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.

Mechanical Technology:
Mechanical Design & Drafting

Curriculum Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 71 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

Mechanical Design & Drafting Technology

  • TECH 101 Materials and Processes I
  • TECH 104 Materials and Processes II
  • TECH 205 Engineering Drawing III
  • TECH 206 Engineering Drawing IV
  • TECH 217 Dynamics and Strength of Materials
  • TECH 220 Machine Design I
  • TECH 221 Machine Design II

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
  • TECH 122 Electronics Theory I

Approved Technology Electives

6 credit hours from the following:

  • TECH 123 Digital Electronics
  • TECH 219 3D AutoCAD
  • TECH 250 Technology Co-Op

Health/Physical Education Elective

  • 4 credit hours

Mechanical Technology:
Mechanical Design & Drafting

Sample Schedule

The schedule below shows how the requirements for the A.A.S. Mechanical Technology: Mechanical 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: Mechanical 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)
  • ECT 122 Electronics Theory I (3)
  • TECH 101 Materials and Processes I (3)

Second Semester (19 Credit hours)

  • Math Elective (3)
  • PHY 118 College Physics I (4)
  • ENG 102 Introduction to Literature (3)
  • TECH 106 Engineering Drawing II (2D AutoCAD) (3)
  • TECH 104 Materials and Processes II (3)
  • Social Science Elective (3)

Third Semester (18 Credit hours)

  • PHY 119 College Physics II (4)
  • TECH 216 Statics and Strength of Materials (3)
  • TECH 220 Machine Design I (3)
  • TECH 205 Engineering Drawing III (3)
  • Tech Elective (3)
  • Health/Physical Education Elective (2)

Fourth Semester (17 Credit hours)

  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • TECH 217 Dynamics and Strength of Materials (3)
  • TECH 221 Machine Design II (3)
  • TECH 206 Engineering Drawing IV (3)
  • Tech Elective (3)
  • Health/Physical Education Elective (2)