Engineering Technology Courses

Technology is constantly changing and improving the lives of people in our world and, engineers are at the center of this important progress. With that in mind, the Niskayuna Engineering Technology Department’s faculty is committed to ensuring that our students keep pace with the technological innovations of today and preparing them for the careers of tomorrow.

Each of the Engineering Technology classes will help students develop skills in areas such as critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, communication and problem-solving in addition to providing a solid foundation for those students who plan to pursue a scientific, technical or engineering career.

74045 DESIGN & DRAWING FOR PRODUCTION (DDP)*

1 year, 1 HS credit /3 College credits – RIT, Grades 9-12
This course builds on the creation of engineering drawings learned in middle school technology. The goal is to illustrate how designers and engineers make drawings that can be used worldwide to make all of the things that are used in daily life. This course offers students the chance to practice the engineering design process to develop and make actual products, to learn the manufacturing design process, and to develop skills in concept sketching, multi-view drawings, drafting equipment, 3D computer modeling, 3D assemblies, and animations. Students will also be able to use tools and industrial equipment to make designs. Finally, design challenges will be given that can be solved using creativity as well as the skills learned in class. In addition, this Project Lead the Way (PLTW) course provides the opportunity for students to earn three college credits from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) following completion of the PLTW final assessment criteria.

*This class will satisfy the NYS requirement for one credit of art or music requirement.

74105 SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12
This course is an introduction to green/sustainable architecture with the goal of developing a sustainable design for a fun, eco-friendly community of the future. This course offers the students the chance to perform many interesting activities, including model making, visualization, computer modeling, simulation, virtual walk-throughs, and the sharing of designs on 3-D modeling software with an online community of 2+ million. Also, the team’s community of the future design will be judged based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, which is used worldwide.
Prerequisite: Middle School Technology

74205 TV STUDIO PRODUCTION & BROADCASTING

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 9-12
This course is an introduction to TV studio production & broadcasting with the goal of communicating the team’s creative and unique message. Projects will include creating live TV shows that use state of the art HD cameras, video mixers, teleprompters, lighting controls, audio mixers, and editing software including Final Cut Pro and iMovie.
Prerequisite: Middle School Technology

74565 DIGITAL ELECTRONICS

1 year 1 HS credit / 3 College credits – RIT Grades 9-12
This course is an introduction to analog and digital electronics with the goal of making electronic circuits of your own design to solve real world problems. Projects will include prototyping and soldering circuits, computer simulations, troubleshooting with electronic instruments, making an amplifier to use with iPods and other music devices, making a birthday digital counter and display, and robotics. In addition, this PLTW course provides the opportunity for you to earn three college credits from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) if you meet the PLTW final assessment criteria.
Prerequisite: Middle School Technology

74185 ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12
This course builds on the manufacturing process and developing skills learned in Design & Drawing for Production (DDP) with the goal of having students mimic professional work environments that have implemented team oriented design, production, safety and quality. The course focuses on high-tech machines and processes that are used in industry today, including milling, drilling, and turning. A state-of-the-art lab equipped with CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machine tools is used to provide real life experience as well as assess the learned skills. Additional class activities include research and development, designing manufacturing processes, engineering and planning, as well as selection of tools, software and machines to solve problems. Skills learned in this class will help students to successfully compete in the global marketplace.
Prerequisite: Design & Drawing for Production (DDP)

74555 PRINCIPALS OF ENGINEERING

1 year, 1 HS credit / 3 College credits – RIT, Grades 10-12
This course builds on the design and analysis learned in Design and Drawing for Production (DDP) with the goal of showing students how engineers make a difference by solving complex problems that people face every day. Through problems that engage and challenge, students will explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation. Students develop skills in problem solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation. This is a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) accredited course which provides an opportunity for students to earn three college credits from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) by meeting the PLTW final assessment criteria.
Prerequisite: Design & Drawing for Production (DDP)

74670 COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING (CIM)

1 year, 1 HS credit / 3 College credits – RIT, Grades 10-12
This course builds on the design and 3D computer modeling learned in Design and Drawing for Production (DDP) with the goal of showing students how engineers and manufacturers design automated systems for efficient mass production purposes. Students will learn to use the state-of-the-art computer numeric controlled (CNC) equipment in the prototyping lab and develop skills through activities and projects such as making models of 3D designs and using control systems, sensors, and robotics. In addition, this Project Lead the Way (PLTW) course provides the opportunity for students to earn three college credits from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) by meeting the PLTW final assessment criteria.
Prerequisite: Design & Drawing for Production (DDP)

74130 ROBOTICS

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12
Robotics is a course for students who are interested in the development, building and programming of robotic systems to solve problems​. Robotics is a rapidly growing career field where computer science and engineering is used to help solve a variety of societal and industrial issues. Students will work using a team based hands-on approach to design, build and program robots to simulate relevant applications in a number of areas (examples could include areas such as medicine, manufacturing, rehabilitation, the environment, etc.). Projects are often multidisciplinary and can provide experiences that expose students to branches such as computer programming, mechanical and electrical engineering. The course will show students how engineering technologies provide a gateway to rapidly growing college and career opportunities that make substantial contributions to society and in solving problems on a global scale. 
Prerequisite: Design & Drawing for Production (DDP)

*Students are encouraged to join the Robotics Club.

37310 NANOSCALE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 10-12
This course is designed to introduce students to the rapidly advancing field of nanotechnology and its applications. Basic chemistry and physics topics will be covered as they relate to nanotechnology. Students will be exposed to an introduction of the study of materials including metals, ceramics, polymers\ and electronic materials. Students will investigate the relationship between bonding, structure and properties of these materials. At the end of the semester, students should be able to appreciate the underlying principles of size-dependent properties and the processing and fabrication of these materials at the molecular level. ​This is a College in the High School accredited course which provides an opportunity for students to earn three college credits from Schenectady Community College (SCCC) upon successful completion of the course criteria.
Prerequisite: Students must have completed Living Environment (R or H) and passed the Regents exam.

74705 SENIOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

1 year, 1 Credit, Grade 12
This course is an introduction to real-world research and development (R&D) work with the goal of making a prototype that solves a problem selected by student teams. Students will work with a community mentor on this project. They will apply the principles and skills developed in this class, including project management, and in previous engineering technology, math and science courses. Problems can be chosen from a variety of engineering applications ranging from alternative energy to aerospace. Students will maintain an engineering notebook, a crucial element of the patent process. In addition, students will be responsible for delivering progress reports and making a final presentation of their team’s project in a science fair format.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Engineering AND Computer Integrated Manufacturing or Advanced Manufacturing

Civil Engineering and Architecture

1 year, 3 credits