INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

This is an ONLINE ASYNCHRONOUS course.

Students will receive an overview of the course and online expectations from the instructor on the mandatory first day class orientation.

The link to attend the live online classes will be available in the students' ACC Blackboard account (for this class) prior to the start of the first class. Students can log into ACC Blackboard here >> https://www.austincc.edu/students

Students will receive a detailed confirmation via ACC email from the professor prior to the first day mandatory orientation.

Contact the Professor Jeffrey Muhammad via email, jmuhamma@austincc.edu with course questions.

Online learning, is different from traditional face-to-face learning. In particular, time management and study skills are required to be a successful online student.  Students should review the ACC Distance Education General Information available at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/   

Students will use the Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, and collaboration.

IMPORTANT COURSE DATES

• First Day – Mandatory Online Orientation: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 2:00pm – 4:00pm.
• Weekly class days and times: None. However there will be 2-3 on-campus dates to learn how to operate the laser cutter, collaborate and submit the final laser project in person (see the Daily Schedule in Blackboard).
• Students will navigate the curriculum within Blackboard to successfully complete the course, with guidance from the instructor.

A link to video chat with the professor will be provided in Blackboard.

PREREQUISITES: (these 2 courses must be completed with "C" grade or better before taking this course)

• DFTG 1430 Civil Drafting 
• (and)
• DFTG 2421 Topographical Drafting 

COURSE RATIONALE

Introduce students to accepted principles, methods and best practices in drafting with AEC software, involving the creation of a variety of civil drawings, illustrations and animations.  Provide students with necessary skill sets suitable for entry level employment as a Civil CAD technician.

COURSE DESCRIPTION (4 credit hours – 5.25 Contact Hours per week)

This is an advanced level course that builds on the concepts and principles learned in earlier civil drafting courses. Topics include conceptual Illustration, 3D visualization, rendering and presentation of civil engineering infrastructure projects.

Transferability of workforce courses varies. Students interested in transferring courses to another college should speak with their Area of Study (AoS) advisor, Department Chair, and/or Program Director.

For online classes, if a student does not have access to the required technology for this course, students must use our CAD computers in our open CAD lab in our Architectural and Engineering CAD Department in building 2000 of the Highland Campus to complete assignments.  Students that are unable to meet the course technology requirements may have to drop or withdraw from the course.

TEXTBOOK: Instructor will provide the course curriculum at no cost to student in Blackboard.

TECHNOLOGY: Since this course is Online, students are required to have the appropriate technology to successfully participate in the course. Our open CAD lab is equipped with everything needed for student success, including software, hardware and technical support.

SOFTWARE: A FREE student version of INFRAWORKS (and) CIVIL 3D can be downloaded by joining the Autodesk Student Community. Click here for more information about educational downloads. Also download and install MICROSOFT POWERPOINT free student download here

INTERNET ACCESS: Students must have access to a high speed internet connection (at least 20 Mbps download speed). Click here to test your internet speed.

COMPUTER HARDWARE: Students must have a computer with a Windows 10 operating system that can run the desktop student version of INFRAWORKS (and) CIVIL 3D. Autodesk’s system requirements for INFRAWORKS (and) CIVIL 3D can be found here. Online meetings require a computer to have a speaker (or telephone) for audio. Please note: INFRAWORKS (and) CIVIL 3D runs only on the Windows operating system.  It will not run on a Chromebook. Mac users will need either Apple Boot Camp or Parallels installed to run INFRAWORKS (and) CIVIL 3D.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: pencil/pen and paper for taking notes. (optional laser cutting materials, to be discussed by the instructor)

RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES: A dual monitor display setup is strongly recommended. A computer with a webcam and a microphone, access to a printer for printing out written instructions.

MINIMUM TECHNICAL SKILLS:

As part of your online experience, you can expect to utilize a variety of technology mediums as part of your curriculum:

• Communicate via email including sending attachments  
• Navigate the internet using a Web browser such as Google Chrome
• Use office applications such as Microsoft Office, Google Docs (or similar) to create documents   
• Be willing to learn how to communicate using a discussion board and upload assignments to our classroom Blackboard site
• Be comfortable uploading and downloading saved files   
• Have access to high speed internet   

ACC Email

All communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account.  Students should expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account unless other arrangements have been made.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/index.php.

Blackboard (Bb)

The entire curriculum for this course will be accessed through Blackboard.

• Distribution of handouts and readings
• Instructional materials including videos
• Submissions of assignments and activities
• Grading

As instructed by your professor, students will be required to access instructional materials via Blackboard.

For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Utilize AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) software.
• Create conceptual and design visualizations of civil engineering projects.
• Produce a physical model of subdivision project
• Perform file format conversions.
• Set up 2D and 3D scenes.
• Apply Materials to 3D models.
• Apply Lighting methods and techniques.
• Prepare Rendered images and animations.
• Produce a portfolio-quality set of rendered images and animations relative to civil engineering infrastructure.

PROGRAM-LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

C1. Utilize CAD drafting & design software to plan and prepare construction documents, technical graphics and visualizations appropriate to the civil infrastructure industry.

C2. Demonstrate knowledge of civil drafting and design procedures; familiarity with design criteria, and their appropriate uses in civil infrastructure projects.

C3. Perform analyses and calculations suitable for civil infrastructure drafting & design processes.

