Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC): Geothermal Technology, CERT

Associate of Applied Science Degree: (HVAC-AAS)

About the Program

The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Associate of Applied Science degree and College Certificates are designed to provide students an opportunity to develop their skills and competencies for entry-level positions in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration field. The curriculum focuses on the ability to maintain, install and repair climate control and refrigeration devices in residential, industrial and commercial buildings. The program provides students with training in the layout and design of cooling, heating and refrigeration systems, the use of the latest tools, gauges and testing equipment used in the field, as well as troubleshooting and inspection of equipment. The program certificates and degree prepare students for federal, state and local licensing exams.

This Program Offers:

• Associate of Applied Science Degree: 64 credit hours
• College Certificate(s):
  1. 3rd Class Refrigeration (SCERT-HVAC-TCR): 28 credit hours
  2. Geothermal Technology (CERT-HVAC-GTT): 33 credit hours
  3. High Pressure Steam (CERT-HVAC-HPS): 30 credit hours
  4. Sheet Metal Design and Fabrication (CERT-HVAC-SMDF): 34 credit hours

Program Goals:

• To teach students the principles and technical application of installing, maintaining, and repairing heating, air conditioning and cooling systems according to industry standards
• Students will be prepared to pass federal, state and local licensing/certification exams

Program Outcomes:

• Exhibit knowledge of basic principles of electricity, electrical current, and circuitry for heating, refrigeration and air conditioning devices
• Describe and apply refrigeration theory and refrigeration cycle, troubleshoot, diagnose and repair sealed systems
• Demonstrate proper application and use of tools, test equipment, safety procedures, and safety techniques of basic shop tools used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry
• Apply mathematical, reading, and communication skills essential to the HVAC service industry
• Apply and describe the sequence of operation for industrial systems
• Exhibit knowledge and hands-on ability to perform electrical repairs in an efficient and safe manner
• Exhibit knowledge and hands-on ability to perform soldering and brazing techniques in a safe manner
• Exhibit knowledge of equipment used in the HVAC field and use it in a safe manner
• Distinguish quality standards of products commonly used in professional HVAC operations and install HVAC equipment compliant with local codes

College Certificate Goals:

• Teach students the principles and technical application of installing, maintaining, and repairing heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems according to industry standards
• Students will be familiar with operation and maintenance of low and high pressure boilers and/or operation, maintenance, installation and servicing of non-domestic refrigeration systems, depending on the certificate
• Students will be prepared to pass federal, state and local licensing/certification exams

College Certificate Outcomes: 3rd Class Refrigeration

• Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of electricity, electrical current, and circuitry for food preservation refrigeration systems
• Describe and apply refrigeration theory and refrigeration cycle, troubleshoot, diagnose and repair sealed systems
• Understand and demonstrate the knowledge of: relief valves rupture disks, fusible plugs, high and low pressure controls, safety heads, leak testing, condensers, expansion valves and evaporators, as well as correct start and stop procedures, causes of pressure problems and purging procedures
• Demonstrate proper application and use of tools, test equipment, safety procedures, and safety techniques of basic shop tools used in the refrigeration industry
• Students will be prepared to pass the local 3rd Class Refrigeration license examination as well as the EPA Certification Exam to be able to handle refrigerants

College Certificate Outcomes: Geothermal Technology

• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of geothermal energy production
• Describe and apply reverse refrigeration theory and the reverse refrigeration cycle as well as troubleshoot, diagnose and repair sealed geothermal systems
• Demonstrate proper application and use of tools, test equipment, safety procedures, and safety techniques of basic shop tools used in the industry
• Exhibit knowledge of safety and equipment used in HVAC/Geothermal field
• Pass the GHEX Accreditation Examination for Geothermal installers

College Certificate Outcomes: High Pressure Steam

• Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of steam boilers systems as well as electricity, electrical current, and circuitry for High Pressure Steam Boilers
• Describe and apply steam heating theory and troubleshoot, diagnose and repair systems
• Understand and demonstrate the knowledge of: boiler appliances and auxiliaries, pumps, regulators, gauges, valves and injectors as well as boiler inspection, maintenance and periodic system testing procedures. All requirements to operate, maintain, test and shut-down low and high pressure boilers and pass the local high pressure boiler exam will be demonstrated by the student
• Demonstrate proper application and use of tools, test equipment, safety procedures, and safety techniques of basic shop tools used to install, maintain and repair steam boilers
• Prepare to pass the local High Pressure Steam license examination

College Certificate Outcomes: Sheet Metal Design and Fabrication

• Demonstrate knowledge of duct and air handing system design
• Build simple and complicated sheet metal ductwork
• Demonstrate proper application and use of tools, test equipment, safety procedures, and safety techniques of basic shop tools used in the refrigeration and air condition industry
• Exhibit knowledge of safety and equipment used in HVAC field

Admission Requirements

Students are required to do the following:

• Fulfill all WCCCD admission requirements
• Fulfill course placement requirements based on the ACCUPLACER^® assessment
• Complete a WCCCD Program Application and submit to the Campus Academic Officer