OSU Institute of Technology
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Diesel and Heavy Equipment
The manufacturer and industry-endorsed curriculum of the Diesel and Heavy Equipment program offered at OSU Institute of Technology is designed to provide students with the specialized knowledge and mechanical skills necessary to troubleshoot, maintain, and repair today’s diesel engines and heavy equipment. Individuals can choose from five different diesel and heavy equipment programs, each boasting a nearly 100% job placement rate.
A low student-to-instructor ratio, corporate sponsored equipment, the latest technologies, and hands-on training with paid internships and generous scholarships, its all available at the Diesel and Heavy Equipment program at OSU Institute of Technology.
In the classroom, students learn diesel theory and the basic fundamentals of the diesel engine system, developing important thinking and reasoning skills and effective communication skills through lectures, class participation, and written assignments.
In the state-of-the-art training facility, students acquire the hands-on training needed to properly inspect, diagnose, and repair diesel engines, electric motors, power trains, power generators, fuel injection systems, electrical systems, diesel electronic systems, hydraulic systems, water chillers, steering and suspension systems, charging systems, starting systems, on-board circuits, brake systems, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Students will also gain hands-on experience in basic welding processes and proper preventive maintenance and inspection techniques.
By disassembling, inspecting, diagnosing, repairing, and reassembling various diesel engines and their integrated equipment systems using computerized diagnostic machines, hand tools, gauges, electronic meters, shop manuals, and power tools, students learn, hands-on, how to properly inspect, maintain, and repair entire diesel engine and heavy equipment systems, inside and out.
Strong communication skills, effective time management, and a positive workplace attitude are also stressed throughout the program. Students are expected to work both independently and as a team to successfully complete each task assigned to them by their instructors in an efficient, thorough, and timely manner. Shop safety and the proper handling of hazardous materials are also discussed and practiced.
Mult-level paid internships allow each student to gain real world job experience in their chosen specialized field before they even graduate.
The Natural Gas Compression Associate Degree Program*
The curriculum of the Natural Gas Compression Associate Degree program consists of the following classes:
- Gas Compressors
- Fundamentals of Maintenance
- Gas Compression Capstone I
- Engine Principles
- Advanced Engine Technology
- Internship I (10 hours)
- Engine Air, Fuel and Starting Systems
- DC/AC Circuit Analysis
- Engine Electrical
- Electrical Motors, Generators and Alternators
- Electrical Devices and Controls
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
- Internship II (10 hours) or
- Diesel Skill I and
- Diesel Skill II and
- Diesel Skill III and
- Gas Compression Skills I
- Instrumentation & Controls
- CNG Refueling Systems Codes and Regulations
- CNG Refueling Systems Operation, Maintenance and Inspection
- Engine Electrical
- Gas Compression Capstone 2
Students are also required to take Technical Writing I and Technical Writing II or Freshman Composition I and Freshman Composition II, Introduction to Business, U. S. History To 1865 or U. S. History Since 1865, College Algebra or Business Mathematics, Ethics, U. S. Government, Introduction to Speech Communications, College Cornerstone, and Computer Literacy and Applications, in order to meet the 89 credit hour requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree program. To be eligible to graduate, students are required to complete every class and maintain a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The Western Equipment Dealers Association Training Program*
The curriculum of the Western Equipment Dealers Association Training program consists of the following courses:
- Introduction to Business
- Internship I
- Fundamentals of Maintenance
- Pre-Delivery & Preventive Maintenance
- Principals of GPS Applications
- Internship II
- Wiring Circuits, Charging & Starting Systems
- Hydraulic Principles
- Internship III or
- Diesel Skills I
- Electronic Systems
- Hydraulic Systems
- Internship IV or
- Diesel Skills II
- Engines & Fuel Systems
- Mobile Air Conditioning
- Internship V or
- Diesel Skills III
- Power Train
- Yield Monitoring, Variable Rate & Auto Steer Diagnostics
- Welding
- Capstone
Students are also required to take Technical Writing I and Technical Writing II or Freshman Composition I and Freshman Composition II, Introductory Psychology or Psychology of Personal Adjustment or Introductory Sociology, U. S. History To 1865 or U. S. History Since 1865, College Algebra or Business Mathematics, Ethics, U. S. Government, Introduction to Speech Communications, College Cornerstone, and Computer Literacy and Applications, in order to meet the 88 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 Aggreko SelecTech Training Program*
The Aggreko SelecTech Training program focuses on the following areas of study:
- Preventive and Predictive Maintenance
- Diesel Engine Systems
- Engine Electronic Systems
- Power Generation Systems
- Water Chillers
- Electric Motors and Motor Controls
- Electrical Distribution
- Synchronization and Load Sharing
- Diagnostic Procedures
In addition to the core technical curriculum, students are also required to take general education courses in Math, Technical Writing, Psychology, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Business, and Ethics, in order to meet the 88 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree program. In order to graduate, students must complete each class and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade.
