Manufacturing Technology Degree | Ohio Northern University

Type of Offering

Major

College

Arts & Sciences School of Science, Technology and Mathematics

WHO WE ARE MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU THINK

As a manufacturing technology major, you can choose to concentrate your studies on robotics or management. Both concentrations includes courses in robotics, manufacturing, computers, science and math. Our program also emphasizes hands-on learning. You’ll spend a lot of time designing, experimenting and fabricating in our labs. And you’ll tackle projects for real clients. These experiences will teach you how to work on teams, communicate effectively, problem-solve and think critically. With these skills under your belt, you’ll be in demand in the workforce.

Large institutions just can’t provide the individualized attention and opportunity you’ll find here. Our manufacturing technology students build robots and design software solutions. They assist professors with research, participate in national competitions and can co-op at leading manufacturing companies. They star on our sports teams and lead student organizations.

Here, you won’t get lost in the crowd. You’ll be part of close-knit family. You’ll enjoy small class sizes and amazing friendships with your classmates. Our dedicated professors will get to know you. They will support you in your coursework, lab work, co-ops or internships, and career preparations. They will become personally invested in your success and open doors for you.

Upon graduation, you’ll be armed with the technical knowledge and skills to carve out a terrific career!

Polar Bears Badge

Solid Outcomes

100% of graduates in the last seven years have landed full-time employment or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation
$50K-58K average starting salary for manufacturing technology graduates
ATMAE the only private university to have programs accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering
11:1 ONU student-faculty ratio

Manufacturing Technology Courses, Curriculum & Program Resources

As a manufacturing technology major, you can choose a concentration in robotics or management. Courses include: Robotics, Automation Systems, CAD/Solid Modeling, Computer Networking, and Manufacturing Management.

Manufacturing Technology Class

Strategic real-world experience

A co-op or internship puts you on the fast track to a great job.

Manufacturing Technology Labs

If you like to learn with your hands, you’ve come to the right place. Our labs are equipped with the latest high-tech equipment, and you’ll spend lots of time in them working on projects.

Students working in the fabrication shop

Manufacturing technology welding

Manufacturing Technology Class

Manufacturing Technology working with professors

Ohio Northern University Robots

Robotics competitions at the ATMAE conference.

Student Robotic competition, Ohio Northern University

Working on a breadboard

Working on a breadboard

Computer Graphics Ohio Northern University

Hydraulics Ohio Northern University

students working together

Manufacturing Technology Class

This lab provides a location where students can gain experience and skills in multiple aspects of sustainability, from solar, wind, geothermal and others. The lab is set up as a location where students can conduct experiments, engage in learning activities, and gain introductory to advanced knowledge of sustainability and its impact on our global community.
This lab provides the resources for the student to evaluate the principles of soil mechanics as it relates to general construction and foundation systems including footings, piles, caissons, cofferdams and other substructures. Exercises will be conducted to determine the engineering properties of soils, soil exploration, compaction, water in soil, consolidation and settlement, soil strength, foundation design, and slope stability. These principles will be applied to realistic problems and tests for the student to solve to demonstrate their comprehension. The lab will also explore concrete mixes and foundation design that will meet the project requirements for strength and durability. The student will also obtain knowledge in regard to specifications, which are the written description of the project.
This lab provides learning skills in non-metallic processing such as plastics rotational molding, vacuum forming, compression molding and injection molding. It also introduces ceramics and composite materials.
Laser and Additive Manufacturing Lab is a state-of-the-art digital manufacturing space that allows students the opportunity to prototype their designs. The lab offers access to laser cutting, 3D printing, 3D scanning and large format color plotting.
The lab is designed as an open resource for students conducting research, completing capstones or holding small group meetings for student organizations.
This lab gives knowledge essential to the safe operation, application and maintenance of manufacturing equipment used in manufacturing processes like metallic fastening, joining, casting and fabricating. It also gives students the ability to evaluate and draw conclusions regarding methods and techniques utilized in the fabricating process.
This lab provides laboratory experience with mechanical systems, fluid systems and energy converters to develop tinkering and analytical skills.
In this lab, students gain knowledge essential to the safe operation, application and maintenance of manufacturing equipment used in metallic machining processes. They gain the ability to evaluate and draw conclusions regarding methods and techniques utilized in the machining process.
This lab offers testing & the ability to learn material science using the universal testing machine (tensile, compression, etc.), hardness testing and microstructure investigations using a metallurgical microscope. Additional testing can be accomplished using CMM machines and material specific apparatus that provide the student with opportunities to explore the impact materials have on their different uses.
This lab is composed of general purpose wood-material processing equipment and tools to provide students with the opportunity to prototype, build and establish manufacturing and construction production applications; build apparatus; and practice safe work procedures.
This lab is designed to have its own VLAN for computer networking-related projects. It provides you opportunities to design and simulate local area network and wide area network environments using Cisco routers and switches.
This lab provides an environment that is responsive to technological advances in computer tools. Applications include advanced 3D and 4D design applications with industry preferred programs.
In this lab, students gain familiarity and basic competency in applications of advanced digital manufacturing software for computer simulation and ergonomics, along with team experience in an industrial project with professionals at local companies.
This lab exposes the student to the setup, programming and operation of robots with integrations with CNC mills and turning centers. Students are exposed to vision systems, RFID, and multiple robotic interfaces using both simulation programs and actual robotic collaboration.
The Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) lab helps illustrate the fundamental concepts of automated control through a series of laboratory experiments that range across multiple courses utilizing industrial robots, PLCs and NC machines.
The electronics laboratory has 14 computer stations, four soldering stations and 10 residential wiring trainers. The lab illustrates the fundamental concepts of electricity, electronic instrumentation, circuitry, power transmission and wiring for construction.
This lab provides an environment that is responsive to technological advances in the construction and manufacturing industries. Applications include MS Office, On Center, Planswift, Primavera, Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk AutoCAD, Inventor and Automation Studio.

