To get started in the Engineering Technology program, complete the admissions process at Richland College. When you meet with an academic advisor, mention your interest in Engineering Technology so he or she can help you determine which courses you should take.
Because so many of our technical programs are interrelated both in required skills and curriculum patterns, please review program and course descriptions carefully to see where your interests and career goals will be best served. It’s critical that you consult an academic advisor, who can help you plot a degree plan that will align with your goals, whether it’s to go straight to work or transfer to a four-year university.
If you plan to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering, please ask your academic advisor about ensuring that you follow a transferrable associate degree plan in either the Engineering Technology or Engineering programs. If you plan to earn an associate degree or certificate, please note that you must complete 25 percent of your degree requirements at the college awarding the degree.
Tuition
Dallas County residents pay $123 per three-hour class — that’s $41 per credit hour, or less than $500 for a full semester load of 12 credit hours.
Compare that to what you’d pay elsewhere! See DCCCD tuition rates for tuition according to your place of residency.
Courses Offered (Curriculum)
Our three specialized technical program tracks include:
Engineering Technology - Electronics
This program involves the study of the theory and operation of electronic devices, including their application in analog circuits, digital circuits, industrial controls and electromechanical systems.
We stress electronic principles and hands-on experience that can be applied to many aspects of advanced electronics. Core courses are complemented by instruction in computer-aided design, hydraulics and pneumatics, manufacturing processes and quality assurance, preparing you for technician-level employment in electronics and related industries.
Electronic technicians typically repair, troubleshoot and manufacture electronic equipment such as computers, industrial controls, manufacturing equipment, automation systems, telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics.
Engineering Technology - Integrated Circuit Layout
Integrated circuits are semiconductor devices essential to computers, cell phones, electronics and cars. No larger than a fingernail, integrated circuits can contain millions of transistors, each of which is a thousand times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. IC layout involves the use of computer-aided design equipment to convert electrical schematics into a layout drawing containing the geometrical patterns required to manufacture the integrated circuit.
This specialized track lays the foundation of skills necessary to create integrated circuit (IC) layout drawings using a state-of-the-art CAD environment provided by Cadence Design Systems. The curriculum includes hands-on instruction in digital layout, analog layout and design verification. Additional courses can include computer applications and programming, electronics and semiconductor manufacturing processes.
Engineering Technology - Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Our CAD track focuses not only on understanding how to work with various CAD software tools and applications such as AutoCAD, Inventor and MasterCAM, but emphasizes the basic principles of design and design intent. Courses such as electronics, hydraulics and pneumatics, manufacturing processes, quality assurance and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing prepare you to become a valuable asset to any CAD design team.
This program stresses the entire product development process, using the parametric approach and integrating the computer as a true instrument of design, not simply as a drafting tool.
Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology
Richland’s School of Engineering and Technology also includes Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology.
Accreditation
All seven DCCCD colleges are accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and are a members of the American Association of Community Colleges, the Association of Texas Colleges and Universities (formerly the college section of the Texas State Teachers Association) and the League for Innovation in the Community College.
Related Programs
Interested in technology but not sure what yu want to study? Check out more of our engineering-related programs such as Computer Aided Design and Drafting, Computer Information Technology and Digital Forensics.
Developing Skills for Success
Our Engineering Technology program stresses practical learning — not just theory in a classroom — with hands-on experience in up-to-date labs. A cooperative education component provides work experience to strengthen students’ area of specialization.
Faculty Profiles
Our experienced Engineering Technology instructors not only have relevant academic degrees but have decades of combined industry experience, so they can relate to the challenges you’ll face at work.
Our instructors work closely with you one-on-one, encouraging you and helping you to succeed in school and on the job. See profiles of our Engineering Technology faculty.
Transferring From DCCCD
Engineering Technology courses are designed for direct entry into the workforce in two years or less.
If you plan to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field, please consult an academic advisor to ask about associate degree plans that will transfer to a four-year college or university.
Get general information about transferring your community college credits to a four-year institution at the Transfer Services Web site for guidance on the transfer process.
Links to Additional Information
Want to know more about the field before you start? Check out some links to additional information we have collected for you.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the Engineering Technology program that aren’t answered on our Web site, please feel free to contact us.