Electrical Technology Curriculum and Course Descriptions

The Electrical Technology program prepares individuals for a career in a variety of areas including residential, commercial, industrial wiring, and plant maintenance. 

Electricity is essential for light, power, air conditioning, and refrigeration.  Electricians install, connect, test, and maintain electrical systems for a variety of purposes, including climate control, security, and communications.  They may also install and maintain the electronic controls used for machines in business and industry.  

Recommended Courses
(Secondary and Postsecondary Programs)

To complete an associate degree the program emphasis credit hours and the general education credit hours, which must be taken from the list approved by the General Education Committee, must total at least 64 credit hours.  Certain general education courses are preferred for different programs.

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Students completing a technical program may desire to seek the Associate in Applied Sciences Degree.  In addition to completing a technical program, this degree also requires the completion of 18 hours in general education.  Certain courses within this degree may or may not transfer to baccalaureate degree granting institutions. The student must complete 64 semester hours with a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or above. There is a minimum cumulative general education requirement of 18 semester hours.

Associate in Applied Science Degree Requirements

Course Descriptions

CONT-160.  Electrical Applications.  Up to 4 Hours (0-196 Contact Hours).  This course provides students with an opportunity to gain knowledge and develop skills in the Electrical field.  This is a short course focused on current Electrical applications for residential, commercial, and industrial settings. 

ELEC-106.  Fundamentals of Electricity.  4 Hours (90 Contact Hours).  This is an applied science course beginning with atomic structure, electron flow, A.C. and D.C. circuits, continuing through conductor and resistor material types, series and parallel circuits, applying Ohm's, Watt's and Kirchoff's circuit laws and principles, and computing voltage drop. 

ELEC-108.  Residential Wiring.  8 Hours (235 Contact Hours).  This course begins with simple lighting circuits and progresses through installing an entire electrical system for a total electrical home.  The student should master the installation of basic circuits, application of codes and blueprint reading by the completion of the course. 

ELEC-151.  National Electrical Code.  4 Hours (90 Contact Hours).  This is a structured class, which emphasizes learning general knowledge of the code book through the study of individual chapters, articles, sections and tables.  Heavy emphasis is placed on preparing a student to pass code exams. 

ELEC-187.  Single and Three Phase Motors.  8 Hours (235 Contact Hours).  This class begins with the simplest AC motor and progresses through industrial three phase motors.  Each student must rebuild three motors commonly found in industry.  The student will also learn common troubleshooting techniques and how to use the electrical meters employed in motor installation and repair. 

ELEC-207.  On-the-Job Training (OJT or OJT Equivalent).  Up to 4 Hours (0-195 Contact Hours).  Students demonstrating excellent attendance, attitude and mastery of core curriculum competencies may be considered for on-the-job training experience.  Through the cooperation of local businesses, students are given the opportunity to apply the skills required for their future career.  Class attendance is also required. 

ELEC-214.  Electronics for Electricians.  4 Hours (90 Contact Hours).  This course prepares a student to work with electronic switching devices commonly used in digital applications.  Troubleshooting standard and digital circuits using electrical meters and o-scopes are emphasized. 

ELEC-215.  Motor Controls.  8 Hours (235 Contact Hours).  Fully automated machine operation is taught through wiring basic motor control circuits and incorporating control components which give the automated aspects to machine control.  Troubleshooting from machine schematics and application of standard troubleshooting techniques are used throughout the class. 

ELEC-216.  Programmable Logic Controllers.  8 Hours (235 Contact Hours).  This course combines both hands-on hard wiring installation of Programmable Logic Controllers and program development required to make production machines operate.  Heavy emphasis is placed on troubleshooting the system throughout the course.

ELEC-218.  Industrial Wiring.  3 Hours (90 Contact Hours).  The student will learn to make all conduit bends required for a complete run, tie in single and three phase transformers, and wire out of three phase wye and delta connected panels using industrial wiring methods.