Lake Area Technical Institute
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Diesel Technology
The Diesel Technology program offered at Lake Area Technical Institute is unique in that it has been granted Master Certification status by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Students are taught the latest techniques used in the diesel technology career field inside a brand new state-of-the-art training facility, learning from ASE certified, industry experienced instructors.
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. Proper procedures and protocol for effectively managing a diesel maintenance and repair shop are also discussed.
In the state-of-the-art diesel facility, students acquire the hands-on training needed to properly inspect, diagnose, and repair diesel engines, multi-cylinder engines, hydraulic systems, hydraulic braking systems, electrical systems, power trains, diesel fuel systems, diesel engine computer systems, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Students will also gain hands-on experience in basic welding technologies and proper preventive maintenance and inspection techniques. Shop safety and the proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials are also discussed and practiced.
Each student will learn multi-cylinder engine overhaul by disassembling, inspecting, diagnosing, repairing, and reassembling various multi-cylinder engines and their integrated equipment systems, using computerized diagnostic equipment, hand tools, gauges, electronic meters, shop manuals, wiring schematics, and power tools.
Students will develop strong communication skills, effective time management skills, and important thinking and reasoning skills throughout the course of the program. They will be expected to work both independently, and as a team, as they work together to successfully complete each task assigned to them by their instructors in an efficient and timely manner. Ethics, integrity, and professional courtesy will also be discussed and practiced in the shop.
The Diesel Technology Associate Degree Courses*
The Diesel Technology program consists of the following core courses:
- Automated External Defibrillator
- Computer Concepts
- Career Search Strategies
- Welding Technologies
- Consumer Products
- Shop Management
- Hydraulics
- Power Trains I
- Multi Cylinder Engine Overhaul
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Electrical Systems
- Power Trains II
- Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
- Diesel Engines I
- Technician Software
- Diesel Engines II
- Applied Failure Analysis
- Tune-up and Fuel Systems
- Electrical Testing
- Preventative Maintenance
- Hazardous Materials Safety
Students are also required to take one Behavioral Science Elective, one Communications Elective, one Math Elective, and one Social Science Elective, in order to fulfill the 70 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree program. All first year coursework must be completed before a student is eligible to enroll in the course the second year. To be eligible to graduate, students are required to complete every class and maintain a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade. Students transferring courses from another accredited institution may receive credit for courses completed with a grade B or above. All transfer courses will be reviewed by the Diesel Department Supervisor.
The Diesel Technology Associate Degree with Tractor Option*
In addition to the core Diesel Technology courses, the Tractor Option contains the following added classes:
- Hydraulic System Diagnostics
- Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Testing
- ASE Certification Testing
- Combine Hydraulic and Electrical Familiarization
- Tractor Shop Production
- Tractor Electronic Controls/Global Positioning
- Systems and Auto Steer
Students are also required to take one Behavioral Science Elective, one Communications Elective, one Math Elective, and one Social Science Elective, in order to fulfill the 70 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree program. All first year coursework must be completed before a student is eligible to enroll in the course the second year. To be eligible to graduate, students are required to complete every class and maintain a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade. Students transferring courses from another accredited institution may receive credit for courses completed with a grade B or above. All transfer courses will be reviewed by the Diesel Department Supervisor.
The Diesel Technology Associate Degree with Truck Option*
In addition to the core Diesel Technology courses, the Truck Option contains the following added classes:
- Truck Suspension and Steering
- Truck Brake Systems
- Electronic Engine Controls
- Truck Drive Trains
- Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Testing
- ASE Certification Testing
Students are also required to take one Behavioral Science Elective, one Communications Elective, one Math Elective, and one Social Science Elective, in order to meet the 70 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree program. All first year coursework must be completed before a student is eligible to enroll in the course the second year. To be eligible to graduate, students are required to complete every class and maintain a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade. Students transferring courses from another accredited institution may receive credit for courses completed with a grade B or above. All transfer courses will be reviewed by the Diesel Department Supervisor.
The Diesel ThinkBIG Caterpillar Option*
The Diesel ThinkBIG Caterpillar Option program is comprised of the following classes:
- CAT Engine Fundamentals
- Introduction to CAT Service
- Internship I
- Automated External Defibrillator
- Hazardous Materials Safety
- Fundamentals of Hydraulics
- Caterpillar Fuel Systems
- Fundamentals of Electricity
- Internship II
- Fundamentals of Air Conditioning
- Fundamentals of Transmissions and Torque Converters
- Metallurgy
- Undercarriage/Final Drives
- CAT Machine Electronics
- Machine Hydraulic Systems
- Applied Failure Analysis
- Internship III
- Engine Performance
- Diagnostic Testing
- Machine Specific Systems
- AED Certification Testing (Association of Equipment Dealers)
- Internship IV
Students are also required to take Psychology of Human Relations, one Communications Elective, one Math Elective, and one Social Science Elective in order to fulfill the 76 credit requirements of the Associate of Applied Science Degree Diesel ThinkBIG Caterpillar Option program. All first year coursework must be completed before a student is eligible to enroll in the course the second year. To be eligible to graduate, students are required to complete every class and maintain a 2.0 GPA, the equivalent of a “C” grade. Students transferring courses from another accredited institution may receive credit for courses completed with a grade B or above. All transfer courses will be reviewed by the Diesel Department Supervisor.
From Graduation to Occupation
Graduates of the Diesel Technology program at Lake Area Technical Institute can rest assured that they possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and specialized training needed to secure an entry-level position in the diesel and heavy equipment repair industry. Job opportunities include working for bus lines, commercial truck fleets, farm equipment dealerships, heavy construction companies, train yards, shipyards, and independent repair shops.
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 South Dakota was $40,740 yearly and $19.59 hourly, just 10% lower than the national average.
The Two-Year Associate in Applied Science Degree
Lake Area Technical Institute offers a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology, as well as four separate Associate in Applied Science Degrees in Diesel Technology, with four different options. Lake Area Technical Institute offers the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology with a Caterpillar Think BIG option, the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology with an Ag/Industrial Tractor option, the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology with a Truck option, and the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Technology with a Diesel Case New Holland option. All five programs are Pell Grant eligible.
*Program has been granted Master Certification status by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).