Truckee Meadows Community College
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Diesel Technology
The Diesel Technology program at Truckee Meadows Community College has been designed using input from local industry experts and adheres to national certification standards. The program provides each student with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to maintain and repair over-the-road semi tractors and heavy equipment used in the commercial trucking, heavy construction, and mining industries.
Through classroom instruction and hands-on training, students gain specialized knowledge and develop job-specific skills as they learn how to troubleshoot, service, and repair diesel engines, electrical systems, electronic systems, heavy duty transmissions and powertrains, drive trains, diesel brakes, pneumatics, electronic fuel injection systems, steering and suspension systems, and heavy duty hydraulics. Students also learn proper preventative maintenance and inspection techniques.
Each student will learn how to properly test, diagnose, and repair the electronic system components found in today’s diesel engines using computerized diagnostic machines, schematics, gauges, shop manuals, and hand tools. By disassembling, inspecting, testing, repairing, and reassembling modern diesel engines, students develop the analytical and mechanical skills vital for success in today’s diesel technology job market.
The Diesel Technology Associates Degree Program
The curriculum of the Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree program consists of the following courses:
- Basic Diesel Engines
- Heavy Duty Transmissions & Powertrains
- Heavy Duty Drive Trains
- Heavy Duty Electrical Systems
- Heavy Duty Hydraulics
- Diesel Brakes & Pneumatics
- Advanced Diesel Engines
- Electronic Fuel Injection II
- Steering & Suspension
- Preventative Maintenance
Students are also required to take Diversity, Mathematics, Communications/English, Fine Arts/Humanities/Social Science, Human Relations, Science, and U.S. and Nevada Constitutions in order to fulfill the 61 credit hour requirements of the Associate of 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.
The Diesel Technology Certificate of Achievement Program
The Diesel Technology Certificate of Achievement program is comprised of the following classes:
- Automotive Electricity
- Light Duty Performance
- General Industry Safety
- Basic Diesel Engines
- Diesel Brakes & Pneumatics
- Steering & Suspension
- Preventative Maintenance
- General Auto
- Automotive Electricity II
- Automotive Brakes
- Heavy Duty Hydraulics
- Advanced Diesel Engines
- Electronic Fuel Injection II
Students are also required to take Mathematics, Communications, and Human Relations in order to meet the 30 credit requirements of the Certificate of Achievement program. Students must finish each class and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
What to Expect After College
Due to the rapid growth of the warehousing and construction industries in northern Nevada, there has been a significant shortage of qualified diesel mechanics in recent years. Graduates of the Diesel Technology program at Truckee Meadows Community College will have the education and training needed to fill these open positions.
As the diesel industry continues to grow rapidly, job opportunities for qualified diesel mechanics is expected to increase 11% by the year 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean annual wage for diesel mechanics working in the United States in 2014 was $45,160, while the mean salary for bus and truck mechanics employed in the state of Nevada was $53,960 yearly and $25.94 hourly.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree and Diesel General Service Technician Certificate
Truckee Meadows Community College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology as well as a one-year Diesel General Service Technician Certificate. Both programs are Pell Grant eligible.