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Associate of Science Degree
Engineering Design Technology

This major curriculum leads to the Associate of Science Degree in Engineering Design Technology for advanced Tech Prep applications, employment in design, engineering and manufacturing-related industries, public works, utilities and CADD/Drafting-related industries. Upon completion of specific General Education courses, this program also fulfills many of the requirements and foundation courses for transfer to other baccalaureate technical majors within Engineering and Industrial Technology, but is not intended to fulfill transfer requirements for a baccalaureate degree. (See transfer requirements of individual colleges and universities)

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 2023-2024 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.
Select sample path/map:
CourseUnitsTypically Offered
1st Semester
ENGT 101 - Introduction to Technical Drawing & Graphics (Same as ARCH 101, CIV 101)M3.0
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.

ENGT 105 - Introduction to Visualization, Sketching, & RenderingM2.0
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.

ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (RHC GE 1b and 8a)GE3.5
ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (3.5 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or eligibility for college composition.
Transfers to:UC, CSU

This composition course enables students to generate logical, coherent essays that incorporate sources necessary for academic and professional success. Students become proficient in researching, evaluating, and incorporating sources, and in learning critical reading and thinking skills through expository and persuasive reading selections before applying these skills to creating original documented essays. The writing workshop component of the course is designed to assist students with improving and refining their writing and language skills: Students complete writing workshop activities that enhance their ability to compose logical, well-supported arguments that exhibit grammatical fluency and correct citation styles. Students meet with composition instructors through individual or small group conferences that address students’ specific writing concerns. This course is designed for students who wish to fulfill the General Education requirement for Written Communication.

Select one: MATH 150 / FIN 101 / MATH 175 / MATH 130 / MATH 130H / PSY 190 (RHC GE 2)GE3.0†
Notes:
While the above course(s) are recommended, students may take any of the following courses to fulfill this requirement:  FIN 101, MATH 060, MATH 073, MATH 130/H, MATH 140, MATH 150, MATH 160, MATH 170, MATH 175, MATH 180, MATH 190/H, PSY 190.

MATH 150 - Survey of Mathematics (3.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an intermediate algebra course.
Transfers to: CSU, UC

In this course students will learn to read and understand quantitative information, solve practical problems, and make sound decisions using numbers. Topics include consumer applications, logic, probability, statistics, algebra, and geometry. This course is for students who need a quantitative reasoning course for graduation or transfer.

FIN 101 - Introduction to Financial Planning (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of an elementary algebra course.
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of financial planning, and is designed to provide students with tools needed to achieve their personal financial goals. Students will learn to make informed decisions related to spending, saving, borrowing, and investing by applying quantitative reasoning concepts. Course topics include the financial planning process, budgeting, cash flow, debt consolidation, investing, and retirement planning.

MATH 175 - Plane Trigonometry (3.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a geometry and an intermediate algebra course.
Transfers to: CSU

This course is for students majoring in mathematics, science, and engineering. The course equips students with the skills necessary for success in precalculus, presenting the concepts of plane trigonometry using a functions approach. The course also includes a study of trigonometric functions including their inverses and graphs, identities and proofs related to trigonometric expressions, trigonometric equations, solving right triangles, solving triangles using the law of cosines and the law of sines, polar coordinates, and an introduction to vectors.

MATH 130 - Statistics (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course.
Advisory: ENGL 101; READ 101
Transfers to: UC (*crdit limit),CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H)

This course is designed for students majoring in business, social sciences, and life sciences. This course provides an overview of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students learn to read, interpret, and present data in a well-organized way via a study of frequency distributions, graphs, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, and linear regression. While discussing inferential statistics, students learn to make generalizations about populations, including probability, sampling techniques, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests.

MATH 130H - Statistics Honors (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course. ENGL 101
Advisory: READ 101
Transfers to: UC (8credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H)

This course is designed for students majoring in business, social sciences, and life sciences. This course provides an overview of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students learn to read, interpret, and present data in a well-organized way via a study of frequency distributions, graphs, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, and linear regression. While discussing inferential statistics, students learn to make generalizations about populations, including probability, sampling techniques, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests. This course is intended for students who meet Honors Program requirements.

