Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Technology

Career Opportunities

Program graduates will use industry standard software tools to translate conceptual ideas into 2D plans and 3D models. Experienced workers may advance to project managers, virtual design and construction (VDC) coordinators, plan checkers, detailers and/or BIM technicians. A typical work week will consist of 40 hours, but overtime may be required to meet deadlines. Graduates can work for engineering and architectural firms, contractors, government agencies, and a wide variety of related industries.

Program Outcomes

At the completion for the AEC Technology Program, the successful student will be able to:

Use industry standard software to:

a)       Communicate how a building is constructed
b)       Identify conflicts between and among building systems
c)       Design large public works infrastructures
d)       Create virtual building models

Communicate orally and in writing to diverse team members, colleagues, supervisors, and customers
Present completed professional resume and portfolio that demonstrates skills, employment history, interests, and accomplishments
Think critically, ethically, and creatively to solve work-related problems, and initiate professional growth and learning
Apply general principles of project management to classroom work

Ed Plan / Class List

Entry Requirements

The AEC Technology Program has a limited enrollment policy with program curriculum pathways starting in Fall and Spring quarters only.

Required Courses

Quarter 1

AEC101 Fundamentals of Drafting 5 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces basic drafting skills and concepts with an emphasis on projection theory. Prerequisite: None.

MATH101 Technical Mathematics I 5 Credits Search Schedule

Covers the theories and applications of mathematics used in technical fields with emphasis on problem solving strategies, measurement, algebra, geometry, unit conversions and the metric system. Prerequisite: Eligible for MATH 092.
Distribution: AAS, AAS-COMPUTATION

or higher

CCS101 Pathways to Success 3 Credits Search Schedule

Cultivates the mind-set and skills necessary for students to become confident, reflective, self-directing, and successful learners. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 090 or higher.

Required Courses

Quarter 2

AEC102 Introduction to CAD 5 Credits Search Schedule

Develops fundamental skills for computer aided drafting (CAD) with an emphasis on the application of AutoCAD. Prerequisite: AEC 101 or instructor's permission.

AEC103 Introduction to 3-D Modeling 5 Credits Search Schedule

Explores 3-D modeling fundamentals and how they apply to simple geometric forms and building modeling. Hands-on use of Revit and other industry-standard 3-D modeling applications. Prerequisite: AEC 101 or AEC 102 or instructor's permission.

ENGL&101 English Composition I 5 Credits Search Schedule

Develops writing skills by focusing on strategies and techniques writers use to convey ideas, evaluate information, make a point, and participate in multiple discourse communities. Emphasizes both the process and the product of writing. This course was formerly known as WRIT 101, College Writing I. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement test scores OR appropriate completion of ENGL 095, ENGL 095X, or ENGL 098 OR concurrent enrollment in ENGL 110 with instructor's permission.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, COMMUNICATION, GER-CIS, AA-AAS-T-COMMUNICATION, AAS-COMMUNICATION: Reading/Writing, AAS-READING-WRITING

Required Courses

Quarter 3

AEC120 Construction Methods and Materials 5 Credits Search Schedule

Develops a fundamental understanding of construction materials, sizes, detailing, volume estimates, and applications related to the building industry. Prerequisite: AEC 102 or instructor's permission.

AEC160 Introduction to Civil Engineering and Survey 5 Credits Search Schedule

Develops fundamental concepts and skills for civil engineering and survey. Applies general survey principles in team survey activities. Prerequisite: ACE 101, ACE 102 or instructor's permission.

Human Relations

5 Credits in HUMAN RELATIONS

Choose one from General Education Requirements
(must satisfy diversity requirements)

Required Courses

Quarter 4

AEC121 Architectural CAD I 5 Credits Search Schedule

Teaches development of construction documents utilizing industry standard 2-D CAD software. Emphasis on solving accurate related project development solutions essential to assigned project plans. Prerequisite: AEC 120 or instructor's permission.

AEC161 Civil CAD I 5 Credits Search Schedule

Develops fundamental skills to work with surfaces and points in civil engineering drafting. Emphasizes the application of Civil 3D. Prerequisite: AEC 160 or instructor's permission.

AEC171 Building Information Modeling I 5 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces essential building information modeling tools and concepts while developing a multi-story building. A strong emphasis on design intent will be introduced as a foundation for future building modeling courses. Prerequisite: AEC 103 or instructor's permission.

