Drafting | Irvine Valley College

Drafting | Irvine Valley College
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Integrated Design, Engineering & Automation
Drafting
The IVC Drafting Program is designed to help students gain computer-aided design skills that are in demand across a wide array of technical fields including engineering, architectural design, and land development.  In as little as one semester, students can learn the fundamentals of an industry standard CAD program and can greatly enhance their existing skillsets or gain access to a diverse job market with outstanding opportunities for long term growth.
View Transfer Options, Degrees & Certificates
The IVC Drafting Program is designed to assist students in developing computer-aided design (CAD) skills for businesses involving manufacturing, construction, testing and design. Students receive advanced training on industry standard CAD programs such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, Revit, and Civil3D.  Additional instruction is provided covering basic terminology, object identification, and modern business practices. Students are typically provided with free educational versions of software programs for home use and certification exams are available both online and through our testing center.  Professions which utilize computer-aided drafting skills include mechanical engineering, civil engineering and land development, electrical drafting, and architectural drafting with building information modeling (BIM).
Program Length
The average time to completion for our Certificate of Achievement Award or AS Degree is approximately 4 semesters, or two years.
The average time to completion for one of our Certificates of Proficiency is approximately 3 semesters, or 18 months.
Transfer Options
The IVC drafting certificates have been designed to allow students to not only develop employable drafting skills, but prepare for university transfer as well.  All courses within the Drafting Program maintain articulation agreements with our university partners, including UC Irvine, CalPoly Pomona, and Cal State Fullerton.  Additionally, all drafting certificates contain a significant number of transferable engineering courses.  This flexible design creates a direct pathway for students who wish to use their drafting courses as a foundation for completing our Engineering AS Degree and then transfer into a university engineering program.
Program Specific Support
Students enrolled in the Drafting Program enjoy a wide array of instructional services and benefits.  All classes are currently offered within the dedicated learning facility at the ATEP campus where students have access to three advanced computer labs, a full machine shop, a wide array of highly advanced pieces of equipment, and dedicated faculty and staff members who specialize in STEM based education.  Additionally, students who are interested in transfer programs will find that the college has one of the first dedicated transfer agreements in California through the IVC-UCI Engineering Academy.
Department
Drafting Technology and Engineering Department
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Drafting Technology and Engineering Department Contact
949-367-8301
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IVC at ATEP, Room IDEA 205
Department Chair
Matthew Wolken
Transfer, Degrees and/or Certificates
Sample Academic Plans
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
AS GE Area/Major
Units
ENGL C1000 (WR 1)
Academic Reading and Writing
1A
Communication/Thinking
Communication/Analytical Thinking GE Course
1B
3-4
ENGR 21
Introduction to Engineering and Technology
Major
DR 50
Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting
Major
Elective
Degree Applicable Elective
Major
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
AS GE Area/Major
Units
ENGR 23
Engineering Graphics and Descriptive Geometry
Major
ENGR 7
Introduction to Engineering Methods
Major
MATH 2 or Math 3A
Pre-Calculus or Analytic Geometry and Calculus
ETHNIC STUDIES
Ethnic Studies GE Course
Summer
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
AS GE Area/Major
Units
CHEM 1A
General Chemistry I
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
AS GE Area/Major
Units
DR 103
Introduction to Architectural Drafting
Major
ENGR 83
Computer-Aided Design Techniques
Major
Physics 4A
General Physics
Arts/Humanities
Arts or Humanities GE Course
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
AS GE Area/Major
Units
DR 52 or ENGR 25
Engineering Drawing and Design or Civil3D CAD
Major
SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
Social or Behavioral Sciences GE Course
Elective
Degree Applicable Elective
Major
Elective
Degree Applicable Elective
Major
Elective
Degree Applicable Elective
Major
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
Units
DR 50
Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting
ENGR 21
Introduction to Engineering and Technology
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
Units
ENGR 23
Engineering Graphics and Descriptive Geometry
ENGR 54 *
Principals of Materials Science and Engineering
Semester 3
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
Units
DR 103
Introduction to Architectural Drafting
ENGR 83
Computer-Aided Design Techniques
Semester 4
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
Units
DR 52
Engineering Drawing and Design
ENGR 54*
Principals of Materials Science and Engineering
Note: This sample academic plan shows additional units for this certificate as compared to the IVC catalog due to prerequisite requirements.
