Automotive Technology
Turn Rust into Reward
Use your hands to turn a sputtering clunker into a sweet ride. As the complexity of automobiles increases so does the demand for well trained technicians. PPCC’s Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified associate degree program will give you the tools you need to excel in your area of interest, be it general automotive or diesel. You can specialize your training with electives ranging from High Performance Engines to Heavy Duty Power Trains. Course work is offered on an open-entry, open-exit, self-paced basis giving you the flexibility you need to succeed.
If you love working on cars, you can have a rewarding career in Automotive Technology, using hands-on technical skills to inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles. Employees in this field use increasingly more-sophisticated electronic diagnostic equipment to test, isolate, and repair vehicle problems, and also maintain skills with traditional hand tools. This career offers steady work, the challenge of diagnosing hard-to-find problems, and the opportunity to specialize in your area of interest. Automotive Technology would be an outstanding career for you if you have a thorough knowledge of automobiles, mechanical aptitude, good reasoning ability, plus strong communication and analytical skills.
Want to find out if this career is for you? Check it out on the web at http://www.acinet.org/, and select Occupation Information.
Program Description
The PPCC Automotive Technology program is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified, your guarantee that you’ll receive the best education in auto repair technology available. Students have the chance to become a Master Certified Automotive Technician through the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). PPCC gives you hands-on training in a two-year AAS degree with a Diesel or General Automotive emphasis, covering diagnosis, tune-up, alignment, brakes, engines, transmission, fuel systems, four-wheel drive systems, and diesel engines. Or, choose from one or more short-term Certificates in Automotive Technology, Air Conditioning & Heating, Automatic Transmissions, Automotive Brakes, Automotive Electricity, Engine Performance, Gasoline Engine Repair, Manual Drivetrain, Suspension and Steering, Motorsports Technology, Diesel Engine Performance, Diesel Engine Repair, and Diesel Fuel Injection.
Career Path Notes
Automotive Technology classes are held on the Centennial Campus. Most classes are held in bisemester blocks of approximately 7 1/2 weeks each. Open entry/open exit options are available for some classes. Program Information
Click here for program specific information.
For More Information
Call the Division of Communications, Humanities, & Technical Studies at 719-502-3200.
Employment Opportunities
The Automotive Technician career is one with an expanding future due to the highly technical nature of modern engineering and computer operated components. For the skilled technician, there is job security, job versatility, and means for excellent advancement. Careers include Automotive Service Technician, Front-End Mechanic, Transmission Specialist, Electronics Specialist, Driveability Technician, Brake Specialist, Diesel Technician, A/C Certification, Heavy Equipment Technician, Fuel-Injection Specialist, and others, depending on the level of specialization in a particular auto shop.
Earnings Outlook
In Colorado, the median hourly salary in 2005 for Automotive Service Technicians was $17.23, with a salary range of $9.10 - $27.57. From 2004 to 2014, there are expected to be an average of 610 job openings per year. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Financial Aid
Advising
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www.ppcc.edu/Apply Find Out More About Your Future Career
Contact Career Planning and Advising at (719) 502-3232
www.ppcc.edu/Advising
Associate of Applied Science Degrees
Automotive Technology General Automotive
1st Semester - Fall
ASE 102 Introduction to the Auto Shop
ASE 120 Basic Automotive Electricity
ASE 123 Automotive Battery, Starting, and Charging Systems
ASE 132 Ignition System Diagnosis and Repair
ASE 134 Automotive Emissions
ASE 160 Automotive Engine Removal and Installation
ASE 161 Engine Disassembly, Diagnosis, and Assembly
MAT 107 Career Math
Semester 1 credit hours 19
2nd Semester - Spring
ASE 110 Brakes I
ASE 140 Suspension & Steering I
ASE 150 Automotive U-joint & Axle Shaft Service
ASE 151 Automotive Manual Transmission/ Transaxles & Clutches
ASE 210 Brakes II
ASE 240 Suspension & Steering II
COM 225 Organizational Communication
Semester 2 credit hours 19
3rd Semester - Fall
ASE 130 General Engine Diagnosis
ASE 220 Specialized Electronics Training
ASE 221 Automotive Body Electrical
ASE 231 Automotive Computers
ASE 233 Fuel Injection and Exhaust Systems
ASE 235 Driveabilty Diagnosis
CIS 118 Introduction to PC Applications
Semester 3 credit hours 18
4th Semester - Spring
ASE 152 Differentials and 4WD/AWD Service
ASE 250 Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Service
ASE 251 Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Diagnosis & Repair
ASE 265 Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning
Electives 6 credits
Semester 4 credit hours 19
Total Credit Hours 75
Associate of Applied Science - Automotive Technology Diesel
1st Semester – Fall
ASE 120 Basic Automotive Electricity
ASE 123 Automotive Battery, Starting, and Charging Systems
ASE 161 Engine Disassembly, Diagnosis, and Assembly
DPM 100 Introduction to Diesel Mechanics
DPM 101 Diesel Shop Orientation
DPM 103 Diesel Engines I
MAT 107 Career Math
Semester 1 credit hours 20
2nd Semester – Spring
ASE 110 Brakes I
ASE 140 Suspension & Steering I
ASE 210 Brakes II
ASE 240 Suspension & Steering II
COM 225 Organizational Communications
DPM 106 Fuel Injection
Semester 2 credit hours 18
3rd Semester – Fall
ASE 132 Ignition System Diagnosis and Repair
ASE 151 Automotive Manual Transmissions/Axles & Clutches
ASE 231 Automotive Computers
ASE 233 Fuel Injection and Exhaust Systems
CIS 118 Introduction to PC Applications
DPM 203 Diesel Engines II
DPM 210 Air Induction & Engine Analysis
Semester 3 credit hours 18
4th Semester - Spring
ASE 265 Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning
DPM 107 Fundamentals of Four-Wheel and Front-Wheel Drive
DPM 222 H/D Lighting and Instrumentation
Electives 6 Credits
Semester 4 credit hours 19
Total Credit Hours 75
Certificates
Air Conditioning and Heating
Automotive Brakes
Automotive Electricity
Automotove Technology
Automatic Transmissions
Diesel Engine Performance
Diesel Engine Repair
Diesel Fuel Injection
Engine Performance
Gasoline Engine Repair
Manual Drivetrain
Motorsports Technology
Suspension and Steering