North Dakota State College of Science
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Diesel Technology
Students have six different Associate of Applied Science Degree programs to choose from at North Dakota State College of Science, each focusing on a specialized area of the diesel and heavy equipment industry. Students can choose from seven different degree options, including General Diesel Technology, John Deere Technology, John Deere Construction & Forestry, Case IH, Komatsu, Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician, and Automotive and Diesel Master Technician.
The Diesel Technology program at North Dakota State College of Science is not only accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), all the instructors have years of industry experience and stay up-to-date with their annual industry training. Students learn both academically, and hands-on, using the latest technology, the most up-to-date equipment, and the most current industry techniques.
In the classroom, students are given lectures on diesel theory while they develop critical thinking, reasoning, and communication skills.
In the 135,000 square foot, state-of-the-art training facility, students develop technical and mechanical skills through hands-on training in all phases of heavy duty truck and heavy equipment repair, including light and medium duty engines, heavy duty diesel engines, brake systems, heavy duty drive systems, mobile hydraulic systems, diesel fuel injection systems, heavy duty chassis electrical systems, diesel electronic systems, and mobile air conditioning systems.
Using technical manuals, hand tools, computerized diagnostic equipment, gauges, and wiring diagrams, students disassemble, inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and reassemble diesel engines and their integrated system components.
Shop safety and work ethics are taught and practiced throughout each program. Each student will also develop effective teamwork, leadership, and time management skills, as they work independently and in groups, to complete each and every task assigned to them by their highly knowledgeable instructors with accuracy, thoroughness, and speed.
The General Diesel Associate of Applied Science Degree*
The General Diesel Associate of Applied Science Degree program is made up of the following classes:
- Air Conditioning for Diesel Technology
- Introduction to Light and Medium Duty Engines
- Introduction to Heavy Duty Drive Systems
- Electricity for Diesel Technology
- Introduction to Mobile Hydraulics
- Diesel Fuel Injection Systems
- Heavy Duty Diesel Engines
- Heavy Duty Drive Systems
- Heavy Duty Chassis Electrical Systems
- Mobile Hydraulic Systems Diagnostics & Repair
- Cooperative Education
- Industrial Shop Practices
Students are also required to take Computer Literacy, College Composition I, either College Composition II or Technical Communications or Introduction to Professional Writing, Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Basic Mathematics I, Basic Mathematics II, Basic Mathematics III, Human Relations in Organizations, and Science of Success, in order to meet the minimum 73 credit hour requirements of the General Diesel Associate of Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, each student is required to complete each class and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
Students also have the option of applying for the John Deere Construction and Forestry degree option. This option allows students, who are sponsored by participating John Deere Construction and Forestry dealers, to focus on John Deere construction equipment during their second year of the General Diesel Associate of Applied Science Degree program. Certain admission requirements must be met. Contact the Diesel Technology Department for more details.
The John Deere Technology Degree*
The John Deere Technology Degree program is comprised of the following career-focused classes:
- Air Conditioning for Diesel Technology
- Introduction to Light & Medium Duty Engines
- Supervised Occupational Experience I
- John Deere Time Service Management
- Supervised Occupational Experience II
- Supervised Occupational Experience III
- John Deere Equipment Operation & Adjustment
- Introduction to Electrical Electronics
- Introduction to John Deere Hydraulic Systems
- John Deere Engine Rebuild
- John Deere Powertrains
- John Deere Electrical/Electronics
- Introduction to Ag Management Solutions (AMS)
- John Deere Tractor Hydraulic Systems Diagnosis
- Industrial Shop Practices
Students are also required to take Sales, Computer Literacy, College Composition I, either College Composition II or Technical Communications or Introduction to Professional Writing, Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Basic Mathematics I, Basic Mathematics II, Basic Mathematics III, Human Relations in Organizations, and Science of Success, in order to meet the minimum 82 credit hour requirements of the General Diesel Associate of Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, each student is required to complete each class and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Case IH Associate of Applied Science Degree Option*
The Case IH Associate of Applied Science Degree Option contains the following industry-relevant classes:
- Air Conditioning for Diesel Technology
- Introduction to Light and Medium Duty Engines
- Introduction to Heavy Duty Drive Systems
- Electricity for Diesel Technology
- Introduction to Mobile Hydraulics
- Industrial Shop Practices
- Case IH Shop Service Management
- Case IH Engine Rebuild
- Case IH Equipment Operation & Adjustment
- Case IH Powertrains
- Case IH Electrical/Electronics
- Case IH Advanced Farming Systems (AFS)
- Case IH Hydraulic Systems Diagnostics
- Case IH Internship I
- Case IH Internship II
Students are also required to take College Composition I, either College Composition II or Technical Communications or Introduction to Professional Writing, Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Basic Mathematics I, Basic Mathematics II, Basic Mathematics III, Computer Literacy, Human Relations in Organizations, and Science of Success, in order to meet the minimum 76 credit hour requirements of the General Diesel Associate of Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, each student is required to complete each class and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Komatsu Associate of Applied Science Degree Option*
