Metropolitan Community College
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Diesel Technology
The Diesel Technology program at Metropolitan Community College is designed to provide students with the knowledge and training necessary to pursue a career in the transportation industry.
Through class lectures, students learn the fundamentals of the compression ignited internal combustion engine, while gaining hands-on experience using the latest equipment and technologies in the laboratory, as they diagnose, disassemble, test, repair, and reassemble diesel engines and their integrated system components using advanced diagnostic machines, gauges, specialized instruments, technical manuals, wiring diagrams, and hand tools.
Students also learn about shop safety, shop operations, brakes, drive trains, electrical systems, electronic systems, heating and air conditioning, and steering and suspension, while developing important communication and leadership skills as they work together to complete each task.
In addition to the general Associate of Applied Science Degree, students can choose to pursue the Diesel Service Option, Heavy Equipment Option, or the Power Generation Option.
The Diesel Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree
The curriculum of the Diesel Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree program consists of the following classes:
- Diesel Preventive Maintenance
- Diesel Engine Fuel Systems
- Diesel Electronics & Electricity
- Diesel Engine Fundamentals
- CDL for Diesel Techs I
- CDL for Diesel Techs II
- Diesel Engine Controls
- Diesel Engine Diagnostics
- Diesel Engine Rebuild
- Emission & Maintenance
Students are also required to take Math 1240, English Level I, English Level II, Humanities/Social Sciences, Human Relation Skills, and Information Systems and Literacy in order to meet the minimum 61 credit requirements of the Diesel Technology 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 Associate of Applied Science Degree with Diesel Service Option
The curriculum of the Associate of Applied Science Degree with Diesel Service option is made up of the following courses:
- Diesel Preventive Maintenance
- Electricity and Electronics
- Diesel Engine Fundamentals
- CDL for Diesel Technicians I
- CDL for Diesel Technicians II
- Fuel Operating Systems
- Diesel Engine Diagnostics
- Diesel Engine Rebuild
- Emissions and Maintenance
- Alternative Fueled Engines
- Fundamentals of Hydraulics
- Heating and Air Conditioning
- Heavy Duty Drivetrain
- Automatic and Automated Drivetrains
- Truck ABS and Brakes
- Steering and Suspension
- Diesel Internship I
- Diesel Internship II
- Combination Welding
Students are also required to take Math 1240, English Level I, English Level II, Humanities/Social Sciences, Human Relation Skills, and Information Systems and Literacy in order to meet the minimum 102 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree with Diesel Service option. In order to graduate, students must complete every course and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree with Heavy Equipment Option
The curriculum of the Associate of Applied Science Degree with Heavy Equipment option is comprised of the following classes:
- Diesel Preventive Maintenance
- Electricity and Electronics
- Diesel Engine Fundamentals
- CDL for Diesel Technicians I
- CDL for Diesel Technicians II
- Fuel Operating Systems
- Diesel Engine Diagnostics
- Diesel Engine Rebuild
- Emissions and Maintenance
- Fundamentals of Hydraulics
- Advanced Diesel Hydrauilcs
- Heating and Air Conditioning
- Heavy Equipment Drivetrain
- Automatic and Automated Drivetrains
- Field Service Maintenance
- Heavy Equipment Internship
- Quick Start
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Students are also required to take Math 1240, English Level I, English Level II, Humanities/Social Sciences, Human Relation Skills, and Information Systems and Literacy in order to meet the minimum 103 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree with Heavy Equipment option. 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 Associate of Applied Science Degree with Power Generation Option
The curriculum of the Associate of Applied Science Degree with Power Generation option contains the following courses:
- Diesel Preventive Maintenance
- Electricity and Electronics
- Diesel Engine Fundamentals
- CDL for Diesel Technicians I
- CDL for Diesel Technicians II
- Fuel Operating Systems
- Diesel Engine Diagnostics
- Diesel Engine Rebuild
- Emissions and Maintenance
- Generator Theory
- Power Generator Applications
- Alternative Fueled Engines
- Heavy Duty Drivetrain
- Diesel Generator Controls
- Diesel Internship III
- Diesel Internship IV
- Electricity I
- Transformer Theory
Students are also required to take Math 1240, English Level I, English Level II, Humanities/Social Sciences, Human Relation Skills, and Information Systems and Literacy in order to meet the minimum 102 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree with Power Generation option. 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 Career Certificate
The curriculum of the Diesel Truck Career Certificate program is comprised of the following classes:
- Diesel Preventive Maintenance
- Electricity and Electronics
- Diesel Engine Fundamentals
- Climate Control/Heating and Air Conditioning
- Heavy Duty Drivetrain
- Truck ABS and Brakes
- Steering and Suspension
- Combination Welding – Automotive
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.
Occupational Outlook
Students who successfully complete the Diesel Technology program and pass the ASE Diesel Services certification, will possess all the basic skills necessary to gain entry-level employment in the diesel equipment technology field, servicing and repairing heavy trucks, buses, locomotives, bulldozers, cranes, road graders, farm tractors, combines, and even boats.
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 Nebraska was $40,670 yearly and $19.55 hourly, 10% 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 job experience.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree, Associate Degree Option, and Career Certificate
Metropolitan Community College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology. Metropolitan Community College also offers three separate Diesel Technology Associate of Applied Science Degrees with an option in Diesel Service, Heavy Equipment, and Power Generation, respectively. Finally, Metropolitan Community College offers a one-year Career Certificate in Diesel Technology as well. All five programs are Pell Grant eligible.