SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
COMPLETE LEARNING PATHWAY
Learners progress through technical communication, materials, mechanics, machine elements, motion, quality, and digital production. Every stage links theory to evidence.
Laboratory work follows written authorization, hazard controls, supervision, measurement discipline, and stop-work authority. Classroom completion is not professional licensure or product certification.
CURRICULUM · 48 CLASSES · 24 LABS
Read, create, constrain, and communicate manufacturable part drawings and parametric 3D models.
Core instructionDesign intent, drawing types, line conventions, scales, title blocks, revision control, and ethical documentation.
Guided practiceInterpret a bracket drawing and identify every view, line type, dimension, note, and revision field.
Mastery evidenceAnnotated drawing-reading worksheet with a design-intent summary.
Core instructionProjection, view selection, hidden features, sections, auxiliary views, and unambiguous visualization.
Guided practiceConstruct three principal views and one section view from an isometric component.
Mastery evidenceStandards-aligned multiview drawing checked for completeness.
Core instructionSize and location dimensions, limits, fits, datums, surface finish, and avoiding over-dimensioning.
Guided practiceDimension a plate so its hole pattern can be inspected from defined edges.
Mastery evidenceDimensioned drawing plus written tolerance rationale.
Core instructionGeometric constraints, dimensional constraints, degrees of freedom, profiles, and robust design intent.
Guided practiceCreate a fully constrained mounting-plate sketch that can be resized without breaking.
Mastery evidenceConstraint report and three verified design configurations.
Core instructionExtrude, revolve, cut, fillet, chamfer, pattern, reference geometry, and feature order.
Guided practiceModel a stepped shaft and protective housing using stable reference geometry.
Mastery evidenceEditable model tree and mass-property report.
Core instructionMates, interference, exploded views, bills of materials, drawing packages, neutral formats, and release checks.
Guided practiceAssemble a small clamp, detect interference, and prepare its drawing package.
Mastery evidenceReleased PDF drawing set, BOM, and STEP exchange file.
Reverse-engineer a safe, noncritical household component using calipers and visual inspection.
Model a bracket whose width, hole spacing, and thickness can change from named parameters.
Build a virtual clamp assembly and verify motion, clearances, fastener access, and BOM accuracy.
Select materials and processes by connecting structure, properties, manufacturability, cost, safety, and environmental impact.
Core instructionMetals, polymers, ceramics, composites, property charts, specifications, and selection constraints.
Guided practiceScreen candidate materials for a lightweight outdoor equipment handle.
Mastery evidenceWeighted decision matrix with documented assumptions.
Core instructionStress, strain, stiffness, strength, hardness, toughness, fatigue, creep, and test uncertainty.
Guided practiceInterpret tensile-test data and estimate elastic modulus, yield strength, and ultimate strength.
Mastery evidenceLabeled stress–strain curve and calculation sheet.
Core instructionCrystal structure, alloys, phase change, annealing, normalizing, quenching, tempering, and property trade-offs.
Guided practiceRecommend a steel condition for a shaft exposed to repeated bending.
Mastery evidenceProcess-property explanation supported by a material specification.
Core instructionThermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, fiber reinforcement, anisotropy, temperature limits, and failure modes.
Guided practiceCompare injection-molded polymer and fiber composite housings.
Mastery evidenceComparative selection memo with end-of-life considerations.
Core instructionCasting, forming, molding, extrusion, powder processing, and process capability.
Guided practiceMatch twelve part geometries to feasible high- and low-volume processes.
Mastery evidenceProcess-selection table identifying risks and secondary operations.
Core instructionMaterial removal, welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fastening, coatings, surface integrity, and inspection.
Guided practicePlan a process route for a corrosion-resistant welded frame.
Mastery evidenceTraveler showing sequence, controls, inspection points, and hazards.
Analyze provided force-extension data and compare two materials without operating a test frame.
Compare verified sample or supplied hardness data before and after heat treatment.
Select a material and manufacturing route for a reusable hand-tool body.
Calculate loads, stresses, deformation, and margins of safety for responsibly simplified mechanical structures.
Core instructionVectors, moments, couples, equilibrium, supports, connections, and modeling assumptions.
