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Automotive Technology Certificate Industrial & Trade Technology Total Units: 46.5
Term Effective: Fall 2023

Description:

The Automotive Technology Certificate of Achievement offers both theoretical and hands-on training, including engine overhaul, ignition systems, fuel systems, pollution control systems, electrical systems, drive trains, brake systems and suspension systems. Course work prepares students to take the eight Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) exams. Students enrolling in the program should have the desire and ability to work with their hands, possess a high degree of mechanical aptitude and enjoy working in a shop environment. Program completers should be able to find employment as advanced entry-level apprentice automotive technicians.

Those who complete the Automotive Technology program, pass ASE tests A6 and A8 and successfully complete AUTO 108 (Clean Air Car Course Basic & Enhanced), will meet the requirements to take the Basic Area Smog Check test required to become a Licensed Basic Area Smog Check Technician.

Automotive mechanics repair and service automobiles and other gas-powered vehicles. Automobile mechanics have many duties, depending on the size and kind of shop in which they work. In smaller shops, mechanics do all kinds of repair work, from simple engine tune-ups to the tearing down, repairing and rebuilding of complete power systems. They also service and repair electrical systems; align and service suspension, braking and steering systems; repair and adjust transmissions and differentials; repair and service air conditioning, heating and engine-cooling systems; and do all necessary mechanical checks. In larger shops, some of this work may be done by specially trained mechanics who primarily perform one type of repair or service and may be assigned by their specialty, such as brake repairers, transmission mechanics or front-end mechanics.

Technological advances and continued expansion of the automotive industry have increased the demands for well-trained entry level technicians both locally and state wide.

Students interested in a suggested order for taking classes in this program, please check with the program

This program of study is also available as an Associate Degree major option.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate safe operation of hand tools, power tools and specialized automotive tools and equipment;
  2. perform entry level diagnoses and repair of automotive engines, electrical systems, transmissions, engine performance, brakes, chassis and emissions control systems;
  3. demonstrate basic maintenance and welding skills; and
  4. access and interpret automotive service information and schematics both manually and on the computer.

Program Requirements:

The requirements for the Automotive Technology Certificate program are:

  • Complete 46.5 units from
    • Automotive Technology Requirements

Automotive Technology Requirements - complete 46.50 units
AUTO 80Introduction to Automotive Technology3.00
AUTO 126Mobile Heating and Air Conditioning Systems2.50
AUTO 151Automotive Engines7.00
AUTO 158.1Automotive Engine Performance & Emission Control7.00
AUTO 154Automotive Brakes, Steering, and Suspension7.00
AUTO 155Automotive Drive Train6.00
AUTO 156.1Automotive Electrical System5.00
AUTO 194Introduction to Hybrid Vehicle Maintenance and Repair4.00
WELD 170Beginning Welding: Fundamentals of Arc and Gas Welding2.00
Complete any combination totaling at least 3.00 units from the following:
CourseDescriptionUnits
AUTO 108Clean Air Car Course: BAR Levels 1 & 25.00
AUTO 120Automotive Service Advisor, Business Ethics, and Management2.00
ELEC 51AFundamentals of Electricity3.00
MACH 51.1ABeginning Machine Tool Technology3.00
MACH 51.1BAdvanced Machine Tool Technology3.00
WELD 101Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)2.00
WELD 102Introduction to Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)2.00
WELD 103Introduction to Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)2.00
WELD 104Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)2.00
WEE 99IInternship Work Experience Education0.50-8.00

Term Effective: Fall 2023

The requirements for this program of study are effective beginning the semester shown above. If you began working on this program before the effective semester, you may not be affected by the changes. Consult with the program contact person or the department chair to determine your eligibility to complete the program under previous requirements.

Previous Versions:

Automotive Technology - effective Fall 2022
Automotive Technology - effective Fall 2021
Automotive Technology - effective Fall 2019
Automotive Technology - effective Spring 2019
Automotive Technology - effective Fall 2018
Automotive Technology - effective Fall 2017
Automotive Technology - effective Fall 2016
Automotive Technology - effective Fall 2015
Automotive Technology - effective Fall 2014
Automotive Technology - effective Fall 2012
Automotive Technology - effective Spring 2012
Automotive Technology - effective Spring 2011
Automotive Technology - effective Fall 2010
Automotive Technology - effective Summer 2007
Automotive Technology - effective Summer 2006
Automotive Technology - effective Fall 1981

Course Prerequisites and Advisories:

Courses in a program of study may have prerequisites or advisories; that is, courses that must or should be completed before taking that course. Please check for prerequisites or advisories by clicking on the course numbers in the Program Requirements section.

Contact
Information
Phone Email Website
(707) 535-3772
dlemmer@santarosa.edu
Industrial & Trade Technology