2D / 3D CAD Certificate

About the Program

Penn State's 2D/3D CAD Certificate was created by individuals with years of experience in AutoCAD and SolidWorks. The two courses are designed for architects, drafters, engineers, technicians, or anyone desiring formal training in computer-aided design.

Certificate Requirements

To receive the 2D/3D CAD Certificate, participants must successfully complete the two required courses, maintain at least a "C" average, and pass a final project/examination given during the last session of each course.

Career Potential

AutoCad and SolidWorks are commonly requested skills throughout Reading, PA, specifically in manufacturing companies. While a portion of the positions require an Engineering Bachelor’s degree plus AutoCad and/or SolidWorks; other positions including Drafter, Engineering Technician and Commercial and Industrial Designers are also needed.
Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool.

Meet the Instructor

Ralph Stock graduated from Exeter High School and then received an associate degree in architectural engineering. He worked for various architectural firms in the Reading, Allentown, and Philadelphia areas for 20 years before becoming involved at a teaching level. He worked on projects from single-family homes to multi-story commercial office buildings, schools, hospitals, and manufacturing clean rooms. Ralph started design work on the drafting board and then, in 1988, started computer drafting. He uses AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, and SolidWorks software, currently teaching AutoCAD, SolidWorks and Revit classes at Penn State Berks. He also teaches high school students at Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology.

Course Offerings

2D with AutoCAD – CSE 5450

In this hands-on computer-aided drafting course, participants will be introduced to AutoCAD, which includes: basic drawing and editing commands, coordinate entry methods, object snap techniques, display manipulation, automatic editing, text manipulation, prototype drawings, scaling, layers, dimensioning and tolerancing, groups and blocks, and printing. Students are required to bring a flash drive to class.

Dates: Mondays, September 11 - December 4, 2023 (no class 11/20)
Times: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Room: Gaige 204
Cost: $925

Register online in 2D with AutoCad

3D with SolidWorks – CSE 5451

In the second half of the 2D/3D series, participants will be introduced to SolidWorks, which includes parametric modeling, solid geometry concepts, feature design tree, geometric relations and construction tools, the BORN construction technique, part drawings and associate functionality, reference geometry and auxiliary views, symmetrical features in design, assembly modeling, and more. As a result of having taken this class, students will have begun preparation to take the Certified SolidWorks Associate exam.

Dates: Wednesdays, September 13 - December 6, 2023 (no class 11/22)
Times: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Room: Gaige, Room 204
Cost: $925