Guided practiceIsolate a wall-mounted arm and solve its reaction forces.
Mastery evidenceCorrect free-body diagram, equations, units, and equilibrium check.
Core instructionLoad paths, centroids, resultants, method of joints, frames, and machines.
Guided practiceAnalyze selected members in a pin-jointed support frame.
Mastery evidenceForce table distinguishing tension and compression.
Core instructionAxial loading, direct shear, bearing stress, stress concentration awareness, and allowable stress.
Guided practiceSize a pin and plate connection using stated allowable values.
Mastery evidenceCalculation note with governing mode and safety factor.
Core instructionTorque, shear stress, bending moment, flexural stress, section properties, and beam diagrams.
Guided practiceCreate shear and moment diagrams for a simply supported beam.
Mastery evidenceDiagrams and maximum-stress location justification.
Core instructionElastic deformation, superposition, column slenderness, Euler buckling limits, and serviceability.
Guided practiceCompare two beam sections for stiffness and mass.
Mastery evidenceDeflection comparison and applicability statement.
Core instructionDuctile and brittle failure, fatigue awareness, uncertainty, codes, misuse, and responsible margins.
Guided practiceReview a loaded bracket under combined stress using a conservative failure criterion.
Mastery evidenceDesign-review memo listing assumptions, margin, and required validation.
Compare measured or supplied beam deflection with a simplified analytical prediction.
Use simulation or strain measurements to identify high-response regions in a bracket.
Improve a bracket for stiffness-to-mass while preserving interfaces and manufacturing feasibility.
Select and integrate standard machine elements into maintainable, guarded, and verifiable assemblies.
Core instructionThread forms, preload, tightening, bolted-joint behavior, pins, rivets, adhesives, locking, and joint failure.
Guided practiceSpecify a serviceable bolted joint for a removable bearing cover.
Mastery evidenceFastener callout, preload assumptions, and inspection plan.
Core instructionTorque transmission, combined loading, stress concentrations, alignment, fits, and shaft layout.
Guided practiceDevelop a preliminary shaft arrangement for a belt-driven mixer.
Mastery evidenceLayout drawing with load points and critical sections.
Core instructionRolling and sliding bearings, life-rating concepts, load direction, speed, seals, lubricant selection, and contamination.
Guided practiceCompare two bearing arrangements for a supported shaft.
Mastery evidenceSelection record with life assumptions and lubrication schedule.
Core instructionCompression, extension, torsion, rate, stress, fatigue, buckling, surge awareness, and safe containment.
Guided practiceSpecify a compression spring for a bounded return mechanism.
Mastery evidenceLoad-deflection specification and safe operating range.
Core instructionSpeed ratio, torque, power, efficiency, tension, geometry, alignment, guarding, and maintenance.
Guided practiceChoose a transmission for a low-speed conveyor from stated requirements.
Mastery evidenceRatio calculations, component selection, and guard concept.
Core instructionLeakage control, friction interfaces, heat, actuation, fail-safe behavior, maintainability, and risk review.
Guided practicePerform a subsystem interface review for a compact drive unit.
Mastery evidenceInterface control sheet and preliminary failure-mode list.
Study how tightening input, friction, and joint stiffness affect clamp load using approved training hardware or supplied data.
Select bearings and shaft fits for a defined radial/axial load case and duty cycle.
Configure or simulate belt, chain, and gear ratios and compare speed, torque, slip, noise, and efficiency.
Analyze and synthesize mechanisms that transform motion while accounting for geometry, forces, interference, and human safety.
Core instructionLinks, joints, degrees of freedom, mobility, constraints, inversions, and mechanism diagrams.
Guided practiceClassify common mechanisms and calculate planar mobility.
Mastery evidenceKinematic diagrams with mobility calculations.
Core instructionGrashof condition, crank-rocker behavior, positions, transmission angle, branch defects, and synthesis goals.
Guided practiceChoose link lengths for a required rocker sweep.
Mastery evidenceScaled construction or simulation with range verification.
Core instructionInstant centers, relative motion, angular velocity, acceleration, and numerical/graphical analysis.
Guided practiceEstimate coupler-point velocity at a specified mechanism position.
