Mechanical Design Technology
Associate in Applied Science Degree — Downtown Milwaukee Campus

Program code: 10-606-1

This curriculum goes into effect starting with the summer 2008 semester.

This page was last updated in July 2007.

Overview — Mechanical Design Technology is an associate degree program designed to prepare you for employment as a mechanical drafter/designer in a design engineering department.

Career Outlook — The employment outlook is favorable for mechanical drafters/designers having current training involving computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) systems. Manufacturing environments, contract engineers and engineering consulting firms employ mechanical design technicians. For the most part, their duties involve applying learned and developed technical knowledge to solving design problems in the creation of a product. CADD systems will be used to create two- and three-dimensional orthographic and pictorial multiview drawings of mechanical engineering detail, assembly and tooling.

Career Preparation and Expected Learning Outcomes — Employers expect you as a program graduate to be able to:

• Prepare orthographic and pictorial mechanical engineering detail, assembly and tooling drawings, including design dimensioning and tolerancing, using a computer-aided design and drafting system
• Prepare three-dimensional (parametric, dimension-driven) models, assemblies and drawings
• Communicate mechanical engineering information using appropriate college-level technical language, both orally and in writing
• Apply analytical mathematics (algebra and trigonometry), and graphic knowledge and skills to the solution of mechanical engineering problems; e.g., statics, strength of materials, mechanisms and design of machine elements

Preparation for Admission — The following are required for admission to the program:

• A high school diploma or GED
• One year of high school-level algebra
• Demonstration of proficiency in basic skills through a course placement assessment

Also important to your success in the program are analytical skills and the ability to grasp spatial relationships. It is also helpful to be able to work well with your hands, and possess good hand/eye coordination and have an interest in working with tools.

Future Opportunities — Upon successful completion of the program, you may consider attending a four-year college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, technology education, engineering technology or engineering management. If you are interested in a baccalaureate degree upon completion of the program, check with a program counselor or advisor, and the institution you plan to attend regarding the transfer of MATC credits.

This program will transfer to one or more four-year institutions.

Possible Careers:

Design/Drafting
Design Engineer
Mechanical Designer
Mechanical Drafter

Related Programs:

Civil Engineering
Mechanical and Computer Drafting
Architectural Technology

For more information, call 414-297-MATC.

Curriculum effective 2008-2009.

TECHNICAL STUDIES				Credits
( ) = Semester Order for Full-Time Students
(1)		CIVIL-102	Introduction to AutoCAD	2
(1)		CIVIL-105	Computer Applications	2
(1)		IETECH-160	Manufacturing Processes	3
(1)		MCDESG-102	Technical Drafting 1 ‡	3
(2)		MCDESG-104	Technical Drafting 2 ‡	4
(2)		MCDESG-114	Solidworks Basics ‡	2
(2)		MCDESG-160	Statics ‡	3
(3)		MCDESG-106	Technical Drafting 3 with CAD ‡	3
(3)		MCDESG-118	Mechanisms ‡	3
(3)		MCDESG-130	Strength of Materials ‡	3
(3)		MCDESG-133	Inventor Basics ‡	2
(4)		MCDESG-112	Tool Design ‡	3
(4)		MCDESG-116	Design Elements ‡	3
(4)		MCDESG-125	Design Problems ‡	2
(4)		MCDESG-135	Pro-Engineer ‡	2
GENERAL STUDIES
		ENG-151	Communication Skills 1 ‡	3
		and ENG-152	Communication Skills 2 ‡	3
		OR	ENG-201 and any 200-series ENG or SPEECH course
		MATH-115	Technical Math 1 ‡	5
		MATH-116	Technical Math 2 ‡	4
		NATSCI-153	Technical Physics ‡	4
		OR	Any 200-series NATSCI course
		PSYCH-199	Psychology of Human Relations	3
		OR	Any 200-series PSYCH course
		SOCSCI-197	Contemporary American Society	3
		OR	Any 200-series SOCSCI or HIST course
ELECTIVE COURSES: Three Credits Required (Suggestions listed below)
		ELCTEC-102	Introductory Electronics	2
		MCDESG-131	SolidWorks Orthographics	2
		PHYED-210	An Active Approach to Wellness and Fitness	3
		SPEECH-206	Intercultural Communication	3

TOTAL CREDITS: 68

‡	Prerequisite Required.

NOTE: Students who have not been accepted, or have not decided on a program, may begin with GENERAL STUDIES courses, if course prerequisites have been met.

Program curriculum requirements are subject to change. 

For course descriptions, times, locations or to register online, visit INFOnline.