A comparison between the engineering mechanics-strength of materials course in the engineering, and engineering technology programs at Penn State

Strength of materials is a critical and essential course for both engineering and engineering technology students with a mechanical focus such as those in the mechanical, civil, industrial, and aerospace engineering and engineering technology disciplines. It provides a fundamental understanding of the mechanical properties of various materials which makes them useful for a multitude of applications. It also provides an introduction to the analysis of statically indeterminate structures which allows more complex problems to be solved than is possible with statics analysis alone. These important topics are, however, approached in different ways for traditional engineering, and engineering technology students here at Penn State. The similarities and differences in the two courses are addressed in this paper. The paper also explains the importance of this comparison to the students and the educators in both fields.