Architectural and Engineering Design Technology

Architectural and Engineering Design Technology

Certificate

This specialization is designed to provide a pathway to the fields of architectural, visual and civil engineering technologies. Students take basic courses that introduce them to a wide range of disciplines in the design-build community. In addition, students are introduced to architecture through an academic course and provided an opportunity to transfer credit to a four-year institution.

Specialization: Architectural and Visual Technology

Certificate and Associate of Applied Science

This program prepares students for careers in the design, building and general business sectors. Students learn to communicate design solutions for architects, engineers, builders and development companies through construction documents and numerous 2D and 3D visualizations. Students are trained in various industry standard software including AutoCad, Revit, Lumion, Photoshop and Illustrator. Upon completion of this program, students will be skilled in emerging technologies such as 3D printing, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Visual and Augmented Reality and advanced graphic techniques. In addition, students are introduced to architecture through several academic courses and provided an opportunity to transfer credit to a four-year institution.

Specialization: Civil Engineering Technology

Certificate and Associate of Applied Science

This degree is designed to assist students in preparing architectural, structural and civil construction documents for commercial, industrial and civil projects. Students are trained in various industry standard software including AutoCad, Revit, Microstation and Civil 3D to produce construction documents. They develop skills in the production of working/study models, Building Information Modeling (BIM), 3D printing and through specialized courses learn basic civil engineering technologies and surveying techniques. In addition, students are introduced to architecture through several academic courses and provided an opportunity to transfer credit to a four-year institution.

Program Learning Outcomes

Architectural and Engineering Design Technology Certificate

1. Graduates will use CAD hardware and software to create, organize, display, and plot/print working drawings.
2. Graduates will identify the importance and use of symbols, terminology, and standard abbreviations in construction documents.
3. Graduates will be able to describe professions in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.

1. Graduates will apply fundamental visualization skills in architectural projects.
2. Graduates will prepare multimedia presentations of architectural projects.
3. Graduates will identify the importance and use of symbols, terminology, and standard abbreviation in construction documents.

1. Graduates will be able to apply advanced methods and technologies in architectural visualization.
2. Graduates will utilize digital efficiency to increase productivity in visualization projects.
3. Graduates will utilize advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) techniques to design, evaluate, and render architectural building components.
4. Graduates will apply industry standards to produce a complete project and/or a portfolio in a prescribed discipline.
5. Graduates will demonstrate proficiency in the application of drafting concepts, skills and best practices in the workforce.

1. Graduates will apply fundamental drafting skills to create basic maps and drawings in the civil engineering discipline.
2. Graduates will perform related calculations and error adjustments on measurements.
3. Graduates will prepare civil engineering-related plans, models, and basic calculations.

1. Graduates will apply advanced methods and technologies in civil engineering related projects.
2. Graduates will utilize drone technology in the development of projects.
3. Graduates will utilize advanced drafting skills to design various structural construction plans.
4. Graduates will apply industry standards to produce a complete project and/or a portfolio in a prescribed discipline.
5. Graduates will demonstrate proficiency in the application of drafting concepts, skills and best practices in the workforce.

Advisory Committee Members

Hugo Avila, PE, Senior Project Manager, Associate, DBR Engineering Consultants
Yvette Barrera, PE, CFM, Assistant District General Manager, Hidalgo County Drainage District 1
Sergio Castillo, Production Manager, Sam Garcia Architects
​Alfonso Soto, PE, D.GE, F.ASCE, Senior Principal, Terracon
Katrin Leonard, PE, Vice President, Raba-Kistner Consultants, Inc.
Andres Vela, AIA, Senior Associate, BRW Architects
Heriberto Cavazos, PE, Partner, Green, Rubiano & Associates
Erica Salinas, RID, NCIDQ, PBK Architects

Certificates

• Architectural and Engineering Design Technology Certificate
• Architectural and Visual Technology Certificate
• Civil Engineering Technology Certificate

Associate Degrees

• Architectural and Engineering Design Technology 
  • Specialization: Architectural and Visual Technology Associate of Applied Science
  • Specialization: Civil Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science

Architectural and Engineering Design Technology Certificate

TSI Exempt

100% Online

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credit Hours
DFTG 1409	Basic Computer-Aided Drafting	4
DFTG 1315	Architectural Blueprint Reading	3
ARCH 1311	Introduction to Architecture	3
ARCE 1421	Architectural Illustration 1	4
DFTG 1470	Introduction to Civil Drafting	4
	Credit Hours	18
	Total Credit Hours	18

¹

Capstone: Successfully passing ARCE 1421 Architectural Illustration.

