Mission Statement
The mission of the Industrial Systems Technology program is to prepare students for careers as industrial electricians, electrical engineering technicians, powerhouse electricians, industrial mechanics, multi-craft technicians, Mechatronics technicians, automation technicians, or industrial robotic technicians.
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Work Environment
Many industrial systems technicians work on factory floors, where they are subject to noise, dirt, vibration, and heat. Installers and repairers may have to do heavy lifting and work in a variety of positions. They must follow safety guidelines and often wear protective goggles and hard hats. When working on ladders or on elevated equipment, repairers must wear harnesses to avoid falls. Before repairing a piece of machinery, these workers must follow procedures to ensure that others cannot start the equipment during the repair process. They also must take precautions against electrical shock by locking off power to the unit under repair.
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Nature of the Work
Industrial systems technicians maintain and repair the various machines used in industry. Their job title may be industrial electrician or industrial mechanic, but more often it is automation technician. To keep automated machines and robots in good working order, these workers must be able to detect minor problems and correct them before they become larger problems. Industrial systems technicians use technical manuals, their understanding of the equipment, and careful observation to discover the cause of the problem.
Automated electronic control systems are becoming increasingly complex, making diagnosis more challenging. With these systems, repairers use software programs and testing equipment to diagnose malfunctions. Among their diagnostic tools are multi-meters, which measure voltage, current, and resistance. After diagnosing the problem, the technician may disassemble the equipment to repair or replace the necessary parts. Increasingly, industrial systems technicians must have the electrical, electronics, and computer programming skills to repair sophisticated equipment on their own. Once they make a repair, they must perform tests to ensure that the machine is running smoothly. Primary responsibilities also include preventive maintenance. For example, they adjust and calibrate automated manufacturing equipment such as industrial robots.
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Employment
Industrial electricians held 160,900 jobs nationally and industrial machinery mechanics held about 287,700 jobs nationally in 2008. Many worked in the manufacturing sector in industries such as food processing and chemical processing, fabricated metal products, electrical power companies and power generating plants, machinery, and motor vehicle and parts manufacturing. Manufacturers often rely on these employees to make complex repairs to specific machines. Employment in this field is expected to grow from 5 to 7 percent nationally from 2008 to 2018.
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Earnings
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not collect employment or wage data on automation technicians. Industry sources suggest, however, that the annual wage nationally is about $50,000-an amount similar to the May 2008 wage for closely related engineering technician occupations for which the BLS does collect data.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)
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Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the associate degree and diploma programs in Industrial Systems Technology will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Solve basic DC, AC, and circuitry problems
- Inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair industrial mechanical systems
- Inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair fluid power and piping systems
- Inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair industrial motor control systems
- Inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and diagnose basic and advanced PLC systems
- Inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair industrial wiring
- Inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and diagnose industrial instrumentation systems
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Industrial Fluid Power Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Demonstrate safe working practices
- Explain basic mechanical laws and principles
- Inspect, maintain, service, repair, and replace industrial mechanical systems and their component parts
- Inspect, maintain, service, repair, and replace fluid power and piping systems
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Industrial Motor Control Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Understand and apply the fundamental principles of industrial motor controls
- Understand and apply the principles of magnetic starters and braking
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Programmable Control Technician I will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Inspect, service, maintain, and repair industrial motor controls
- Inspect, service, maintain, and remove and replace industrial PLCs
- Work safely in an industrial environment
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
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Essential Functions
The purpose of the essential functions list is to allow prospective students who are considering a career to be informed of the physical, emotional, and psychological demands related to training and employment in a field of study. These lists are provided to allow prospective students to make informed career choices by providing them with a summary of the physical abilities and personality traits that are generally required for the successful completion of a curriculum and result in employment in their field of study after graduation.
For students to be successful in the Industrial Systems Technology programs, they must be able to perform the following essential functions:
- Ability to Use Senses
- Visual: Normal vision with or without corrective lenses
- Hearing: Ability to hear sounds and emergency signals
- Smell: Ability to evaluate possible dangers involved in working in an industrial environment
- Tactile: Feel heat/cold or pain
- Motor Ability
- Manual dexterity to efficiently and safely use equipment, power tools, hand tools, and other small and large equipment while wearing essential personal protective equipment
- Physical ability to walk moderate distances and stand for moderate periods of time; to lift, move, and transfer equipment of at least 50 pounds; and to maneuver in limited space
- Ability to work while in hot/humid and/or cold conditions
- Ability to Understand Need for a Safe Work Environment
- Practical awareness of potential electrical and mechanical dangers in an industrial environment
- Ability to wear necessary safety gear, i.e., safety glasses, gloves, head covering, etc.
- Ability to maintain safe environment at all times following lab safety sheet and accepted industrial practices
- Ability to Communicate
- Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to class partners and/or team and to instructor
- Ability to write and perform routine mathematical calculations clearly and correctly
- Basic proficiency in technology (computers and peripheral components) as industry requires
- Ability to Problem Solve
- Intellectual and conceptual ability for measuring, calculating, reasoning, analyzing, and prioritizing daily functions in today's industrial environment
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency without jeopardizing safety.
- Ability to react and adjust as instructed by the instructor(s) during lab or shop instruction or based on customer's needs
- Ability to Maintain Emotional Stability
- Ability to function safely under stress in today's workplace and adapt to changing staff and client/customer situations
- Ability to maintain composure and professionalism at all times in labs and industrial work environments
- Ability to Perform Practical Outcomes
- Ability to function under the practical guidelines of accepted industrial practices
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Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges and universities to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses each semester (unless otherwise noted):
- Tuition ($75 per credit hour)
- Registration fee ($39)
- Student activity fees ($30)
- Accident insurance fee ($6)
- Instructional and technology supply fee ($55)
- Program supply fee (Varies - see course descriptions for exact amounts)
- Textbooks (Approximately $1,800 for the Industrial Systems Technology program, $355 for the Industrial Fluid Power Technician program, $365 for the Industrial Motor Control Technician, and $285 for the Programmable Control Technician I program)
- Tools (Approximately $450 for the Industrial Systems Technology program)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
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Gainful Employment
Information on graduation rates, job placement rates, median loan debt incurred by students and other gainful employment information is available on the college website.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following information to the Admissions Office:
- Completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements)
- Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS and ASSET Placement Tests)
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