St. Louis Community College
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Diesel Technology
The Diesel Technology program at St. Louis Community College was developed to prepare graduates for entry-level employment diagnosing, repairing and servicing the diesel engines and component systems found in today’s medium and heavy trucks.
Students are taught diesel theory and receive hands-on training through a mixture of classroom instruction and laboratory tasks, developing their mechanical and analytical skills, as they inspect, troubleshoot, and repair diesel engines, brakes, drive trains, hydraulic systems, air conditioning and heating systems, diesel fuel systems, electrical systems, and diesel electronic systems. Students also learn welding and preventive maintenance for diesel equipment mechanics.
Using technical manuals, hand tools, computerized diagnostic machines, and specialized instruments, students are immersed in diesel engine overhaul as they practice disassembling, diagnosing, repairing, and reassembling diesel engines and heavy equipment.
Workplace ethics as well as effective interpersonal communication and time management skills are also practiced throughout the program as students work together and independently to complete each and every task assigned to them by their instructors with proficiency and speed.
The Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree
The curriculum of the Diesel Technology A.A.S. Degree program contains the following career-relevant classes:
- Diesel Engine Operation and Repair
- Medium/Heavy Truck Suspension and Steering
- Medium/Heavy Truck Electricity
- Electronic Information Systems and Manuals
- Medium/Heavy Truck Electronics
- Diesel Fuel Systems
- Medium/Heavy Truck Brakes
- Truck Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
- Medium/Heavy Truck Drivetrains
- Welding Technology
- Co-op Work Experience I-Diesel Technology
- Co-op Work Experience II-Diesel Technology
- Preventive Maintenance Inspection
- Service and Parts Management
Students are also required to take Oral Communication I, College Composition I, Elementary Applied Mathematics, Introduction to Business Administration, Introduction to Sociology, Physical Science Lecture I, and Physical Education in order to meet the 65 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree program. 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 Diesel Technology Certificate of Proficiency
The Diesel Technology Certificate of Proficiency program consists of the following industry-specific courses:
- Diesel Engine Operation and Repair
- Medium/Heavy Truck Suspension and Steering
- Medium/Heavy Truck Electricity
- Electronic Information Systems and Manuals
- Medium/Heavy Truck Electronics
- Diesel Fuel Systems
- Medium/Heavy Truck Brakes
- Truck Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
- Medium/Heavy Truck Drivetrains
- Welding Technology
- Co-op Work Experience I-Diesel Technology
- Co-op Work Experience II-Diesel Technology
- Preventive Maintenance Inspection
- Service and Parts Management
Students are also required to take either College Composition I, Elementary Applied Mathematics, or Introduction to Business Administration in order to meet the 45 credit requirements of the Certificate of Proficiency 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 Proficiency
The Diesel Technology Certificate of Specialization program is comprised of the following career-focused classes:
- Diesel Engine Operation and Repair
- Medium/Heavy Truck Suspension and Steering
- Medium/Heavy Truck Electricity
- Electronic Information Systems and Manuals
- Medium/Heavy Truck Drivetrains
Students are also required to take either College Composition I, Elementary Applied Mathematics, or Introduction to Business Administration in order to fulfill the 18 credit requirements of the Certificate of Specialization program. In order to graduate, students must complete every course and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
From Education to Occupation
Students who successfully complete the Diesel Technology program at St. Louis Community College will be fully prepared to dominate the diesel industry, securing entry-level employment as medium and heavy truck repair technicians at a variety of places, including new vehicle dealerships, truck leasing companies, bus fleet companies, city transportation departments, highway departments, and public transit facilities.
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 Missouri was $42,200 yearly and $20.29 hourly, just 7% lower than the national average. Entry-level diesel mechanics can expect to be paid an annual salary of $28,130 and advance to $65,350 with more experience.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree, Certificate of Proficiency, and Certificate of Specialization
St. Louis Community College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology with an emphasis in Medium/Heavy Truck. St. Louis Community College also offers an 12-month Certificate of Proficiency and an 8-month Certificate of Specialization in Diesel Technology for students who desire to become medium/heavy truck repair technicians. All three programs are Pell Grant eligible.