Automotive Technology
Course Descriptions for Automotive Technology
| AT-12 Automotive Braking Systems | ||
| CSU | (4 units LEC/LAB) | |
| An Automotive Technology course covering theory and principles of modern braking systems. Hydraulic principles, coefficients of friction, and thermodynamics will be discussed. Diagnosis, repair, overhaul, and adjustment procedures of drum, disc/drum, and four-wheel disc systems will be emphasized. Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) diagnostics, servicing, and repair procedures will also be covered. The course will cover common domestic, import, and light trucks vehicles only. The course is designed in conjunction with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards and subsequently, will prepare the student for the ASE Brakes Certification Examination. | ||
| AT-14 Manual Transmission/Transaxle and Drivetrain | ||
| CSU | (4 units LEC/LAB) | |
| Theory and principles of manual transmissions/transaxles, clutches, driveshafts, half shafts, variable and constant velocity joints, differentials, rear wheel drive axle assemblies, all wheel drives, and four wheel drives. Gear types, ratios, compound ratios, and current noise, vibration, and harshness diagnostic routines will be discussed. Diagnosis, repair, overhaul, and adjustment procedures for common domestic, import, and light truck drivetrain components will be emphasized. The course is designed in conjunction with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards and subsequently, will prepare the student for the ASE Manual Transmission/Transaxle & Drivetrain Certification Examination. | ||
| AT-16 Automotive Electrical Systems | ||
| CSU | (4 units LEC/LAB) | |
| An Automotive Technology course covering theory and principles of automotive electrical systems. The course includes basic electrical theory, Ohm’s Law, series and parallel circuits, electrical symbols and schematics, automotive batteries, charging systems, voltage regulation, starting systems, lighting systems, and various accessories. The laboratory portion of the course will place emphasis on diagnosis and testing techniques required to effectively determine the necessary action in an electrical system failure. The use of schematics, technical specifications, voltmeters, ohmmeters, ammeters, and circuit testers will be required. The course is designed in conjunction with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards and subsequently, will in part prepare the student for the ASE Electrical/Electronic Certification Examination. | ||
| AT-18 Automotive Engine Repair | ||
| CSU | (4 units LEC/LAB) | |
| An Automotive Technology course covering four-stroke cycle theory, engine torque, horsepower, materials, and manufacturing processes as they relate to internal combustion powerplants used in production automobiles and light trucks. The theory, principles, and diagnosis of cooling systems, lubrication systems, and common engine mechanical failures will be emphasized. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on comprehensive engine testing, in-vehicle engine servicing, engine disassembly, precision measuring, and inspection of internal engine components. The course is designed in conjunction with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards and subsequently, will prepare the student for the ASE Engine Repair Certification Examination. | ||
| AT-20 Automotive Suspension and Steering Systems | ||
| CSU | (4 units LEC/LAB) | |
| The theory and principles related to automotive steering and suspension systems. Topics will include tire and wheel balancing, alignment angles, steering system geometry and supplemental restraint systems (SRS). The laboratory portion of the course will include diagnosis, adjustment, repair, and replacement techniques for automotive and light truck suspension and steering components. Automotive alignment measuring and adjusting procedures will be emphasized. The course is designed in conjunction with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards and subsequently, will prepare the student for the ASE Suspension & Steering Certification Examination. | ||
| AT-22 Automotive Electronics | ||
| CSU | (4 units LEC/LAB) | |
| A study of semiconductor theory, transistors, diodes, capacitance, inductance, inductive reactance, the motor principle, integrated circuits, and digital logic circuits. The course will place emphasis on the theory, diagnosis, and repair of modern automotive computer systems. Topics will include control modules, bus interface and related components or circuits. The laboratory portion of the course will require extensive use of electronic test equipment, circuit analysis, and diagnostic procedures common to modern automotive accessories and equipment. The course is designed in conjunction with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards and subsequently, will in part prepare the student for the ASE Electrical/Electronic Certification Examination. | ||
| Prerequisite: AT-16 | ||
| AT-24 Engine Performance | ||
| CSU | (4 units LEC/LAB) | |
| An Automotive Technology course covering theory and principles of engine performance related topics. Topics will include the internal combustion process, compression ratios, combustion efficiency, volumetric efficiency, airflow requirements, air-fuel ratios, fuel delivery systems, manifolding, electronic distributor ignition systems, oscilloscope waveform interpretation, ignition timing and advance strategies. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on diagnosis and repair of the following engine performance related problems, mechanical problems, computerized engine control systems, ignition systems, fuel delivery systems, and emission systems. The course is designed in conjunction with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards and subsequently, will in part, prepare the student for the ASE Engine Performance Certification Examination. | ||
| AT-26 Automotive Air Conditioning and Heating | ||
| CSU | (4 units LEC/LAB) | |
| An Automotive Technology course covering theory and operation of automotive air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Topics will include the refrigeration cycle, evacuation principles, humidity, heat quantity, heat intensity, latent heat, heat transfer, automotive refrigerants, temperature pressure relationship, greenhouse gases, and proper handling and storage of refrigerants. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on the diagnosis and repair of heating and cooling systems, use of refrigerant recycling-reclaiming equipment, use of evacuation equipment, retrofitting, and environmentally sound refrigeration handling techniques. The course is designed in conjunction with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards and subsequently, will prepare the student for the ASE Air Conditioning and Heating Certification Examination. | ||
| Recommended Prep: AT-16 | ||
| AT-28 Advanced Engine Performance | ||
| CSU | (4 units LEC/LAB) | |
| An Automotive Technology course covering advanced theory and principles of engine performance related topics. Topics will include fuel injection systems, distributorless ignition systems (DIS) coil over plug (COP) systems, evaporative emission systems, exhaust gas recirculation, catalytic converters, computer controlled emission systems including OBD II compliant and CAN/BUS systems. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on diagnosis and repair of common driveability related problems. Five gas analysis, scantools, digital storage oscilloscopes (DSOs) graphing multimeters (GMM), and common electronic test equipment will be used extensively in the course. The course is designed in conjunction with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards and sub-sequently, will partially prepare the student for the ASE Engine Performance Certification Examination. | ||
| Prerequisite: AT-24 | ||
| AT-30 Automatic Transmission/Transaxle | ||
| CSU | (4 units LEC/LAB) | |
| An Automotive Technology course covering theory and principles related to both hydraulic and electronically actuated automatic transmissions/transaxles. Topics will include positive and variable displacement pumps, torque converters, torque converter clutches, hydraulic valves, electronic shift solenoids, governors, and common compound planetary gear arrangements. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on diagnostic and overhaul procedures, in-vehicle testing, and bench testing of various components. The course is designed in conjunction with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards and subsequently, will prepare the student for the ASE Automatic Transmission Certification Examination. | ||