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
UNITS
ENGR 21
Introduction to Engineering and Technology
ENGR 23
Engineering Graphics and Descriptive Geometry
DR 103
Introduction to Architectural Drafting
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
UNITS
ENGR 25
3D Civil Computer-Aided Design
GEOG 12
Introduction to Digital Mapping
Semester 1
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
Units
ENGR 21
Introduction to Engineering and Technology
DR 50
Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting
DR 52
Engineering Drawing and Design
Semester 2
Sample Educational Plan for a single term.
Course
Title
Units
ENGR 7
Introduction to Engineering Methods
ENGR 83
Computer-Aided Design Techniques
AA
= Associate of Arts  |
AS
= Associate of Science  |
AA-T
= Associate of Arts for Transfer  |
AS-T
= Associate of Science for Transfer  |
COA
= Certificate of Achievement  |
COC
= Certificate of Completion  |
COP
= Certificate of Proficiency  |
Fast Track Career Path
Explore Careers
Architectural and Civil Drafters
Median Salary
$62,924
Job Growth
-10%
Education
Associate's Degree
18%
Bachelor's Degree
55%
Master's Degree
26%
View Career
Architectural and Civil Drafters
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.
New workers start around $41,623. Normal pay is $62,924 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $94,023.
Education
Associate's Degree
18%
Bachelor's Degree
55%
Master's Degree
26%
Core Tasks
Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
Supervise and train other technologists, technicians, and drafters.
Determine the order of work and method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
Finish and duplicate drawings and documentation packages according to required mediums and specifications for reproduction, using blueprinting, photography, or other duplicating methods.
Draw rough and detailed scale plans for foundations, buildings, and structures, based on preliminary concepts, sketches, engineering calculations, specification sheets, and other data.
Correlate, interpret, and modify data obtained from topographical surveys, well logs, and geophysical prospecting reports.
Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to lists of materials.
Determine procedures and instructions to be followed, according to design specifications and quantity of required materials.
Supervise or conduct field surveys, inspections, or technical investigations to obtain data required to revise construction drawings.
Explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments as necessary.
Obtain and assemble data to complete architectural designs, visiting job sites to compile measurements as necessary.
Determine quality, cost, strength, and quantity of required materials, and enter figures on materials lists.
Locate and identify symbols on topographical surveys to denote geological and geophysical formations or oil field installations.
Create freehand drawings and lettering to accompany drawings.
Calculate excavation tonnage and prepare graphs and fill-hauling diagrams for use in earth-moving operations.
Prepare colored drawings of landscape and interior designs for presentation to client.
Calculate weights, volumes, and stress factors and their implications for technical aspects of designs.
Median Salary
$62,924
Job Growth
-10%
Electrical and Electronics Drafters
Median Salary
$60,962
Job Growth
-22%
Education
Certificate
38%
Some College
2%
Associate's Degree
51%
Bachelor's Degree
9%
View Career
Electrical and Electronics Drafters
Prepare wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, and layout drawings used for the manufacture, installation, or repair of electrical equipment.
New workers start around $38,629. Normal pay is $60,962 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $114,504.
Education
Certificate
38%
Some College
2%
Associate's Degree
51%
Bachelor's Degree
9%
Core Tasks
Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications, or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets to be checked by an engineer or an architect.
Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.
Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
Examine electronic schematics and supporting documents to develop, compute, and verify specifications for drafting data, such as configuration of parts, dimensions, or tolerances.
Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.
Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.
Measure factors that affect installation and arrangement of equipment, such as distances to be spanned by wire and cable.
Locate files relating to specified design project in database library, load program into computer, and record completed job data.
Design electrical systems, such as lighting systems.
Draw master sketches to scale showing relation of proposed installations to existing facilities and exact specifications and dimensions.
Study work order requests to determine type of service, such as lighting or power, demanded by installation.
Explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments, as necessary.
Review work orders or procedural manuals and confer with vendors or design staff to resolve problems or modify design.
Reproduce working drawings on copy machines or trace drawings in ink.
Median Salary
$60,962
Job Growth
-22%
Mechanical Drafters
Median Salary
$60,502
Job Growth
-23%
Education
Certificate
8%
Some College
7%
Associate's Degree
61%
Bachelor's Degree
20%
Master's Degree
3%
View Career
Mechanical Drafters
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
New workers start around $36,772. Normal pay is $60,502 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $108,993.
Education
Certificate
8%
Some College
7%
Associate's Degree
61%
Bachelor's Degree
20%
Master's Degree
3%
Core Tasks
Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items, such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.
Compute mathematical formulas to develop and design detailed specifications for components or machinery, using computer-assisted equipment.
Position instructions and comments onto drawings.
Confer with customer representatives to review schematics and answer questions pertaining to installation of systems.
Supervise and train other drafters, technologists, and technicians.
Lay out, draw, and reproduce illustrations for reference manuals and technical publications to describe operation and maintenance of mechanical systems.
Draw freehand sketches of designs, trace finished drawings onto designated paper for the reproduction of blueprints, and reproduce working drawings on copy machines.
Median Salary
$60,502
Job Growth
-23%
Electro-Mechanical Technicians
Median Salary
$63,481
Job Growth
-40%
Education
H.S. Diploma or Less
13%
Certificate
30%
Some College
13%
Associate's Degree
41%
Bachelor's Degree
3%
View Career
Electro-Mechanical Technicians
Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.
New workers start around $40,580. Normal pay is $63,481 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $108,407.
Education
H.S. Diploma or Less
13%
Certificate
30%
Some College
13%
Associate's Degree
41%
Bachelor's Degree
3%
Core Tasks
Test performance of electromechanical assemblies, using test instruments such as oscilloscopes, electronic voltmeters, or bridges.
Read blueprints, schematics, diagrams, or technical orders to determine methods and sequences of assembly.
Inspect parts for surface defects.
Install electrical or electronic parts and hardware in housings or assemblies, using soldering equipment and hand tools.
Verify part dimensions or clearances to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
Align, fit, or assemble component parts, using hand or power tools, fixtures, templates, or microscopes.
Median Salary
$63,481
Job Growth
-40%
Industrial Engineering Technicians
Median Salary
$65,299
Job Growth
-7%
Education
H.S. Diploma or Less
22%
Certificate
1%
Some College
37%
Associate's Degree
26%
Bachelor's Degree
15%
View Career
Industrial Engineering Technicians
Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.
New workers start around $37,723. Normal pay is $65,299 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $106,645.
Education
H.S. Diploma or Less
22%
Certificate
1%
Some College
37%
Associate's Degree
26%
Bachelor's Degree
15%
Core Tasks
Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.
Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
Verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards by observing worker performance.
Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, or anticipated delays.
Median Salary
$65,299
Job Growth
-7%
Mechanical Engineering Technicians
Median Salary
$73,992
Job Growth
-16%
Education
H.S. Diploma or Less
4%
Certificate
23%
Some College
5%
Associate's Degree
17%
Bachelor's Degree
51%
View Career
Mechanical Engineering Technicians
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
New workers start around $43,330. Normal pay is $73,992 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $103,190.
Education
H.S. Diploma or Less
4%
Certificate
23%
Some College
5%
Associate's Degree
17%
Bachelor's Degree
51%
Core Tasks
Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications.
Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.
Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.
Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance.
Median Salary
$73,992
Job Growth
-16%
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Not sure if Drafting is the right fit?
Exploratory Interest Area
Explore Drafting while still working toward your academic goals.
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Speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
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Why choose IVC?
Affordable
Quality education should not put you in the red. The cost of attending Irvine Valley College is very low compared to the private, UC, and CSU systems.
Career Preparation
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Fast Track Career Paths
, at IVC, we give you the tools to quickly enter the workforce and start making money.
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Looking to transfer to a four-year university? With #1 in transfers in Orange County to the UC System, IVC is the best place to start!
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