Introduction to CAD
134 Hours

Course Information

Course Description:
Introduction to CAD is an introductory course in computer aided design. It will introduce you to use the computer as a tool to create basic 2D drawings. In this course, you will be using AutoCAD® 2009, one of the most widely used computer aided design software programs. You will gain knowledge in basic concepts, terminology, and techniques for CAD applications.

Course Objectives:
The primary goal of this course is to provide the training you need in computer aided drafting software to produce technical drawings. You will gain a basic understanding of the operating system's user interface, learn to manage drawing files, setup a drawing, and use create and modify commands to construct the drawing. You will learn how to add text, dimensions, and plot or print your drawing.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the operating system's user interface
  • Understand the CAD system's file management commands
  • Understand the units-of-measure used by the CAD system
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Cartesian coordinate system
  • Use standard predefined prototype or template files
  • Create, edit, and modify basic 2-D geometry
  • Understand AutoCAD's layering system
  • Perform geometric constructions with CAD
  • Annotate geometry
  • Add dimenisons
  • Apply hatch pattterns
  • Plot CAD drawings
Prerequisites or Corequisite:
Basic Drafting Techniques is a prerequisite or corequisite, unless you are a practicing professional seeking the CAD Technician Certificate.
Course Topics:
The following is a list of topics that you will cover:
  • Getting Started- (30 hours)
  • Creating Layers- (34 hours)
  • Construct and Edit Geometry- (24 hours)
  • Annotating a Drawing- (12 hours)
  • Hatch Patterns- (12 hours)
  • Dimensioning the Drawing- (24 hours)
  • Geometric Drawings- (20 hours)
Specific Course Requirements:
  • Students must be motivated and self-directed with the ability to follow an objective-based timeline. 
  • Students should plan to devote 8-10 hours per week for this course, due to the amount of material to cover.
  • You are expected to communicate with the instructor a minimum of 3 times per week.
  • Study, not only your textbook, but any other reference materials you might have at your disposal. 
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:  http://rodp.bkstr.com
Supplementary Materials:
  • Access to a printer.
Additional web-based resources will be listed in the Course Links section.
Hardware Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Software Requirements:

The minimum software requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:

All exams are timed and taken online. Exams are designed to reinforce key concepts from the material presented. Skill assessments in the form of CAD drawings will be submitted via the Desire2Learn Dropbox. Late exams will be penalized one letter grade.

Grading Procedure:
  • Grades will be based on satisfactory completion of deliverables, written exams, skill assessments, regular communication with the instructor, and class discussions. 
  • All exams/skill assessments must be completed within the allocated time.
  • Late delivery will result in the loss of one letter grade.
  • Assignments - 40%
  • Exams/Skill Assessments - 50%
  • Participation - 10%
Grading Scale:

A = 93 - 100
B = 85 - 92.9
C = 77 - 84.9
A score of 77 or better must be achieved to receive credit for this course.

Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:
  • Course modules will be presented in an asynchronous format.  This means that you will work on your assignments at your own pace
  • There are recommended dates for the completion of each module, however you are permitted to work ahead in the course.
  • Please complete each module in the order presented.  Within each module you
    will find textbook reading assignments, tutorials, individual activities, and presentations.
  • Course work is to be submitted via the Dropbox.
Class Participation:
  • Students must participate in all interactive aspects of the course. 
  • You are required to communicate with the instructor on a regular basis using Desire2Learn e-mail and other students using the Discussion board.
  • Students are required to post a paragraph introducing themself to the instructor and classmates the first week of this course. Include a few lines telling us about yourself such as what are you career goals, etc.
  • Students MUST email the instructor at the beginning of the course using the Desire2Learn email to notify the instructor they are in the system and have mastered this communication system.
  • You should visit the course site at least every other day to ensure that you are aware of instructor postings and announcements. Remember, participation counts as 10% of your grade.
Punctuality:
  • Check your Course Calendar for the dues dates for assignments and dates for all examinations. Specific policies will be explained by your instructor.
  • There are specific completion dates, however students are permitted to work ahead of the timeline in this course.
  • Assessments must be completed within the specified time to receive full credit.
  • If you have technical or medical emergencies, please contact me by email as soon as possible.
Course Ground Rules
  • Cheating and other forms of academic misconduct, including plagiarism, are prohibited. The instructor has the authority to assign a zero for the exercise or examination or to assign an F in the course in the case of academic misconduct.
  • Students should use the Desire2Learn mail rather than a personal email address. Emails should not be sent to the instructor under another person's name. Please include a subject line when e-mailing the instructor or other class members. Please ask permission before sending e-mails with large attachments.
  • Students are expected to learn to navigate in Desire2Learn, keep abreast of course announcements, and complete all assignments by the due dates. If, for any reason, a student has a question about an assignment or realizes that an assignment cannot be completed on time, the instructor should be notified immediately.
  • If technical problems arise, they must be dealt with immediately.
  • The discussion board and chat room are for class purposes only. Please remember to be courteous to other users at all times. They will be monitored. Make sure that you remember that even though you may not mean to be rude or cruel sometimes e-mails and postings can be misunderstood. Please be respectful and mindful of the instructor and your fellow students. Course netiquette should be observed in all communications.
Guidelines for Communications
Email:
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way.
    Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members
Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Chat:
  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestion
Web Resources:

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:
If you are having problems logging into your course, timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to the AskRODP website at:

http://help.rodp.org