The Heavy Equipment Dealers Service Technology Associate degree program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for careers in the heavy equipment service and repair profession, specifically for Caterpillar dealers. The program utilizes a curriculum (ThinkBIG) develop by Caterpillar, Inc. and is currently utilized by 19 colleges throughout the world. Learning opportunities in the classroom, lab and internships enable students to develop academic, technical and professional knowledge and skill required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of heavy equipment, engines and a minor emphasis on marine propulsion systems and power generator repair theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive a Heavy Equipment Dealers Service Technology Associate Degree that qualifies them as entry-level heavy equipment technicians.
Education: A high school diploma or its equivalent is required for admission.
Age: 16 years or older
Placement: Achievement of appropriate scores on the college's placement test or submission of acceptable SAT or ACT scores. Provisional Admission accepted.
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|
| GENERAL CORE COURSES | |
| Language Arts | |
ENGL 1101 Composition and Rhetoric Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.
Required textbooks and materials:
- Nexus: A Rhetorical Reader for Writers, ISBN 978-0-205-82987-3, $69.36
2571 | 3 |
ENGL 1105 Technical Communications Emphasizes practical knowledge of technical communications techniques, procedures, and reporting formats used in industry and business. Topics include reference use and research, device and process description, formal technical report writing, business correspondence, and technical report presentation.
Required textbooks and materials:
- Technical Communication, ISBN 978-0321864949, $31
2573 | 3 |
| Humanities (choose ONE class) | |
| ARTS 1101 Art Appreciation Explores the visual arts and the relationship to human needs and aspirations.
Students investigate the value of art, themes in art, the elements and principles of
composition, and the materials and processes used for artistic expression. Well-
known works of visual art are explored. The course encourages student interest in
the visual arts beyond the classroom.4318 | 3 |
ENGL 2130 American Literature Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills.
Required textbooks and materials:
- The Norton Anthology, ISBN 978-0-393-93057-3, $78.88
2574 | 3 |
| MUSC 1101 Music Appreciation Explores the formal elements of musical composition, musical form and style, and the
relationship of music to historical periods. The course includes listening and analysis
of well-known works of music. This course encourages student interest in musical
arts beyond the classroom. 4377 | 3 |
| Math | |
MATH 1111 College Algebra Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts.Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.
Required textbooks and materials:
- Algebra for College Students, ISBN 978-0073384344, $162.60
- RECOMMENDED: TI-30XIIS calculator, $15
2640 | 3 |
| Social Sciences (choose ONE class) | |
| POLS 1101 American Government Emphasizes study of government and politics in the United States. The focus of the course will provide an overview of the Constitutional foundations of the American political processes with a focus on government institutions and political procedures. The course will examine the constitutional framework, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion, the media, interest groups, political parties, and the election process along with the three branches of government. In addition, this course will examine the processes of Georgia state government. Topics include: foundations of government, political behavior, and governing institutions.12370 | 3 |
PSYC 1101 Introductory Psychology Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology.
Required textbooks and materials:
- Psychology: Concepts and Connections, ISBN 978-1111344856, $99.90
2708 | 3 |
SOCI 1101 Introduction to Sociology Explores the sociological analysis of society, its culture, and structure. Sociology is presented as a science with emphasis placed on its methodology and theoretical foundations. Topics include basic sociological concepts, socialization, social interaction and culture, social groups and institutions, deviance and social control, social stratification, social change, and marriage and family.
Required textbooks and materials:
- Course pack assigned by instructor./li>
2726 | 3 |
| OCCUPATIONAL COURSES | |
COMP 1000 Introduction to Computer Literacy Introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer terminology, the Windows environment, Internet and email, word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation software.
Required textbooks and materials:
- Guidelines for Microsoft Office, ISBN 978-0763867485, $128.72
2403 | 3 |
CATT 1100 Caterpillar Engine Fundamentals This course introduces the students to basic diesel engine theory and service procedures.The principles of compression ignited internal combustion engines are taught and variations in design are discussed.Caterpillar engines are used for lab dissembly and assembly.
Required textbooks and materials:
2365 | 4 |
CATT 1110 Caterpillar Service Industry This course introduces the student to the Caterpillar Organization and provides instruction and lab experience in shop safety, shop operation, service tools, and how to obtain Caterpillar service information.
Required textbooks and materials:
2366 | 3 |
WELD 1000 Intro to Welding Technology Provides an introduction to welding technology with an emphasis on basic welding laboratory principles and operating procedures.Topics include:industrial safety and health practices, hand tool and power machine use, measurement, laboratory operating procedures, welding power sources, welding career potentials, and introduction to welding codes and standards.
Required textbooks and materials (the following are one-time purchases required for all Welding classes):
- Welding Principles and Applications, ISBN 978-1111039172, $155.89
- Welding Principles and Applications Study Guide, ISBN 978-1305494701, $105
- Uniform, $148.66
- Equipment, $129.64
2735 | 4 |
CATT 1500 CAT Internship I This supervised experience is required of students enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Dealers Service Technician curriculum.Placement is obtained through the cooperation of the sponsoring Caterpillar dealer.Major emphasis is place don the specific internship objectives that are contained in the Internship Logbook.
