Available Courses

Below is a list of all courses the A&E CAD department currently has to offer. Please use the filters above the list to filter down to the courses you are most interested in by specialization.

If you see a course below that you are interested in but it is not being offered in the current course schedule, please contact Stacey Ong-Thai to find out when it will be available next. You may contact Stacey via email at tong@austincc.edu or by phone at (512) 223-4841.

Current Semester Course Schedule: 2022 – Fall Semester

Next Semester Course Schedule: 2023 – Spring Semester

A study of structural systems including concrete foundations and frames, wood framing and trusses, and structural steel framing systems. Includes detailing of concrete, wood, and steel to meet industry standards including the American Institute of Steel Construction and The American Concrete Institute.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1417 and DFTG 2431.

The properties of building materials (assemblies), specifications, codes, vendor references, and uses of mechanical, plumbing, conveying, and electrical systems as they relate to architecture for residential and commercial construction.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1417 and DFTG 2431.

Part one of a survey of the history of world architecture from pre-history to the present. This course focuses on the period from pre-history up to at least the 14th Century. Course is intended to fulfill all or part of the following National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria: A.7 History and Global Culture.

Prerequisite(s): None

Part two of a survey of the history of world architecture from pre-history to the present. This course focuses on the period of neo-classicism up to the modern era. Course is intended to fulfill all or part of the following National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria: A.7: History and Global Culture.

Prerequisite(s): None

An introductory studio providing foundation in the conceptual, perceptual, and manual skills necessary for two-dimensional and three-dimensional design. Course is intended to fulfill all or part of the following National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria: A.1 Professional Communication Skills; A.2 Design Thinking Skills; A.4 Architectural Design Skills; A.5 Ordering Systems.

Prerequisite(s): None

Creative problem solving and presentation of principles, concepts and ideas as applied to introductory architectural projects. Course is intended to fulfill all or part of the following National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria: A.1 Professional Communication Skills; A.2 Design Thinking Skills; A.4 Architectural Design Skills; and A.5 Ordering Systems.

Prerequisite(s): ARCH 1303.

Introduction to basic drawing methods and tools. Exploration of techniques available for the design process with emphasis on two-dimensional and three-dimensional composition. Course is intended to fulfill all or part of the following National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria: A.1 Professional Communication Skills.

Prerequisite(s): None

Continuation of the study, methodology, and production of architectural drawings. Exploration of techniques available for the design process with emphasis on three- dimensional composition both analog and digital. Course is intended to fulfill all or part of the following National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria: A.1 Professional Communication Skills; A.5 Ordering Systems.

Prerequisite(s): ARCH 1307.

An introduction to architecture that explores the practices, principles, and wider context of architecture and design. Focuses on the role of architecture in society, culture, and the broader physical context of the built environment. Course is intended to fulfill all or part of the following National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria: A.8 Cultural Diversity and Social Equity; D.1 Stakeholder Roles in Architecture.

Prerequisite(s): None

Effective use of representational media, computer aided design, and digital media to engage formal, organizational, and environmental principles. Emphasis on the appropriate media to inform two-dimensional and three-dimensional design based upon the conventions of architectural graphic communication. Course is intended to fulfill all or part of the following National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria: A.1 Professional Communication Skills; A.4 Architecture Design Skills.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405.

Introduction to materials and methods in the design and construction of buildings. Course is intended to fulfill all or part of the following National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria: B.7 Building Envelope Systems and Assemblies; B.8 Building Materials and Assemblies.

Prerequisite(s): ARCH 1311.

An intermediate architectural design studio which continues and expands the study of concepts from Architectural Design II. The course is intended to fulfill all or part of each of the following 2014 National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria: A.4 Architectural Design Skills; A.6 Use of Precedents; and B.2 Site Design.

Prerequisite(s): ARCH 1304 and ARCH 1308.

A concluding architectural design studio for the lower-division that continues from Architectural Design III. Course is intended to fulfill all or part of each of the following 2014 National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Student Performance Criteria: B.1 Pre-Design; B.3 Codes and Regulations; and B.5 Structural Systems.

Prerequisite(s): ARCH 2603.

An introduction to reading, interpreting, and developing technical drawings, including the principles of drafting and computer-aided design.

Prerequisite(s): None

Preparation of architectural drawings for residential structures with emphasis on light frame construction methods, including architectural drafting procedures, practices, terms, and symbols.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405.

A basic course including layout and design of electro-mechanical equipment from engineering notes and sketches.

This section is cross-listed as ENGR 1304 – Engineering Graphics.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1433.

Preparation of civil drawings including drafting methods and principles used in civil engineering.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405.