Mastery evidenceAnalysis sheet with vector directions and unit checks.
Core instructionMotion programs, displacement diagrams, pressure angle, curvature, dwell, contact, and manufacturability.
Guided practiceCreate a smooth rise–dwell–return motion schedule.
Mastery evidenceMotion diagram and generated cam profile.
Core instructionInvolute concepts, tooth geometry, contact ratio awareness, simple/compound/planetary trains, backlash, and lubrication.
Guided practiceSolve a compound gear train for speed and rotation direction.
Mastery evidenceTrain diagram, ratio solution, and interference check.
Core instructionPath, function, and motion generation; tolerances; sensitivity; prototype learning; pinch points and guards.
Guided practiceGenerate concepts for a foot-operated lifting aid and screen hazards.
Mastery evidenceConcept matrix, selected architecture, and validation plan.
Build or simulate an adjustable four-bar and map input angle to output position.
Design, manufacture virtually or print a low-load cam and evaluate follower motion.
Create a compact mechanism that moves an object through a defined path without unsafe trapping points.
Define functional requirements with tolerances and verify conformance using a traceable measurement strategy.
Core instructionNominal size, tolerance, process variation, interchangeability, risk, calibration, traceability, and decision rules.
Guided practiceSeparate design requirements from measurement and process capability questions.
Mastery evidenceRequirement-to-verification matrix.
Core instructionDatum features, datum reference frames, basic dimensions, material condition concepts, and control hierarchy.
Guided practiceEstablish a functional datum scheme for a mounting plate.
Mastery evidenceAnnotated drawing with written datum rationale.
Core instructionStraightness, flatness, circularity, cylindricity, perpendicularity, parallelism, angularity, position, and profile.
Guided practiceSelect controls for a bearing housing without duplicating requirements.
Mastery evidenceRevised drawing and inspection interpretation.
Core instructionRules, calipers, micrometers, indicators, height gages, surface plates, CMM awareness, resolution, bias, repeatability, and uncertainty.
Guided practiceChoose measurement methods for six drawing characteristics.
Mastery evidenceMeasurement plan with tool capability and uncertainty risks.
Core instructionCommon/special causes, control charts, capability indices, sampling, measurement-system effects, and misuse of statistics.
Guided practiceInterpret a supplied process dataset and avoid declaring capability without stability evidence.
Mastery evidenceControl chart, capability discussion, and action recommendation.
Core instructionContainment, disposition authority, root-cause methods, corrective action, verification, configuration control, and learning culture.
Guided practiceInvestigate a recurring hole-location defect using evidence rather than blame.
Mastery evidenceCorrective-action report with effectiveness check.
Compare repeated measurements by multiple learners using controlled parts and tools.
Translate a functional drawing into an inspection sequence and setup concept.
Use supplied or safely collected dimensional data to distinguish stability from capability.
Plan and verify safe digital manufacturing workflows while recognizing machine, material, software, and process limits.
Core instructionCAD/CAM chain, model-based definition, coordinate systems, postprocessors, digital thread, revision control, and verification.
Guided practiceTrace a released part from requirement through inspection and identify control points.
Mastery evidenceDigital traveler and configuration-control map.
Core instructionCutting speed, feed, depth of cut, chip formation, tool materials, workholding, rigidity, heat, and tool life.
Guided practiceCalculate conservative starting parameters from approved reference data.
Mastery evidenceSetup sheet with units, sources, and adjustment limits.
Core instructionMachine coordinates, work offsets, tool offsets, interpolation, canned cycles, safe start, clearance, and modal behavior.
Guided practiceRead and simulate a simple 2.5-axis toolpath; identify unsafe assumptions.
Mastery evidenceAnnotated program and simulation verification checklist.
Core instructionToolpath selection, entry, stepdown, stepover, rest machining, stock, collision checking, postprocessing, and prove-out.
Guided practiceCreate a virtual machining plan for a pocketed plate.
Mastery evidenceCAM report, simulation images, and setup plan.
Core instructionMaterial extrusion and other process families, orientation, supports, anisotropy, slicing, tolerances, defects, postprocessing, and qualification.
