Electrical Construction Design & Management (ECDM), AAS

At Dunwoody College of Technology, the Electrical Construction Design & Management program provides graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment in the electrical engineering/construction industry.

Graduates of the program start a career as drafters, designers, estimators, or project managers at engineering firms or electrical contractor companies. Students receive training in: fundamental electrical theory and application; motors, transformers, and generators; electrical control systems; electrical installations and wiring; electrical safety; drafting and designing power, lighting, and low voltage systems; lighting calculations; power system analysis; cost estimation; CSI specifications; and project management.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) is studied extensively. Students learn crucial problem-solving skills as they advance through the program.

Arts & Sciences curriculum supports the technical skills students learn as well as enhance oral and written communication skills, fundamental math skills, and critical thinking ability.

Students also complete a capstone project that integrates and documents all aspects of drafting, designing, specifying and analyzing, estimating, and managing.

Credential Earned: AAS
Length of Program: 2 years (4 semesters)
Classes Offered: Day; Distance Learning
Available Starts: Fall Semester; Spring Semester
Bachelor's Completion Option(s): Construction Management (CMGT), Bachelor of Science | Business Management Leadership (AMGT), Bachelor of Science
  • An ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve well-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
  • An ability to design solutions for well-defined technical problems and assist with the engineering design of systems, components, or processes appropriate to the discipline.
  • An ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in well-defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
  • An ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments, and to analyze and interpret the results.
  • An ability to function effectively as a member of a technical team.
General Requirements
MATH1000Algebra & Trigonometry3
MATH1250Boolean Algebra3
Communications Elective3
Humanities Elective3
Physical/Natural Science w/Lab Elective3
Social Sciences Elective3
General Elective3
Technical Requirements
ECDM2001Electrical Lab3
ECDM2002Electrical Principles4
ECDM2003Introduction to 3D Drafting & Design2
ELEC1114Introduction to the NEC1
CMGT2111Building Codes3
ECDM2102Design Lab - Delta3
ECDM2104Illumination Technology & Design2
ECDM2105Residential & Commercial Principles3
ECDM2202Design Lab - Omega3
ECDM2205Electrical Estimating3
ECDM2206Commercial & Industrial Principles3
ECDM2208Project Management2
ECDM2304Design Capstone3
ECDM2305Electrical Planning & Scheduling3
ECDM2306Risk Management1
ECDM2307Advanced Estimating2
Total Credits62

The following sample academic plan demonstrates how a student's schedule might look on a semester-by-semester basis, including elective courses. Your actual degree plan may differ from this sequence, depending on whether you start in the fall or spring semester, what transfer credits you may have (if any), and which General Education courses and electives you take and when you take them.

The sample academic plan is for informational purposes only. To determine your academic plan, please meet with an academic advisor.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ECDM2001 Electrical Lab 3
ECDM2002 Electrical Principles 4
ECDM2003 Introduction to 3D Drafting & Design 2
ELEC1114 Introduction to the NEC 1
MATH1000 Algebra & Trigonometry 3
 Credits13
 Total Credits13
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
SpringCredits
CMGT2111 Building Codes 3
ECDM2102 Design Lab - Delta 3
ECDM2104 Illumination Technology & Design 2
ECDM2105 Residential & Commercial Principles 3
MATH1250 Boolean Algebra 3
Physical/Natural Science w/Lab Elective 3
 Credits17
 Total Credits17
Plan of Study Grid
Second Year
FallCredits
ECDM2202 Design Lab - Omega 3
ECDM2205 Electrical Estimating 3
ECDM2206 Commercial & Industrial Principles 3
ECDM2208 Project Management 2
Communications 3
General Elective 3
 Credits17
 Total Credits17
Plan of Study Grid
Second Year
SpringCredits
ECDM2304 Design Capstone 3
ECDM2305 Electrical Planning & Scheduling 3
ECDM2306 Risk Management 1
ECDM2307 Advanced Estimating 2
Social Sciences Elective 3
Humanities Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits15

Descriptions

ECDM2001 | Electrical Lab | Laboratory (3 Credits)

Investigate and apply electrical principles and theories utilizing electrical math, basic schematics, test equipment, circuit connections, and analysis techniques to identify and predict electrical circuit behaviors for a greater understanding of electricity.

