DEGREES
Earning a degree from the A&E CAD department is the best way to pursue a career in CAD. The Associate of Applied Science degrees are the most complete programs available and provide a solid foundation for your future professional CAD career in the field of your chosen discipline. If you’re not sure which discipline is right for you, please browse the degree plans below and see what degree plan interests you the most.
A.S. ARCHITECTURE
The Associate of Science (AS) in Architecture degree program is for students preparing to transfer to university architectural programs. The degree plan incorporates the Architecture Field of Study Curriculum as adopted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
The AS in Architecture degree began at ACC in the fall semester of 2020. The program equips students with the credits and knowledge necessary to transfer to a public four-year university in Texas to further their education in Architecture.
At the completion of the Associate of Science degree in Architecture, the student will be able to:
- Write and speak effectively and use representational media appropriate for both writing and speaking within the architectural profession and with the general public (Professional Communication Skills)
- Raise clear and precise questions, use abstract ideas to interpret information, consider diverse points of view, reach well-reasoned conclusions, and test alternative outcomes against relevant criteria and standards (Design Thinking Skills)
- Identify and effectively use basic formal, organizational and environmental principles and the capacity of each to inform two- and three-dimensional design (Architectural Design Skills)
- Identify and apply the fundamentals of both natural and formal ordering systems and the capacity of each to inform two- and three-dimensional design (Ordering Systems).
Advising
Students are encouraged to meet with the A&E CAD Department’s Architecture program coordinator, Erlene Clark, for program advising. To schedule an appointment to meet with her, click the button below.
Degree Plan
Architectural A.S. Degree Plan Required Courses:
ARCH 1311 – Introduction to Architecture
ARCH 1301 – Architectural History I
ARCH 1302 – Architectural History II
ARCH 1303 – Architectural Design I
ARCH 1304 – Architectural Design II
ARCH 2603 – Architectural Design III
ARCH 2604 – Architectural Design IV
ARCH 1307 – Architectural Graphics I
ARCH 1308 – Architectural Graphics II
ARCH 2312 – Architectural Technology I
EDUC 1100 – Learning Framework: Effective Strategies for College Success
ENGL 1301 – English Composition I
GOVT 2305 – United States Government
HIST 1301 – United States History I
HIST 1302 – United States History II
MATH 2412 – Precalculus: Functions and Graphs
PHYS 1401 – General College Physics I
SPCH 1315 – Public Speaking
Contact the Architecture program coordinator Erlene Clark for further Elective Options
A.A.S. ARCHITECTURAL
This workforce education program trains students to pursue careers in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. The Architectural CAD curriculum emphasizes utilizing current industry technology including computer aided drafting (CAD), building information modeling (BIM), and three-dimensional modeling and rendering software applications such as AutoCAD, Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, and 3ds Max. At the completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree with an Architectural Specialization, students will be able to (PSLOs):
Advising
Students are encouraged to meet with the A&E CAD Department’s Architectural coordinator, Theo Krause, for program advising.
Degree Plan
Architectural Degree Plan Required Courses:
ARCH 1311 – Introduction to Architecture
DFTG 1405 – Technical Drafting
ARCH 2302 – Architectural Freehand Drawing I
ARCH 1403 – Architectural Design
DFTG 1417 – Architectural Drafting – Residential
DFTG 2431 – Intro to Building Information Modeling
DFTG 2428 – Architectural Drafting – Commercial
ARCE 2352 – Mechanical & Electrical Systems
ARCE 1452 – Structural Drafting
DFTG 1491 – Portfolio
Electives:
ARCH 1301 – Architectural History I
ARCH 1302 – Architectural History II
DFTG 1402 – Intro to Tech Animation & Rendering
Contact the Architectural CAD Program Coordinator Theo Krause for further Elective Options
A.A.S. CIVIL
This program is intended for students pursuing careers in the field of Civil CAD Drafting. Civil drafters create drawings for the civil engineering industry, including areas of land development, transportation, public works, environmental, landscaping, surveying, design visualization and many others. Students may also use the training offered in the Civil CAD Specialization to prepare for transfer to a university program. Students who choose the Civil CAD Specialization career track are often employed by Civil Engineering firms, Surveying companies and Government agencies. The Civil CAD curriculum emphasizes the utilization of current industry standard software, with AutoCAD Civil 3D as the primary software. Additional CAD software used in this program include: the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection, Autodesk Storm & Sanitary Analysis, E-ON VUE Infinite and Bentley Microstation. The Autodesk Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection (which features Civil 3D, AutoCAD, InfraWorks, and 3ds Max) is utilized in the Civil CAD curriculum to plan, design, document & visualize civil engineering student design projects. E-ON Software VUE Infinite is also utilized in the Civil CAD curriculum to create stunning and realistic 3D renderings of student design projects. At the completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree with a Civil CAD Specialization, students will be able to (PSLOs):
Advising
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the A&E CAD department’s Civil CAD Coordinator, Jeffrey Muhammad, before pursuing this program.
