Drafting and Design Technology

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Drafting and Design Technology program is designed to prepare students as drafting technicians. Students will learn Computer Aided Design, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) programming, and basic manufacturing processes. Students develop skills in completing orthographic layouts, dimensioning, exploded/assembled and working drawings, 2D and 3D computer aided drafting and design, 3D printing, geometric dimensioning and tolerance (GD&T), and a general understanding of manufacturing in industry, all using American standards (ANSI). Students can also apply for the Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Computer Aided Drafting (5547) while pursuing the AAS.

Details

Offered At
Mesa
Field of Interest
Applied Technology
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Drafting and Design Technology (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3504
Total credits required
61-69
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2022
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Produce sketches, multi-view layouts, pictorial views, sectional views, auxiliary views, exploded views, engineering assembly views, working drawings, and parts lists; all including dimensioning, symbology, linetypes, lineweights, drawing notes, and design related manufacturing callouts in a manner that is compliant with standard industry practices (ANSI).
  2. Use the latest 2D, 3D, and 3D parametric modeling CAD software to develop technical engineering drawings in two-dimensional multiview and three-dimensional solid models in a manner that is efficient and compliant with standard industry practices.
  3. Apply the principles and theory of manufacturing processes, basic operation of machine tools, properties of materials, and industrial safety.
  4. Create tool paths using computer numerical control (CNC) applications and principles.
  5. Apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing according to ASME Y14.
  6. Compare additive manufacturing to traditional technologies to choose the best approach, including 3D printing materials and design layouts, for a given application to rapidly create prototypes.
  7. Communicate with others in verbal and in written form to collaboratively solve problems within the discipline.
  8. Use a fundamental understanding of scientific inquiry to solve basic problems within the discipline of design.
  9. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Architectural and Civil Drafters

$60,080

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers

$64,340

Mechanical Drafters

$66,620

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:
  • Drafters, All Other
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DFT105AA Computer Aided Drafting I: AutoCAD Critical course CS in combo w/ CSC100 or CSC100AA or CSC100AB 3
DFT110 Introduction to Drafting Critical course Gateway course 3
MPT130MP CNC Machine Operator 6
MPT150 Introduction to SolidWorks 3
GTC107 Technical Mathematics I OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment 0–3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DFT111 Intermediate Drafting 3
DFT254AA Computer Aided Drafting II: AutoCAD 3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
GTC108 Technical Mathematics II 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DFT112 Advanced Drafting 3
DFT255 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing 3
MPT260MP Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) I 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Small Group Communication SB or SB or SB 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR equivalent as indicated by assessment. L 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DFT115 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing 3
GTC216 Properties of Materials 3
GTC/MIT/OSH106 Industrial Safety 2
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DFT105AA Computer Aided Drafting I: AutoCAD Critical course CS in combo w/ CSC100 or CSC100AA or CSC100AB 3
DFT110 Introduction to Drafting Critical course Gateway course 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DFT111 Intermediate Drafting 3
DFT254AA Computer Aided Drafting II: AutoCAD 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
GTC107 Technical Mathematics I OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment 0–3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
DFT255 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
GTC108 Technical Mathematics II 3
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR equivalent as indicated by assessment. L 0–3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MPT130MP CNC Machine Operator 6
MPT150 Introduction to SolidWorks 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DFT112 Advanced Drafting 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MPT260MP Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) I 3
GTC216 Properties of Materials 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
DFT115 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing 3
GTC/MIT/OSH106 Industrial Safety 2

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Small Group Communication SB or SB or SB 3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=176814).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.