Engineering Drafting & Design (MDES), AAS

At Dunwoody College of Technology, the Engineering Drafting & Design program provides students with the entry-level skills and theoretical knowledge to engineer and design products utilizing the latest technology in CAD/CAM software.

Graduates from this program are prepared to enter the industry as mechanical designers, drafters, CAD/CAM technicians, quality inspectors, and tool designers.

The course of study includes print reading; machine tool applications; measurement and materials; job planning and layout; CAD/CAM software; solid modeling; finite element analysis; transmission of power; and 3D prototyping. Students spend a significant amount of time in the machine shop and metrology lab, gaining hands-on manufacturing skills to help them understand the realities of 21st-century manufacturing. Students obtain Certified Solidworks Associate (CSWA) certification as part of their course of study.

Arts & Sciences curriculum supports the technical coursework by enhancing the students' communication, mathematics, and critical thinking skills.

Credits earned in the Engineering Drafting & Design AAS directly transfer into the following Dunwoody programs:

Credential Earned: AAS
Length of Program: 2 years (4 semesters)
Classes Offered: Day
Available Starts: Fall Semester
  • Demonstrate required industry safety standards. 
  • Create professional documentation using appropriate methods.
  • Develop a relationship between fit, form, and function using ergonomics to ensure a working product.
  • Initiate problem-solving skills and techniques to develop manufacturing related solutions.
  • Explore cultural and environmental issues related to manufacturing.
  • Demonstrate proper use of manufacturing equipment.
  • Perform objectives required of an industry-based capstone project.
General Requirements
MATH1010Algebra I3
MATH1020Algebra II3
Communications3
Humanities3
General Science Elective3
Social Sciences3
Technical Requirements
MACH1110Machine Tool Fundamentals Lab5
MACH1120Machine Tool Fundamentals Theory4
MDES1110Engineering Drawings with SolidWorks4
MDES1210Process & Tool Design Lab5
MDES1230Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerances4
MDES2130Advanced SolidWorks4
MDES2110Product Design Lab5
MDES2120Product Design Theory4
MDES2230Statics & Strength of Materials4
MDES1220Creo Parametric4
MDES2210Transmission of Power Lab5
MDES2220Transmission of Power Theory4
Total Credits70

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
MACH1110 Machine Tool Fundamentals Lab 5
MACH1120 Machine Tool Fundamentals Theory 4
MDES1110 Engineering Drawings with SolidWorks 4
MATH1010 Algebra I 3
 Credits16
 Total Credits16
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
SpringCredits
MDES1210 Process & Tool Design Lab 5
MDES1230 Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerances 4
MDES2130 Advanced SolidWorks 4
MATH1020 Algebra II 3
Communications 3
 Credits19
 Total Credits19
Plan of Study Grid
Second Year
FallCredits
MDES2110 Product Design Lab 5
MDES2120 Product Design Theory 4
MDES2230 Statics & Strength of Materials 4
Humanities 3
General Science Elective 3
 Credits19
 Total Credits19
Plan of Study Grid
Second Year
SpringCredits
MDES1220 Creo Parametric 4
MDES2210 Transmission of Power Lab 5
MDES2220 Transmission of Power Theory 4
Social Science 3
 Credits16
 Total Credits16

Descriptions

MACH1110 | Machine Tool Fundamentals Lab | Laboratory (5 Credits)

Manufacturing of parts through layout and bench work, includes the use of band saws, drill presses, surface grinders, manual lathes and vertical mills. Basic principles in metal-cutting technology includes threading, tapers, knurling, boring, radii cutting and milling procedures such as squaring stock, the use of rotary table and the many other milling and turning operations.

Corequisite(s): MACH1120

MACH1120 | Machine Tool Fundamentals Theory | Lecture (4 Credits)

Identification, recognition and calculations associated with basic principles in metal-cutting technology including machine feeds and speeds, threading, tapers, knurling, boring, radii cutting and milling and turning procedures.

Corequisite(s): MACH1110

MDES1110 | Engineering Drawings with SolidWorks | Lecture (4 Credits)

Creation of 3D solid models, assemblies and related engineering documentation using SolidWorks. Blueprint reading and application of ASME/ANSI standards to CAD drawings.

MDES1210 | Process & Tool Design Lab | Laboratory (5 Credits)

Distinguish modern manufacturing processes such as molding, welding, heat treating, and machining; identify typical materials, tools, and required equipment. Analysis of process-specific capabilities such as tolerance, surface finish, cost effectiveness, and geometry restrictions.

Prerequisite(s): MACH1110

MDES1230 | Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerances | Lecture (4 Credits)

Principles of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing in the context of engineering and manufacturing. Application of principles using coordinate measurement machines.

Prerequisite(s): MDES1110

MDES2130 | Advanced SolidWorks | Lecture (4 Credits)

Simulation (Finite Element Analysis) and advanced surface modeling techniques. Culminates in testing for CSWA certification.

Prerequisite(s): MDES1110

MDES2110 | Product Design Lab | Laboratory (5 Credits)

Introduction to product design methods and concepts; converting product ideas and requirements into working designs. Design balance and relation to concepts such as aesthetics, performance, ergonomics and manufacturability.

Prerequisite(s): MDES1210

Corequisite(s): MDES2120

MDES2120 | Product Design Theory | Lecture (4 Credits)

Integrate methods and concepts of product design to actual designs of simple products. Determine design parameters, develop product opinions, narrow the focus for balance, and document the final design.

Corequisite(s): MDES2110

MDES2230 | Statics & Strength of Materials | Lecture (4 Credits)

Fundamentals of statics and strength of materials. Development of techniques and mathematical methods used in design. Problem solving includes statics, direct stress, strength of materials, indirect stress, torsional stress and combined stress.

Prerequisite(s): MDES2130

MDES1220 | Creo Parametric | Lecture (4 Credits)

Create solid models, assemblies and engineering documentation using Creo Parametric. Apply fits and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing to models and drawings.

MDES2210 | Transmission of Power Lab | Laboratory (5 Credits)

Design and draw projects with applications of gears, chains, bearings, cams, motors, clutches, cylinders, fluid and mechanical power transmission, robots and automation. Design resolution incorporating; project management, project selection, product design, calculations, design analysis, documentation, technical communications, quality and presentation.

Prerequisite(s): MDES2110

Corequisite(s): MDES2220

MDES2220 | Transmission of Power Theory | Lecture (4 Credits)

Identification, recognition and calculations associated with components of machines; mechanical and fluid power transmission, motors, clutches, gears, chains, bearings, cams, robots and automation. Design resolution incorporating; project management, project selection, product design, calculations, design analysis, documentation, technical communications, quality and presentation.

Prerequisite(s): MDES2120

Corequisite(s): MDES2210

MATH1010 | Algebra I | Lecture (3 Credits)

Foundational algebra is applied the in the context of geometry and trigonometry. Topics include rules of exponents, simplifying expressions, solving equations, computing measurements of two and three dimensional shapes, solving right triangles, and solving oblique triangles.

General Education: Mathematics

MATH1020 | Algebra II | Lecture (3 Credits)

Algebraic and trigonometric skills are developed further. Topics include, functions, graphing, factoring, advanced solving techniques, systems of linear equations, coordinate trigonometry, and vectors.

Prerequisite(s): MATH1010

General Education: Mathematics