Architectural and Visual Technology Certificate

TSI Exempt

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credit Hours
DFTG 1409	Basic Computer-Aided Drafting	4
DFTG 1315	Architectural Blueprint Reading	3
ARCH 1311	Introduction to Architecture	3
ARCE 1421	Architectural Illustration	4
	Credit Hours	14
Spring
DFTG 2419	Intermediate Computer-Aided Drafting	4
INDS 1445	Commercial Design I	4
DFTG 2428	Capstone: Architectural Drafting-Commercial	4
	Credit Hours	12
	Total Credit Hours	26

Civil Engineering Technology Certificate

TSI Exempt

Plan of Study Grid

Fall		Credit Hours
DFTG 1409	Basic Computer-Aided Drafting	4
DFTG 1315	Architectural Blueprint Reading	3
ARCH 1311	Introduction to Architecture	3
DFTG 1470	Introduction to Civil Drafting	4
	Credit Hours	14
Spring
DFTG 2419	Intermediate Computer-Aided Drafting	4
SRVY 1413	Plane Surveying	4
DFTG 1430	Civil Drafting I 1	4
	Credit Hours	12
	Total Credit Hours	26

¹

Capstone: Successfully passing DFTG 1430 Civil Drafting I.

Architectural & Engineering Design Technology

Specialization: Architectural and Visual Technology Associate of Applied Science

TSI Liable

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
DFTG 1409	Basic Computer-Aided Drafting	4
DFTG 1315	Architectural Blueprint Reading	3
ARCH 1311	Introduction to Architecture	3
ARCE 1421	Architectural Illustration	4
	Credit Hours	14
Spring
DFTG 2419	Intermediate Computer-Aided Drafting	4
INDS 1445	Commercial Design I	4
DFTG 2428	Capstone: Architectural Drafting-Commercial	4
	Credit Hours	12
Summer
Math Elective 1		3
ENGL 1301	Composition I 1	3
	Credit Hours	6
Second Year
Fall
DFTG 1441	Intermediate Technical Animation and Rendering	4
PHTC 2431	Architectural Photography	4
ARCH 1301	Architectural History I 1	3
DFTG 2331	Advanced Technologies in Architectural Design and Drafting	3
	Credit Hours	14
Spring
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective 1		3
ARCH 1302	Architectural History II 1	3
DFTG 2438	Final Project - Advanced Drafting	4
DFTG 1480	Cooperative Education	4
	Credit Hours	14
	Total Credit Hours	60

¹

Identifies courses to fulfill minimum 15 credit hour General Education requirement 

Architectural & Engineering Design Technology 

Specialization: Civil Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science

TSI Liable

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
DFTG 1409	Basic Computer-Aided Drafting	4
DFTG 1315	Architectural Blueprint Reading	3
ARCH 1311	Introduction to Architecture	3
DFTG 1470	Introduction to Civil Drafting	4
	Credit Hours	14
Spring
DFTG 2419	Intermediate Computer-Aided Drafting	4
SRVY 1413	Plane Surveying	4
DFTG 1430	Civil Drafting I	4
	Credit Hours	12
Summer
Math Elective 1		3
ENGL 1301	Composition I 1	3
	Credit Hours	6
Second Year
Fall
ARCE 1452	Structural Drafting	4
ARCH 1301	Architectural History I 1	3
DFTG 2470	Civil Drafting II	4
DFTG 2371	Civil Drafting Visualization	3
	Credit Hours	14
Spring
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective 1		3
ARCH 1302	Architectural History II 1	3
DFTG 2438	Final Project - Advanced Drafting 2	4
DFTG 1480	Cooperative Education	4
	Credit Hours	14
	Total Credit Hours	60

¹

Identifies courses to fulfill minimum 15 credit hour General Education requirement 

²

Capstone: Successfully passing DFTG 2438 Final Project - Advanced Drafting.