Degree Plan
Civil Degree Plan Required Courses:
DFTG 1405 – Technical Drafting
GISC 1411 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
DFTG 2430 – Civil Drafting
DFTG 1433 – Mechanical Drafting
DFTG 2431 – Intro to Building Information Modeling
DFTG 2421 – Topographical Drafting
DFTG 1470 – Drafting for Stormwater Management
DFTG 2475 – Water and Wastewater Drafting
DFTG 2478 – Civil Illustration and Animation
Electives:
DFTG 2427 – Landscape Drafting
DFTG 2476 – Transportation Drafting
Contact the Civil CAD Coordinator, Jeffrey Muhammad, for further elective options.
A.A.S. ELECTRONIC
This program is intended for students pursing careers in the field of Electronic CAD (ECAD). In this field, CAD technicians and designers are responsible for creating the graphics used in the manufacture, service, and installation of electronic equipment including the layout and design of Integrated Circuits, Printed Circuit Boards (PCB), and MEMS (Micro-Electromechanical Systems) devices. Students who choose the Electronic CAD Specialization career track may find employment opportunities with semiconductor design and manufacturing companies and other related industries. The A&E CAD curriculum stresses knowledge of Cadence Virtuoso and Allegro as the base CAD software. Course work also includes the study of DC and digital circuits and the Unix operating system. At the completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree with an Electronics Specialization, students will be able to (PSLOs):
Advising
Students are strongly encouraged to contact the A&E CAD department’s Electronic CAD Coordinator, Douglas Smith, before pursuing this program.
Degree Plan
Electronic Degree Plan Required Courses:
DFTG 1405 – Technical Drafting
CETT 1403 – DC Circuits
DFTG 1433 – Mechanical Drafting
DFTG 1458 – Electrical/Electronic Drafting
DFTG 2413 – Basic Integrated Circuit Design
CETT 1425 – Digital Fundamentals
DFTG 2433 – Advanced Integrated Circuit Design
ITSC 1307 – UNIX Operating System I
DFTG 2405 – Printed Circuit Board Design
DFTG 1494 – ST: Electronics Drafting and Electronics CAD/CADD (IC Layout & Design III)
Electives:
ENGR 1201 – Introduction to Engineering
DFTG 1402 – Intro to Tech Animation & Rendering
DFTG 2402 – Machine Drafting
Contact the Electronic CAD Coordinator, Doug Smith, for further elective options.
A.A.S. MECHANICAL
This program is intended for students pursuing careers in the field of Mechanical CAD. Mechanical drafters create the graphics used in the mechanical engineering field. Students may also use the training offered in the mechanical specialization to prepare for transfer to a university program. Students who choose the Mechanical Specialization career track are often employed by mechanical engineering firms. CAD software used in this program includes Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Mastercam, and PTC Creo. At the completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree with a Mechanical CAD Specialization, students will be able to (PSLOs):
Advising
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the A&E CAD department’s Mechanical CAD Coordinator, Kim Duren, before pursuing this program.
Degree Plan
Mechanical Degree Plan Required Courses:
DFTG 1405 – Technical Drafting
DFTG 2431 – Intro to Building Information Modeling
DFTG 1433 – Mechanical Drafting
DFTG 2430 – Civil Drafting
MCHN 1426 – Intro to Computer Aided Manufacturing
DFTG 2440 – Solid Modeling/Design
DFTG 1429 – Electro-Mechanical Drafting (SolidWorks)
DFTG 2402 – Machine Drafting
Electives:
MCHN 2438 – Adv. Computer Aided Manufacturing
ENGR 1201 – Introduction to Engineering
WLDG 1437 – Introduction to Metallurgy
ARCE 2352- MEP (DFTG 2431 prerequisite)
Contact the Mechanical CAD Coordinator, Kim Duren, for further elective options.
ADVISING
If you’re here looking for degree programs that might interest you, we highly recommend you speak to our advisors to learn more. Please see the advisor directory below to meet with the advisor(s) of the degree program(s) that catch your eye!
Erlene Clark
Architecture Coordinator
Advising Guide: AS Degree – Architecture
Email: eclark2@austincc.edu
Phone: (512) 223-4843
Directory: Erlene Clark