The CAT Dealer Prep Associate Degree Program*
The curriculum of the CAT Dealer Prep Associate Degree program contains the following classes:
- Internship I
- Introduction to Caterpillar
- CAT Electrical Fundamentals
- CAT Hydraulic Fundamentals
- CAT Fuel Systems
- Internship II
- Internship III or
- Diesel Skills I
- CAT Engine Fundamentals
- CAT Machine Hydraulic Systems
- CAT Engine Diagnostics and Repair
- CAT Machine Electronic Systems
- Internship IV or
- Diesel Skills II
- Internship V or
- Diesel Skills III
- CAT Power Train I
- CAT Mobile Air Conditioning
- CAT Power Train II
- Welding
- CAT Capstone
Students must also take Technical Writing I and Technical Writing II or Freshman Composition I and Freshman Composition II, Introductory Psychology or Psychology of Personal Adjustment or Introductory Sociology, U. S. History To 1865 or U. S. History Since 1865, College Algebra or Business Mathematics, Ethics, U. S. Government, Introduction to Speech Communications or Small Group Communications, College Cornerstone, and Computer Literacy and Applications, in order to meet the 87 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree program. Students are required to complete each and every class and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
The Komatsu Advanced Career Training Program*
The curriculum of the Komatsu Advanced Career Training program consists of the following classes:
- Komatsu General Basics
- Komatsu Parts and Service Publications
- Komatsu Internship I
- Komatsu Engines and Fuel Systems
- Komatsu Internship II
- Komatsu Basic Hydraulics
- Komatsu Basic Electrical Systems
- Komatsu Internship III or
- Diesel Skills I
- Komatsu Wheel Loaders
- Komatsu Internship IV or
- Diesel Skills II
- Komatsu Hydraulic Excavator
- Komatsu Internship V or
- Diesel Skills III
- Komatsu Capstone
- Vehicle Air Conditioning Systems
- Welding
Students must also take Technical Writing I and Technical Writing II or Freshman Composition I and Freshman Composition II, Introductory Psychology or Psychology of Personal Adjustment or Introductory Sociology, U. S. History To 1865 or U. S. History Since 1865, College Algebra or Business Mathematics, Ethics, U. S. Government, Introduction to Speech Communications, College Cornerstone, and Computer Literacy and Applications, in order to meet the 88 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree program. Students are required to complete every class and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, the equivalent of a “C” grade, in order to graduate.
From Graduation to Occupation
Thanks to the on-going partnership between OSU Institute of Technology and industry partners, students who successfully complete the Diesel and Heavy Equipment Associate in Applied Science Degree program typically have a job already waiting for them when they graduate. Graduates of the various specialized Diesel and Heavy Equipment Associate in Applied Science Degree programs can rest assured that they have the necessary knowledge, skills, and training to secure an entry-level position in the diesel and heavy equipment repair industry.
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 Oklahoma was $40,550 yearly and $19.49 hourly, just 11% lower than the national average.
The Two-Year Associate in Applied Science Degree
OSU Institute of Technology offers five separate Associate in Applied Science Degrees in Diesel and Heavy Equipment, each with a different specialization.
The first Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel and Heavy Equipment specializes in Natural Gas Compression.
The second Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel and Heavy Equipment has a Western Equipment Dealers Association specialization.
The third Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel and Heavy Equipment has an Aggreko SelecTech specialization. Students accepted into this particular program can also apply for the Aggreko SelecTech scholarship.
The fourth Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel and Heavy Equipment specializes in CAT Dealer Prep.
The fifth and final Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel and Heavy Equipment specializes in the Komatsu ACT Program. All five programs are Pell Grant eligible.
*Program is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and meets standards set forth by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).