Required textbooks and materials:
2373 | 4 |
CATT 1120 Hydraulic Fundamentals This module is designd toteach thebasic hydraulic fundamentals, to identify and state the unction of the various values used in Caterpillar hydraulic systems, to identify and state the function of vane pumps, gear pumps, and piston pumps, to disassemble and assemble hydraulic components, to identify and state the function of ISO hydraulic symbols, and to trace the oil flow and state the operation of various hydraulic systems.
Required textbooks and materials:
2367 | 3 |
CATT 1130 Fuel Systems The course introduces the student to the various fuel systems used on Caterpillar Engines.The student will become familiar with fuel selection, calibrations, nozzle testing procedures, governor operation, and hydraulic fuel ratio controls.The student will also become familiar with the 1.1 and 1.2 Mechanical Unit Injection (MUI) and Hydraulic Electronic Unit Injection (HEUI) fuel systems, the Electronic Unit Injection (EUI) and Nippondenso, and Zexel fuel systems.
Required textbooks and materials:
2368 | 3 |
CATT 1140 Electrical Fundamentals The course introduces the student to basic electrical and electronic fundamentals needed by a technician to properly diagnose and repair the complex electrical systems installed in Caterpillar machines.The course does not teach specific machine systems unless otherwise stated in the lesson description.
Required textbooks and materials:
2369 | 3 |
CATT 1510 CAT Internship II This supervised experience is required of students enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Dealers Service Technician curriculum.Placement is obtained through the cooperation of the sponsoring Caterpillar dealer.Major emphasis is place on the specific internship objectives that are contained in the Internship Logbook.
Required textbooks and materials:
2374 | 4 |
CATT 1150 Air Conditioning Fund This course is designed to prepare the serviceman to state the principles of air conditioning, to identify air conditioning components, to state the component functins, and to service the air conditioning system.
Required textbooks and materials:
2370 | 3 |
CATT 1160 Power Train I The course will discuss the basic components and operation of power train systems used in Caterpillar machines. Included will be basic components, clutches, torque converters, manual shift transmissions, and power shift transmissions.Basic components and component functions are explained as they relate to the operation of various power train systems.
Required textbooks and materials:
2371 | 3 |
CATT 1170 Machine Hydraulic Systems This course is designed to teach the system operations and the testing and adjusting procedures for the pilot operated hydraulic system, the load sensing pressure compensated (LSPC) hydraulic system, the proportional priority, pressure compensated (PPPC) system, the elctro-hydraulic system, and the hydrostatic system.
Required textbooks and materials:
2372 | 3 |
CATT 2500 CAT Internship III This supervised experience is required of students enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Dealers Service Technician curriculum.Placement is obtained through the cooperation of the sponsoring Caterpillar dealer.Major emphasis is placed on the specific internship objectives that are contained in the Internship Logbook.
Required textbooks and materials:
2380 | 4 |
CATT 2000 Power Train II This course will discuss methods for transferring power through the mechanical power train and cover differentials, brakes, final drives, and undercarriage.
Required textbooks and materials:
2375 | 3 |
CATT 2010 Machine Electronics This course introduces the student to machine electronic systems and diagnostic tooling needed by a technician to properly diagnose and repair the complex electrical/electronic systems installed in Caterpillar machines.
Required textbooks and materials:
2376 | 3 |
CATT 2510 CAT Internship IV This supervised experience is required of students enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Dealers Service Technician curriculum.Placement is obtained through the cooperation of the sponsoring Caterpillar dealer.Major emphasis is placed on the specific internship objectives that are contained in the Internship Logbook.
Required textbooks and materials:
2381 | 4 |
CATT 2020 Engine Diagnostics & Repair This course is an in-depth study of engine diagnostics and repair techniques.Much of the class time is spent with on-iron activities--diagnosing and correcting engine problems.Participants learn basic diagnosis and troubleshooting procedures, use of Caterpillar diagnostic tools, and use of Caterpillar reference material.The four major engine system studied are oil, air, cooling, and fuel.
Required textbooks and materials:
2377 | 3 |
CATT 2030 Machine Diagnostics This course introduces the student to machine problem identification using diagnostic tooling and reference material to properly diagnose and repair the complex systems installed on Caterpillar machines.
Required textbooks and materials:
2378 | 3 |
CATT 2040 Machine Specific This course introduces the student to machine specific systems.The machines and engines covered in this course include:950G II Electro-Hydraulic Control Systems, Compact Construction Equipment (CCE), 325C Excavator, 312/315C Hydraulic Excavators, Off-highway Trucks, Articulated Dump Trucks, 620G Series Wheel Tractor-Scrapers, H-Series Motor Graders, Gas Engines, EPG Engines, Marine Engines, and Paving Products.
Required textbooks and materials:
2379 | 3 |
| *78 minimum semester hour credits required for graduation | |
