Kirkwood Community College
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Diesel Agriculture Technology
The Diesel Agriculture Technology program at Kirkwood Community College provides specialized training, knowledge, and skills for students who wish to enter the agriculture equipment or heavy equipment maintenance and repair workforce.
Thorough classroom instruction and specialized hands-on training will prepare each student to be able to properly diagnose and repair the mechanical problems of the diesel engine, as well as understand and troubleshoot the computer-controlled systems found in today’s diesel engines, power trains, and hydraulic systems. Career-specific courses include Hydraulics I, Technical Procedures for Power Mechanics Technicians, Ag Engines, Fundamentals of Internal Combustion Engines, Agricultural Electrical, Fundamentals of Power Transfer, Machinery Servicing, Fundamentals of Electricity, Welding Fundamentals, Combine Operation and Adjustment, Combine Servicing, Diesel Fuel Systems, Power Shift Transmissions, and Fundamentals of Air Conditioning.
Graduates of the Diesel Agriculture Technology program at Kirkwood Community College can be confident that they have acquired the skills and training needed to secure an entry-level position as a diesel mechanic in the diesel agriculture industry. Currently, one or more former students of the Diesel Agriculture Technology program at Kirkwood Community College are employed by more than thirty local businesses.
The Diesel Agriculture Technology A.A.S. Degree
The curriculum of the Diesel Agriculture Technology Associates Degree program consists of the following core classes:
- Hydraulics I
- Technical Procedures for Power Mechanics Technicians
- Ag Engines
- Fundamentals of Internal Combustion Engines
- Advanced Ag Electronics
- Fundamentals of Power Transfer
- Machinery Servicing
- Fundamentals of Electricity
- Welding Fundamentals
- Internship
- Human Relations in Management
- Microcomputer Applications
- Combine Operation and Adjustment
- Combine Servicing
- Diesel Fuel Systems
- Power Shift Transmissions
- Agricultural Diagnosis
- Fundamentals of Air Conditioning
Students are also required to take Industrial Math I, two Communications Electives, and one Humanities Elective in order to meet the 73 credit requirements of the Associate in Applied Science Degree program. Students must finish each course and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
The Diesel Truck Technology A.A.S. Degree
The Diesel Truck Technology Associates Degree program is made up of the following courses:
- Hydraulics I
- Technical Procedures for Power Mechanics
- Truck Engines
- Fundamentals of Internal Combustion Engines
- Fundamentals of Power Transfer
- Human Relations in Management
- Fundamentals of Electricity
- Truck Clutches
- Welding Fundamentals
- Truck Electronics
- Cooling Systems
- Air Brakes and ABS
- Steering and Suspension
- Trailer Servicing
- Microcomputer Applications
- Fundamentals of Air Conditioning
- Diesel Fuel Systems
- Internship
- EFI Engine Systems
Students must also take Industrial Math I, two Communications Electives, and one Humanities Elective in order to fulfill the 64 credit hour requirements of the Associate in Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, students must complete every course and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
Job Outlook
As the diesel industry continues to grow rapidly, job opportunities for qualified diesel mechanics is expected to increase 11% by the year 2020, as fast as average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean annual wage for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists working in the United States in 2014 was $45,160, while the mean salary for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists employed in the state of Iowa was $39,410 yearly and $18.95 hourly, just 13% lower than the national average.
The Two-Year Associate in Applied Science Degree
Kirkwood Community College offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel Agriculture Technology as well as a 17-month Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel Truck Technology. Students of the Diesel Truck Technology program may be eligible to have up to half of their tuition costs paid for by the Kibbie Grant. Both programs are Pell Grant eligible. Certain students may qualify to receive the Kibbie Grant or the Iowa Grant to help supplement the cost of their education.