Design Technology / Engineering Technology

ARC's design technology program provides a background in skill and theory to qualify the student for employment as a design draftsperson.

The ARC Design Technology Program emphasizes the basic skills needed for success in architectural, mechanical and engineering occupations. These include the design process, drafting standards and practices, technical communication, and design critique and presentation.

The use of computers and CADD software is emphasized throughout the program since they are the tools of choice in the industry.

 

Design Technology Department Program Overview

Video Transcript

 

Official Program Information from the ARC Catalogue:

This degree emphasizes the knowledge and skills required for entry level success in the architectural, civil, and mechanical engineering professions. These include graphic standards and practices, technical analysis and communication, material sciences, and the design and critique processes. In addition, projects include environmental (sustainable) design, product economics, and legal considerations. Current computer technologies and various design software for three dimensional modeling and two dimensional drafting are used throughout the program. Graphic documentation and a portfolio of work are created for each course.

A student who has earned a degree in design technology is well prepared to enter the architecture or engineering field as a design technician. Design technicians are involved in all phases of the design process and duties may include the preparation of technical and presentation drawings, specifications, reports and cost estimates. Design technicians primarily work with architects, mechanical engineers, structural engineers and civil engineers.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• solve architectural and engineering technical problems by applying design and engineering process methodologies. Critique and analyze the success or failure of the process and the solutions. 
• apply the appropriate use of representational media, including study and presentation models (electronic and physical), freehand and conceptual drawing, technical documentation, and diagramming, to convey envisioned ideas at each stage of the design process.
• organize a set of documents for land planning and site development, commercial and residential buildings, and product assemblies that include material selections, cross-referencing, code review, checklists, and coordination.
• create design solutions that demonstrate knowledge and understanding of historical, cultural, human, aesthetic, environmental (sustainable) and social issues.
• communicate architectural and engineering design solutions effectively through individual and cooperative group efforts including speaking, writing, presentation, and the use of various design graphics and technical software.

 

Course List

DT100 or its equivalent from High School or another college is a prerequisite to many of the courses in the certificate program.

Certificate Program
DESGN 300 Introduction to Design Resources 3 units 
DESGN 302 Technical Documentation with CADD 3 units
DESGN 310 Graphic Analysis and Documentation 3 units
DESGN 320 Three Dimensional Graphics and Design 3 units 
DESGN 325 Architectural Modeling and Design 3 units 
DESGN 328 Engineering Modeling and Design 3 units
DESGN 330 Engineering Systems and Design 5 units 
DESGN 340 Architecture and Construction 5 units 
DESGN 350 Surveying and Land Planning (5) 4 - 5 units
or ENGR 310 Engineering Survey Measurements (4)
DESGN 360 Commercial Engineering Design and Drafting 5 units

• Total Units: 37 - 38
• Associate Degree
  The Design Technology Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.

 

ARC Engineering Technology degree emphasizes the knowledge and skills required for entry level success in the engineering professions. These include a basic preparation within the scientific fields including physics, mathematics, chemistry, and material sciences. These sciences are applied to technical analysis and graphic communication standards and practices. In addition, projects include environmental and sustainable design issues, product economics, and legal considerations. Current computer technologies and various analytical design and documentation software are emphasized throughout the program.

Upon completion of the degree program the engineering technician will be prepared to go directly into the employment market as a technical assistant to engineers, or other technical employment. For every engineer, several support technicians are required. Engineering technicians are needed in the fields of manufacturing, architecture, construction, materials testing, public utilities, and many other fields.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• solve technical engineering problems by applying design and engineering process methodologies. Critique and analyze the success or failure of the process and the solutions.
• apply the appropriate use of representational media, including study and presentation models (electronic and physical), freehand and conceptual drawing, technical documentation, and diagramming.
• organize a set of engineering product development documents and technical reports per industry standards.
  research and design for engineering products that demonstrate knowledge and understanding of historical, cultural, human, aesthetic, environmental (sustainable) and social issues.
• communicate engineering design solutions effectively through individual and cooperative group efforts including speaking, writing, presentation, and the use of various design graphics and technical software.

 

Course List

DT100 or its equivalent from High School or another college is a prerequisite to many of the courses in the certificate program.

Certificate Program

CHEM 305 Introduction to Chemistry (5) 4 - 5
    or CHEM 310 Chemical Calculations (4)
CISA 315 Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets 2
CISA 316 Intermediate Electronic Spreadsheets 2
DESGN 300 Introduction to Design Resources (3) 3
    or ENGR 307 Industrial Materials Testing (3)
DESGN 302 Technical Documentation with CADD 3
DESGN 310 Graphic Analysis and Documentation (3) 3
    or ENGR 312 Engineering Graphics (3)
DESGN 328 Engineering Modeling and Design 3
DESGN 330 Engineering Systems and Design (5) 3 - 5
    or ENGR 320 Manufacturing Processes (3)
DESGN 340 Architecture and Construction (5) 5
    or DESGN 360 Commercial Engineering Design and Drafting (5)
DESGN 350 Surveying and Land Planning (5) 4 - 5
    or ENGR 310 Engineering Survey Measurements (4)
MATH 330 Trigonometry 3
PHYS 310 Conceptual Physics (3) 3 - 4
    or PHYS 350 General Physics (4)

• 
  Total Units: 38 - 43
• Associate in Science Degree
  The Engineering Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.