Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering

Course Outline - MEC1007F - 2024

Course Name: MEC1007F – Introduction to Engineering Drawing
SAQA Credits: 8
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None

Course Convenor: Ms Asnath Tsita

Email address: [email protected]
Office Location: NO 214 Mechanical building
Consultation Hours: MON 11:00 – 13:00
Course Lecturer: Ms Asnath Tsita
Teaching Assistants:

Lecture venue: SNAPE TS2B

Lecture days and time: MON 10:00 – 10:45
Tutorial venues SNAPE TS2B, SNAPE DO2 AND MENZI 12
TUE 10:00 – 10:45 SNAPE TS2B and WED 14:00 – 16:45 SNAPE DO2 AND MENZI
Tutorial day and time
12

Course objectives

Engineering graphics is the medium for communicating concepts and component manufacturing information.
This course has been structured to consolidate the basics of orthographic drawing projection principles for
students who have no prior drawing experience. It also aims to provide relevant knowledge to continue into
the design stream of the Mechanical Engineering degree.

Prescribed Books/Reading Materials/Notes

Prescribed book
FUNDAMENTALS OF GRAPHICS COMMUNICATION International Student 6th Edition
by Gary R. Bertoline, Eric N. Wiebe, Nathan W. Hartman, William A. Ross, published by McGraw-Hill.

Reference Books:
ENGINEERING DRAWING AND DESIGN
by C Jensen, J D Helsel and Dennis R Short, published by McGraw-Hill.
Learning outcomes

Students successfully completing this course will have the following:

GA 10

GA 11
GA 1

GA 2

GA 3

GA 4

GA 5

GA 6

GA 7

GA 8

GA 9
A. Knowledge (Information plus Understanding)
1. Ability to read and interpret drawing 6
2. Projection methods used in Orthographic Projection 6
3. Construction methods used in Orthographic Drawing 6
4. Free hand sketching of Isometric projections. 6
5. Geometric Constructions and Tangencies 6
B. Skills (Application of Knowledge)
1. Drawing according to the South African National Standards 6
2. Ability to read and interpret drawings. 6
3. Correct use of basic drawing equipment. 6
4. Communicate ideas clearly using sketches and models. 6
5. Determining true lengths by method of construction. 6
6. Geometrical construction methods 6
7. Drawings for Specific Engineering Disciplines. 6
C. Values and Attitudes
1. Ability to clearly follow instructions. 6
2. Ability to work together as part of a group. 6

Detailed course content

A student who has successfully completed this course would have acquired the following skills:
1. Understand the concepts of scales and proportions, lines in space and true length and shape.
2. Understand and apply the drawing standards for international graphic communication.
3. Competently use drawing instruments to generate:
• orthographic detailed drawings
• pictorial views with an emphasis on isometric views
• sectioned and auxiliary views of engineering components

4. Generate free hand sketches of orthographic and pictorial projections of engineering components.
5. Communicate in a manufacturing environment by means of notes and dimensions on a drawing.
6. Interpret the information on an orthographic detailed working drawing.

Knowledge areas
Engineering Design and Computing Complementary
Mathematics Basic Sciences
Sciences Synthesis and IT Studies
90% 10%
Learning environment
The drawing course has been structured to lay down the basic drawing principles for students who have no
prior drawing experience. It also aims to provide the relevant knowledge to continue into the design stream
of the relevant Engineering Degree.
Drawing equipment will be used to convey the principles of descriptive geometry and drawing standards.
Free hand sketching will be taught to interpret orthographic and pictorial projection and basic design
principles. The focus of this course is to imbed the fundamentals of orthographic working drawings for the
manufacturing environment within the design environment.
A portfolio of drawing assignments is compulsory in this course and serves as the basis of a teaching /
learning environment as well as an evaluation tool at the end of the course.

Suggested time allocation

Learning Activity Time (hours)
Descriptive Geometry Lectures 12
Descriptive Geometry Tutorial Sessions 36
Assimilation and Study (zoom online activities) 12
Portfolio Management 6
Online Quizzes and On-Campus Assessment Preparation 8
Semester Assessments 6
Total learning time 80

General assessment strategy

Assessments during the Semester: Important Note:

Test 1: Descriptive Geometry Test • An overall mark of 50% is required for successful
Test 2: Descriptive Geometry Test completion of this course.
• There is no supplementary examination for this course.
DP Requirement for this Course
• In the event of a student not successfully completing
A minimum of 40% for each test. the course, the student may continue to do MEC1008S
A completed portfolio of assignments submitted by due date. in the 2 nd semester of the same year, provided that a
The Final Mark for the course will consist of the following: completed portfolio has been submitted on due date.
Class Tests - 25% • The portfolio mark may be retained for one year to
allow the student to register for the course in the
Portfolio - 15%
following year as EXAM WITHOUT ATTENDANCE.
Exam - 60% • This DP criteria mark carry over is valid for ONE YEAR
An overall mark of 50% is required for successful completion only.
of the course.