The mini certificate will encompass a total of 12 credit hours and meet industry needs, the document states. The classes included are “Intro to 3D Printing,” “Modeling for 3D Printing” and “3D Printing Project.”
These courses will be offered at UNM Valencia in face-to-face lectures and lab classes. According to the proposal, students are required to pay a $25 lab fee that will cover basic equipment maintenance and upgrades.
“This one semester certificate is designed for students who want to gain knowledge about 3D printing and hands on experience using 3D printers,” the proposal states.
Alex Sanchez is a professor at UNM Valencia and lead faculty for the program. He said proposals for the course began because 3D printing is one of the biggest technological changes happening today.
“Adding new programs of study in response to technological change and economic opportunity is one of our roles as a community college,” Sanchez said. “The hope is that these courses will give students the foundation needed to work for companies using this technology, to start their own businesses providing this service or to use the technology to prototype their own designs.”
The mini certificates will teach students everything they need to know in order to create, prepare and print 3D digital designs, he said.
“This technology is exciting because it offers the opportunity to produce objects that were inconceivable using traditional manufacturing methods.”
Sanchez has taught computer engineering and 3D computer modeling at Valencia campus since 1983, he said. The 3D printers in use on the campus were purchased a couple of years ago, thanks to the Carl Perkins CTE grant.
“In general, we plan to use this technology to print objects that inspire, educate or serve a real need — the applications are seemingly unlimited,” Sanchez said.
They have used the printers to fabricate a variety of projects, he said, including molecular models, quad-copter parts, dinosaur skulls, architectural models and even 3D scanned portraits for the campus’ art department.
“Worldwide, 3D printing is being used in all the engineering disciplines, medicine, product design and art. Buildings are being 3D printed at the large end of the scale and super-efficient surfaces for solar PV cells at the nano end of the scale. Objects are being printed using plastic, metal, ceramic, living cells and food,” Sanchez said.
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According to the proposal, each course is worth four credit hours and the only prerequisites are ENGL 100 & UNIV 101 or equivalent. Students also have the option of enrollment through a placement test score on the COMPASS exam of at least 75, or an ACT score of at least 19.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to identify and define concepts of 3D printing, demonstrate basic 3D printing functions, prepare CAD files for 3D printing and utilize various 3D printing software and hardware, according to the proposal.
“The UNM Valencia Campus mission is ‘a quality education – a lifetime of success. Students earning a mini certificate in 3D printing would receive quality instruction from instructors who are experts in the industry, preparing them for sought-after skills in manufacturing and engineering jobs that prioritize 3D printing,” the proposal states. “3D printing is particularly relevant for students in engineering and CAD degree programs, but the courses are open to anyone interested in turning a design idea into a real physical product.”
Matthew Reisen is a staff reporter at the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com, or on Twitter @DailyLobo.
