The importance of the manufacturing function in a typical engineering company and the work of a professional manufacturing engineer have both changed radically in the last decade. The old image of a narrow interest in traditional metalworking processes and large-scale management has been completely superseded by a “high tech” image. The companies who compete successfully today are characterized by the use of powerful aids to design and manufacture. The use of computer based information flows help to underpin the organizational structure of the company. Computer networks are now the information arteries of modern companies; mountainous heaps of papers are now rapidly becoming outmoded. Increasing international competitiveness has brought about dramatic changes in manufacturing industries, and traditional engineering degree courses do not always provide the type and breadth of knowledge and skills now required.
With this in mind, the Manufacturing Engineering and Management (MEM) Department offers a BS-MS honors program in Manufacturing Engineering and Management to produce multi-disciplinary engineers who are highly skilled in the techniques of modern manufacturing technologies and manufacturing management. This will provide the basis for effective careers as manager-technologist who can meet the challenges of rapidly changing manufacturing industry. Students under this program would graduate in 5 years and 2 terms.