Industry Supplied CAD Curriculum Case Study on Passing Certification Exams

Authors

  • Rustin Deane Webster Purdue University, Purdue Polytechnic, School of Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Joseph Dues Purdue University, Purdue Polytechnic, School of Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Joseph Rudy Ottway Murray State University, Institute of Engineer, Industrial Technology and Design

Abstract

Students who successfully pass professional certification exams while in school are often targeted first by industry for internships and entry level positions. Over the last decade, leading industry suppliers of computer-aided design (CAD) software have developed and launched certification exams for many of their product offerings. Some have also created educational curriculum and resources for educators, such as sample exams and training guides. This case study investigates students’ passing rates of two SOLIDWORKS certification exams after utilizing free and openly available educator instructional material in the classroom. The engineering technology students were from Mechanical Engineering Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology degree programs. The Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) exam was administered at the end of a freshman level introduction to graphics course. The Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional Academic (CSWP-Academic) exam was administered at the end of a junior level advanced CAD course. This paper presents a brief description of the curriculum for both courses, including the instructional material and exams. Quantitative and observational outcomes from both courses will also be presented.

Keywords: CAD, SOLIDWORKS, certification, engineering technology

Author Biographies

Rustin Deane Webster, Purdue University, Purdue Polytechnic, School of Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology

Dr. Rustin Webster is an assistant professor at Purdue University. He teaches within the Purdue Polytechnic Institute and the School of Engineering Technology. He specializes in mechanical engineering and computer graphics technology. Dr. Webster previously worked in the Department of Defense field as an engineer, project manager, and researcher. His specialization was in mechanical design, research and development, and business development. He studied at Murray State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham where his research was on immersive virtual learning environments for educational training purposes

Joseph Dues, Purdue University, Purdue Polytechnic, School of Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology

Professor Dues is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Technology Department at Purdue University - New Albany. He teaches classes related to Materials, Mechanics and Manufacturing Processes. He focuses on classes that introduce freshmen to engineering as well as the senior electives.
Professor Dues has 10 years of industrial experience in the design of heavy duty conveyors and process equipment as well as ongoing projects with manufacturers in Southern Indiana and Louisville, KY. His industry experience includes the design and analysis of equipment using CAD and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), as well as the trouble shooting of equipment once it is installed. He has extensive industry experience with machine design, particularly springs, bearings, gears and welds. Professor Dues is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Kentucky.

Joseph Rudy Ottway, Murray State University, Institute of Engineer, Industrial Technology and Design

Dr. Ottway is an Assistant Professor in the Institute of Engineering at Murray State University

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Published

2018-05-19

Issue

Vol. 81 No. 2 (2017): Spring

Section

Feature Articles

License

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