Architectural Drafting Certificate

Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) Technology
Program Code: C50150L2

Architectural Drafting Certificate

The purpose of this certificate program is to provide basic architectural drafting skills. Students will produce residential construction drawings, including floor plans, foundation plans, typical wall sections, elevations, and details following standard practices. Topics include drafting practices, 2D CAD software, traditional and sustainable building methods, and building materials.

Specific Requirements

Courses requiring a grade of “C” or better: ARC, DFT

Courses in this program

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces basic architectural drafting techniques, lettering, use of architectural and engineer scales, and sketching. Topics include orthographic, axonometric, and oblique drawing techniques using architectural plans, elevations, sections, and details; reprographic techniques; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare and print scaled drawings within minimum architectural standards.

This course introduces CAD software as a drawing tool. Topics include drawing, editing, file management, and plotting. Upon completion, students should be able to produce and plot a CAD drawing.

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces construction materials and their methodologies. Topics include construction terminology, materials and their properties, manufacturing processes, construction techniques, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to detail construction assemblies and identify construction materials and properties.

This course covers intermediate residential working drawings. Topics include residential plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare a set of residential working drawings that are within accepted architectural standards.

Total Credit Hours Required:
13

Curriculum is based on the 2023-24 catalog.

Good To Know

Why General Education?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to take (course name) when it is not directly related to my major?”

General Education courses will help you develop skills necessary to be successful in your major and in life. General Education can teach you how to talk to your employer, write a paper in a major course, understand interest rates on your car, and much more. General Education can also give you the skills to be a better member of society and a more informed citizen. Critical thinking, global understanding, and appreciation for the human experience are hallmarks of a well-rounded education.

How many hours of General Education do I have to take?

If you are enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Degree program, a minimum of 15 general education hours are required in the following categories:

  • Six hours from Communication
  • Three hours from Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Three hours from Social & Behavioral Science
  • Three hours from Natural Science & Mathematics

General Education courses have been pre-selected for you by your faculty from the following list:

Communication Humanities & Fine Arts Social & Behavioral Science Natural Science & Mathematics
COM-110 ART-111 ECO-251 BIO-161
COM-120 ART-114 ECO-252 BIO-163
COM-231 ART-115 HIS-111 BIO-168
ENG-110 HUM-110 HIS-112 MAT-110
ENG-111 HUM-115 HIS-131 MAT-121
ENG-112 MUS-110 HIS-132 MAT-143
ENG-114 MUS-112 POL-120 MAT-152
  PHI-215 PSY-150 MAT-171
  PHI-240 SOC-210 PHY-110/110A
    SOC-225 PHY-121

 

Degrees designed to transfer to universities require more general education hours. If you are enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science, you are required to take 45 hours of General Education from the following categories:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six to nine hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six to nine hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to eight hours in Mathematics
  • Four to eight hours in Natural Sciences
  • 11 to 14 additional General Education hours

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Engineering, you are required to take 42 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six work hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • 12 hours in Mathematics
  • 12 hours in Natural Sciences

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, you are required to take 25 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to four hours in Mathematics
  • Four hours in Natural Sciences

Additional information about General Education for transfer degrees, including courses that satisfy each category, may be found in the current College Catalog.

What will I learn in General Education?

At A-B Tech, our faculty have designed a general education core so that A-B Tech graduates will
learn the following:

Students will critically evaluate information:

  • Students will demonstrate information literacy.
  • Students will critique works of human expression.
  • Students will analyze scientific literature.

Students will solve problems:

  • Students will identify processes.
  • Students will analyze problems.
  • Students will interpret the results.
  • Students will recommend appropriate strategies or solutions.

Students will effectively communicate.

  • Students will communicate appropriately about the subject.
  • Students will communicate appropriately with the audience.
  • Students will communicate appropriately for the medium.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.

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