PSY 190 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course.
Advisory:ENGL 101 and the ability to read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*The UC will grant credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H or PSY 190)

This course provides an overview of the types of statistics that are important in the behavioral sciences. It is designed to teach students majoring in psychology, sociology, political science, and anthropology how to present and interpret experimental data. The course focuses on hypothesis testing and the statistics used to analyze assumptions, with topics including basic probability, measures of central tendency, measures of variance, sampling, and inferential statistics.

RHC GE 7a - Fine ArtsGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
ARCH 103
ART 101, 104, 105, 105H, 106, 106H, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117, 120, 130, 135, 140;
DANC 179, 179H, 199, 199H;
GDSN 110:
MUS 101, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 136;
MUST 151, 152;
PHTO 110, 130;
THTR 101, 105, 105H, 110

Total Semester Units:14.5† 
2nd Semester
ENGT 122 - Intermediate Engineering Design: Geometric Dimensioning & TolerancingM3.0
ENGT 122 - Intermediate Engineering Design: Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (3.0 units)

Advisory:ENGT 101 or two years of high school drafting; ENGT 105, ENGT 150 or ENGT 170
Transfers to: UC, CSU

In this course, emphasis is placed on technical drawing using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), for the purposes of completing a conceptual design project and the preparation of working drawings. This course is required for all students working towards a degree or certificate in the Architecture and Engineering Design Drafting program. The course is also recommended for students interested in transferring to schools of engineering.

ENGT 150 - AutoCAD for Basic CADD ApplicationsM4.0
ENGT 150 - AutoCAD for Basic CADD Applications (4.0 units)

Advisory: 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.

RHC GE 7b - HumanitiesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units. 

Select one:
ANTH 104;
ASL 101, 124, 201, 202;
CHIN 101, 102;
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H, 150;
EGSS 130;
ENGL 126, 131;
FR 101, 102, 201, 202;
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 167, 170;
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130, 140, 145;
JAPN 101, 102;
LIT 102, 102H, 112A, 112AH, 112B, 112BH, 114, 114H, 117, 117H, 130, 130H,140, 140H, 141, 141H, 142, 142H, 144A, 144AH, 144B, 144BH, 145, 145H, 146A, 146AH, 146B, 146BH, 147, 147H, 148, 148H, 149, 149H;
MSCM 128;
PHIL 101, 101H, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 128H, 135, 140;
POLS 128, 128H, 150;
SPAN 101, 101S, 102, 102S, 201, 201H, 202;
SPCH 130, 132

RHC GE 6 - Social and Behavioral ScienceGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
AJ 101
ANTH 102, 102H, 103, 104, 110, 115, 125;
CD 106, 208;
CHST 101, 146, 148, 148H, 150;
ECON 101, 101H, 102, 102H, 106, 135;
EGSS 110, 120, 130;
GEOG 102, 103;
HIST 101, 102, 122, 131, 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 167, 170;
HUM 110, 111, 125, 125H, 130;
KIN 170, 190, 195
MSCM 128;
PHIL 128, 128H, 135;
POLS 110, 110H, 115, 125, 128, 128H, 130, 135,140,150;
PSY 101, 101H, 112, 114, 180, 200;
SOC 101, 101H, 102, 105, 110, 114, 116, 120, 127, 130;
SPCH 150

RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE1.0

Select one: KINA or DANC activity course.
Students who have completed a Fire, Police, Wildland Fire, or Corrections Academy from an accredited institution are automatically waived from this requirement, as are students with a DD214 on file. Exemption may be granted to those students physically unable to complete this requirement. Exemption forms are available in Student Health & Psychological Services.

Total Semester Units:14.0† 
Summer 1
RHC GE 3 - Physical EducationGE1.0

Select one: KINA or DANC activity course.
Students who have completed a Fire, Police, Wildland Fire, or Corrections Academy from an accredited institution are automatically waived from this requirement, as are students with a DD214 on file. Exemption may be granted to those students physically unable to complete this requirement. Exemption forms are available in Student Health & Psychological Services.

