The Associate degree program in Diesel Power Technology answers an increasing need for skilled diesel service technicians for the growing agricultural, heavy-duty truck, and earthmoving equipment service industry. Graduates are prepared to enter the repair, parts, or management aspects of the diesel power service industry. Job categories include general repair technician, parts professional, service advisor, and, with experience, specialty or lead technician, parts manager, and service manager. Self-employment is also possible and a Small Business Management course is included in the curriculum to acquaint all students with the operation of a business.
The program covers all aspects of the repair industry and includes modules on parts, record keeping, customer relations, and preventive maintenance. In the introductory course, all students are exposed to the agricultural equipment, earthmoving equipment, and heavy-duty truck industries and have the opportunity to perform a job shadow experience at one of several shops. A 400-hour summer internship is included which provides students with production experience and an opportunity to assess future employment possibilities.
The coursework covers all systems down to the component level on agricultural equipment, earthmoving equipment, and heavy-duty trucks. Electrical, electronics, hydraulic systems maintenance, diagnosis, and repair are major content areas. A combination of classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory practical experience is used at a one-to-one ratio. Students must possess their own set of hand tools for use in the laboratory and for the summer internship program. A tool list will be provided by the department.
The curriculum will use the NATEF (National Technician's Education Foundation) and AED (Associated Equipment Distributors) diesel task mastery specifications to assess successful learning outcomes. Coursework in English and technical communication, computer skills, technical math, physics, and general education are also included.
Courses are offered in Williston and Middlebury. Students must provide their own transportation.
The minimum number of credits required for degree is 62.
Curriculum: