Diesel Power Technology

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 earth-moving 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, or service manager. Self employment is also possible and a small business management course is included in the curriculum. Graduates are currently employed by Milton Cat, Ryder Truck Rental Systems, Woods CRW, Sheldon Mack/Volvo, Champlain Valley Equipment, R.R. Charlebois Inc., Clarke's Truck Center, J & B International, VTrans, and Engweer's Construction Inc.

The program covers all significant skill areas of the repair industry and includes modules on parts and supplies acquisition, record keeping, customer relations, and preventive maintenance. Electronic control of mechanical systems, system design considerations, and the analysis and diagnosis of system failures are examined through the coursework. Students are exposed to agricultural equipment, earth-moving equipment, and heavy-duty trucks and have the opportunity to work part time at local service providers. 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, earth-moving equipment, and heavy-duty trucks. All mechanical systems are covered in the curriculum. Electrical, electronic, and hydraulic systems maintenance, diagnosis, and repair are emphasized. 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 is available from the admissions department or the DPT department.

The curriculum uses the NATEF (National Technician’s Education Foundation) and AED (Associated Equipment Distributors) diesel task mastery specifications to assess successful learning outcomes.

Students with an Associate of Applied Science in Diesel Power Technology should be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to use the principles of critical thinking in the diagnostic process
Understand, maintain and repair advanced electronic systems on trucks, agricultural, and earth-moving equipment
Understand, maintain and repair all major mechanical systems on trucks, agricultural, and earth-moving equipment
Perform successfully as an entry to B level heavy duty service technician

Coursework in English and technical communication, computer software skills, technical math, physics, small business management, and general education are also included. The program is delivered in a well-equipped 10,000 sq. ft. industrial space within walking distance of the Randolph Center campus.

The normal number of credits required for degree is 63.

First Year

Fall Semester	Credits	Spring Semester	Credits
DSL 1010 – Steering, Suspension & Alignment	4	CIS 1080 - Intro to Spreadsheet/Database Mgmnt	2
DSL 1040 - Diesel Electrical/Electronic Systems	4	DSL 1020 – Diesel Power Systems	4
ENG 10XX – English	3	DSL 1050 - Preventive Maintenance	3
MAT 1100 – Introduction to Tech Math	3	DSL 1110 - Heavy Duty Braking Systems	3
	14	PHY 1030 - General Physics	4
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		Summer Course
		DSL 2801 – Summer Internship	0

Second Year

Fall Semester Credits Spring Semester Credits

BUS 2210 – Small Business Management 3 DSL 2020 – Chassis Electrical/Electronic Systems 4

DSL 2010 - Fuel Systems 4 DSL 2040 - Power Transmission 3

DSL 2030 - Hydraulics 3 DSL 2060 - Fabrication 3

DSL 2802 – Internship Review 1 ELE XXXX - AH/SS elective 3

ENG 2080 - Technical Communication 3 ELE XXXX – Elective 3

ELE XXXX – AH/SS elective 3

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