Program Overview

Computer Aided Drafting & Design offers training using the field’s top products used in industry. Students will prepare for entry level drafting positions. Students will learn to create mechanical, industrial design, civil, 3-D, and architectural drawings. The overall training will ready the student to jump into industry right after graduation.

Freshmen Year

This course will give the student a chance to become familiar with the industry’s top computer drafting software as well as many aspect of the design. The students are encouraged to express themselves creatively through design projects using the prototype and pictorial drawing method. Students will complete a number of design projects which will assist in exploring several areas of the design industry. These will include but are not limited to the potato chip drop, marble maze, and coin sorter. This is a very stimulating course where there is no limit to creativity and design.

SUB-LEVEL
8417/8
Credits 3.0

The sub-level expands upon the basics of design introduced in exploratory. Advanced 2D and 3D CADD commands will be taught, allowing students to participate in practical design to manufacturing projects. These will include but are not limited to CO2 cars, spinning tops, advanced egg bungee jump, kites, and a Rube Goldberg invention. The Rapid Prototype Printer will be introduced allowing designs to go from 3D drawing to a tangible item that can be displayed. Students will also explore job opportunities in the CADD field as well as advanced training leading to careers in the engineering fields.

Sophomore Year

CADD SHOP LEVEL I
841A/X
Credits 21.0

This course builds upon computer aided design and the basic principles of drafting through reverse engineering of objects with mechanical motion of some kind.  Students will disassemble objects, look at the parts and how they work together, and prepare a set of working drawings using both 2D and 3D CADD techniques. Students will also be introduced to measuring tools, hand tools, design improvement, design evaluation and assessment, and presentation skills. Other areas covered in this course include design projects which include, but may not be limited to, CO2 cars and roller coasters.

CADD RELATED LEVEL I
741A/X
Credits 3.0

This course is a reinforcement of the CADD shop program and prepares the Level I student for shop assignments.  It includes the topics found in the shop program as well as technology education and basic math related to design.

Junior Year

CADD SHOP LEVEL II
841B/Y
Credits 21.0

This course provides the students with the opportunity to reinforce the knowledge gained in Level I through more complex design projects using parametric modeling for a true “3D” design process.  Students will receive hands on experience using Autodesk’s Inventor series software, which is  one of the best and most highly used “3D” modeling software’s available.  They will also gain experience using a Rapid Prototyping “3D”  printer to bring their “3D” designs off the computer screens and into a tangible working piece.  Students will increase their knowledge of industry practices and standards with a series of “real world” projects, by bringing a “product” of their own conception through the design process starting with research and development, specifications, prototyping, and finishing on mass production.

CADD RELATED LEVEL II
741B/Y
Credits 6.0

This course provides the Level II student with a basic knowledge architecture, structural and civil engineering design principles, predominately in the light construction (residential) area.  The student will also follow the history of architecture from ancient caves, through Egyptian, Greek and Roman architecture, up through the modern skyscraper design.  The student learns architectural industry standards as well as office practices with a series of “real world”  design projects.  The student is able to prepare a full set of construction documents including floor and roof plans, elevations, building sections, wall sections, foundation plans, site contour drawings, and detail drawings, using  the industries most used computer architectural drafting software, AutoCAD Architectural Desktop.

Senior Year

CADD SHOP LEVEL III
841C/Z
Credits 21.0

The student advances to a more complex phase of CADD, the study of motion.  The student learns how to calculate data and generate detail and assemble drawings related to motion.  This course of study will include gears, cams, springs, and levers along with associated hardware such as bearings, bushings, keys, and pins.  Geometric tolerating is added to drawing requirements to demonstrate interchangeability of parts along with a course of study in fits for mating parts.  Drawings will be generated to industrial standards by the necessary selection of materials, finishes, specifications and manufacturing notes. The student continues the course of study in Computer Drafting and Design using Autodesk Inventor series attaining the highest level of proficiency depending on their own competency.

CADD RELATED LEVEL III
741C/Z
Credits 6.0