Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Drafting Technology with AutoCAD
Majors Overview November 10, 2014Students in bachelor’s degree programs in drafting technology will be equipped with the skills needed to build professional quality versions of three-dimensional objects and structures along with proper instruction and experience with CAD (computer-aided design). CAD software is essential in the fields of engineering, product development, and architecture.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Drafting Technology with AutoCAD
Students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in drafting technology with AutoCAD are trained in the use of CAD software for modeling and planning a variety of construction projects, including pipelines, sewage systems, commercial buildings, and highways.
A concentration in an area such as architectural drafting, design drafting, or mechanical design can be chosen by students enrolled in some programs. Students may also be taught about other relevant concepts, such as computer drafting, machine drafting, industrial design, and technical writing.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma. Some programs are offered by schools in collaboration with community colleges. Students seeking enrollment to these baccalaureate programs may be expected to have completed an associate degree program before being allowed to join.
Coursework
Due to the reliance of various independent skills for the effective use of CAD software, coursework typically includes classes with a narrow focus on CAD as well as courses devised to impart complementary education. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Trigonometry
•Topographic mapping
•Structural drafting
•Machine design
•Architectural design
•Basic AutoCAD
•CAD modeling
•Geometry
Career Choices
Various entrepreneurs and companies in different phases of conceptualization and development benefit from using CAD software and enrolling in a degree program with its focus on drafting technology, whereby individuals are provided with various career opportunities. Students’ CAD software training can be applied to numerous endeavors, whether in design or in the accurate representation of diverse objects ranging from toys and furniture to computers and cars. Students can choose from popular career options such as:
•Mechanical drafting
•Product design
•Civil drafting
•Architectural drafting
•Electrical drafting
Job and Wage Outlook
A job growth rate of 6% has been predicted for drafters over the 2010 – 2020 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, mechanical drafters brought home an average annual wage of $54,510, while, during the same period, architectural and civil drafters banked $47,870.
Continuing Education and Certification Choices
Professional certification can help students showcase their drafting skills and knowledge in the field, but certification is not always insisted on by employers (BLS). Those that successfully complete drafting technology programs may opt for further education by earning advanced degrees in fields such as engineering or architecture.
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