University at Buffalo (UB)
The aerospace, civil, environmental, and mechanical engineering programs include a graphics (engineering CAD) requirement.
In many cases, transfer students complete a graphics course at another academic institution, and then seek to use this credit to satisfy the relevant degree requirement at UB. In what follows, we outline SEAS policies regarding the articulation of transfer credit for graphics courses.
Articulation of transfer credit for graphics courses is complicated by the diversity of software platforms used for drawing, modeling, and visualization. SEAS is a microcosm of this diversified approach. Two entry-level graphics courses are offered within SEAS:
While these courses feature different software platforms, they all introduce fundamental aspects of drawing, modeling, and visualization and illustrate concepts through application to engineering problems.
Within SEAS, we have adopted an approach that aims to afford flexibility while providing resources that enable students to master the essential concepts of a specific UB course. The approach is consistent with the SUNY Seamless Transfer policy.
SEAS articulates external courses as follows:
Any of these courses (CIE 177 / MAE 177 / EAS999TR177) can be used to satisfy the relevant UB graphics degree requirement. By extension, all graphics courses satisfy a UB pre/corequisite involving CIE 177 or MAE 177.
Some engineering programs within SEAS expect their students to be proficient in the material covered in a specific graphics course (details provided below). In many cases, mastery of these concepts is required to successfully complete upper-level coursework. To assist in this regard, SEAS has developed self-study packages that students can use as a resource to learn the material they did not obtain from the graphics course they completed. It is essential that students utilize these or other resources to become proficient in the skills needed for upper-level coursework in the major.
Here are links to the self-study packages (ubitname and password required):
In what follows below, we provide additional program-specific guidance regarding the graphics requirement.
Students pursuing a degree only in aerospace engineering do not have any upper-level courses that require a specific CAD software; no further action is needed if you successfully transfer an engineering graphics course from another university. If you are a dual major in mechanical and aerospace engineering, please see Mechanical Engineering below.
Students pursuing a degree in civil engineering use BIM and CAD software, particularly Autodesk Revit, in the capstone design class CIE416. If you are not comfortable with Autodesk Revit, it is critical that you utilize the self-study package to prepare yourself before you take CIE416.
Students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering do not have any upper-level courses that require a specific CAD software; no further action is needed if you successfully transfer an engineering graphics course from another university.
Students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering will need to be proficient at solid modeling using Solidworks. In particular, Solidworks is heavily utilized in MAE377 - Product Design in a CAE Environment (beginning in summer 2020). If you are not proficient with Solidworks, it is critical that you utilize the self-study package to prepare yourself before you take MAE377.