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Certificate of Achievement
Architecture: Basic Skills

This Certificate of Achievement provides a focus on the basic skill courses of study for students in preparation to enter into majors in Architecture. Emphasis is placed on foundational skills in the use of architectural document reading and creating, use of industry tools. Coursework involves the preparation of basic Architectural documents and projects accomplished within an industry environment, as is common in entry-level workplace conditions.

Please contact the Student Success Team for this program if you have any questions.

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Sample Education Plan

This sample education plan for the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway through the program. Each university (UC, CSU, private, and others) has their own transfer requirements; please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. Additional course descriptions may be found in the College Catalog.
CourseUnitsTypically Offered
1st Semester
Select one: ARCH 101 / CIV 101 / ENGT 101 M3.0
ARCH 101 - Introduction to Technical Drawings & Graphics (Same as CIV 101, ENGT 101) (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
Transfers to: CSU

This basic course in technical drawing and graphics is for students with no previous drafting skills or training who want to pursue training in fields and careers related to architecture, civil design, and engineering design drafting. Practical application with the tools, techniques, standards, and practices used in the industries that need technical drawings and graphics. ARCH 101, CIV 101, ENGT 101 are cross-listed. Credit will be granted for one course only.

CIV 101 - Introduction to Technical Drawing & Graphics (Same as ARCH 101, ENGT 101) (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: CSU

This basic course in technical drawing and graphics is for students with no previous drafting skills or training. The course is designed for students who want to pursue training in fields and careers related to architecture, civil design, and engineering design drafting. Practical application with the tools, techniques, standards, and practices used in the industries that need technical drawings and graphics is a feature of the course. ARCH 101, CIV 101, ENGT 101 are cross-llisted. Credit will be granted for one course only.

ENGT 101 - Introduction to Technical Drawing & Graphics (Same as ARCH 101, CIV 101) (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to:UC,CSU

This basic course in technical drawing and graphics is for students with no previous drafting skills or training. The course is designed for students who want to pursue training in fields and careers related to architecture, civil design, and engineering design drafting. Practical application with the tools, techniques, standards, and practices used in the industries that need technical drawings and graphics is a feature of the course. ARCH 101, CIV 101, ENGT 101 are cross-listed courses. Credit will be granted for one course only..

ARCH 115 - Introduction to Residential Architecture: Drawing and DesignM4.0
ARCH 115 - Introduction to Residential Architecture: Drawing and Design (4.0 units)

Advisory:ARCH 101 or CIV 101 or ENGT 101 or two years of high school drafting
Transfers to: CSU

This introductory course is for students interested in the field of architectural drawing and design. The course includes the study of architectural graphic standards related to creating construction drawings for residential projects (e.g., site plans, floor plans, roof plans, and elevations). Electrical, foundation and framing, and other drawings for a single-family residential structure are discussed. Emphasis is placed on symbology, conventions, and techniques to develop technical skills an entry-level architectural drafter needs. Construction methods, building codes, design factors, planning, and the use of reference materials are discussed and applied. All construction documents are developed using traditional board drafting methods and standards.

Total Semester Units:7.0 
2nd Semester
ENGT 150 - AutoCAD for Basic CADD ApplicationsM4.0
ENGT 150 - AutoCAD for Basic CADD Applications (4.0 units)

Advisory:ARCH 101 or CIV 101 or ENGT 101 or two years of high school drafting
Transfers to:UC,CSU

This course is for students preparing for high-technology careers who need the skills necessary to function as an entry-level computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) operator, or to apply CADD to the specific disciplines of mechanical and architectural design, manufacturing, illustration, and engineering-related documents. An overview of computer graphics and CADD utilizing the latest release of AutoCAD software is provided. Students produce 2D orthographic, isometric, and basic 3D model solutions of mechanical and architectural applications.

Select one: ARCH 103 / ARCH 110 / ENGT 105 M2.0†
ARCH 103 - History of Architecture: Renaissance to Present (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and be able to read college-level texts.
Transfers to:UC,CSU

This course surveys the historical development of modern architecture from the Renaissance to the present day. The influence of technological, ecological, environmental, cultural, and socio-economic factors on architecture are considered. Analysis of current and future trends and developments in contemporary architecture and environmental design is covered.

ARCH 110 - Construction Document Reading and Estimating (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, be able to read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
Transfers to: CSU

This course is designed for architecture students as well as apprentices and employees in all areas of the construction industry, and covers residential, light commercial, and industrial building construction. The course introduces the use of prints, construction documents, and the theory of construction estimating as used in the building industry. Principles of reading working drawings and plans; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) specifications; details and elevations; and electrical specifications are included, as are materials estimating, and estimating rules, tables, and procedures.

ENGT 105 - Introduction to Visualization, Sketching, & Rendering (2.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: CSU

This course is designed to develop skills in drawing as used by design professionals in architectural and technical applications. Using visualization and deploying basic principles of proportion, composition, and freehand techniques, students prepare technical isometric, oblique, perspective, and orthographic sketches to industry standards. Design considerations for various projects involving preliminary design sketches are also introduced. This course is open to all students who want to develop drawing skills. It is required for all students working towards a degree or certificate in the Architecture and Engineering Design Drafting program.

Total Semester Units:6.0† 
Total Units for Architecture: Basic Skills COA program 13.0† 
Notes:
AP exams and courses taken outside of Rio Hondo College may fulfill general education and/or major requirements. Please check with a counselor.
Legend:
Some classes may have higher units
M Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement
Advising Sheet:
Click or tap here to open the program's advising sheet.

Program Learning Outcomes

About RHC

Rio Hondo College, serving the communities of El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, and Whittier for over 50 years.

Contact

Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601

Phone: (562) 692-0921
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