Engineering Design Graphics General, Associate of Applied Science

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Program Information

All successful projects start with a good plan. For architects, engineering designers, CAD drafters, and builders, that plan comes in the form of working drawings produced by technically talented and well-trained individuals. If you have a desire to express your knowledge through computer-aided design software, San Jacinto College can give you the skills you need to make your way into this exciting field. This degree allows you to pursue careers that strike a satisfying balance between creativity, technical proficiency, and attention to detail. You can make yourself an indispensable asset in a variety of fields, such as architecture, manufacturing, engineering, construction, and the oil and gas industry, with a degree in engineering design graphics.

Central campus offers Engineering Design Graphics foundation courses: DFTG 1305 Introduction to Technical Drawing, DFTG 1409 Basic Computer-Aided Drafting, and DFTG 2317 Descriptive Geometry. Classes will be held in Building 45, the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology building. Students can check the online Schedule of Classes for days and times.

The Engineering Design Graphics (EDG) program at San Jacinto College:

  • Trains students to translate the ideas of designers, engineers, and architects from rough sketches, design layouts, specifications, and calculations into working drawings, maps, plans, illustrations, and 3D models; and
  • Offers students the skills needed to prepare technical drawings and/or 3D models using Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), design, and 3D modeling software.

Students must select from one of the four areas:

  • Architectural/Civil/Structural,
  • General,
  • Mechanical, and
  • Petro/Industrial.

Career Opportunities

Growth in Houston’s diversified job markets has created employment openings for drafters. Career opportunities for drafters are available in:

  • Architecture;
  • Engineering: Electrical, Instrumentation, Structural, Civil;
  • Manufacturing;
  • Oil, Energy, and Petrochemical; and
  • Public Works.

Earning Potential

Drafter: $57,408 per year1

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Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2022

For more information, students may contact North campus, 281-998-6350, x7765; Central campus, 281-476-1836; and South campus, 281-998-6350, x3587.

Campuses

Central Campus
North Campus
South Campus

Information 

Engineering Design Graphics (EDG) is a technical field where engineering data is communicated through drawings and three-dimensional models. Drafters provide support to designers, architects, and all types of engineers, preparing documentation and creating finished drawings for production in the engineering, construction, or manufacturing industries. Drafters translate the ideas of engineers and architects from rough sketches, design layouts, specifications, and calculations into working drawings, maps, plans, illustrations, and 3D models that are used in producing marketable products. They prepare drawings and/or 3D models using computer-aided drafting, design, and 3D modeling software in the fields of mechanical, petrochemical, architectural, civil, and structural engineering.

The EDG department provides several certificate levels and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree options. Working with local industry, courses have been clustered into specialty disciplines that provide concentration in specific areas of study. They include: Architectural/Civil/Structural, General, Mechanical, and Petro/Industrial.

Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site. 

Plan of Study

3DFTG-G

Plan of Study Grid
First TermCredits
DFTG 1305 Introduction to Technical Drawing 3
DFTG 1409 Basic Computer-Aided Drafting 4
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
Language, Philosophy and Culture (Humanities) or Creative Arts (Fine Arts) 3
 Credits13
Second Term
DFTG 1417 Architectural Drafting-Residential 4
DFTG 1445 Parametric Modeling and Design 4
DFTG 2423 Pipe Drafting 4
 Credits12
Summer Year One Term
Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Select one of the following: 3
Introduction to Speech Communication
Public Speaking
Interpersonal Communication
 Credits6
Third Term
DFTG 2407 Electrical Drafting 4
Select one course from the Electives list. 4
DFTG 2317 Descriptive Geometry 3
MATH 1332
Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning)
or College Algebra
3
 Credits14
Fourth Term
Select one course from the Electives list not previously selected. 4
Select one course from the Electives list not previously selected. 4
Select one course from the Electives list not previously selected. 4
DFTG 2386
Internship-Drafting and Design Technology/Technician 1
or Final Project - Advanced Drafting
3
 Credits15
 Total Credits60

Capstone Experience:1 DFTG 2386 Internship-Drafting and Design Technology/Technician or DFTG 2338 Final Project - Advanced Drafting

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The course selected to satisfy the Capstone Experience (DFTG 2386 Internship-Drafting and Design Technology/Technician or DFTG 2338 Final Project - Advanced Drafting) can only be taken during, or after, the term in which the last required engineering design graphics courses are completed.

Courses may be applied to earn the Certificate of Technology, then the Level 2 Certificate, and finally the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.

Courses do not have to be taken in this order unless a course has a prerequisite. 

For more detailed information on this program, students may contact the Department Chair or faculty.

Electives

ARCE 1415Structural Steel Detailing4
ARCE 1421Architectural Illustration4
ARCE 1452Structural Drafting4
DFTG 1430Civil Drafting I4
DFTG 1433Mechanical Drafting4
DFTG 2402Machine Drafting4
DFTG 2406Machine Design4
DFTG 2408Instrumentation Drafting4
DFTG 2421Topographic Drafting4
DFTG 2428Architectural Drafting-Commercial4
DFTG 2431Advanced Technologies in Architectural Design and Drafting4
DFTG 2435Advanced Technologies in Mechanical Design and Drafting4
DFTG 2440Solid Modeling/Design4
DFTG 2445Advanced Pipe Drafting4
DFTG 2450Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing4
DFTG 2457Advanced Technologies in Pipe Design and Drafting4
DFTG 2458Advanced Machine Design4