Mechanical Technology:
Mechanical 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 mechanical 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. Mechanical Design and Drafting degree at Finger Lakes Community College is designed to provide you with the skills and experience required to build a successful and rewarding career.
The Program
The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Mechanical Technology: Mechanical Design & Drafting provides knowledge and technical experience that enables you to advance beyond entry-level drafting tasks to more complex designs. Instruction emphasizes developing your technical competence and utilizes computer-aided drafting (CAD).
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: 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 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.
The Experience
Internships: An optional second-year and summer internship/co-op program gives you an opportunity to work in a manufacturing environment as a drafter, designer, or inspector for a period of four to five months. You will perform a variety of work assignments alongside professional staff members. An on-site mentor and FLCC faculty review the work performed, with required additional written reports by the student. Students will be paid by the firm and will also pay tuition and receive credit. Each assignment is individually planned, and work commitments vary. All participating students will require a recommendation from their Finger Lakes faculty advisor prior to being accepted in the program.
Field Trips: Students in the program take several trips to manufacturing facilities to observe glass processing, die casting, screw machines, and extrusion of plastics. In addition, you can expect to have hands-on experience with lathes, mills, and welding. Second-year students design and manufacture a project in teams with engineering science students.
The Graduates
Some graduates choose to continue their studies in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Electro-Mechanical Technology at four-year colleges and universities such as SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Alfred State College, among others.*
Salary: According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, mechanical drafters earn an average annual salary of approximately $36,000.
Careers: Approximately forty percent of drafters work in engineering and architectural services firms that design construction projects or do other engineering work on a contract basis. Another 29 percent work in manufacturing industries such as machinery, electrical equipment, and fabricated metals, while the remainder are employed mostly in construction. Graduates of the program have found employment at companies such as Eastman Kodak, Xerox, G.W. Lisk, H.M. Cross, Cliftronics, and ExxonMobil in a variety of occupations including drafter, designer, technician, inspector, and technical sales representative.
* 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 Scholarships
For students meeting specific criteria, a mechanical technology scholarship is offered by G.W. Lisk Corporation Inc. For details, contact a member of the Science/Technology Department or the Financial Aid Office.
The Faculty
Marsha Walton, Associate Professor of Mechanical Technology, has ten- plus years of experience as a professor and 7 years of experience as an engineer with government and industry. She received her BS & MS in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. In addition, Mrs. Walton is licensed as a Professional Engineer with the State of Michigan. Mrs. Walton coordinates the Engineering Science, Architectural Technology, and Mechanical Technology programs at FLCC. Her teaching areas include CAD, engineering graphics, engineering mechanics, and freshman seminar for technology students.
