Students develop the skills necessary to repair, inspect, and maintain diesel-powered highway equipment. The coursework emphasizes diesel truck preventative maintenance and service, as well as the theory and skills needed to perform vehicle inspection, engine tune-up, engine overhaul, transmission overhaul, rear differential overhaul, and air-brakes, chassis and suspension repair. Graduates are prepared to take the Pennsylvania Vehicle Safety Inspection examinations.
Effective Fall 2023
Career Opportunities
Entry level heavy-duty commercial truck preventative maintenance technician for a truck dealership, independent garage, truck fleet, or leasing company.
Recommended High School Subjects
Three years of English, one year of algebra, and one year of science.
Special Admissions Requirements
Acceptance into this major is offered for the Fall semester only. This major has limited seat capacity. Acceptance is offered on a rolling basis until the seat capacity has been met. Students must accept their seat in the major by confirming their intent to enroll.
Special Equipment Needs
See program Tool List for major.
Laptop Computer Required
- Windows 11 or higher (recommended).
- Intel Core i5 or i7 (generation 10 or higher) processor (recommended).
- 8+ GB RAM (recommended).
- 250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drive (recommended).
- Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
- Laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
- Broadband Internet connection when working off campus (required).
- Additional plug-ins may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance).
- Chromebooks and other devices running Chrome OS are prohibited.
Remediation Strategies
All incoming students must meet placement requirements in math. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies as explained in the College Catalog (see https://www.pct.edu/catalog/admissions-policy).
Transfer Procedures
This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see https://www.pct.edu/admissions/transfer/transferring-credits). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.
Program Goals
A graduate of this major should be able to:- practice approved safety procedures in various work situations and demonstrate an understanding of the potential health and safety hazards in the work place.
- read and interpret vehicle and component service manuals and write clear, accurate, and complete service reports.
- correctly use basic hand tools, special tools, and testing equipment.
- perform preventative maintenance on diesel equipment.
- perform vehicle safety inspections as required by state and federal laws.
- overhaul diesel engines, transmissions, and rear differentials.
- diagnose and repair common engine, transmission, and rear differential system malfunctions.
- diagnose and repair truck suspension and brake systems.
- diagnose and repair common electrical system malfunctions.
Curriculum
First Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FYE101 | First Year Experience | 1 | .50 | 1.50 | S | REQ | |
DSM154 | Diesel Engine Technology | 5 | 5 | M | REQ | ||
DSM116 | Diesel Engine Laboratory | 4 | 12 | M | REQ | ||
DSM119 | Fuel Systems | 2 | 2 | M | REQ | ||
MTH011 | Career Mathematics | 3 | 2.50 | 1.50 | S | REQ | |
or | |||||||
MTH123 | Technical Algebra & Trigonometry I | 3 | 2.50 | 1.50 | S | REQ | |
ENL010 | Communications | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
or | |||||||
ENL111 | English Composition I | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
TOTAL CREDITS | 18 | ||||||
Second Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
DSM117 | Introduction to Hydraulics | 1 | 1 | M | REQ | ||
DSM120 | Basic Electricity | 4 | 2 | 6 | M | REQ | |
DSM140 | Truck Tractor Chassis & Alignment | 3 | 1 | 6 | M | REQ | |
DSM141 | Heavy Duty Brake Systems | 2 | 2 | M | REQ | ||
DSM142 | Powertrain & Brake Systems Lab | 4 | 12 | M | REQ | ||
DSM146 | Commercial Truck Power Train & State Inspection | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | ||
TOTAL CREDITS | 17 |