University of Northwestern Ohio
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Diesel Technology
Current with EPA engine requirements, the Diesel Technology program at the University of Northwestern Ohio is centered on an innovative and specialized curriculum designed to educate and train individuals in all aspects of diesel truck and heavy equipment service, maintenance, and repair through a combination of 30% classroom instruction and 70% hands-on training. Students get to train on diesel engines and heavy equipment produced by some of today’s top diesel truck and heavy equipment manufacturers, including Cummins, Caterpillar, Detroit, Duramax, Power Stroke, and many more. Students also have the option of obtaining their commercial driver’s license (CDL), giving them the ability to test drive and operate semi-tractor trailers and other heavy-duty over-the-road trucks.
The Diesel Technology Curriculum
The Diesel Technology program is made up of the following career-specific courses:
- Transportation Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
- Electrical & Electronics I
- Suspension & Steering
- Hydraulic Brake Systems
- Theory & Techniques in Welding
- Diesel Engine Diagnosis & Repair
- Diesel Performance & Diagnosis
- Heavy Equipment & Vehicle Integrated Electronics
- Truck Air Systems, Brakes & Preventive Maintenance
- Truck Drive Trains
- Diesel Engine Electronic Controls
- Diesel Capstone
Students are also required to take the following general education classes:
- Digital Documents & Spreadsheets
- Introduction to Human Communication
- Technical Math
- Composition I
- The American Political Scene
- Psychology
- Earth Science
- Introduction to Diversity Issues
- Customer Relations Automated Management
- Composition II
- First Year Experience
The Diesel Technology curriculum is made up of 1,344 Technical Education hours and 347 General Education hours for a combined total of 1,691 Instructional hours. In order to graduate, every student is required to complete each class and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Automotive-Diesel Technology Curriculum*
The Automotive-Diesel Technology program is made up of the following career-specific courses:
- Manual Drive Trains & Axles
- Automatic Transmissions/Transaxle
- Transportation Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning
- Automotive Engine Diagnosis & Repair
- Electrical & Electronics I
- Suspension & Steering
- Hydraulic Brake Systems
- Electrical & Electronics II or Heavy Equipment & Vehicle Integrated Electronics
- Automotive Engine Performance
- Computerized Engine Control Systems
- Automotive Capstone or Diesel Capstone
- Theory & Techniques in Welding
- Diesel Engine Diagnosis & Repair
- Diesel Performance & Diagnosis
- Truck Air Systems, Brakes & Preventive Maintenance
- Truck Drive Trains
- Diesel Engine Electronic Controls
Students are also required to take the following general education classes:
- Digital Documents & Spreadsheets
- Introduction to Human Communication
- Technical Math
- Composition I
- The American Political Scene
- Psychology
- Earth Science
- Introduction to Diversity Issues
- Customer Relations Automated Management
- Composition II
- First Year Experience
The Automotive-Diesel Technology curriculum is made up of 1,944 Technical Education hours and 347 total General Education hours for a combined total of 2,291 Instructional hours. In order to graduate, every student is required to complete each class and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
Through classroom lecture, homework assignments, and coursework reviews, students gain a comprehensive knowledge of diesel theory and welding theory, while they develop critical mathematical, writing, and customer relation skills necessary for success in today’s diesel technology job field. Class sizes are small, averaging about 20 students per semester, allowing students to receive more one-on-one training with the instructor.
In the laboratory, students develop their analytical, technical, and mechanical skills, through instructor observation and hands-on training, as they learn how to properly inspect, troubleshoot, and repair diesel engines, diesel engine electronics, diesel and heavy equipment electronic systems, hydraulic brake systems, truck drive trains, diesel electrical systems, suspension and steering systems, and transportation heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Students also learn proper preventive maintenance techniques and welding techniques for diesel mechanics.
In the Live Engine Room, students use the latest computerized diagnostic equipment, technical manuals, wiring diagrams, hand tools, and power tools to learn, hands-on, about diesel engine overhaul by disassembling, inspecting, diagnosing, repairing, and reassembling various stationary diesel engines, including their integrated system components.
Students will also develop the strong communication, leadership, and time management skills critical to succeeding in today’s workplace, as they learn to complete each and every task assigned to them by their instructors, both independently, and as a team, with speed and proficiency. Professionalism, integrity, and a positive workplace attitude are also stressed throughout the Diesel Technology program at the University of Northwestern Ohio.
From Graduation to Occupation
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 Ohio was $43,610 yearly and $20.97 hourly, just 3% lower than the national average.
Upon graduating from the Diesel Technology program at the University of Northwestern Ohio, students will be prepared for entry-level employment as qualified diesel mechanics, servicing and repairing heavy equipment, such as medium and heavy-duty tractor trailers, buses, earth moving equipment, agricultural equipment, diesel locomotives, and other diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree, Baccalaureate Degree, and Diesel Technology Diploma
The University of Northwestern Ohio also offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology and a two-year Applied Science Degree in Automotive-Diesel Technology. The University of Northwestern Ohio offers a two-year Baccalaureate Degree in Diesel Technology with a concentration in Automotive Technology Supervision for students who have already completed the two-year Diesel Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree program. Finally, the University of Northwestern Ohio offers a 72-week Diesel Technology Diploma with a Diesel Technician concentration, a 102-week Diesel Technology Diploma with a Automotive-Diesel Technician concentration, and a 22-month Diesel Technology Diploma with a Alternative Fuels Technician concentration. All six programs are Pell Grant eligible.
*Program is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).