Corequisite(s): ECDM2002

ECDM2002 | Electrical Principles | Lecture (4 Credits)

Examine electrical principles and theories utilizing electrical math, basic schematics, and circuit analysis techniques to identify and predict electrical circuit behaviors and a greater understanding of how electricity works.

Corequisite(s): ECDM2001

ECDM2003 | Introduction to 3D Drafting & Design | Laboratory (2 Credits)

Examine and implement construction graphics and conventions into electrical designs using industry specific 3D drawing software.

ELEC1114 | Introduction to the NEC | Seminar (1 Credit)

Introduction to the National Electrical Code through investigation of the history to formulate a necessary base knowledge in which to develop basic skills and understanding of the NEC and how it applies to the electrical applications in the field.

CMGT2111 | Building Codes | Lecture (3 Credits)

Select and apply appropriate federal, state/provincial and municipal codes, standards and accessibility guidelines using industry standards with an emphasis on Life Safety Codes and the ADA to prepare for licensing exams, meet with codes officials, and to design spaces that enhance the health, safety and welfare of the general public.

ECDM2102 | Design Lab - Delta | Laboratory (3 Credits)

Electrical design of a simulated residential and commercial building project. This project covers utility to outlets, with a focus on branch circuits and low voltage systems utilizing owner specifications and building and electrical codes. Practical design implementation is emphasized. Detailed documentation of all aspects of the project. CAD, Revit, and other modeling and analysis software is used to produce a final portfolio.

ECDM2104 | Illumination Technology & Design | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)

Interior and exterior applications of lighting. Discussion of energy code, including control system implementation and lighting power density. Analyze photometric data and their application and use 3D modeling to design layouts, taking into account luminaire selection and basic aesthetic considerations.

ECDM2105 | Residential & Commercial Principles | Lecture (3 Credits)

Principles and practices of electrical system design. Design and calculations involved in electrical construction for residential and commercial occupancies. Apply occupant perspectives, construction techniques, and relevant codes. Examine the entire electrical system, with a focus on branch circuits, power distribution and low voltage systems.

ECDM2202 | Design Lab - Omega | Laboratory (3 Credits)

Electrical design of simulated building project. This project covers utility to outlets, with a focus on distribution, such as transformers, generators, panels and feeders for a commercial and industrial project. Practical design implementation is emphasized. Detail documentation of all aspects of the project. Use contemporary 2D, 3D, and other modeling and analysis software to produce a final portfolio.

ECDM2205 | Electrical Estimating | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)

Detailed estimation and project management of electrical construction projects using industry software. Scheduling and bidding of construction projects and project documentations.

ECDM2206 | Commercial & Industrial Principles | Lecture (3 Credits)

Principles and practices of electrical system design for commercial and industrial applications. Design and calculations involved in electrical construction will be used. Apply occupant perspectives, construction techniques, and relevant codes. Examine the entire electrical system, with a focus on distribution, such as transformers, generators, panels, and feeders and PLC controls.

ECDM2208 | Project Management | Seminar (2 Credits)

Investigate the roles and responsibilities for construction project managers. Examine the ethics within the decision-making process from the request for proposal through close-out.

ECDM2304 | Design Capstone | Capstone (3 Credits)

Integration of all aspects of electrical construction design and management, including drafting, designing, estimating, and managing projects, to create a complete comprehensive capstone project. The capstone project is presented and reviewed by industry experts and leaders, providing valuable feedback from their own experiences.

ECDM2305 | Electrical Planning & Scheduling | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)

Create a sequence of construction tasks using industry methods to generate construction schedules with preplanned and design build work-flow analysis. Examine potential conditions that impact planning of projects including supply chains, logistics of materials and equipment, and the workforce.

ECDM2306 | Risk Management | Seminar (1 Credit)

Investigate the process of identifying, assessing, and managing risks associated with a construction project from the design phase through close-out through analysis of electrical projects.

ECDM2307 | Advanced Estimating | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)

Advanced analysis of cost estimating and bidding methods using industry practices and methods to oversee and manage the successful procurement of electrical construction projects.

MATH1000 | Algebra & Trigonometry | Lecture (3 Credits)

Real numbers and polynomials, exponents and radicals, fractional equations; proportions and linear equations; trigonometric functions, solutions of triangles, radians, trig functions graphs, vectors, and basic identities.

General Education: Mathematics

MATH1250 | Boolean Algebra | Lecture (3 Credits)

Binary, octal and hexadecimal number systems. Boolean algebra and mapping.

General Education: Mathematics