The Manufacturing major in the Department of Industrial Technology prepares students for careers in the application of modern technology to the design and manufacturing of products, consumer goods and services. Students can choose from technical concentrations in automation and production, computer-aided drafting and design, and metal casting. The automation and production concentration gives special emphasis to the content areas of manufacturing processes, production management and computer-aided manufacturing. Graduates are prepared for entry-level employment in several functional areas of manufacturing, including: process research and development, manufacturing engineering, production planning and control, materials testing, quality control, production supervision, inventory control and industrial engineering. Numerous opportunities exist for graduates with an interest in the area of computing-integrated manufacturing. With a concentration in computer-aided drafting and design, students receive training in engineering analysis, product research and development, as well as mathematics, science, computer programming, manufacturing management, industrial materials and processes. The metal casting program is one of thirty programs across the nation that have been recognized for excellence in cast metals education by the Foundary Educational Foundation. Students will be learning from respected professionals in the metal casting field. Program activities range from conventional green sand molding to near net shape solidification processing.