The Komatsu Associate of Applied Science Degree Option consists of the following career-specific classes:
- Air Conditioning for Diesel Technology
- Introduction to Light & Medium Duty Engines
- Introduction to Heavy Duty Drive Systems
- Electricity for Diesel Technology
- Introduction to Mobile Hydraulics
- Industrial Shop Practices
- Introduction to Komatsu Service
- Komatsu Engine & Fuel Systems
- Komatsu Powertrains & Undercarriage
- Komatsu Electrical/Electronics
- Komatsu Advanced Hydraulic Systems
- Komatsu Internship I
- Komatsu Internship II
- Komatsu Internship III
Students are also required to take College Composition I, either College Composition II or Technical Communications or Introduction to Professional Writing, Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Basic Mathematics I, Basic Mathematics II, Basic Mathematics III, Computer Literacy, Human Relations in Organizations, and Science of Success, in order to meet the minimum 73 credit hour requirements of the General Diesel Associate of Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, each student is required to complete each class and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician Program*
The Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician program is made up of the following career-specific courses:
- Caterpillar Engine Fundamentals
- Introduction to Caterpillar service
- Fundamentals of Hydraulics
- Caterpillar Fuel Systems
- Fundamentals of Electricity
- Air Conditioning Fundamentals
- Fundamentals of Transmission & Torque Converters
- Machine Hydraulic Systems
- Internship I
- Internship II
- Undercarriage/Final Drives
- Machine Electronic Systems
- Engine Performance
- Diagnostic Testing
- Machine Specific Systems
- Internship III
- Internship IV
- Industrial Shop Practices
Students are also required to take Computer Literacy, College Composition I, either College Composition II or Technical Communications or Introduction to Professional Writing or Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Basic Mathematics I, Basic Mathematics II, Basic Mathematics III, Science of Success, and two Social and Behavioral Science Electives, in order to meet the minimum 74 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, each student is required to complete each class and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Automotive and Diesel Master Technician Program*
Students who successfully complete the General Diesel Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree program have the option of continuing their education and increasing their technical and mechanical skills to become Diesel master Technicians through the third-year Automotive and Diesel Master Technician Program. The following classes make up the program in its entirety:
- Air Conditioning for Diesel Technology
- Introduction to Light and Medium Duty Engines
- Introduction to Heavy Duty Drive Systems
- Electricity for Diesel Technology
- Introduction to Mobile Hydraulics
- Diesel Fuel Injection Systems
- Heavy Duty Diesel Engines
- Heavy Duty Drive Systems
- Heavy Duty Chassis Electrical Systems
- Mobile Hydraulic Systems Diagnostics & Repair
- Cooperative Education
- Industrial Shop Practices
- Chassis Repair/Body Electrical Theory
- Chassis Repair/Body Electrical Lab
- Engine Repair Theory
- Engine Repair Lab
- Automotive Transmission/Transaxle Theory
- Automotive Transmission/Transaxle Lab
- Driveability Procedures Theory
- Driveability Procedures Lab
Students are also required to take Computer Literacy, College Composition I, either College Composition II or Technical Communications or Introduction to Professional Writing, Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Basic Mathematics I, Basic Mathematics II, Basic Mathematics III, Human Relations in Organizations, and Science of Success, in order to meet the minimum 102 credit hour requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree Automotive and Diesel Master Technician program. In order to graduate, each student is required to complete each class and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
Occupational Outlook
Students who successfully complete any of the Diesel Technology programs at North Dakota State College of Science will be equipped with the skills, education, and training needed to gain employment as qualified entry-level diesel mechanics at truck dealerships, farm equipment dealerships, truck fleet service facilities, independent truck repair shops, construction companies, logging companies, oil extraction companies, rail yards, and on farms and ranches.
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 North Dakota was $49,140 yearly and $23.63 hourly, 9% higher than the national average.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree and Diesel Technology Diploma
North Dakota State College of Science offers six different two-year Associate of Applied Science degrees, each with a different degree option. The first is an Associate of Applied Science degree in General Diesel Technology. The second is an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Technology with a John Deere Technology option. The third is an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Technology with a John Deere Construction & Forestry option. The fourth is an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Technology with a Case IH option. The fifth is an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Technology with a Komatsu option. The sixth is an The fourth is an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Technology with an Automotive & Diesel Master Technician option. North Dakota State College of Science also offers a two-year Diesel Technology diploma. All seven programs are Pell Grant eligible.
*Program is accredited by the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED).