Minnesota West Community & Technical College
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Diesel Technology
The Diesel Technology program at Minnesota West Community & Technical College provides individuals with the specialized training, knowledge, and skills needed to maintain and repair heavy-duty diesel powered equipment.
Students learn diesel engine theory in the classroom and build valuable mechanical and technical skills through hands-on training in the shop as they learn how to properly inspect, diagnose, service, and repair diesel engines, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, air brakes, diesel fuel injection systems, and air conditioning systems.
The Diesel Technology Course Curriculum
The curriculum of the Diesel Technology program is made up of the following career-specific courses:
- Diesel Engine Theory
- Diesel Engine Lab
- Electrical Theory
- Electrical Lab
- Powertrain Principles
- Powertrain Lab
- Hydraulics Theory and Application
- Fuel Injection Principles
- Internship
- Advanced Powertrain Theory
- Advanced Powertrain Lab
- Service Department Operations & Procedures
- Fuel Systems Theory
- Advanced Diesel
- Advanced Engines Lab
- Diesel Engine Control Systems
- Computerized Diagnostics
- GPS Systems Operations
Students are also required to take Minnesota History, Issues in the Environment, Environmental Politics, Introduction to Sociology, and Introduction to Speech to fulfill the general education requirements of the 72 credit Associate of Applied Science degree. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate.
From College Graduate to Diesel Mechanic
Graduates of the Diesel Technology program at Minnesota West Community & Technical College will be well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and training needed to succeed as a qualified diesel mechanic, field service mechanic, parts sales and service specialist, or diesel service department manager.
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 Minnesota was $45,780 yearly and $22.01 hourly, 1% higher than the national average.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree, Diesel Technology Diploma, and Undergraduate Certificate
Minnesota West Community & Technical College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology as well as a 16-month Diesel Technology Diploma with an emphasis in Agriculture and Truck. Minnesota West Community & Technical College also offers three 9-month Undergraduate Certificates in Diesel Technology with an emphasis in Basic Diesel, Advanced Diesel, and Diesel Power Train and Hydraulics, respectively. All five programs are Pell Grant eligible.