Diesel Heavy Equipment Technology Associate Degree

Employment Potential

A graduate of the program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:

• Diesel Heavy Equipment Technician: diagnoses, services, and repairs a variety of heavy equipment ranging from over-the-road trucks, off-road construction equipment, agricultural equipment, and potentially stationary power supply engines.
• Related Specialist Technician: diagnoses, services, and repairs fuel injection systems, hydraulics systems, trailer service and other specialty areas.
• Related Parts Support Manager: manages a parts department within a repair facility.
• Industry Related Service Manager-Supervisor: manages technician performance, directs work flow, tracks work progress, coordinates service business profitability, reports to Operations level management.
• Industry Related Sales Representative: sales position within the diesel and heavy equipment industry or support business to the industry.
• Business Owner: owns own business related to the diesel and heavy equipment or support business.
• Educational Trainer: With additional study and transfer to a four-year baccalaureate college, a graduate could pursue a four-year degree in secondary, post-secondary or technical training industry.

Requirements for Program Entry

• Completed application.
• High school transcript or equivalent .(For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
• High school background in math, science and technology education would be beneficial.
• To be admitted to this program, learners must achieve a prior cumulative high school or college grade point average of 2.6 or higher OR a satisfactory academic skills assessment score. College grade point average must be based on 15 credits or more. To learn more about starting this program, please contact an academic advisor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.
• Additionally, admittance into the program will require an interview with the program Academic Advisor or Associate Dean.

Curriculum

Curriculum: Students following the study plan below will complete the Diesel Heavy Equipment Technology associate degree in the number of semesters shown.

First Semester

10-890-101

College 101

1

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-890-101 COLLEGE 101 ...Students will utilize digital tools and resources to assess, explore, practice, apply, and evaluate both employability and learning skills. By establishing NWTC cultural values as hallmarks of success in academic, career, and personal settings the course encourages reflective, personalized development of a growth mindset and emphasizes the importance of making wise choices. To maximize the return on investment, students should take this course in their first semester as it identifies key expectations (hidden rules) of higher learning and professional employment.

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/J-Session/Spring

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10-412-170

Transportation Welding 1

1

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-412-170 WELDING TRANSPORTATION 1 ...focuses on welding and cutting safety; develops skills in welding and cutting of metals used in the transportation trades. Methods of welding include gas metal arc welding (MIG) in the horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. Methods of cutting include oxy-fuel and plasma arc cutting of metals. Students will learn to set up and maintain welding equipment and weld and cut a variety of types and thicknesses of materials commonly used in the transportation trades.

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-125

Transportation Service Operati

1

10-412-125 TRANSPORTATION SERVICE OPERATIONS ...introduces the auto and diesel shop environment, safety and the use of basic hand/power tools in accordance with industry standards, use of manufacturer's service information and literature, handling hazardous materials, and emphasizes general shop safety and general shop practices.

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-100

Diesel Lab Operations

1

10-412-100 DIESEL LAB OPERATIONS ...diesel shop safety, basic equipment operation, rigging and lifting, hand and power precision tools, fasteners and hazard material handling procedures.

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-151

Intro to Diesel Mechanics

2

10-412-151 INTRO TO DIESEL MECHANICS ...introduces the student to the tools and equipment used in a heavy duty diesel shop, diesel shop work orders, vehicle classifications, fasteners and repair hardware, rigging and lifting, and basic diesel shop equipment operation. (Corequisite: 10-412-100, Diesel Lab Operations)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-153

Intro to Electrical Systems

1

10-412-153 INTRO TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ...focus on the theory of electricity. This will include studying Ohms, Kirchoff's, and Newton's Laws and how they apply to the circuits on various electrical systems on a vehicle. Students will apply these theories to troubleshoot simple circuits.

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-152

Schematic Interpretation

2

10-412-152 SCHEMATIC INTERPRETATION ...electronic/hydraulic schematics, applications of schematics, system similarities, components, review of systems operation, practical applications in diagnosing system problems, use of special test equipment/schematics to solve problems.

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-171

Transportation Welding 2

1

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-412-171 TRANSPORTATION WELDING 2 ...This course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge, skills, process, and understanding of GMAW (MIG) welding equipment set-up, use, and maintenance and GMAW (MIG) welding on various thicknesses of steel in the flat, vertical, horizontal, and overhead position. (Corequisite: 10-412-170, Transportation Welding 1)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-154

Diesel Heavy Duty Electrical 1

2

10-412-154 DIESEL HEAVY DUTY ELECTRICAL 1 ...focuses on the fundamentals of electricity, batteries starting circuits, charging circuits, and electrical circuits found on trucks and tractors. Covers testing and troubleshooting procedures for various systems presently used in the industry, as well as how to perform repairs. (Corequisite: 10-412-153, Intro to Electrical Systems)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