RHC GE 8b - Communication/Analytical Thinking *GE3.0
Notes:
*May be replaced with an elective if transfer level math has been completed.

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.

Select one:
CIT 101, 125, 135;
ENGL 125, 201, 201H;
FIN 101;
GIS 120;
LIB 101;
MATH 130, 130H, 140, 150, 160, 170, 175, 180, 190, 190H, 191, 250, 251, 260, 270;
PHIL 110, 110H, 112, 112H, 115;
PSY 190;
SPCH 100, 101, 101H, 120, 140;
READ 101;
VOCB 101

Total Semester Units:4.0 
3rd Semester
ENGT 200 - Intermediate CAD Modeling for Design & ProductionM4.0
ENGT 200 - Intermediate CAD Modeling for Design & Production (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: ENGT 105, ENGT 150
Advisory:ENGT 101 or two years of high school drafting
Transfers to: CSU

This course is for students pursuing degrees or certificates in Architecture, Civil, or the Engineering Design Drafting Program, and for those who wish to enhance their computer aided design (CAD) skills for workplace productivity. The course is an intermediate application study in CAD, drafting, and graphics using the latest revisions of CAD software. Combined with previously learned technical drafting conventions and basic CAD operational skills, students will use CAD software to produce detailed drawings that involve models, 2D and 3D objects, data attributes, and scales. Emphasis is placed on working with multiple drawing files using external files to create mechanical, architectural, and civil projects.

ENGT 123 - Intermediate Engineering Design: Descriptive GeometryM2.0
ENGT 123 - Intermediate Engineering Design: Descriptive Geometry (2.0 units)

Advisory:ENGT 101, ENGT 105, ENGT 150
Transfers to:UC,CSU

This course is an introduction to graphics as used in engineering design utilizing descriptive geometry to solve three-dimensional engineering problems involving space, points, planes, and lines. The course explores the concepts of true length and size used within the industry to design and manufacture projects with high accuracy; utilizing auxiliary views; and revolution methods in regard to creating edges, surfaces, and developments.

ENGT 250 - Introduction to Parametric Modeling 3D Applications for Mechanical DesignM4.0
ENGT 250 - Introduction to Parametric Modeling 3D Applications for Mechanical Design (4.0 units)

Advisory:ENGT 101, ENGT 105, ENGT 122
Transfers to:
UC,CSU

This course presents introductory applications of 2D and 3D computer aided design drafting (CADD) and an introduction to parametric modeling and rapid prototyping utilizing the latest releases of Autodesk Inventor series, SolidWorks, and other parametric modeling software to produce solutions for mechanical applications. This course benefits all students in areas of study related to engineering, drafting, design and computer graphics and emphasizes CADD-generated 3D graphics using wire frame, surface modeling, and parametric solids.

RHC GE 4 - American InstitutionsGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one:
POLS 110, 110H;
HIST 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 170

Total Semester Units:13.0 
4th Semester
ENGT 131 - Advanced Engineering Design: Manufacturing Applications of Technical DrawingM4.0
ENGT 131 - Advanced Engineering Design: Manufacturing Applications of Technical Drawing (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: ENGT 122, ENGT 123, ENGT 150 or ENGT 170 or appropriate CADD experience
Advisory: ENGT 200, ENGT 250
Transfers to:UC,CSU

This intermediate course takes up technical drawing as used in manufacturing applications of design and engineering technology, and is intended for all students in areas of study related to engineering, technical drafting, design, and computer graphics. The course incorporates orthographic projection, introduction to tool design, and applications of descriptive geometry through layouts and developments. The course also covers the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Y14.5 standard, precision dimensioning, geometric tolerancing, and manufacturing terminology and processes. Lab exercises and drawings are used to reinforce lecture and demonstration concepts.

ENGT 231 - Product Design and PresentationM4.0
ENGT 231 - Product Design and Presentation (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:ENGT 250
Advisory: ENGT 122, ENGT 150 or ENGT 170, or appropriate CADD experience, ENGT 200
Transfers to: CSU

This advanced course focuses on research, product proposal and design, illustration for presentation, and manufacturing processes. Using computer aided design (CAD), students apply previously learned skills to develop a product design, graphic illustrations of mechanical applications for use in manufacturing, and engineering support presentation documents.

