The Automotive Systems Technology curriculum prepares individuals for employment as automotive service technicians. It provides an introduction to automotive careers and increases student awareness of the challenges associated with this fast and ever-changing field.

Classroom and lab experiences integrate technical and academic course work. Emphasis is placed on theory, servicing, and operation of brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, steering/suspension, automatic transmission/transaxles, engine repair, climate control and manual drive trains.

Upon completion of this curriculum, students should be prepared to take the ASE exam and be ready for full-time employment in dealerships and repair shops in the automotive service industry.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Sure, you’ve hit the books and kept up your grades, but your love is cars—their complexity, their freedom through mobility. Is it possible to turn your passion into a profession making a living at what you like? You can become an automotive technician, have a solid, secure, stimulating career and make good money. By the year 2010, automotive technician employment is projected to grow by 30% in North Carolina alone. Talk about job security! Hands-on experience is necessary, but you will need a solid education as well. You will apply what you learned in math to help you analyze and solve problems, such as calculating gear ratios and finding engine displacement. Science, especially physics, is necessary to understand force, friction, hydraulics and electrical circuits. You will need strong communication skills to access technical information from shop manuals, computers and especially diagnostic equipment. You may also need to be able to deal effectively with customers and coworkers, and write work orders and reports. Although beginning salaries are comparable to other technical careers, experienced auto technicians can earn $30,000 to over $50000. Many technicians enjoy the day-to-day challenge of repairing automobiles and have good careers doing just that. Others branch out, becoming service managers, service engineers, race team crewmembers, factory representatives, automotive writers, fleet service managers and even automotive technology teachers, on the high school and college level. Those with a flair for business may own their own repair shop or dealership. Whatever your path, the automotive service and repair industry is broad enough to make your dreams come true for years to come.

COURSE INFORMATION

Major Courses

Automotive Technology (Degree - 20 courses; Diploma - 13 courses; Certificate - 5 courses) - Degree and diploma students study the various areas of the automobile and learn to disassemble, repair and reassemble components dealing with the brake systems, electrical systems, and suspension and steering systems. Degree and diploma students also study engine performance and automotive computer applications. Degree students also take classes in advanced engine performance, automatic and manual transmissions, and heating and air conditioning. Certificate students study engine fundamentals and repair, brake systems, and heating and air conditioning.
Cooperative Education (Degree - 2 courses) - Degree students have the option of choosing work experience with a college-approved employer in place of comparable on-campus classes.

General Education Courses

Electives (Degree - 2 courses) - Degree students are required to take a 3-credit-hour social/behavioral science course and a 3-credit-hour humanities/fine arts course.
English (Degree & Diploma - 2 courses) - Degree and diploma students study the writing process and professional communication skills.
Math (Degree - 1 course) - This course provides an introduction in a non-technical setting to selected topics in mathematics.

Curriculum by Semester

Faculty Advisor

The faculty advisor for Automotive Systems Technology is Don Ashley, jdashley@randolph.edu, (336) 633-0320.