2024-2025 Student Catalog 
    
    Dec 03, 2024  
2024-2025 Student Catalog

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Computer Aided Drafting, Certificate



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Contact Information

Program Requirements

Typical Program (Full-Time Day)

Typical Program (Part-Time Evening)

Degree/Certificate:    Certificate
HEGIS Code:            5303
SUNY Code:             868
Major Code:             CAD

The Career

Drafting is a vital skill in our increasingly technical society. The SUNY Niagara program has placed 96 percent of its graduates in related areas of employment for over 40 years. The implementation of computer aided drafting and design (CADD) has greatly enhanced career opportunities.

Persons with the ability to use CADD, coupled with the appropriate technical theory and application, will be able to pursue a career with greater potential concentrating in design rather than basic drafting or as a CADD operator.

The SUNY Niagara Approach

The Computer Aided Drafting program can be completed in nine months (one academic year). All courses are directly related to the career. The program will expose students to drafting, emphasizing CADD as it relates to mechanical, civil and piping. The program is broad-based so that the preparation will allow students to advance in the field as technical designers. Upon completion of the certificate, students may additionally elect to complete studies at the associate degree level.

Admission

Students admitted in fall, spring and summer.

Computer Aided Drafting is offered as a full-time or part-time day program. Because of the sequencing of courses, it may take longer than four semesters to complete the part-time evening program or two semesters to complete the full-time day program if a student begins in a spring semester.

Applicants should have a minimum of Integrated Algebra or equivalent algebra at the college level.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • Imparting factual knowledge and fundamental principles of drafting to help the students develop the tools and skills required to compete in the workplace
  • Developing the sense of responsibility and self-discipline required to compete in the workplace
  • Fostering the ability to use creative decision-making and problem-solving skills as part of the design process

Program Learning Outcomes

The student will demonstrate:

  • The ability to use AutoCAD to express ideas in a timely and efficient manner
  • An understanding of industry standards
  • The ability to use basic algebra and trigonometry to solve design problems
  • The ability to use catalog and reference material to solve design problems

Program Requirements (CAD)


  1. A total of at least 32-credit hours with a minimum curriculum grade-point average of 2.0. Academic Foundations courses do not count toward the certificate.
  2. Drafting and Technology: A minimum of 21-credit hours to include:
     
    DRF 173L - Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting Design Lab  
     
     
    DRF 181L - Civil/Architectural Commercial Drafting Lab  
     
    DRF 283L - Mechanical Design (CADD) Lab  
      
     /DRF 182L - Process Piping Draft - CADD Lab  OR
     /DRF 286L - ASME Pressure Vessel & Structural Design CADD Lab  
      
  3. Computer Technology: A minimum of 1-credit hour to include a 100-level CIS course by advisement.
  4. Humanities: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
      *
  5. Mathematics: A minimum of 4-credits to be chosen from
      *
      *
      *
      *
  6. Mechanical Technology: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
      
    MET 125L - MET 125L - Processes Lab  

Typical Program (Full-Time Day)


Typical Program (Part-Time Evening)


Note:


* Dependent upon the fulfillment of Academic Foundations requirements.

Scholarship Opportunities


There are several scholarships available to SUNY Niagara students. Scholarship deadline dates vary each semester.  For more information, please visit the scholarship webpage at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/scholarships. The SUNY Niagara Foundation/Scholarship Office is located within the Foundation Office, A-265 or by phone (716) 614-5910.

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