Select one: ENGT 270 / ENGT 280 / ENGT 290 *M1.0†
Notes:
** Pre-requisites ENGT 122, ENGT 150 or ENGT 170, ENGT 200, ENGT 250
*** ENGT 170 or appropriate CAD work experience
Please see a counselor for assistance.

ENGT 270 - Advanced 3D Parametric Modeling and Prototype Applications (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: ENGT 122; ENGT 150 or ENGT 170, ENGT 200, ENGT 250
Transfers to: UC,CSU - UC credit limit. The UC will grant a maximum of 8 units of credit for the following courses: ENGT 150, ENGT 250, and ENGT 270.

This course is an intensive study of 3D computer graphics and computer assisted design and drafting (CADD) utilizing the latest release of 3D software. This course benefits all students in areas of study related to engineering, drafting, design, and computer graphics. Students produce 3D, parametric, computer-generated virtual models incorporating mechanical design refinements. The course emphasizes the technological skills necessary to function as a design professional in order to apply 3D design graphics technology to the specific disciplines of mechanical engineering, machine drafting and design, manufacturing, animation, modeling, and illustration. Students are introduced to a variety of ways to produce prototype models directly from CADD-generated solid geometry. Students also take the Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) industry standard test to check their proficiency, and receive certification upon passing.

ENGT 280 - Advanced MicroStation for CADD & BIM Applications (Same as ARCH 280) (4.0 units)

Prerequisite: ENGT 170 or appropriate CADD work experience
Advisory: ENGT 101 or two years of high school drafting
Transfers to: CSU

This course is for students pursuing advanced study in MicroStation 3D parametric CADD (Computer Assisted Design and Drafting) and the BIM (Building Information Modeling) approach to building design using Bentley Architecture digital modeling applications. Students apply previously learned drafting conventions to produce 2D and 3D CADD- and BIM-generated mechanical and architectural drawings and virtual design models. This course benefits all students studying architecture, civil engineering of all types, drafting, design and computer graphics. Emphasis is placed on the high technology skills necessary to function as a designer or CADD drafter.

ENGT 290 - Cooperative Work Experience/Internship for Drafting Related Fields (1.0 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 supports and reinforces on-the-job training in business and industrial establishments under supervision of a college instructor, and is facilitated by the use of learning objectives. Students work in a skilled or professional-level assignment in their area of vocational interest and meet performance objectives related to instruction that are above and beyond the conditions of regular employment. This course is intended for students whose job is in drafting-related fields and who have completed or enrolled in the appropriate coursework. Instructor approval is needed to enroll in the course. Contact the CWE office regarding re-enrollment procedures.

Student Unpaid Internship:
1 Unit/60 hours; 2 Units/120 hours;
3 Units/180 hours;4 Units/240 hours
Student Paid Internship
1 Unit/75 hours; 2 Units/150 hours;
3 Units/225 hours; 4 Units/300 hours.

RHC GE 5 - Natural Science with LabGE4.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one Natural Science with Lab:
ANTH 101, 101H & 101L;
ASTR 110, 110H & 112, 137;
BIOL 101, 105 & 105L, 111 & 111L, 112, 120 & 120L;
BIOT 100;
CHEM 110, 120, 130;
GEOG 101 & 101L;
GEOL 150 & 151, 152 & 152L;
PHY 120, 150, 160, 211, 212, 213

Total Semester Units:13.0† 
Total Units for Engineering Design Technology AS program 58.5† 
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
GEGeneral Education course
ELElective Course
Advising Sheet:
Click or tap here to open the program's advising sheet.

Program Learning Outcomes

1

Given various visual communication technologies, such as traditional drafting and CADD; and industry standards such as ANSI/ASME and ISO, students will effectively communicate, understand, and interpret design concepts and criteria for industries that design, engineer and manufacture products.


2

Students will be prepared for industry employment and advancement within a variety of related professions.


3

Students will be prepared to transfer to advanced fields of study in related occupations.


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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