Chapel on the Tundra

Manufacturing technology professor and student

Compete, learn, lead

Nothing compares to the intensity and excitement of a competition! Join with ONU teammates and match your knowledge and problem-solving skills against teams from the Big 10 and Pac 12.

Get an in-depth look at the real world of manufacturing technology and construction management. This two-day experience takes place every spring. Students embark on a guided tour of several different companies, exploring project sites, observing work-in-progress, and meeting with and asking questions of company employees. Every other summer, we sponsor a 12-day international Tour of Industries to Germany (Munich, Bavaria and Berlin) and Switzerland.
Every year students in manufacturing technology and construction management participate in approximately seven to nine regional and national competitions, pitting their knowledge and skills against students from other colleges. Alumni and representatives from local companies often assist in coaching our teams. Recent competitions include:

1. ATMAE National Convention Robot Contest: First place in Judge's Choice and second place overall with all categories of the contest, Nov. 2019
2. National Robotics Challenges: Silver Award, April 2019
3. National Robotics Challenges: Gold Award, April 2018
4. ATMAE National Convention Robot Contest: Nov. 2018
Assist a professor with a research project, co-author a paper, develop a research presentation, or present findings at a regional or national meeting of a professional organization. These opportunities are here for you to grab!
Join a student organization for professional development and networking. Our seven student organizations in technological studies are active and engaged. For example, our chapter of Epsilon Pi Tau, an international honorary for technology students, has won the Region 3 Chapter-of-the-Year award many times, beating universities such as Ohio State, Bowling Green State and Eastern Michigan.
Give back to others by participating in community service projects. In the past few years, our students have tackled projects like building special equipment for handicapped people in the community, helping with Habitat for Humanity, and building a ramp at ONU’s Metzger Nature Center.
2015-16 = 94%

2016-17 = 100%

2017-18 = 96%

2018-19 - 90%

Quote SVG

It’s an amazing feeling to work so hard to bring a car from drawings on the computer to real life.

Alexander Chernick

The sound of science video.

The Sound of Science

Listen to the sounds you can make in a science-related field of study at ONU.

End game: A fulfilling Manufacturing Technology career

Our manufacturing technology graduates are making a positive impact and a good living doing work that they love. Check out where they’ve ended up.

Careers in Manufacturing Technology:
- Process engineer
- Manufacturing engineer
- CAD/CAM programmer
- Plant manager
- Product designer
- Industrial engineer
- Production supervisor
- Simulation engineer
- Robotics engineer/programmer
- Production manager
- Quality engineer
- Production supervisor
- Technical sales representative
- Applications engineers

students walking around campus

ONU graphic

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