College Catalog
One College Avenue, Williamsport PA 17701 · (570) 326-3761 or (800) 367-9222
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology (HP)
Academic School: Construction & Design Technologies
(Effective Fall 2008)
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
The curriculum provides knowledge and training in the air conditioning, hydronic heating, temperature and humidity control, air circulation, duct and pipe system design and layout, thermostats, ventilating equipment, automatic controls, commercial refrigeration layout and installation, and piping practices. Students learn to install and repair equipment in the lab segments of the major. The combination of lab practice and theory prepares students for employment and advancement in today's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and mechanical contracting industry. The HP emphasis incorporates two classes in the fourth semester that are dedicated to Commercial Mechanical Systems. Students can complete two additional courses if they wish to petition for the Plumbing Certificate (PH) upon graduation (see Additional Information for details).
Career Opportunities: Refrigeration and air conditioning, heating (HVAC) equipment mechanic, estimator, sales representative, air conditioning technician, industrial physical plant maintenance, plumber and environmental control specialist.
Recommended High School Subjects: Two years of algebra, one year of science, physics.
Remediation Strategies: Students will be required to remediate deficiencies within the first year of enrollment.
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:
- do technical work in a variety of heating, cooling, and plumbing and refrigeration fields; apply safety standards and understand and work with technical developments in the industry.
- identify and demonstrate correct use of tools, materials, and equipment used in the trade.
- read and interpret blueprints and use blueprints when installing equipment.
- troubleshoot heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment using standard troubleshooting procedures.
- read and interpret electrical schematics; use schematics when installing and repairing equipment.
- estimate the cost of an installation and design; layout an effective system for a specific location use.
- demonstrate an awareness of and respect for customer/employer relations.
- demonstrate knowledge of the operation and use of hermetic and reciprocating compressors.
- apply basic knowledge of airflow, ventilation, and energy conservation concepts, the design of systems using modern building design and solar energy technology.
- install, service and repair hydronic heat systems, controls, and heat distributing units.
- install and troubleshoot residential and commercial electrical, pneumatic, and electronic HVAC control systems.
- demonstrate knowledge of gas and oil-fired boilers and heat pump installation and service.
| First Semester | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ACR111 | Introduction to Refrigeration | 5 | |
| PLH112 | Mechanical Systems I | 5 | |
| ELT250 | HVAC/R Electricity | 5 | |
| MTH124 | Technical Algebra and Trigonometry I | 3 | |
| or | |||
| MTH180 | College Algebra and Trigonometry I | 3 | |
| 18 | |||
| Second Semester | Credits | ||
| ACR236 | Air Conditioning Systems I | 3 | |
| ACR238 | Air Conditioning Systems I (Load Calculation and Design) | 2 | |
| PLH236 | Basic Heating Systems (Installation) | 3 | |
| PLH238 | Basic Heating Systems (Heat Loss Calculation and System Design) | 2 | |
| ELT252 | HVAC Controls I-Residential | 4 | |
| ACR118 | Print Reading and Interpretation | 1 | |
| ENL111 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| 18 | |||
| Third Semester | Credits | ||
| ACR249 | Advanced HVAC System Service | 3 | |
| ACR251 | Warm-Air Heating and Duct Design | 3 | |
| ELT253 | HVAC Controls II-Commercial | 4 | |
| PLH244 | Hydronic Heating Systems | 4 | |
| CSC110 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 | |
| FIT | Fitness and Lifetime Sports Elective | 1 | |
| 18 | |||
| Fourth Semester | Credits | ||
| PLH124 | Mechanical Systems II | 5 | |
| PLH126 | Mechanical Systems-Practicum | 2 | |
| ACR119 | HVAC Automated Design | 1 | |
| ENL201 | Technical and Professional Communication | 3 | |
| PHS103 | Physics Survey | 3 | |
| HUM | Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| or | |||
| SSE | Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| or | |||
| ART | Art Elective | 3 | |
| or | |||
| FOR | Foreign Language Elective | 3 | |
| or | |||
| AAE | Applied Arts Elective | 3 | |
| or | |||
| IFE | International Field Experience Elective | 3 | |
| 17 | |||
Additional Information: Students planning to continue in the bachelor-degree major (BHV) should take MTH 180, if placement test results indicate readiness.
Students taking WEL 101 Acetylene/Electric Welding (2 credits) and BCT 128 Building Materials Applications (2 credits) can also earn a Plumbing certificate.
Endorsed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).
Accreditation: Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).