Guided practiceCompare three build orientations for strength, time, support, and finish.
Mastery evidenceOrientation decision matrix and print specification.
Core instructionNear-net shape, post-machining, fixtures, automation awareness, energy/material efficiency, lot size, cost, and production readiness.
Guided practiceChoose among additive, machining, molding, or hybrid routes for three volume scenarios.
Mastery evidenceLifecycle process plan with cost and waste assumptions.
Verify a supplied or learner-created toolpath entirely in simulation before any supervised machine use.
Print or analyze controlled coupons while varying one approved parameter at a time.
Compare manufactured or provided part measurements to the nominal CAD model and revise the process plan.
Lead an evidence-centered product-development cycle from human need through verified prototype and responsible production plan.
Core instructionStakeholders, observation, accessibility, problem framing, measurable requirements, constraints, misuse, and acceptance criteria.
Guided practiceConvert an ambiguous community need into testable requirements without prescribing a solution.
Mastery evidenceApproved requirements specification and stakeholder map.
Core instructionFunctional decomposition, morphology, analogies, trade studies, uncertainty, intellectual-property awareness, and decision transparency.
Guided practiceGenerate multiple architectures and score them against weighted requirements.
Mastery evidenceConcept portfolio, decision matrix, and dissent/risk note.
Core instructionHazard identification, risk estimation, hierarchy of controls, inherently safer design, guarding, warnings, verification, and residual risk.
Guided practiceConduct a preliminary hazard analysis and revise the concept using higher-order controls.
Mastery evidenceRisk register with owners, controls, and verification methods.
Core instructionInterfaces, calculations, tolerances, materials, drawings, BOM, configuration baselines, peer review, and action closure.
Guided practiceRun a structured preliminary design review using traceable evidence.
Mastery evidenceReview package, action log, and released design baseline.
Core instructionPrototype fidelity, test planning, fixtures, sample limits, measurement, anomalies, verification versus validation, and iteration.
Guided practiceWrite a test method that links each test to a requirement and objective pass/fail rule.
Mastery evidenceTest plan, raw-data form, and verification matrix.
Core instructionDFMA, quality planning, sourcing, cost, maintenance, repair, packaging, circularity, documentation, training, and launch decision.
Guided practicePerform a production-readiness review and identify what remains unknown.
Mastery evidenceManufacturing plan, lifecycle assessment summary, and go/no-go recommendation.
Present a controlled design baseline to a multidisciplinary review panel and close evidence-based actions.
Build a low-risk prototype or digital/physical surrogate and execute an approved verification plan.
Simulate a pilot build and audit instructions, tooling, inspection, traceability, waste, and operator feedback.
EVIDENCE-CENTERED ASSESSMENT
Calculations, sketches, model checks, and technical explanations
Plans, observations, raw data, uncertainty, safety, and reflection
Integrated design packages reviewed against requirements
Concept application, interpretation, and error detection
Selected evidence, revisions, source map, and learning defense
FINAL INTEGRATED CHALLENGE
Teams identify a real human need, define measurable requirements, generate and compare concepts, analyze risk, create controlled CAD and drawings, justify materials and processes, prototype safely, verify performance, and present an honest production-readiness decision.
SOURCE MAP
Standards and software change. Instructors must verify the current official edition, license, machine manual, material safety data, and local requirements before teaching or authorizing physical work.
Dimensional metrology, manufacturing guidance, and measurement traceability
Open source ↗AUTHORITATIVE / OPEN SOURCEMachine guarding, hazardous energy, PPE, and workplace safety foundations
Open source ↗AUTHORITATIVE / OPEN SOURCEEngineering controls and prevention-through-design resources
Open source ↗AUTHORITATIVE / OPEN SOURCEOpen educational material for design, mechanics, and manufacturing
Open source ↗AUTHORITATIVE / OPEN SOURCEOpen university courses in manufacturing and mechanical engineering
Open source ↗AUTHORITATIVE / OPEN SOURCECAD and design-learning resources; current software behavior must be checked in official documentation
Open source ↗AUTHORITATIVE / OPEN SOURCEBooks and technical records mapped by rights, currency, relevance, and provenance
Open source ↗