Would Computer Aided Drafting (C.A.D.) Courses Benefit A Computer Engineering Major?

Question

Going into my first semester of Comp. Engineering I wanted to know if I should plan to take any C.A.D. specific classes in the future. My curriculum covers some design aspects but I'm not sure if any of the classes feature in-depth studies of using this kind of drafting software. I just wanted some opinions from people who are currently working engineers in the industry or well into their respective curriculum at other universities.

Answer 1

I'm an EE out of school about 10 years. I learned all the AutoCAD I know on the job, but it's not something I do everyday. I don't really see how it would help you much; there are probably more relevant courses you could take.

Answer 2

Graduated from BS Industrial Engineering. Took a total of four credits in engineering drafting, also three credits of CAD applied to CNC machines.

Currently working at computer validation at an pharmaceutical manufacturing plant. Drawings and diagrams that are used by my computer engineering colleagues have been done with MS Visio, not with AutoCad.

Bottom line: a drafting or CAD course will aid you to understand drawings of a facility, but as an Computer Engineer you will probably use a less complex software to generate your drawings and diagrams.

Answer 3

Knowing how to use a specific piece of CAD software, or just CAD software in general, is a good skill to have. If it gives you nothing else, at least you can make a representative model of a circuit board to use in the illustration of some product.

Answer 4

Its a good skil to have. In the old days we had to take a draftsing class but today its a CAD class. Its a good class to take no matter what your major is.
EE here.

Answer 5

It would be a total wast of time.
Different answer if you were going into mechanical engineering.