Engineering CAD Technology
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About Engineering CAD Technology
The Engineering Computer-Aided Drafting (ECAD) Technology program prepares graduates for positions as entry-level CAD operators in a wide range of manufacturing and engineering industries. Skills acquired from this program of study will allow students to become an integral part of product design and the manufacturing of those products. Graduates will apply specialized knowledge and skills utilizing state-of-the-art CAD software to think critically, to solve problems, and effectively communicate with colleagues and supervisors in today’s ever-changing work environment.
From preliminary drawings and sketches to parametric design, to animated assemblies, graduates will learn how to simplify, enhance, and streamline the manufacturing and engineering processes utilizing CAD. Students acquire comprehensive skills in the following technical areas: fundamentals of drafting, technical drawing, process pipe drafting, processes of manufacturing, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), metals fabrication drafting, and power transmission. Students’ CAD skills are developed with a comprehensive exposure to the latest software releases of AutoCAD®, Autodesk Inventor®, SolidWorks®, and Pro/Engineer®.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will find various employment opportunities in the following fields:
- CAD Operator
- Cost Estimator
- Drafting Manager
- Drafting Supervisor
- Mechanical Detailer
What you’ll learn
- Produce working drawings such as detail, subassembly, and full-assembly drawings utilizing manual, freehand, and computer-aided drafting techniques.
- Recognize and apply the ASME Y14.5 guidelines in the creation of mechanical working drawings.
- Apply industrial standards to the creation of working drawings of sheet-metal components, welded assemblies, electronics drafting, piping systems, and power transmission components.
- Identify and understand basic manufacturing processes as they relate to the dimensioning of working drawings.
- Demonstrate an ability to work independently and to apply interpersonal and technical skills to solve problems as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Demonstrate skills and proficiency in multiple 2D and 3D solid modeling CAD software packages.
Sample Job Titles
Mechanical Drafter, Designer, Drafter, Design Drafter, Mechanical Designer, CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer), CAD Operator (Computer-Aided Design Operator), CAD/CAM Specialist (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing Specialist), Project Designer, Installation Drafter
Essential Skills Needed
This program requires a variety of foundational skills for students to thrive. Click the button below to view the full list of essential skills you’ll need before enrolling.
Quick facts
Location
First floor, Griscom Education Center
Type of program
Associate Degree
Job/Salary Outlook
See industry data
Length of program
2 years, 73 credits
Cost of program
$4,500/semester tuition
$3,105 – $3,623/semester housing
$1,915 – $2,417/semester meal plan
Tool List (PDF)
Program details
Courses
MODEL SCHEDULE FOR ENGINEERING COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING TECHNOLOGY
Semester 1
- ECAD 105 Metallic Manufacturing Processes (3 credits)
- ECAD 112 Technical Drawing (3 credits)
- ECAD 120 Intro to AutoCAD Applications (3 credits)
- ECAD 130 Advanced AutoCAD Applications (3 credits)
- MATH 137 Intermediate Algebra (or higher math) (3 credits)
- CIS 211 Microsoft Excel (3 credits)
Semester 2
- ECAD 150 Intro to AutoDesk Inventor Applicatins (3 credits)
- ECADT 160 Advanced AutoDesk Inventor Applications (3 credits)
- ECAD 168 Proces Pipe Drafting (3 credits)
- ECAD 171 Non-Metallic Manufacturing Processes (3 credits)
- MATH 141 Trigonometry (or higher math) (3 credits)
- ENG 106 English Composition (3 credits)
Semester 3
- ECAD 207 Geometric Tolerancing (3 credits)
- ECAD 211 Metals Fabrication Drafting (3 credits)
- ECAD 220 Intro to Solid Works Applications (3 credits)
- ECAD 230 Advanced Solid Works Applications (3 credits)
- ENG 216 Technical Report Writing (3 credits)
- Physics Elective (3 credits)
Semester 4
- ECAD 250 Intro to Pro/Engineer Applications (3 credits)
- ECAD 260 Advanced Pro/Engineer Applications (3 credits)
- ECAD 266 Working Drawings (3 credits)
- ECAD 271 Power Transmission (3 credits)
- ENG 221 Public Speaking (3 credits)
- Humanities Elective (3 credits)
Additional General Education Requirements
- HEAL Elective HEAL 106 or HEAL 111 (1 credit)
Total Credits 73
Faculty
Occupational Advisory Committee
The Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC) serves as a vital link between the Program of study and industry, ensuring that the program remains aligned with current workforce needs, technological advancements, and best practices in the field. Composed of employers, educators, and other community members, the committee provides guidance, feedback, and recommendations to enhance the curriculum, instructional methods, and student learning experiences.
Purpose and Responsibilities:
- Curriculum & Industry Alignment
- Workforce Readiness
- Student & Faculty Support
- Internship & Employment Connections
- Accreditation & Program Evaluation
- Facilities & Equipment Recommendations
By fostering a strong relationship between academia and industry, the OAC helps ensure that Thaddeus Stevens College programs maintain the highest standards in CTE (career and technical education).
- Markus Couch, Tecta America East, LLC
- Scott Dolor, M. Davis & Sons
- Jesse Eckert, TE Connectivity
- Kelsey Haldeman, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
- Justin Klinovski, Paragon Engineering Services, Inc.
- Brittani Morales, Actalent
- Laura Schoonover, Actalent
- Vanessa Shonk, High Steel Structures
- Andrew Cameron, Pelletron Corporation
- Jonathan Scott, Industrial Service and Installation
- Travis Zwiebel, Premier Custom-Built
The outcomes speak for themselves
Students who complete this program will be able to prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
100%
employment
$52.5K
median first-year salary
People of TSCT
Success stories
Performance Measures
Internal Key Performance Indicators (Sources: Internal data collections, and Post-Graduate Surveys)
Retention Rate
This rate reflects the continuous term-to-term persistence rate for certificate programs and the fall-to-fall retention rate for associate degree programs.
Graduation Rate
This rate reflects the number of freshmen who were officially enrolled in the fall semester and earned a certificate or degree within the expected timeframe.
Post Graduate Survey Response Rate
The post graduate survey is an annual on-line post graduate survey utilized by the college to gather vital information regarding career placement, starting salary, and level of satisfaction.
Employed Full Time Outside of Major
Percentage of graduates who reported being employed full-time outside their field of study.
Graduate Satisfaction
This is the median graduate survey response evaluating the level of preparation for workforce entry (based on a 5-Item Likert Scale).
Placement Rate
This is the percent of graduate survey respondents who reported being employed or continued their education on a full-time basis.
Employed Full Time Within Major
Percentage of graduates who reported being employed full-time within their field of study.
Annual Median Starting Salary
This number is based on the graduate survey response to the request to identify a starting salary from a range of options. This graph shows the median first-year annual salary. All calculations are based on the respondent’s self-reported first-year annual income.
Reported Hourly Rate
This number is determined by dividing the reported median salary by the number of hours in a traditional full-time work week (40), then the number of weeks in a year (52).
Our graduates work with the industry’s best
Soar Agreements
This program enables students to apply certain credits earned in high school to the credits needed for a degree or certificate through Thaddeus Stevens College. The Engineering CAD Technology degree qualifies for this program – see our SOAR program page for details!