Engineering Transfer/Engineering Technology/ CAD Drafting Technology
Executive Summary
Program Description
The Engineering Transfer/Engineering Technology/ CAD Drafting Technology program offers courses for both transfer and tech students. On the transfer side, we offer a full complement of both freshman and sophomore engineering courses. The majority of our students transfer to the University of Washington, with the balance made up by Seattle University, Seattle Pacific, and Washington State. The Engineering Technology component offers courses for both Civil and Mechanical Engineering Technology two year degrees. The CAD Drafting Technology aspect includes course offerings for the two year CAD degrees, and the one year certificate program. Students in the two year programs and certificate typically go to work after graduation, although some switch and continue their education in the transfer program.
Program Analysis
The five engineering, engineering technology, and CAD programs, originally staffed with five full time engineering faculty, have been operating with only two full time faculty. This results in a large reliance on part time faculty which hampers continuity and vitality of the programs. Only two of our associate faculty have stayed with the college and have gotten a feel for how our curriculum flows. In addition, administrative tasks that were once spread among five faculty now fall on only two. This has the remaining faculty feel over-worked, and results in less time for teaching and helping students.
Engineering Transfer continues to have an upward trend in enrollment. Enrollment in some of the engineering technology specialty classes continues to be a challenge. The transfer program does help support some of the lower level technology classes, as some classes are taken by both types of students. In the CAD program, enrollments have also been a challenge. A factor for the CAD program is the current state of the software used in the classes, which is addressed below. To help stabilize the tech area, we have been looking into the feasibility of combining some of the technology programs and the possibility of going to a one year certificate.
To have viable engineering programs it is essential that the software in the CAD lab be maintained. AutoCAD software, which is used by all the engineering transfer and tech programs, needs to be upgraded. We have lost several prospective professional and high school students who were planning on enrolling, but were disappointed when they learned our software was not as current as they expected. Several high school students have noted that the college’s software lags behind their own high school’s. (Our software is three releases and over four years behind what is being used in the workplace and at local high schools and surrounding colleges). We have recently been able to receive special pricing for the AutoCAD software that will save the college almost $10,000 if we upgrade by July 31, 2002. SolidWorks software, which the college received last year through a generous donation from Steve Mydynski (past graduate of Shoreline CAD program, and CAD advisory board member), and forms the basis of our new class, Engr 284, needs annual maintenance, $1200 By May 25, 2002. The Solid Works class serves both technology students and transfer students (as it meets the new transfer requirement at the University of Washington).
Changes/Future Directions
The Engineering Transfer/Engineering Technology/ CAD Drafting Technology program will continue to focus its efforts on stabilizing the tech portions, and enhancing the transfer program. Including, refining course offerings; keeping pace with technology; coordinating class sequences; exploring non-traditional avenues for funding and support; and pursing innovative curriculum development.
In addition, we plan to launch an aggressive recruiting program for engineering and engineering technology. This program will include working with local high schools and engineering firms to target prospective students. As well as providing for more points of contact between the college and the major transfer universities.