I1.  Utilize CAD software to plan and prepare documents and technical graphics appropriate to a range of design, manufacturing, and construction industries.

COURSE EVALUATION/GRADING SCHEME

Assignments will be graded based on:

• Completeness
• Presentation Quality
• Appropriate use of tools and techniques
• Meets or exceeds design criteria (if applicable)
• Submitted on time (date set by instructor)

Grades will be determined as follows:

• 10%        Laser Cut Project - CAD
• 10%        Laser Cut Project - Model
• 10%        Elevation & Slope Analysis
• 10%        Road Features
• 10%        Buildings & Grading Pads
• 10%        Landscaping
• 10%        City Furniture
• 10%        Storyboard Snapshots
• 20%        Movie Production

• 100%      Total     

The grade range for completed assignments is as listed:

• 90 to 100 = A
• 80 to 89 = B
• 70 to 79 = C
• 60 to 69 = D
• Below 60 = F
• A final grade of D or lower requires that the student retake the entire course.

Policy on Late Missing Work

• Instructors may impose a late penalty on work that is submitted after the assigned due date.
• Late assignments submitted after the due date will accrue -5 points off for the first day, then -2 points for every day thereafter, until the drawing is submitted.
• Drawings will be graded and feedback will be provided by the instructor of what corrections to make for the students’ portfolio.
• Graded drawing assignments are not to be re-submitted for a new grade.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process.  Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements, and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources.  Further information is available at https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process

Representing the work of another person as your own work is considered scholastic dishonesty by the A&E CAD department.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their own thought, research or self-expression.  Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course, the assignment being replaced with a different project with a reduced maximum grade, and/or expulsion from the college.

Reproduction or transmission of A&E CAD Departmental Check Prints in any manner (including photography and scanning) is a violation of the A&E CAD department’s Scholastic Dishonesty policy.

Sharing a drawing file of a class project with another student, or representing another’s file as your own work, is a violation of the department’s Scholastic Dishonesty policy.

In consultation with the department chair, the instructor may resolve the matter in one or more of the following ways:

• Dismissing the allegation;
• Issuing a written warning that further violations may result in additional penalties;
• Requiring the student to revise or replace the work in which the violation occurred – including a reduced maximum grade;
• A reduction in the grade on the work in question;
• A failing grade on the work in question;
• A failing grade or other denial of credit in the course;
• Recommending disciplinary sanctions to the Dean of Student Services.

Within 5 (five) business days of the meeting with the student, the instructor shall provide written notification of the resolution to the student, the department chair, the instructional dean, for informational purposes, and to the Dean of Student Services, for possible disciplinary action.

ATTENDANCE/CLASS PARTICIPATION:

Regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. It is the student's responsibility to inform instructor when circumstances prevent him/her from completing projects or keeping up with the pace of the class.   An instructor may lower a student’s final grade on a project for late submittal.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

See Blackboard for daily schedule

Laser Cut Project 

Exhibits 

Road Elements

Buildings & Grading Pads

Landscaping

City Furniture

Storyboard Snapshots

Movie Production

See Blackboard for daily schedule

Laser Cut Project

Exhibits 

Road Elements

Buildings & Grading Pads

Landscaping

City Furniture

Storyboard Snapshots

Movie Production

In-person format: regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. Students accruing more than two (2) UNEXCUSED absences may be withdrawn from the course at the instructor's discretion.  Students may make-up absences by attending other classes.  It is the student's responsibility to inform instructor when circumstances prevent him/her from attending class.   An instructor may lower a student’s final grade for a course due to excessive absences.

Online distance learning format: Students are expected to access curriculum materials in Blackboard, follow the pace of the daily schedule, ask the instructor for assistance to continue moving forward, complete and submit assignments on time, meet with CAD tutors for help when necessary

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions or assignments being missed.

Policy on Late Missing Work

• Instructors may impose a late penalty on work that is submitted after the assigned due date.
• Late assignments submitted after the due date will accrue -5 points off for the first day, then -2 points for every day thereafter, until the drawing is submitted.
• Drawings will be graded and feedback will be provided by the instructor of what corrections to make for the students’ portfolio.
• Graded drawing assignments are not to be re-submitted for a new grade.
• Quizzes are hosted in Blackboard and must be completed by the due date. For missed quizzes, azero grade will be assigned after the due date has passed, no exceptions.

Ownership of Student Work

The Architectural & Engineering Computer Aided Design (A&E CAD) Department reserves the right to retain any and all student work (including but not limited to: original work, scans, photographs, and copies of student work) completed as A&E CAD course work for the purposes of documentation, accreditation, evidence of student performance, university transfer, marketing or any other purpose supporting the mission of the Department and Austin Community College.

Cell Phones and Electronic Devices

To avoid disturbing or distracting others during face-2-face classes or open on-campus lab times, students are requested to conduct personal communications of any sort outside of the classrooms. For this reason, the use of cell phones and other PDA’s by students is prohibited inside A&E CAD classrooms (this includes placing or receiving phone calls, text messages and emails). When conducting personal communication in the hallways, please control the volume of your voice so as not to disturb students in nearby classrooms. Unauthorized recording of online classes is prohibited.

COLLEGE POLICIES & STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Click link to view, https://www.austincc.edu/offices/academic-outcomes-assessment/master-syllabi/college-policies