the applied mathematical and natural sciences gained by higher education, practical experience, and competence developed in a specific field is devoted to application of engineering principles and the implementation of technological advances for the benefit of humanity through its focus on product improvement, manufacturing, and automation of technological processes and operational functions. - Engineering Technology Council of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE).

"Industrial Distribution" applies mathematics, science, engineering technology, business, data processing, communications, quality, and Supply Chain Management to the wholesaling and distribution of technological products. As an industrial distribution specialist, you may work directly for electronic systems manufacturers, petrochemical corporations, materials processors, large construction contractors, large industrial product consumers or the wholesale distributors that service these industries.

The Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution curriculum and overall teaching philosophy at Texas A&M University continues a long tradition, even before the existence of formal engineering schooling, when engineering science was handed down from experienced mentor/teacher to student/apprentice. Our faculty work closely with the student in the laboratory where the classroom instruction continues and is not controlled by a teaching assistant. The Engineering Technology capstone project culminates the student's experience at Texas A&M with a joint project that involves not only their electronics and mechanical/manufacturing colleagues (and sometimes those from Industrial Distribution), but also includes consultations from the entire departmental faculty who are prepared from real-world engineering experience to help solve the capstone project problems. The students learn what engineering experience has taught the faculty, thus assuring students that they will spend their time learning about what will be needed on the job. To conclude, engineering technology is more real-world engineering instruction of current technology and how to use it effectively to solve problems and less mathematical derivations. The goal of our programs is to turn out graduates well prepared for industry.

The Industrial Distribution (ID) Program at Texas A&M University is a business technically oriented major. ID prepares students for a fascinating career path that combines technical knowledge, engineering know-how, business savvy, great communication skills, and leadership. The day-to-day challenges faced by the industrial distributor, the manufacturer, or the manufacturer's representative require a high degree of professionalism with business and technical talent. To fulfill this demand, the curriculum includes study in applied engineering, business, communications, global logistics, informational technology, leadership, and human relations. This knowledge prepares graduates to develop effective relationships with executives, managers, engineers, scientists and craftsmen and positions the graduates to be a resource in areas like manufacturing, plant maintenance or construction operations. The industrial distribution graduate is able to apply specialized knowledge of operations, business, and product knowledge in order to provide system solutions. Essentially the industrial distribution graduate becomes an integral part of the customer's team - a challenging and rewarding profession. The Industrial Distribution program at Texas A&M University is one of the most established and largest (in terms of student enrollment and faculty size) programs in the country, and is revered as the number one ranked ID program by industry and academia throughout North America. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Distribution, which has the highest placement rate of any degree program on campus.

In summary, our faculty have a passion to transfer their industrial experience to their engineering apprentice/student and together they accomplish the primary objective of our curriculum: Contributing to and re-enforcing the student's confidence, commitment, competence, creativity, communication skills, culture and character as they apply these attributes and engineering skills after graduation to get the job done professionally.

For more information about our programs, please contact our program advisors, Dr. Angie Hill Price (etidadvising@tamu.edu) for Engineering Technology or Mr. Evan Vestal (idisadvising@entc.tamu.edu) for Industrial Distribution. We would also be delighted to set up a tour for you and I would be happy to talk to you personally about our programs.

Best regards,

Walt

Walter W. Buchanan Department Head
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