About Computer Aided Design

Learn a hands-on skill that will give your career a new dimension! 

Computer-aided design (CAD) drafters are employable across multiple industries. You can work with architects and engineers to design and create 2D and 3D computer models of buildings and machine parts from blueprints or from scratch.  As a CAD drafter, you can help create everything from home furniture to microchips to space satellites.

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Computer Aided Design can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Aeronautical Drafter
  • Architectural Drafter
  • Civil Drafter
  • Electrical Drafter
  • Electronics Drafter
  • Mechanical Drafter
  • Process Piping Or Pipeline Drafter

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish.

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals.

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ENGN 10A Introduction to Engineering: The Profession 2  
ET 104 Introduction to Engineering Drawing and Manufacturing 2  
CAD 180 Introduction to Technical Drawing 1   
MATH 90 + 90S Precalculus Algebra + Support 5 - 8  
CCSF GE Area D Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirement 3  
CCSF GE Area H Ethnic Studies, Women's and Gender Studies and LGBTQ Studies 3  

Total Units: 16 - 19 

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ELEC 101 Electronics I: Essentials of Electronics - Measurements and Passive Circuits 2.5  
ET 50 Technical Mathematics 4  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4 - 6  
MATH 95 Trigonometry 3  
CAD 181 Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting CAD I 2.5  
CAD 99A 3D Printing & Solid Modeling 1  

Total Units: 17 - 19 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CMST 12 or CMST 4 Fundamentals of Oral Communication or Group Communication 3  
PHYC 2A Introductory Physics 3  
PHYC 2AL Introductory Physics Laboratory 1  
CAD 99B Advanced AutoCAD Techniques 1  
CAD 182 Engineering Detailing in REVIT 2.5  
CCSF GE Area F United States History and Government Requirement 3  

Total Units: 13.5

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CAD 190 Part Modeling in Solidworks 2.5  
PHYC 2B Introductory Physics 3  
PHYC 2BL Introductory Physics Laboratory 1  
Additional Major Requirement See Counselor 3  
CAD 184 Structural Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Revit 2.5  
CCSF GE Area E Humanities Requirement 3  

Total Units: 15

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ARCH 20  Architectural Graphics I 3  
BIM 120 Revit Architecture I 3  
ARCH 214 AutoCAD I 3  

Total Units: 9 

Choose 5 units from the following elective courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CAD 184 Structural Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Revit 2.5  
CAD 187 Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Revit 2.5  
CAD 190 Part Modeling in SolidWorks 2.5  

Total Units: 5 

Overall Total Units: 14

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CAD 180 Introduction to Technical Drawing* 1  
CAD 181 Introduction to Computer Aided Drafting - CAD I 2.5  
CAD 182 Engineering Detailing in Revit 2.5  

* Students may substitute the following for CAD 180: Completion of ET 104, or demonstration of prior drafting and drawing skills by performing at satisfactory level on a test.

Total Units: 6 

Choose 3 of the following electives:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CAD 184 Structural Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Revit 2.5  
CAD 187 Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Revit 2.5  
CAD 190 Part Modeling in SolidWorks 2.5  
CAD 99A 3D Printing & Solid Modeling 1  

  and

CAD 99B Advanced AutoCAD Techniques 1  

Total Units: 7 - 7.5 

Overall Total Units: 13 - 13.5