Construction Drawings

Associate Certificate Part-time School of Construction and the Environment

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Overview

The Associate Certificate in Construction Drawings program is designed to support employment opportunities in the construction industry, primarily in architectural, engineering, manufacturing and government offices. The program focuses on production of construction drawings for commercial, residential and industrial buildings.

The target audience for this associate certificate are those that are interested in entering the field of technical drafting or professionals who have experience in the construction industry and are looking for new professional development opportunities.

The Associate Certificate in Construction Drawings program is a completely online flexible learning program that will provide graduates with technical drafting skills and knowledge of structural components, in order to be able to translate technical information into clear and accurate construction drawings.

This program consists of seven courses that cover the technical aspects of developing professional construction drawings from concept sketches, design information, codes and specifications. The program provides graduates with a well-rounded set of skills and knowledge for succeeding in the construction industry.

The program will use lectures and self-guided learning as the primary method to develop the knowledge and applied skills of the learners. Learning methodologies will also include project work, virtual laboratory classes and group collaboration.

Entrance Requirements

Application processing

This program is open to declarations beginning:

February 1st* for the January intake
May 1st* for the April intake
October 1st* for the September intake

*or next business day

Entrance requirements

Notice to applicants: As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure students are best prepared for their studies, Flexible Learning programs will be adopting English Language Proficiency standards (Categories 1, 2, and 3) as part of their declaration requirements effective April 2025.

Declarations submitted for program intakes beginning April 1, 2025 or later will be evaluated using the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement below.

English language proficiency: Category 3 – English Studies 12 (50%) or equivalent

Recommended for success

Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (50%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (50%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (50%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
Skills and experience: Good hand/eye coordination, spatial visualization, and technical aptitude are necessary. Previous experience with CAD or a similar drafting program would be an asset.

See individual courses for additional requirements and prerequisites.

International applicants

This program is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid status in Canada other than a study permit. International students accepted into this program are not eligible for a study permit.

Program declaration

Declaring your Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) program ensures that BCIT is aware of your intent to complete a program as it is currently outlined and provides you the opportunity to apply for transfer credit.

To submit your declaration:

Answer all questions completely.
If required, convert transcripts and documents to PDF files.
Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.

Declare Now

Upon approval, a program plan letter will be sent to you confirming your program of study. Please allow approximately eight weeks for processing.

Learn more about program declaration

Scheduled Intakes

Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.

Costs & Supplies

Tuition fees

Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information.

Books & supplies

$550 (general estimated cost, subject to change)

Courses

Class hours

For each course in the program there will be a requirement to log in to the course via Learning Hub during the week. During these times, there may be a lecture, guest lecturer and/or class discussions. For the rest of the week, students will work at their own pace to complete the weekly assignments or tasks. Though self-paced, each course will have set timelines for the completion of assignments and quizzes.

Program matrix

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Required courses:			Credits
	ASCT 1010	Introductory Graphics By approaching drawing as both a graphic technique and a mental thought process, this subject area endeavors to enhance the Student's: (1) Skills of observation, visualization, and delineation. (2) Ability to draw effectively and efficiently using the graphic language of the industry. (3) Time management skills by encouraging a pragmatic, disciplined approach to projects & assignments. (4) Graphic communication skills which are required for other subject areas in the course. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	3.0
	ASCT 1015	Blueprint Reading This course provides an introduction to the relationships between construction drawings and building construction. The course goal is to enable students to read and interpret construction drawings, including Floor Plans, Roof Plans, Elevations, Building Sections, Framing Plans and Construction Details. Students will be able to understand the relationship and interdependencies of all drawings represented in contract documents. They will also become familiar with abbreviations, symbols and materials used in construction blueprints. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	2.0
	ASCT 1020	Introduction to CADD Drafting Introduces the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) application software for Drafting Applications. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	3.0
	ASCT 1051	Mathematics for Technical Applications ASCT 1051 covers those topics in technical mathematics which are important for student success in drafting. Topics include algebraic operations, simple equations, ratios, basic geometry, quadratic equations, graphs, linear equations, vectors, trigonometry, logarithms and exponential functions. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	4.0
ASCT 1010, ASCT 1015, ASCT 1020, and ASCT 1051 must be successfully completed before taking the following courses:
	ASCT 1135	Construction Drawings for Commercial Buildings This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a set of construction drawings from concept sketches, design information, codes and specifications. Students will learn how to graphically convey design and dimensional information and apply drawing conventions and techniques, construction systems and details in regard to reinforced concrete structural systems. The course is delivered through project work on foundation plans, sections, roof plans, schedules, and connection details. Prerequisite(s): 50% in ASCT 1010 and 50% in ASCT 1015 and 50% in ASCT 1020 course outline	4.0
	ASCT 1145	Construction Drawings for Industrial Buildings The primary purpose of this course is to provide students with a fundamental and practical knowledge of how structural steel is used to construct support frames for modern industrial buildings. Special emphasis is placed on how structural drafters in structural design offices prepare the working drawings required to help transform the architect's vision and the engineer's design into reality. The topics introduced will provide students with the knowledge and skills in working drawing conventions, techniques, construction systems and details, in regard to structural steel members. In order to emphasize the process of preparing structural steel design drawings for industrial building applications, students will be introduced to a wide variety of practical drafting examples and assignments that a structural steel design drafter might expect to encounter in an on-the-job situation. Prerequisite(s): 50% in ASCT 1010 and 50% in ASCT 1015 and 50% in ASCT 1020 course outline	4.0
	ASCT 1155	Construction Drawings for Residential Buildings This course presents information required to develop a set of construction drawings for a single family wood-frame structure. It introduces students to materials, methods and details specific to residential construction. The course is delivered through in-depth review of drawing sets for a single family wood-frame house and project work on floor plans, elevations, roof plans, foundations, schedules, and details. Prerequisite(s): 50% in ASCT 1010 and 50% in ASCT 1015 and 50% in ASCT 1020 course outline	4.0

Total Credits:			24.0

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Transfer credit

Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.

Program Details

Program length

Students must complete the Associate Certificate in Construction Drawings program within seven years.

Grading

A minimum grade of 50% is required to pass each course. All courses must be passed in order to successfully complete the program. Students require an overall GPA of 65% in order to graduate.

Program delivery

Online: This program is delivered fully online.

All courses in the program will be delivered through the BCIT Learning Hub online platform. Orientation to the platform and all the features employed in the course will be provided at the beginning of each course.

Students are responsible for checking the prerequisites for each course before registering.

Program location

This program is offered through distance and online learning.

Graduating & Jobs

Apply for graduation

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.

Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.

All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.

Contact Us

Samaneh Hashemi, PhD, PEng
Department Head
Tel: 604-412-7473
Email: Samaneh_Hashemi@bcit.ca

Questions or comments?

Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.