Mechanical Technology: Architectural Design & Drafting

The Degree

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S)

The Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor forecasts growth for the field of architectural design and drafting through the year 2010. Those who have completed at least two years of post-secondary training and have developed strong technical skills and experience using CAD systems will be well qualified for the many opportunities that are anticipated. The A.A.S. Architectural Design and Drafting degree at Finger Lakes is designed to provide you with the skills and experience to compete in today’s job market.

The Program

The Mechanical Technology: Architectural Design & Drafting degree provides knowledge and technical experience that allows students to advance beyond entry-level drafting to more complex designs. Instruction emphasizes technical competence and utilizes computer-aided drafting (CAD). The faculty work closely with architectural firms in the area to assure the program meets the needs of the architectural community.

Technology: The CAD Lab offers twelve networked Pentium PCs with 17-inch, high-resolution monitors utilizing state-of-the-art software, including AutoCAD, Inventor, Architectural Desktop, Viz Render, and Microsoft Office. Networked output devices include a laser printer, large format color plotter, and a color printer.

The Drafting Lab is equipped with eight networked Pentium PCs with 17-inch, high-resolution monitors utilizing the same software as the CAD Lab. Networked output devices include a laser printer.

Honors Courses: In addition, the College offers honors courses that provide enhanced educational experiences for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in honors courses is open to qualified students enrolled in this degree program, as well as all other qualified FLCC students. Successful completion of honors courses or an Honors Certificate may increase student transfer options to four-year institutions.

Our Science Studies Certificate is an option if you are a recent high school graduate or a returning student preparing for a career in science and technology and entering a two-year degree program.

The Scholarships

The Bill Parham Memorial and Mobil Science Scholarships are given annually to FLCC students meeting the specific criteria of the awards. For details, contact a member of the Science/Technology departments.

The Experience

Classroom assignments and projects have been developed to simulate tasks that would likely be encountered in an office setting. During the fall semester, second-year architectural design students work on a residential project. They begin by developing a design concept for a small house and present their idea to classmates, FLCC faculty, and visiting critics. Students complete the semester by producing a set of construction drawings for the residence.

During the spring semester, second-year architectural design students work on a larger, more complex commercial project. Starting with a collection of architect’s sketches, students solve technical problems and transform the sketches into construction drawings.

Local Resources: Students enhance their FLCC experience by visiting local architectural and engineering design firms and touring facilities that manufacture, fabricate, or sell construction related materials. Manufacturer’s representatives also visit classrooms to share the most recent technical information on selected products.

At the conclusion of their course of study, architectural design students will have a greater understanding of the issues, objectives, and constraints related to residential and commercial design. They will also possess a fundamental set of skills and strategies for addressing these design issues. Students will understand how to read and assemble a set of construction drawings and will be ready to make a valuable contribution to the architecture and construction related fields.

Internships/Cooperative Education: Architectural design students may also participate in the internship / co-op program. Students who choose to pursue this opportunity will work in a design environment as a drafter, designer, inspector, or similar position for a portion of the year. They will perform a variety of work assignments under the supervision of design professionals and are required to submit periodic written reports.An on-site mentor and Finger Lakes faculty review the work performed.

Co-op students will be paid by the firm and will receive class credit. Each assignment is individually planned and work commitments vary. Participating students will require a recommendation from their Finger Lakes faculty advisor prior to being accepted into the program and should contact their advisor for additional details.

The Graduates

Graduates of this program have found employment with architectural or engineering design firms, manufacturers and retailers of building-related products, or with construction management companies.

Students may continue for two additional years for degrees in Construction Management or Architectural Engineering Technology. Typical schools our graduates transfer to are Rochester Institute of Technology (civil technology), SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse, and Alfred State College.*

Salary: According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, architectural drafters earn average annual salaries of approximately $33,860.

* This is a sampling of some of the four-year colleges and universities to which our students have transferred. Please consult your advisor or the Center for Advisement and Personal Development for a complete listing of transfer agreements between Finger Lakes Community College and four-year institutions.

