Mechanical Design / CAD

The A.A.S. degree in mechanical design/CAD technology requires a total of 60 credit hours, including 42 in the major area and 18 general education requirements. The curriculum focuses on preparing you for job positions in mechanical design, architectural design, interior design and building information management.

The Mechanical Design Certificate requires a total of 30 credit hours and covers a concentrated area of mechanical design/CAD courses like the A.A.S. but without the general education requirements.

After completing this degree or certificate, you will be qualified to:

• Evaluate mechanical designs and select the proper process and materials for production.
• Create 2D and 3D computer drawings and models for manufacturing and prototyping.
• Evaluate computer-aided design models and assemblies based on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities and develop solutions through group work.
• Communicate and present ideas and solutions to design problems.

Learn More

The Computer-Aided Design Certificate requires 11 credit hours. This curriculum prepares you for CAD drafting jobs using AutoCAD software. You will develop proficiency in drawing setup and drafting techniques for mechanical and architectural applications as well as general design fundamentals using CAD. You'll be prepared to work in job roles including mechanical draftsperson, architectural draftsperson and general design draftsperson.

After completing this certificate, you will be qualified to:

• Create 2D and 3D computer drawings and models for manufacturing and prototyping using AutoCAD.
• Evaluate computer-aided design models and assemblies based on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Learn More

The Industrial Design Engineering Certificate consists of 14 credit hours. This curriculum prepares you for CAD drafting positions using parametric modeling software (like Solidworks and Inventor) and 3D print computer models. You will develop proficiency in 3D Computer modeling and 2D drafting and annotation of part drawing techniques for manufacturing. With this certificate, you can pursue careers such as industrial draftsperson, 3D Print technician or mechanical designer.

After completing this certificate, you will be qualified to:

• Create 2D drawings and 3D computer models for manufacturing and prototyping using parametric software.
• Create prototypes using a 3D printer.
• Evaluate computer-aided design models and assemblies based on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Develop and present designs and prototypes.
• Create prototypes using 3D printers.

Learn More

The CAD Interior Design Certificate consists of 8 credit hours. It prepares you for CAD drafting positions tailored to Interior Design using AutoCAD for 2D and 3D design and drafting. You'll learn to create floorplans and elevation drawings using AutoCAD and create 3D computer models of interior floorplans. Possible job positions include CAD draftsperson and interior detail draftsperson.

After completing this certificate, you will be qualified to:

• Create 2D drawings and 3D models for interior design applications using AutoCAD.
• Evaluate computer-aided design drawings based on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Develop a solution through group work
• Present interior design solution.

Learn More

The Solidworks Certificate consists of 12 credit hours. It will help prepare you for CAD design and drafting jobs using Solidworks Parametric Modeling software. (Solidworks is used by manufacturing and engineering companies to design parts and assemblies and to analyze their functions using computer engineering techniques.) Possible job positions include mechanical draftsperson and industrial designer.

After completing this certificate, you will be qualified to:

• Create parametric 3D models to design and build mechanical parts and assemblies.
• Evaluate computer models based on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Apply parametric modeling to manufacturing and engineering concepts.
• Setup sheets for plotting with text, dimensions, and details.

Learn More

The General Design Certificate consists of 17 credit hours and prepares you for general drafting positions using a variety of CAD software like AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, and Solidworks to design 2D and 3D CAD models and detail drawings. Possible job positions include CAD draftsperson and general CAD designer.

After completing this certificate, you will be qualified to:

• Create 2D drawings and 3D models for a variety of applications including architectural, interior design and building information modeling applications.
• Evaluate computer-aided design models based on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Develop and present designs and prototypes.

Learn More

The Revit Building Information Modeling Certificate consists of 12 credit hours. This curriculum prepares you for CAD design and drafting positions using Building Information Modeling (BIM). (BIM is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering and construction professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure. Possible job positions with this certificate include building information modeler, architectural draftsperson and interior draftsperson.

• Create parametric 3D models to design, build and maintain higher-quality buildings.
• Evaluate building information models based on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Identify the purpose of BIM and how it is applied.
• Creating a 3D building model with walls, curtain walls, windows and doors.
• Set up sheets for plotting with text, dimensions, details, tags and schedules.

Learn More