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CAD Design and Drafting

Are you inventive, good with technology and like to draw? Mechanical design could be the right career for you.

In this program, you’ll develop the critical thinking and computer drafting skills needed to create manufacturing drawings for everything from a car to a complex robotic work cell. You’ll practice designing new products and build hands-on prototypes using machine tools, welding, laser cutting and 3D printing.

Whether you want to work as a technician in drafting, design or sales, this program prepares you to join engineering teams in the manufacturing, testing, aerospace and robotics industries,as well as in consultant engineering firms and research companies.

Detailed Information

For more information about the CAD and mechanical design programs, including career information, new student orientation, and club activities, visit the instructor web site for CAD and mechanical design.

  1. Use the systems, symbols, language and mechanics of the drafting field.
  2. Skillfully apply computers and engineering office software for documentation, communication, design, and drafting.
  3. Identify, solve, and apply engineering calculations relevant to a full drafting and design project.
  4. Work productively in a team environment and/or as an independent drafter/designer when required.
  5. Work with the sense of responsibility and accuracy required in the field of engineering design and drafting.
  6. Develop individual and full sets of drafting projects including shop drawings, assembly drawings, schematics, and construction plans using 2-D CAD and 3-D CAD solid modeling.
  7. Create accurate solid model computer files to transfer to rapid prototypes, CNC use, shop drawings, or engineering designs.
  8. Identify and select appropriate materials and processing of materials used in industry for a design project.
  9. Demonstrate basic shop practices in woods, metals, plastics, and composites, including machining, fabrication/welding, assembly and testing for design prototypes.
  10. Demonstrate global awareness of the impact of efficiency, effectiveness, cost, and sustainability in design.
  11. Create, track, and maintain an engineering design project from inception through scheduling, drafting, prototyping, costing, and documentation.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

Mechanical Engineering Technology prepares students for advanced mechanical drafting and design using both CAD drafting and Solid Modeling techniques.  The course of study prepares students to work in engineering teams for large and small manufacturing firms, consulting engineering firms, testing, and research companies.

Students learn the design and manufacturing processes required for a product to be developed from the initial concept to final production.  Students not only learn to draft using CAD and Solid Modeling techniques, but also get "hands-on" practical experience in 3D Printing, engineering design projects, and by learning fabrication processes used in industry.  Coursework includes design and assembly techniques as well as shop practice techniques and shop safety.  The course of study includes advanced disciplines of engineering technology such as math, physics, electrical theory, manufacturing, project management, and/or optional studies as available in statics, the strength of materials, chemistry, etc. 

Students will receive an AAS degree. New students should start in fall quarter. Students will need to schedule and make arrangements to complete all courses and electives with a prefix other than CAD or APLED to complete the program in a two-year sequence. All courses must receive a 2.0 or higher to complete this degree. 

This AAS degree can transfer directly to EWU in a bachelor's degree program.

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 95 - 99


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
APLED121
Applied Written Communication   1
4
CAD 101
Introduction to Technology   2
3
CAD 111
Applied Technical Math 1   3
3
CAD 114
Engineering Graphics/CAD 1   4
5
Total Credits
 
15

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
APLED123
Leadership Skills for Business and Industry   1
3
CAD 120
Basic Blueprint Reading  
3
CAD 121
Applied Technical Math 2   3
3
CAD 124
Engineering Graphics/CAD 2  
5
Total Credits
 
14

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CAD 133
Introduction to Design  
5
CAD 137
Applied Technical Math and Physics  
3
CAD 141
Shop Practices  
2
CAD 142
CAD Solid Modeling  
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CAD 244
Structural CAD Applications   5
3
CAD 246
Manufacturing Processes and Precision Measuring  
2
CAD 252
CAD Solid Modeling/Graphics 2  
4
CAD 261
Project Design and Management  
4
PHYS 101
General Physics   5
5
Total Credits
 
18

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CAD 242
Mechanical Design Fundamentals  
5
CAD 251
Applied Tolerances and GD&T  
3
CAD 255
Technical Applications I   6
4
CAD 256
Mechanical CAD Applications  
3
 
Approved Technical Design Electives   7
3 - 5
Total Credits
 
18-20
CAD 258
Schematic CAD Applications  
4
CAD 260
Fabrication and Piping CAD Applications  
3
CHEM&161
General Chem: w/Lab I  
5
ELMT 112
Electrical Theory  
5
ELMT 243
Introduction to Programmable Controllers  
4
MATH&142
Precalculus II  
5
MATH&146
Introduction to Stats  
5
MATH&151
Calculus I  
5
MMGT 243
Fundamentals of Project Management  
5
MMGT 244
Introduction to Lean Six Sigma  
2.5

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
APLED125
Employment Preparation   1
3
CAD 264
Technical Applications II   6
4
CAD 265
Manufacturing and Measuring Systems  
2
CAD 268
Schematics/Advanced CAD  
3
 
Approved Technical Design Electives   7
3 - 5
Total Credits
 
15-17
CAD 258
Schematic CAD Applications  
4
CAD 260
Fabrication and Piping CAD Applications  
3
CHEM&161
General Chem: w/Lab I  
5
ELMT 112
Electrical Theory  
5
ELMT 243
Introduction to Programmable Controllers  
4
MATH&142
Precalculus II  
5
MATH&146
Introduction to Stats  
5
MATH&151
Calculus I  
5
MMGT 243
Fundamentals of Project Management  
5
MMGT 244
Introduction to Lean Six Sigma  
2.5

Approved Technical Design Electives  

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CAD 258
Schematic CAD Applications  
4
CAD 260
Fabrication and Piping CAD Applications  
3
CHEM&161
General Chem: w/Lab I  
5
ELMT 112
Electrical Theory  
5
ELMT 243
Introduction to Programmable Controllers  
4
MATH&142
Precalculus II  
5
MATH&146
Introduction to Stats  
5
MATH&151
Calculus I  
5
MMGT 243
Fundamentals of Project Management  
5
MMGT 244
Introduction to Lean Six Sigma  
2.5
1 This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the instructional dean.
2 CAD 101 may be substituted with an equivalent course or combination of courses approved by the department dean.
3 This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the department dean. This course may be substituted as approved by the CAD instructor or department dean with APLED 112.
4 This course may be substituted with ENGR 103 Engineering Graphics/CAD.
5 This course may be substituted with an approved elective or with co-op credits CAD 266 or 267. This course may also be substituted with equivalent courses or approved Technical Design Electives.
6 This course may be substituted with co-op credits CAD 266 and 267.
7 The following Spokane Falls Community College courses may be accepted as electives: ENGR 120, ENGR 201, ENGR 202, ENGR 203, ENGR 240.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 9,547
$ 11,591
$ 21,486
Books
$ 702
$ 702
$ 702
Course Fees
$ 641
$ 641
$ 641
Institutional Fees
$ 3,212
$ 3,212
$ 3,212
Total Costs
$ 14,102
$ 16,146
$ 26,041

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

  • Cameron Douglass-Parkin
    Cameron Douglass-Parkin
    Mech Engineering Techno
    Certificate, Green River College; A.A., South Puget Sound Community College; B.S., Evergreen State College; A.A., Spokane Community College, A.A. Spokane Community College
    C.Douglass-Parkin@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7129
  • Jerry Murray
    Jerry Murray
    Mech Engineering Techno
    A.A., College of the Redwoods; B.S., Humboldt State University; M.S., Utah State University
    Jerry.Murray@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7130

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Jerry Murray

Jerry.Murray@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7130