DESIGN TECHNOLOGY – CAD DESIGN TECHNICIAN – ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING/CONSTRUCTION

**Please see attached program narrative (under LMI attachments)

Catalog Description

The CAD Design Technician program prepares students for entry-level positions in architectural, engineering, and construction fields. Certificate recipients learn to integrate industry specifications and codes and utilize Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Management (BIM) software to solve building and construction design problems using the principles and standards of Sustainable Technology. They also develop virtual and rapid prototyping fabrication skills.  As technicians in these realms, students find additional opportunity in related fields, such as interior design, set & exhibit design, municipal infrastructure, and sustainable technologies.

Students focus on communication and critical thinking skills, developing space-planning solutions through an iterative design process that involves preliminary sketching, 2D, 3D, and parametric drafting and modeling. They realize and evaluate these designs using rapid prototyping such as laser cutting, 3D printing, among other advanced manufacturing techniques. Building Information Modeling (BIM) allows integration between multiple technologies and procedures, towards real world applications.

The program provides the opportunity to obtain industry credentials, gain experience in real-world projects, and develop long-term transferable skills sets aligned to the work force. This course of study prepares participants for successful completion of LEED accreditation at the Associates Level.  Graduating students exhibit the capability to work in professional settings, to collaborate, execute design tasks, and meet client and project requirements. They will produce CAD design, revision, and fabrication sets, build virtual and physical models, and create animations and visual presentation materials.

The program builds on several Certificates including CAD Modeling - Architecture/Engineering/Construction; CAD Designer - Architecture/Engineering/Construction; and CAD Technician - Architecture/Engineering/Construction and leads to an Associate of Science degree.

A Certificate of Achievement is awarded upon completion of all required courses with a grade of C or better.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Utilize appropriate technologies and techniques to produce iterative prototypes within a digital workflow to meet design intent and industry criteria.
2. Apply sustainable design and construction technology principles, processes, and standards, to produce comprehensive digital and technical representations of architectural, engineering and construction projects.
3. Communicate effectively using audience-appropriate technical, graphical, oral and written formats in the critical evaluation of design processes and products.
4. Collaborate effectively on diverse teams to identify, analyze, and solve technical design problems related to current issues at varying project scales.

• This COA stacks upon several OSC’s in our program thread.  The following students were awarded OSC’s for which this program stacks upon.  It is important to note that these counts were during pandemic remote teaching environment and increase is expected in current hybrid teaching format.  10 students received OSC’s in 2021-2022 and we project that some of these OSC achievers will aim to take an additional two courses to receive this Certificate of Achievement.

 

DT OSC	2020-2021	2021-2022
CAD Technician – A/E/C	3	4
CAD Designer – A/E/C	1	3
CAD Modeling & Animation	0	3

 

•  Future years’ course enrollment and completions are projected to be in line with data provided from 2020-2021, with completions increasing around 5% per year.

• Projected Annual Program Completers: 7-15 per year

This program aligns with the following goals of the Educational Master Plan:

• Increase the median earnings and/or the regional living wage for students who exit the college.
• Align all degrees and certificates with appropriate workforce demand.
• Increase work-based learning opportunities.
• Create and sustain a culture of viable career pathways for all students

This Certificate of Achievement is a (new) program that stacks upon three smaller existing occupational skills certificates in this program thread focused on CAD/BIM drafting, modeling, and design within the A/E/C building design industries.  While Design Technology had several occupational skills certificates in this thread, the Certificate of Achievement has not been developed until now. 

The lower unit occupational skills certificates (which is in the process of submission to be modified to low-unit certificate of achievements) integrate the foundation courses for this Certificate of Achievement.  With the completion of one or two more classes, students can attain a higher-level certificate with the potential of earning an Associate’s degree in Design Technology.

This program also integrates Sustainable Technologies and CAD (computer-aided design) and BIM (Building Information Modeling) courses that integrate Sustainable design principles, codes, and techniques within the program curriculum.  Students prepare to take the LEED (Leadership and Energy & Environmental Design) Green associates credential, providing enhanced employment opportunities in the Green building sector.   

**Please see attached program narrative if table does not translate properly (under LMI attachments)

Required units in the program:  18 minimum

Requirements	Dept Name	Name	Units	Sequence Option A	Sequence  Option B
Required Core (12 units)	DT 017	Building Design & Construction Technical Graphics	3	Yr 1, Fall	Yr 1, Fall
	DT 118	3-Dimensional Building Design & Representation	3	Yr 1, Fall	Yr 1, Fall
	DT 114	Building Information Modeling Design (BIM Design)	3	Yr 1, Spring	Yr 1, Spring
	DT 030	Sustainable Technologies	3	Yr 1, Fall	Yr 1, Spring

Requirements	Dept Name	Name	Units	Sequence  Option A	Sequence Option B
2 or more Electives (6 units)	DT 101	Fabrication Laboratory	1	Yr 1, Fall	Yr 2, Fall
	DT 008A	Introduction to Digital Design and Fabrication	3	Yr 1, Fall	Yr 1, Summer
	DT 008B	Intermediate Digital Design and Fabrication	3	Yr 1, Spring	Yr 2, Fall
	ARCH 014	Materials and Processes of Construction	2	Yr 1, Spring	Yr 2, Fall
	ARCH 022A	Architectural Practice	5	Yr 1, Spring	Yr 2, Fall
	ART 041A	Interior Design:  Space Planning and Materials	3	Yr 1, Spring	Yr 2, Fall
	BLDG 212	Print Reading for Construction	3	Yr 1, Spring	Yr 2, Fall
	BLDG 213	Building Construction Codes and Standards	3	Yr 1, Spring	Yr 2, Fall
	BLDG 214	Materials & Processes of Construction:  Sub Grade to Roof Framing	3	Yr 1, Spring	Yr 2, Fall

Required Core:  12 units

Required Electives:  Min 4 units

Proposed Sequence Option A

Year 1, Fall = 8-10 units

Year 1, Spring = 8-9 units

Total Units:  18 units minimum

Proposed Sequence Option B

Year 1, Fall = 6 units

Year 1, Spring = 6 units

Year 2, Fall = 6 units

Total Units:  18 units minimum

In our CTE division, we have a Construction Inspection program that is also developing a Sustainability focused certificate, however their program greatly differs from ours as they are preparing students for building inspection and our program focuses on the computer-aided design drafting and design. Elective courses integrating Construction inspection courses was discussed with lead faculty member of the Construction Inspection program.

Cerritos-Computer-Aided Drafting and Design; Citrus-Computer-Aided Design (CAD) – Architecture and Drafting; East LA-Architecture Drafting ; El Camino-Computer-Aided Design Drafting; Glendale-Architectural Drafting and Design; LA Harbor-Architectural Technology; LA Pierce-Architectural Technology; LA Trade Tech-Architectural Technology; LA Valley-Architecture; Mt San Antonio-Architectural Technology Concentration; Rio Hondo-Architectural Design and Drawing Technician

7-15 per year with 5% increase per year.

N/A