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Contact Info
David Sordi
Department Chair and Instructor, Industrial Technology and Oil & Gas
970-339-6257
Megan Blaser
Department Coordinator, Agriculture & Technology
970-378-3746

Degree at a Glance

Degree Type

Associate of Applied Science

Location

Greeley Campus

Credits

61-63

Tuition*

Other Fees
$300
In-District
$5,896
In-State
$8,920
WUE
$13,015
Out-of-State
$30,907

*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates

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Industrial Technology

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Industrial Technology

Industrial TechnologyRequirements

Explore the classes that will teach you about process controls, automation and manufacturing. Study subjects including:

  • Electrical processes
  • Energy technologies
  • Automation
  • Business ethics and values
  • Manufacturing
  • Teamwork
  • Process technology

General education requirements round out your learning experience and reinforce the soft skills you’ll learn about in labs. Study employment strategies, written and oral communication, and general math and science.

As part of your degree requirements, you’ll earn a certificate in one of three areas of focus:

  • Energy analysis
  • Manufacturing technician
  • Planning and logistics

The Aims industrial technology program has six themed labs where you can deepen your learning in specific aspects of manufacturing:

  • Process control lab with a seven-station mechatronics system
  • Electricity lab to explore how electricity works in manufacturing
  • Automation lab with industrial-grade programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
  • Motor controls lab for studying how motors work and how to control them
  • Fluid power lab to understand how various pressure systems can power equipment
  • Oil and gas lab to practice using oil and gas industry equipment

An internship in your chosen focus area will give you supervised work experience with a manufacturer in the community under direct guidance from your instructor.

Degree Requirements:

  • Introduces the design and construction of scientific and/or engineering experiments. This course covers the entire life cycle of the experiment or prototype from concept generation and design through construction, making measurements, analysis of collected data, and communication of results. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    2
  • Introduces the basic skills needed for many careers in electronics and related fields. Covers the operations and applications of basic DC and AC circuits consisting of resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers and diodes. Emphasizes the use of common test instruments in troubleshooting. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Covers the fundamentals of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) as they are applied in robotics and automation. Includes history, terminology, typical applications, hardware, and software. Incorporates lab and project activities that address operating, monitoring, programming, troubleshooting, and repairing PLC controlled lab trainers as well as actual industrial equipment. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Serves as the second in a two course sequence and covers advanced topics and applications for programmable logic controllers (PLCs) as they are applied in robotics and automation. Includes advanced programming, diagnostics, Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), introduction to automation networking, and system integration. Incorporates lab and project activities that address designing, operating, monitoring, programming, analyzing, troubleshooting, and repairing PLC controlled lab trainers as well as actual industrial equipment. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ELT 2358 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Introduces the energy technologies in use today and those that are in the research stage as possible alternatives. This course presents technologies including active solar heating, passive solar heating, wind energy systems, biomass, photovoltaics, co-generation, low and high head hydro, hydrogen, geothermal, power towers and energy storage systems. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Explores the foundations of business ethics which includes influences and guidelines to help you make good decisions at work. Students will identify traits of ethical people and ethical organizations, such as, integrity, character, honesty, self-control, and self-sacrifice. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    1
  • Provides a clear sense of purpose for the following: structured goals, overcome barriers, leverage practical strategies, tools, and techniques to develop and implement an effective time management framework. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    1
  • Introduces the concept of working as a team member. This course emphasizes the ability to negotiate, collaborate, build consensus, and make quality decisions. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    1
  • Focuses on the fundamentals of manufacturing and the responsibilities of the manufacturing technician, including design, procurement, assembly, maintenance, operations, accounting and the importance of Quality Assurance (QA) throughout the manufacturing process. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) federal and state regulations, industrial practices, and accident investigation techniques; including topics such as hazard communication standards, lockout/tagout procedures, eye safety, lifting techniques, electrical safety, stored energy safety, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and safety program development and monitoring. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    1
  • Provides an overview or introduction into the field of Process Operations within the process industry. The course will introduce the roles and responsibilities of process technicians, the environment in which they work, and the equipment and systems in which they operate. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Provides an introduction to the field of Instrumentation and covers process variables and the various instruments used to sense, measure, transmit and control these variables. This course also introduces control loops and the elements that are found in different types of loops, such as controllers, regulators and final control elements. The course concludes with a study of instrumentation drawings and diagrams and a unit on troubleshooting instrumentation. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Provides students with the opportunity to supplement coursework with practical work experience related to their educational program. Students work under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel at the business location and with the direct guidance of the instructor. Course is repeatable with a maximum of 12 credit hours.
    0 to 12
  • Provides instruction in the different types of troubleshooting techniques, procedures, and methods used to solve process problems. Topics include application of data collection and analysis, cause-effect relationships, and reasoning. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
Total Degree Credits 37

General Education Requirements:

  • Offers students the development of skills that are needed to search for a job. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    1

  • AND select one from the following Communication courses:

  • Combines the basic theories of communication with public speech performance skills. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, audience analysis, and delivery. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Examines the communication involved in interpersonal relationships occurring in family, social, and career situations. Relevant concepts include self-concept, perception, listening, nonverbal communication, and conflict. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • Select one from the following English courses: 

  • Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Develops skills one can apply to a variety of technical documents. Focuses on principles for organizing, writing, and revising clear, readable documents for industry, business, and government. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • Select one from the following Math courses: 

  • Covers mathematical material designed for career and technical students. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and vectors. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Focuses on a variety of functions and the exploration of their graphs. Topics include: equations and inequalities, operations on functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems, and an introduction to conic sections. This course provides essential skills for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) pathways. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4

  • Select one from the following Science courses:

  • Introduces the basic concepts of ecology and the relationship between environmental problems and biological systems. This course includes interdisciplinary discussions on biology, chemistry, geology, energy, natural resources, pollution, and environmental protection. A holistic approach is used when analyzing how the foundations of natural sciences interconnect with the environment. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. It is recommended that ENG 1021 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Covers the physics of mechanics and requires application of classical physics to both mathematical and conceptual problems. Major topics include kinematics in one and two dimensions, Newton's Laws, circular motion, work and energy, impulse and momentum, and rotational mechanics. This course may also include topics relating to simple harmonic motion and traveling and standing waves. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SCI category. It is recommended that ENG 1021 and MAT 1340 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    5
  • Examines the nature of energy and matter, their interactions and changes, and the application of fundamental concepts to the study of our natural world. These concepts will be explored in hands-on laboratory experiments. This course integrates the fundamental concepts and ideas about the nature of physics and chemistry with the natural world. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. It is recommended that ENG 1021 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
Total General Education Credits 15-16

Degree Electives

Select a minimum of 8 credits from the following courses:

  • This course introduces basic computer terminology, file management, and PC system components. Provides an overview of office application software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation graphics. Includes the use of a web browser to access the Internet. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Examines major contemporary socio-economic issues and policies such as drugs and crime, education, health care, poverty and inequality, and globalization. These issues will be explored using economic tools and methods. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces the fundamentals of automatic controls including process control methodologies used to regulate a system or multiple systems for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a predictable manufacturing process. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces basic robotics. Enables the student to program a robot in a higher-level language to perform various tasks. Covers building and interfacing of sensor circuits. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    1
  • Introduces industrial robotics as well as a survey of the technologies and equipment used in manufacturing automation and process control. Includes axis configurations, work envelopes, programming, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Incorporates a survey of automation topics including history, computer and hardwired controls, sensors and transducers, motors and actuators, fluid power, etc. and provides a preview of the other ELT classes that cover those subjects. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces the role of energy and energy management in business. Key subjects include energy statistics, reporting and goal setting, balancing business with sustainability, measurement and verificaion, fuel switching, financing and performance contracting, energy codes and legislation, and effectively communicating technical material to a variety of audiences. This course will demonstrate goal setting and measurement/ reporting activities suitable for the field of energy. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Introduces renewable alternatives to conventional fossil fuel energy supply sources. Topics include combined heat and power, photovoltaics, solar pool heating, passive solar and cool roof technologies, carbon footprint and embedded energy concepts, externalities, government roles and society cost tests. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Introduces basic calculation methods for quantifying energy use and energy savings. Topics will include load profiles, parasitic and standby losses, compounding efficiencies, integrated design, design energy budgets, transport energy, benchmarks and end use pies for rough estimating, and reasonableness testing. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Focuses on the study of the Toyota Production System (TPS). Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Focuses on the statistical modeling approaches to process and product improvement through the reduction of waste (lean) and defects (six sigma) while introducing methodology such as the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC), common in the manufacturing and service industries. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Focuses on special environmental problems, current issues, or trends. Traditional and environmental philosophies are discussed. Students debate various environmental issues. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Examines the management complex environmental and natural resource policy issues. Taking into account new developments, trends, and issues that have arisen in recent years, this course begins with the recognition that it is not the environment that needs to be managed, but human action relating to the environment. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Provides an overview of the petroleum technology industry including petroleum origins, geology, mapping techniques, and exploration technology. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Familiarizes the student with the duties and responsibilities of the oil and gas production technician. Specifically, students will discuss the history of the oil market, fundamentals of drilling and well completion, and operation of the equipment and systems used by the oil and gas production technician today. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Familiarizes the student with the duties and responsibilities of the oil and gas production operations technician. Specifically, students will be able to discuss natural gas treatment, dehydration and compressions system and equipment, the produced water treatment and handling system and equipment, auxiliary systems and equipment, artificial lift and enhanced recovery techniques, pumping and transportation systems, safety, health and environmental considerations, basic concepts of refining and processing. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    PET 1700 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Provides an overview or introduction into the field of equipment within the process industry. This course will introduce many process industry-related equipment concepts including purpose, components, operation, and the Process Technician's role for operating and troubleshooting the equipment. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Provides an introduction to the field of Quality within the Process Industry. This course will introduce many process industry-related quality concepts including operating consistency, continuous improvement, plant economics, team skills and statistical process control (SPC). Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
Total Elective Credits 8
Total Credits for A.A.S. Degree 60-61
See the full degree requirements at the Aims Community College Catalog