The Faculty

The lead teacher and advisor for all students in the program, Todd Marsh, holds a Master's in Architecture degree from SUNY Buffalo, and has been a licensed and registered architect in New York since 2002. Todd is a member of the American Institute of Architects, and brings his interest in energy efficient and environmentally friendly design to student projects.

Mechanical Technology: Architectural Design & Drafting

Curriculum Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 72 semester hours with a grade point average of not less than C (2.0).

All associate degree programs require English 101 Freshman English and English 102 Introduction to Literature. Students must pass skills assessment for entrance into these courses. Students who are well prepared may substitute ENG 104 English I Honors and ENG 105 English II Honors for ENG101 and ENG102. Students who are considering the English Honors sequence should consult the Director of Honors.

All technology students take a common core of courses during the first semester along with an introductory course in their chosen degree program. After the first semester, it is possible for the student to transfer from one degree program to another without loss of credit.

Students must successfully complete the following core courses:

Humanities

  • ENG101 Freshman English and ENG 102 Introduction to Literature
    or
    ENG104 English I Honors and ENG105 English II Honors

Social Science

  • 6 credit hours

Mathematics
6 credit hours from the following electives:

  • MAT 145 College Algebra
  • MAT 152 Pre-Calculus
  • MAT 271 Calculus I
  • MAT 272 Calculus II

Physics

  • PHY 118 College Physics I and PHY 119 College Physics II
    OR
    PHY 151 General Physics I and PHY 152 General Physics II

Architectural Design & Drafting

  • TECH 130 Construction Materials
  • TECH 242 Construction Management
  • TECH 244 Residential Design & Drafting
  • TECH 246 Commercial Design & Drafting
  • TECH 248 Structural Design
  • TECH 249 Building Mechanical Systems
  • TECH 260 Construction Estimation

Technology

  • TECH 105 Engineering Drawing I
  • TECH 106 Engineering Drawing II (2D AutoCAD)
  • TECH 115 Technology Freshman Seminar
  • TECH 216 Statics and Strength of Materials
  • ECT 120 Electronics Theory I

Approved Technology Electives
3 credit hours from the following:

  • TECH 219 3D AutoCAD
  • TECH 250 Technology Co-Op

General Electives

  • 3 credit hours of general electives

Health/Physical Education Elective

  • 4 credit hours of health/physical education elective

Mechanical Technology: Architectural Design & Drafting

Sample Schedule

The schedule below shows how the requirements for the A.A.S. Mechanical Technology: Architectural Design & Drafting degree may be completed in four semesters. This schedule is an example of one of many possible different schedules. It is included here only as an illustration of the type of schedule that might be followed by a full-time student. Many students attending Finger Lakes Community College who have work and/or family obligations choose a different sequence of courses and take more than four semesters to fulfill the requirements for the A.A.S. Mechanical Technology: Architectural Design & Drafting degree. An evening sequence designed for qualified part-time students is available. Students should consult their advisor when they plan their schedule. All technology students at Finger Lakes take the same core courses in their first semester. This enhances your understanding of all technologies, and gives you the opportunity to explore different areas of technology without loss of credit.

First Semester (17 Credit Hours)

  • ENG 101 Freshman English (3)
  • Math Elective (3)
  • TECH 115 Technology Freshman Seminar (2)
  • TECH 105 Engineering Drawing I (3)
  • ECO 120 Electronics Theory I (3)
  • TECH 130 Construction Materials (3)

Second Semester (18 Credit Hours)

  • Math Elective (3)
  • PSY 118 College Physics I (4)
  • ENG 102 Introduction to Literature (3)
  • TECH 106 Engineering Drawing II (2D AutoCAD) (3)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • Health/Physical Education Elective (2)

Third Semester (18 Credit Hours)

  • PHY 119 College Physics II (4)
  • TECH 216 Statics and Strength of Materials (3)
  • TECH 242 Construction Management (3)
  • TECH 244 Residential Design & Drafting (3)
  • Tech Elective (3)
  • Health/Physical Education Elective (2)

Fourth Semester (19 Credit Hours)

  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • TECH 246 Commercial Design & Drafting (3)
  • TECH 248 Structural Design (4)
  • TECH 249 Building Mechanical Systems (3)
  • TECH 260 Construction Estimation (3)
  • General Elective (3)