Preparation of mechanical drawings including dimensioning and tolerances, sectioning techniques, orthographic projection, and pictorial drawings.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405.

Electrical and electronic drawings stressing modern representation used for block diagrams, schematic diagrams, logic diagrams, wiring/assembly drawings, printed circuit board layouts, motor control diagrams, power distribution diagrams, and electrical one-line diagrams. An introduction to schematics, logic diagrams and electro/mechanical design. Study of electronic symbols and the use of industrial standards.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405 or instructional program chair approval.

This is an advanced level course that builds on the concepts and principles learned in earlier civil drafting courses, with emphasis on hydrology and hydraulics as they relate to storm water analysis, management and design. Students will implement local jurisdiction design criteria in the creation of construction drawings for storm drainage systems, while utilizing industry standard CAD software.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1430 and DFTG 2421.

This is an advanced level course that builds on the concepts and principles learned in earlier civil drafting courses. Topics include conceptual Illustration, 3D visualization, rendering and presentation of civil engineering infrastructure projects.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1430 and DFTG 2421.

Drafting Portfolio – Architectural and Engineering Computer Aided Design’s capstone course. Particular attention is given to the development of a portfolio suitable for job hunting in the Architectural and Engineering CAD field.

Prerequisite(s): Advanced students only or instructional program chair approval. Students must attend orientation.

This course is designed to build on the knowledge and skills acquired in DFTG 2413 and DFTG 2433. This course offers in-depth coverage of complex topics including standard cell libraries, datapath design and layout, analog circuits. There will be an in-depth exploration of the tool environments: Virtuoso library / technology setup, and verification tools including Diva, Dracula and Calibre. Students will be introduced to schematic Composer, Virtuoso XL and the basics of Cadence Skill programming.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 2433 or departmental/instructor approval.

Production of detail and assembly drawings of machines, threads, gears, utilizing tolerances, limit dimensioning, and surface finishes. This course is a study of machine design dimensioning and tolerancing (including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) using ASME/ANSI and ISO standards. Also, an introduction to producing part drawings from parametric solid models is provided.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1433 or instructor’s approval.

Course includes single-sided and double-sided printed circuit board design, emphasizing the drawings, standards, and processes required to layout printed circuit board and manufacturing documentation.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405 or instructional program chair approval. CETT 1403 is recommended.

The study of layout and design of integrated circuits.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405 or instructional program chair approval.

A continuation of practices and techniques in computer-aided design including the development and use of prototype drawings, construction of pictorial drawings, extracting data, and basics of 3D.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405.

Plotting of surveyor’s field notes. Includes drawing elevations, contour lines, plan and profiles, and laying out traverses. This course is an intermediate course in design principles, drafting, and BIM applications for Civil infrastructure. Utilizing industry standard CAD software, including Civil 3D and others.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405.

Preparation of architectural drawings for commercial structures with emphasis on construction methods, including architectural drafting procedures, practices, governing codes, accessibility requirements, terms and symbols.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1417 and DFTG 2431.

Use of architectural specific software to execute the elements required in designing standard architectural exhibits utilizing custom features to create walls, windows and specific design requirements for construction in residential/commercial and industrial architecture. Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405.

Implementation of advanced techniques in the design of complex integrated circuits; projects require students to use multiple sets of design rules meeting industrial standards of current technologies.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 2413.

A computer-aided solid modeling course. Development of three-dimensional drawings and models from engineering sketches and orthographic drawings and utilization of three-dimensional models in design work.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 2402.

This is an intermediate level course with emphasis on drafting and design of water and wastewater systems for civil infrastructure. Topics include pressurized and gravity systems. Students will implement local jurisdiction design criteria in the creation of construction drawings, while utilizing industry standard CAD software, including Civil 3D and others.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1430 and DFTG 2421.

This is an advanced level course with emphasis on transportation projects. Students will create construction drawings based on concepts and principles learned in previous courses. Students will implement local jurisdiction design criteria while utilizing industry standard software including Microstation, Geopak and others.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1430 and DFTG 2421.

A study of Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software which is used to develop applications for manufacturing. Emphasis on tool geometry, tool selection, and the tool library. This class also focuses on introductory manufacturing methods used with CNC equipment as well as the basic setup and use of those machines.

Prerequisite(s): DFTG 1405.

Advanced techniques in Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM). This advanced level class will focus on more advanced levels of manufacturing processes utilizing CNC equipment as well as the setup and operation of those machines. It will focus on CAD software used to develop 2D and 3D toolpaths to drive these machines. Emphasis on mill and lathe as well as quality control and inspection.

Prerequisite(s): MCHN 1426.