Reports on a study of Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) programs that were considered to be of outstanding quality. Although programs (and individuals) are not identified, the article addresses their general geographic locations, departmental characteristics, curricula, lab courses, facilities, and their use of computers. (TW)

Laboratory instruction in engineering disciplines in recent years has been adversely affected by a variety of structural problems making it increasingly difficult to provide students with adequate hands-on lab experience on par with the ever expanding requirements of the technical job market. As a possible approach to deal with some of the…