Spoon River College
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Diesel and Power Systems Technology
For over 40 years, the Diesel and Power Systems Technology program at Spoon River College has provided students valuable education and skills training in the ever-changing diesel power technology field.
Students are exposed to a wide variety of brands of diesel equipment as they learn all phases of repair work on diesel engines, diesel trucks, and other diesel-related components. Students learn how to properly use the technical manuals, machinery, computers, power tools, and hand tools needed to diagnose, troubleshoot, service, and repair diesel engines and diesel equipment both indoors and outdoors.
Graduates of the Diesel and Power Systems Technology program at Spoon River College will be well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and training needed to succeed as a qualified diesel mechanic in today’s heavy truck, bus, locomotive, farm equipment, construction equipment, and marine systems service and repair industries.
The Diesel and Power Systems Technology A.A.S. Degree
The Diesel and Power Systems Technology A.A.S. Degree program consists of the following courses:
First Semester
- Engine Systems I
- Engine Systems II
- DC Charging & Other Circuits
- Starting Circuits
- Parts Department Procedures
- Introduction to Computers
- General Education Elective
Second Semester
- Tractor Overhaul
- Intro to Hydraulics & Pneumatics
- Introduction to Transmissions
- Communication Skills or
- Composition I
Summer Semester
- Harvesting Equipment
- Air Conditioning Farm Equipment
- Introduction to Welding
Third Semester
- Dealership Management
- Supervised Coop Experience I
- Introduction to Diesel
- Advanced Diesel
- Health Science Elective
Fourth Semester
- Supervised Coop Experience II
- Advanced Hydraulics
- Advanced Transmissions
- Safety & the Workplace
- Math Elective
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 and Power Systems Technology Preventive Maintenance Certificate
The Diesel and Power Systems Technology Preventive Maintenance Certificate program is made up of the following classes:
- Commercial Driver Training I
- Commercial Driver Training II
- Commercial Driver Training III
- DC Charging & Other Circuits
- Intro to Hydraulics & Pneumatics
- Vehicular Air Conditioning System Operations
- Approved Elective
Students are required to complete every class and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
The Rail Transportation & Power System Technology Certificate
The curriculum of the Rail Transportation & Power System Technology Certificate program contains the following courses:
- U.S. Railroad History
- Locomotive Engine Systems
- Intro to Electricity
- Locomotive Circuits
- Dealership Management
- Intro to Hydraulics & Pneumatics
- Applied Math
- Intro to Computer Applications
- Safety & the Workplace
- Intro to Welding
- MIG Welding
Students must finish each course and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
Occupational Opportunities
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 Illinois was $47,340 yearly and $22.76 hourly, 5% higher than the national average.
The Associate in Applied Science Degree and Undergraduate Certificate
Spoon River College offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel and Power Systems Technology. Spoon River College also offers a one-year Undergraduate Certificate in Rail Transportation & Power System Technology and a 9-month Undergraduate Certificate in Preventive Maintenance. All three programs are Pell Grant eligible.