Certificate Automotive Technology - Miles Community College

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The program course requirements are presented insequence. Part-time students and others who cannot follow this sequence should check course descriptions in the catalog to determine prerequisites and should consult their academic advisor regarding the order in which they take classes.

Certificate of
Applied Science
Automotive Technology

This program will provide students with the skills necessary for employment in the field of auto mechanics. At the conclusion of the one-year certificate, graduates may be employed as automotive service technicians or mechanics. They could also find employment in the retail/wholesale parts business. The median income for the field is $35,790 per the US Department of Labor.This program has an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified instructor who prepares students to become ASE certified. The test is offered each spring on the college campus at the conclusion of the program. ASE certification is often a requirement for new hires in major auto dealerships.

C.A.S. Automotive Technology Gainful Employment Disclosure

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Required Core - 40 Total Credits

First Year - Fall Semester (19) Credits
AST 112/113 AST 112/113 - Automotive Braking Systems/Lab This course is a complete study of hydraulic brake systems, including theory of operation, diagnosis, and repair of all hydraulic and friction items. Class meets the first nine (9) days of the first semester.	Automotive Braking Systems/Lab (2)
AST 134/135 AST 134/135 - Basic Automotive Electrical, Battery, Wiring & Lighting/Lab This course is a complete study of electrical principles, battery operation (rating and types), the fundamentals of operation of automotive lighting and wiring, and the use of electrical meters and test instruments. Class meets days 10-18 of the first semester.	Basic Automotive Electrical, Battery, Wiring & Lighting/Lab (4)
AST 132/133 AST 132/133 - Charging & Starting Sysems/Lab This course is a complete study of the principles, operation, testing, and repair of charging and starting systems. Class meets days 19-26 of the first semester.	Charging & Starting Sysems/Lab (2)
AST 150/151 AST 150/151 - Ignition Systems/Lab This course is a complete study of the function and operation of point, electronic, and computer ignition systems. The servicing and testing of ignition components and operation of oscilloscopes and other ignition test equipment will be included. Class meets days 51-59 of the first semester.	Ignition Systems/Lab (2)
AST 152/153 AST 152/153 - Fuel Systems/Lab This course is designed to prepare students to properly diagnose and repair all types of automotive fuel systems utilizing both theory and service procedures used in the industry.	Fuel Systems/Lab (4)
WRIT 108 WRIT 108 - Elementary Technical Writing Technical Writing for the Trades is designed to prepare the student for job-related writing. The student will learn to communicate information that is new to someone who needs to know the information in order to do a job or make a decision. Topics include adapting messages to audiences, organizing paragraphs, revising for style, summarizing information, weighing ethical issues, creating appropriate page layout for everyday communications situations, and explaining a process. Specific applications are individualized according to students' career plans and are chosen from several categories including effective memo/letter writing, short report writing, and proposal writing. This course does not fulfill General Education requirements for transfer. Pre-requisite: Compass test score of 47 or higher on the English (Writing) component.	Elementary Technical Writing (2)
M 111 M 111 - Technical Mathematics This course provides the practical mathematics skills needed in a wide variety of trade, technical, and other occupational areas, including automotive and construction trades. It is especially intended for students who find math challenging and for adults who have been out of school for a time. Among the topics to be covered are ratio, proportion, percent, measurement, and practical plane geometry. Each student will also complete a construction project. This course does not fulfill General Education requirements for the AA/AS degree.	Technical Mathematics (3)

First Year - Spring Semester (21) Credits
AST 156/157 AST 156/157 - Automotive Emissions/Lab This course will provide students with the information needed to diagnose and repair emission control systems.	Automotive Emissions/Lab (2)
AST 154/155 AST 154/155 - Engine Tune-Up/Lab This course is designed to prepare students to properly diagnose, test, and repair problems with the engine, fuel, ignition, and emissions systems that can cause high emissions, poor fuel economy, and/or poor drivability.	Engine Tune-Up/Lab (2)
AST 106/107 AST 106/107 - Automotive Manual Drive Train and Axles/Lab This course is designed to prepare students to properly diagnose and repair automotive clutches, manual transmissions, and transaxles utilizing both theory and service operations and overhaul. (Class meets days 13-21 of the second semester.)	Automotive Manual Drive Train and Axles/Lab (3)
AST 270/271 AST 270/271 - Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles/Lab This course is a complete study of operation, construction, diagnosis, and repair of automatic transmissions and transaxles. (Class meets day 22-39 of the second semester.)	Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles/Lab (4)
AST 104/105 AST 104/105 - Driveline & Rear Axle/Lab This course is an intense study of driveline and drive axle components as well as rear drive axles. Topics covered include driveline and rear axle theory, construction, diagnosis, and repair. (Class meets days 40-51 of the second semester.)	Driveline & Rear Axle/Lab (2)
AST 122/123 AST 122/123 - Foundations of Automotive Suspension & Steering Systems/Lab This course is a complete study of the operation, construction, diagnosis, and repair of automotive suspension and steering systems. (Class meets days 52-61 of the second semester.)	Foundations of Automotive Suspension & Steering Systems/Lab (2)
AST 120/121 AST 120/121 - Wheel Alignment & Balance/Lab This course is a complete study of wheel alignment principles, settings, and adjustment procedures. Tire and wheel construction and balancing will be covered. (Class meets days 62-68 of the second semester.)	Wheel Alignment & Balance/Lab (2)
AST 170/171 AST 170/171 - Automotive Air Conditioning/Lab This course is a complete study of the operation, service, and repair of heating and air conditioning systems. The operation of detailed state-of-the-art equipment for diagnosing and repairing these systems without endangering the environment will be covered. (Class meets days 69-75 of the second semester.)	Automotive Air Conditioning/Lab (2)
COMX 106 COMX 106 - Communicating in a Dynamic Workplace Students will study human behavior and personality, self-management, self-development, and elementary business psychology. Classroom focus is on career planning and job search: students will develop skills to prepare resumes, cover letters, and other communications involved in obtaining a job. This class is a requirement for the Professional-Technical programs.	Communicating in a Dynamic Workplace (2)

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

Test parts and systems to ensure that they are working properly;

Identify mechanical problems, often by using computerized diagnostic equipment;

Follow checklists to ensure that all critical parts are examined;

Test and lubricate the vehicle’s engine and other major components;

Perform basic care and maintenance, including oil changes, tune-ups, and tire rotations;

Disassemble and reassemble parts;

Repair or replace worn parts, such as brake pads and wheel bearings;

Use testing equipment to ensure that repairs and maintenance are effective;

Explain to clients their automotive problems and the repairs done on their vehicles;