College Catalog
One College Avenue, Williamsport PA 17701-5799 · (570) 326-3761 or (800) 367-9222
Diesel Technology (DD)
Academic School: Natural Resources Management
(Effective Fall 2005)
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

Students develop the skills necessary to repair and 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 diesel service management, as well as 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. The curriculum provides exposure to all facets of the industry with specific emphasis on problem solving and transferability of skills. Graduates are prepared to take the Pennsylvania Vehicle Safety Inspection Examinations and the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (NIASE) examinations in heavy truck mechanics.
Career Opportunities: Heavy duty truck technician for truck dealership, independent garage, truck fleet, leasing company or contractor; technical service representative for diesel engine manufacturer or distributor; diesel service occupations such as service writer, warranty writer, parts manager, service manager, transport refrigeration technician, automated drive-line and fuel system specialist.
Recommended High School Subjects: Three years of English, two years of algebra and two years of science.
Remediation Strategies: All students must remediate by end of the 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:
- 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.
| First Semester | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| DSM108 | Tools, Hardware and Failure Analysis | 2 | |
| DSM115 | Diesel Engines | 4 | |
| DSM116 | Diesel Engines Laboratory | 4 | |
| DSM119 | Fuel Systems | 2 | |
| CSC110 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 | |
| MTH124 | Technical Algebra and Trigonometry I | 3 | |
| or | |||
| MTH180 | College Algebra and Trigonometry I | 3 | |
| 18 | |||
| Second Semester | Credits | ||
| DSM117 | Introduction to Hydraulics | 1 | |
| DSM120 | Basic Electricity | 4 | |
| DSM140 | Truck Tractor Chassis and Alignment | 3 | |
| DSM141 | Heavy Duty Brake Systems | 2 | |
| DSM142 | Power Train and Brake Systems Lab | 4 | |
| DSM146 | Commercial Truck Power Train and State Inspection | 3 | |
| 17 | |||
| Third Semester | Credits | ||
| DSM240 | Electronic Fuel Systems Operation/ Diagnostics | 3 | |
| DSM241 | Diesel Electronic Systems | 2 | |
| DSM242 | Diesel Equipment Air Conditioning Systems | 2 | |
| DSM245 | Allison Transmissions | 3 | |
| ENL111 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| PHS103 | Physics Survey | 3 | |
| or | |||
| PHS114 | Physics with Technological Applications | 4 | |
| FIT | Fitness and Lifetime Sports Elective | 1 | |
| 17 | |||
| Fourth Semester | Credits | ||
| DSM258 | Vehicle Electronics/Diagnostic Procedures | 3 | |
| DSM268 | Truck and Trailer Refrigeration Systems | 4 | |
| DSM274 | Equipment Maintenance Management | 1 | |
| DSM275 | Automated Power Train Products | 2 | |
| ENL201 | Technical and Professional Communication | 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 | |
| 16 | |||
Accreditation: The Diesel Technology major is master accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) for Heavy Duty Trucks and meets the standards for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
