Washington State Community College
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Diesel Truck Systems
The Diesel Truck Systems program at Washington State Community College is designed to teach students all aspects of diesel truck service, maintenance, and repair, as well as the business operations of the service garage.
Students are taught such topics as diesel engine design and service and auto/diesel business management in the classroom, while they obtain valuable hands-on training in the laboratory using state-of-the-art equipment, inspecting, servicing, and repairing mechanical diesel engines, electronic diesel engines, electrical circuitry, medium and heavy brakes, electrical components, medium and heavy truck chassis, diesel truck drive trains, and mobile air conditioning.
Students will also learn about diesel engine tune-up and maintenance by disassembling, inspecting, troubleshooting, repairing, and reassembling various diesel engines and their intricate system components, using state-of-the-art engine analyzers, gauges, electronic multi-meters, service manuals, wiring schematics, hand tools, power tools, and laptops. Students will be required to demonstrate the ability to adapt to new technology and pass the ASE Certification tests.
Students will learn the value of effective communication and time management skills as they work both independently, and as a team, to complete every task assigned to them by their instructors. Shop safety and proper procedures for handling hazardous materials will also be discussed and practiced throughout the program. Punctuality, productivity, professionalism, and a positive workplace attitude will also be stressed.
The Diesel Truck Systems Curriculum
The curriculum of the Diesel Truck Systems program contains the following industry-specific courses:
- Introduction to Truck Systems
- Electrical Circuitry
- Medium & Heavy Brakes
- Electrical Components
- Auto/Diesel Business Computer Applications
- Medium & Heavy Truck Chassis
- Diesel Engine Design & Service
- Upper Engine Design & Service
- Diesel Engine Tune Up & Maintenance
- Diesel Fuel Systems & Hydraulics
- Diesel Truck Drive Trains
- Electronic Diesel Engines
- Practicum Truck/Auto
- ASE Technician Preparation
- Principles of Air Conditioning
Students are also required to take English Composition I, Technical Writing, Technical Mathematics, Business Law, Personal Finance, Interpersonal Communication, Applied Physics, Applied Physics Lab, Global Issues, and one Arts & Humanities Elective, in order to meet the minimum 71 credit hour requirements of the Diesel Truck Systems Associate of Applied Science Degree program. Students are required to finish each course and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
Graduation and Beyond
Graduates of the Diesel Truck Systems program at Washington State Community College will not only be ready to take the ASE certification exams, they will be equipped with the basic skills necessary to gain entry-level employment as a qualified diesel mechanic, field test technician, service technician, parts manager, service manager, or salesperson.
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.
The Two-Year Associate of Applied Science Degree
Washington State Community College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Truck Systems. This program is Pell Grant eligible.