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Semester Total

12

Second Semester

10-804-134

Mathematical Reasoning

3

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-804-134 MATHEMATICAL REASONING ...This course provides an alternative pathway to earning credit for a college level liberal arts mathematics course. All college students, regardless of their college major, need to be able to make reasonable decisions about fiscal, environmental, and health issues that require quantitative reasoning skills. An activity based approach is used to explore numerical relationships, graphs, proportional relationships, algebraic reasoning, and problem solving using linear, exponential and other mathematical models. Students will develop conceptual and procedural tools that support the use of key mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts. This course is not designed for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) students and/or others who require calculus. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Arith score greater/equal to 250 AND Rdg score greater/equal to 250; OR TABE A 9/10 Math greater/equal to 12.7 AND Rdg greater/equal to 8.8; OR TABE 11/12 Math greater/equal to 780 AND Rdg greater/equal to 567; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16; OR prep courses-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444)

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/Spring

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10-412-155

Diesel Heavy Duty Electrical 2

2

10-412-155 DIESEL HEAVY DUTY ELECTRICAL 2 ...focuses on troubleshooting and diagnostics of electrical systems used on heavy duty vehicles. Students will diagnose and repair electronic engines, transmissions and ABS systems. Wiring schematic reading and wiring harness repair will be covered. (Corequisite: 10-412-154, Diesel Heavy Duty Electrical 1)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

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10-412-156

Hydraulic/Pneumatic Systems

2

10-412-156 HYDRAULIC/PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS ...covers but is not limited to hydraulics principles, system schematics and symbols, pumps, valves, cylinders, motors, accumulators, filters, reservoirs, hydraulic seals, fluids, maintenance, and safety rules. (Prerequisites: 10-412-100, Diesel Lab Operations; Co-requisite: 10-412-152, Schematic Interpretation)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

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10-412-158

Chassis Sub-Systems

3

10-412-158 CHASSIS SUB-SYSTEMS ...focus on the sub system of various OEM chassis including compressed air for brakes, avoidance collision system, and chassis configurations. Students will use OEM software to obtain OEM specifications for each sub system. (Prerequisites: 10-412-100, Diesel Lab Operations; Corequisite: 10-412-154, Diesel Heavy Duty Electrical 1; 10-412-152, Schematic Interpretation)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

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10-412-159

Engine Sub-Systems

3

10-412-159 ENGINE SUB-SYSTEMS ...focus on the sub system of the various OEM engine to include air intake, exhaust system, cooling and oil system. Students will work with OEM literature for follow flow and diagnostic procedures for each system. (Corequisite: 10-412-158, Chassis Sub-Systems)

Course Typically Offered: Fall/Spring

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10-412-172

Introduction to Maintenance

1

10-412-172 INTRODUCTION TO MAINTENANCE ...This course provides the learner development of the introductory skills, process and understanding of preventative maintenance inspection A and B on various types of diesel-powered equipment. The learner will be exposed to the safe and proper way of changing oil and filters, greasing as well as the materials used to correctly perform basic maintenance on vehicles. American Petroleum Institute (API) engine oil classification and Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) viscosity of oils and greases as well as various types of filters and filtration methods used on vehicles will be discussed. (Corequisite: 10-412-159 Engine Sub-Systems)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

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Semester Total

14

Summer Before Third Semester

10-412-180

Diesel Heavy Equip Internship

1

10-412-180 DIESEL HEAVY EQUIPMENT INTERNSHIP ...the application of theory, skills, and techniques in the diesel heavy equipment technician profession. (Prerequisite: Instructor approval required)

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10-809-198

Intro to Psychology

3

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-809-198 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY ...survey of theoretical foundations of human behavior such as sensation and perception, motivation, emotions, learning, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, stress, and human diversity in personal, social and vocational settings. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep)

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/J-Session/Spring

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10-809-172

Intro to Diversity Studies

3

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-809-172 INTRO TO DIVERSITY STUDIES...basic American values of justice and equality by teaching vocabulary, history of immigration/conquest, transcultural communication, legal liability, multicultural majority/minority relations, ageism, sexism, gender, sexual orientation, the disabled/ADA. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better)

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/J-Session/Spring

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Semester Total

7

Third Semester

10-419-169

Hydraulics Technology

2

10-419-169 HYDRAULICS TECHNOLOGY ...will cover the following but not be limited to hydraulics principles, system schematics and symbols, pumps, valves, cylinders, motors, accumulators, filters, reservoirs, hydraulic seals, fluids, maintenance, and safety rules.(Prerequisite: 10-412-156, Hydraulic/Pneumatic Systems)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-115

Diesel Equip Serv & Maintenanc

2

10-412-115 DIESEL EQUIPMENT SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE ...shop safety; service manuals; preventive maintenance forms; federal inspection policy; preventive maintenance for trucks, trailers, engine brakes/retarders, construction, and agricultural equipment; and electronic trouble shooting trees. (Corequisite: 10-412-100, Diesel Lab Operations)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-110

Diesel Power Train Theory

1

10-412-110 DIESEL POWER TRAIN THEORY ...theory of power train components, coupling systems, hydraulic retarders, mechanical transmissions, drive shafts, final drives, gear reduction boxes, planetary gear sets, chain-type final drive, belt drive systems. (Corequisite: 10-412-100, Diesel Lab Operations)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

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10-412-136

Diesel Mobile Hydraulic System

2

10-412-136 DIESEL MOBILE HYDRAULICS SYSTEMS ...mobile hydraulics system components safety, principles of operation, diagnosis, and service. (Corequisite: 10-412-169, Hydraulics Technology)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-106

Diesel Engine Systems

3

10-412-106 DIESEL ENGINE SYSTEMS ...basic internal combustion (IC) engine types, IC engine theory and operation, IC engine construction and components. Practical experience and procedures for maintenance and repair of engine systems including valve train and fuel systems including pumps, governors, injectors, unit injectors, unit pumps, timing gears. High-pressure common rail theory and operation; safety. (Prerequisite: 10-412-151, Intro to Diesel Mechanics, 10-412-159, Engine Sub-Systems)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-113

Diesel Power Train App

3

10-412-113 DIESEL POWER TRAIN APPLICATIONS ...practical experience and procedures for maintenance and repair of power train components, coupling systems, hydraulic retarders, mechanical transmissions, drive shafts, final drives, gear reduction boxes, planetary gear sets, chain-type final drive, belt drive systems. (Corequisite: 10-412-110, Diesel Power Train Theory)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

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10-801-136

English Composition 1

3

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-801-136 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 ...learners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: High school GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 260; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/Spring

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Semester Total

16

Fourth Semester

10-412-138

Diesel Track Drive Systems

2

10-412-138 DIESEL TRACK DRIVE SYSTEMS ...track shop safety, track drive component parts, system operation, inspection, system diagnoses, system repair, system service, and system maintenance. (Corequisite: 10-412-100, Diesel Lab Operations, 10-412-110, Diesel Power Train Theory)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-146

Power Generation 1

2

10-412-146 POWER GENERATION 1 ...this course is designed to familiarize diesel technician students with the basics of home standby and commercial generators. Electrical fundamentals, alternators, permanent magnet generators, circuit breakers, generator switchgear, auto transfer switches and automatic voltage regulators will be covered emphasizing home standby and commercial use generators. (Prerequisite: 10-412-153, Intro to Electrical Systems)

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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10-412-107

Diesel Engine Troubleshooting

3

10-412-107 DIESEL ENGINE TROUBLESHOOTING ...diesel engine troubleshooting steps, major check points when inspecting or operating a diesel engine, causes of poor engine performance and failure, perform engine diagnostic tests, dyno test an engine. (Prerequisite: 10-412-151, Intro to Diesel Mechanics, 10-412-159, Engine Sub-Systems)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

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10-801-196

Oral/Interpersonal Comm

3

Credit for Prior Learning Available »

10-801-196 ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION ...this course focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory course-contact an academic advisor at 920-498-5444)

Course Typically Offered: Summer/Fall/J-Session/Spring

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10-412-173

Power Generation 2

1

10-412-173 POWER GENERATION 2 ...This course provides the learner development of the skills, process and understanding of home standby and commercial generators. The learner will be familiarized with control and monitoring systems, transfer switch installation, load bank testing, and troubleshooting. (Prerequisite: 10-412-146 Power Generation 1)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

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10-412-145

Mobile HVAC

3

10-412-145 MOBILE HVAC ...safety; basics of air conditioning; refrigerants and oil; basic system and its functions; environmental safety practices; inspection, diagnosing, and using service tools. (Corequisite: 10-412-100, Diesel Lab Operations)

Course Typically Offered: Spring

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10-458-100

CDL License Training

1

10-458-100 CDL LICENSE TRAINING ...this course is designed to prepare students for the Wisconsin Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) pre-trip inspection, air brake and skills test. Preparation will also be given for taking the State DOT written test including general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles.

Course Typically Offered: Fall

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Semester Total

15

Total Credits

64

Curriculum Note: The credit for 10-890-101, College 101, is an Institutional Requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program credit requirements, but must be passed with a C or better.

Program Outcomes

• Apply hydraulic systems fundamentals
• Manage chassis, steering, and suspension systems
• Explain diesel engine systems
• Explain diesel engine service fundamentals
• Perform required preventive maintenance
• Maintain brake systems
• Analyze electronic/electrical systems
• Manage heating - A/C systems
• Comprehend power train systems
• Interpret schematic drawings
• Diagnose engine systems
• Service vehicle systems
• Communicate effectively with the customer
• Complete customer repair orders accurately
• Organize a daily work schedule
• Tabulate a daily time sheet of technician's repair work

Start here. Finish at a four-year.

NWTC transfer programs are offered through collaborative agreements with our four-year college and university partners. See where your associate degree credits will transfer >> EXCLUDEEND

Accreditation

The NWTC Diesel Heavy Equipment Technology program is an AED Foundation (Associated Equipment Dealers) Certified Program.

Note

• A three to five page paper or specialty assignments are required for courses applied to an associate degree. Individual instructor requirements will be received at program orientation and listed in each course syllabus.
• Diesel program students are able to enroll in a four-credit Power Generation program enhancement certificate. Please call (920) 746-4919 for more details.

Study Abroad Opportunities

The International Programs staff continually seeks opportunities for students to travel abroad for educational experiences that may be offered in association with program courses. To find out more about which of your program courses may offer an opportunity during this academic year, contact your academic advisor or visit nwtc.edu/studyabroad.