Required Courses

Quarter 5

AEC122 Architectural CAD II 5 Credits Search Schedule

Teaches development of construction documents utilizing industry-standard 2-D computer-aided design (CAD) software. Emphasis on creating complete plan sets by building on work completed in AEC 121 with the goal of finalizing industry standard permit-ready plan sets. Prerequisite:AEC 121 or instructor's permission.

AEC162 Civil CAD II 5 Credits Search Schedule

Develops fundamental skills in roadway design in civil engineering drafting. Emphasizes creating and editing plan views, profile views, section views, and corridors. Prerequisite: AEC 161 or instructor's permission.

AEC172 Building Information Modeling II 5 Credits Search Schedule

Continues development of multi-story building project started in AEC 171 using intermediate-level building information modeling tools. Strong emphasis on extracting information from a building model as well as communicating design intent with construction documents and visualization tools. Prerequisite: AEC 171.

Required Courses

Quarter 6

AEC263 Civil CAD III 5 Credits Search Schedule

Develops fundamental skills in site planning, pipe networks design, and quantity take-off in civil engineering drafting with an emphasis on the application of Civil 3D. Prerequisite: AEC 162 or instructor's permission. Concurrent with AEC 264.

AEC264 Survey I 3 Credits Search Schedule

Develops skills in topographic survey, data collection using robotic total stations, and topographic map creation using Civil 3D. Prerequisite: AEC 162 or instructor's permission. Concurrent enrollment in AEC 263.

AEC273 Building Information Modeling III 5 Credits Search Schedule

Explores multi-discipline building information modeling tools while developing structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Emphasizes collaboration, introduces the fundamentals of custom content creation, and integrates with AEC 274. Prerequisite: AEC 172 or instructor's permission. Concurrent with AEC 274.

AEC274 Building Information Modeling IV 4 Credits Search Schedule

Integrates BIM skills acquired during the AEC program pathway while exploring virtual design and construction (VDC) processes and tools. Students work collaboratively to assemble a multi-discipline building model for evaluation of construction processes and presentation to stakeholders. Prerequisite: AEC 172 or instructor's permission. Concurrent enrollment in AEC 273.

Recommended Electives

*Electives

OFTEC108 Introduction to Microsoft Office 3 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces the software components of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. Prerequisite: None.

-OR-

OFTEC141 Excel 5 Credits Search Schedule

An introduction to Excel for worksheet applications. Creating simple worksheets using numbers, dates, text, formulas, desktop features, formatting, charting, printing, and file handling. Techniques include copying, moving, relative, and absolutes cell references, using functions in formulas, file linking, multiple windows, and range naming. More advanced topics such as database and macros will also be introduced. Prerequisite: OFTEC 108 or OFTEC 100 and MATH 092.

Additional Electives

AEC182 Special Projects Search Schedule

Applies AEC skills and knowledge in projects selected by the student and instructor. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.

-OR-

AEC190 Cooperative Work Experience Search Schedule

Cooperative Work Experience (Co-op) is an academic internship program that integrates a student?s classroom study with planned supervised learning in positions related to the student?s program of study or area of interest. Students are awarded credit and a grade not for the work itself, but for the demonstration of learning which occurs in and throughout the work experience.

-OR-

AEC290 Cooperative Work Experience Search Schedule

Cooperative Work Experience (Co-op) is an academic internship program that integrates a student?s classroom study with planned supervised learning in positions related to the student?s program of study or area of interest. Students are awarded credit and a grade not for the work itself, but for the demonstration of learning which occurs in and throughout the work experience.

Diversity Requirement
Diversity-designated courses at South Puget Sound Community College provide opportunities for students to develop awareness of their own social and cultural identities, seek understanding of others, and cultivate skills to communicate across cultures and differences. All programs require the completion of a diversity course.

Effective Catalog Year 2019-2020

Length of Program

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Technology (AEC) Program takes a minimum of six quarters of full-time studies for the Associate in Applied Science-Transfer degree.

Cost of Program / Financial Aid

Students should expect early exposure to a wide range of software applications
Textbooks and required tools are estimated to range from $300.00 - $500.00 for the 2-Year program
An Autodesk certified personal computer is highly recommended. Estimated cost $1000 - $1500
Program experiences will include E-Learning and innovative use of technology

Application Process / How to Apply

Apply Now

Additional Information

The Associates in Applied Science (AAS) Degree represents the attainment of skills generally required for immediate application in an occupational field. To qualify for the degree, a student must successfully earn at least 90 credits in courses numbered 100 or above. The minimum 90 credits must include at least five (5) credits in each of reading/writing, computation and human relations for a minimum of fifteen (15) distribution credits. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required for graduation.

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Technology

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Technology - Associate in Applied Science