College Catalog

Students develop the skills necessary to maintain diesel-powered highway, industrial, and marine vehicles and equipment. Advanced diesel maintenance techniques and principles are applied in diagnosing malfunctions and prescribing corrective action. The course work emphasizes the theory and skills of refrigeration, electronic and mechanical fuel injection, chassis maintenance, vehicle inspection, tune-up, engine overhaul, transmission repair, brake service, and handling hazardous waste. Students are prepared to take the Pennsylvania Vehicle Safety Inspection Examination and National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (NIASE) examinations in heavy duty truck mechanics.

Career Opportunities

Heavy-duty commercial truck technician for truck dealership, independent garage, truck fleet, leasing company, contractor or transport refrigeration technician; field service technician representative for diesel engine manufacturer or distributor.

Recommended High School Subjects

Three years of English, one year of algebra, and one year of science.

Remediation Strategies

All students must remediate by first year. The order of remediation will be math, reading, and English.

Transfer Procedures

This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://www.pct.edu/catalog/TransferringCredits.htm ). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.

Program Goals

A graduate of this major should be able to:

• practice approved safety procedures in various work situations.
• read and interpret vehicle and component service manuals and write clear, accurate, and complete service reports.
• diagnose and repair mechanical and electronic fuel injection malfunctions.
• demonstrate the correct use of basic hand tools, special tools, and testing equipment.
• perform vehicle safety inspections as required by state and federal laws.
• overhaul and tune up diesel engines.
• test, adjust, and align truck suspension systems.
• diagnose and repair common malfunctions to brakes, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
• interpret schematics and wiring diagrams, test starting, charging, lighting, and accessory systems.
• understand the potential health and safety hazards in the work place and how to properly document and perform corrective action.
• apply basic electronic principles to engine control and data storage.

Curriculum