Mission Statement
The Industrial Automation and Maintenance degree shall produce graduates who are immediately employable into entry-level technical positions in a wide variety of industrial, manufacturing, power generation, and production support jobs.
The Industrial Automation and Maintenance program is a two-year technical program leading to an Associate of Technical Studies Degree in Industrial Automation and Maintenance.
Studies in the Industrial Automation and Maintenance focus on the installation, repair, and maintenance of the electronic equipment used to control manufacturing and power generation processes. Programmable controllers, industrial controls, and robotic systems integration are emphasized. The solid foundation of coursework and hands-on training in the laboratories will allow the graduate technician to quickly become a productive and promotable employee.
Degrees Offered
- Associate of Technical Studies– Industrial Automation and Maintenance
- Bachelor of Science - Industrial Technology (using the Associate of Technical Studies in Industrial Automation and Maintenance degree as the first two years of the Industrial Technology degree, see Industrial Technology)
Industrial Automation and Maintenance
This program offers several hands-on learning laboratory opportunities in all of the technical courses. These technical courses are taught only four days a week (Monday through Thursday).
Student’s can earn an Associate’s Degree in Industrial Automation and Maintenance in just two years from Rio Grande.
Graduates of the program will be able to work in a wide range of industrial facilities in the region and around the country. Rio Grande’s Industrial Automation and Maintenance graduates work for area companies and organizations such as Diamond Electric in West Virginia, Paccar (Kenworth) in Chillicothe, Toyota Motor Manufacturing in West Virginia, Electrocraft in Gallipolis, GKN Sintered Metals of Gallipolis, American Electric power plants, and the Kyger Creek power plant.
Learning Outcomes
The successful student will:
- have a working knowledge of AC and DC circuits.
- be familiar with basic electrical test equipment such as multi-meters, oscilloscopes, power supplies and meggers
- be familiar with electrical safety practices and arc flash hazard protection.
- be able to test common industrial electrical components using manufacturers test procedures and basic electrical test equipment.
- be capable of troubleshooting common industrial control circuits.
- be capable of troubleshooting programmable logic control circuits.
- be familiar with closed loop feedback process control systems and related electrical components.
- begin preparation for the Certified Electronics Technician examination (CET).
- demonstrate the habit of practicing safety rules and regulations, including lock/out-tag/out, on a continuous basis.
- read and interpret control circuit ladder diagrams.
Facilities
Two electronics labs located in Davis Career Center are utilized for most of the electronics courses. The labs have good quality bench electronics test equipment, internet access, basic hand tools, personal safety gear, programmable controllers, and various robots.
The Industrial Automation and Maintenance labs in the E.E. Davis Career Center is equipped with work stations constructed with standard industrial electrical and hydraulic components. These work stations allow students to construct and troubleshoot the actual type of electrical circuits used in industry.
Degree Requirements
Associate of Technical Studies –Industrial Automation and Maintenance (94217)
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education must include: | |
| COM 11103 (TM) Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
| ENG 11103 (TM) Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 21403 Business and Technical Writing | 3 |
| HIS Any 3-Hour History Course | 3 |
| IT 10103 Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| LA 10001 Gateway to Success | 1 |
| TEC 11704 Applied Technical Mathematics I* | 4 |
| TEC 11804 Applied Technical Mathematics II | 4 |
| PSY 11103 (TM) General Psychology | 3 |
| HPE 24302 Safety & First Aid | 2 |
| Total General Education hours | 29 |
| Total General Education hours | 42-45 |
| Description | Credits |
|---|---|
| Major Area required courses | |
| ELE 10103 Basic Electricity/Electronics | 3 |
| ELE 21103 Programmable Controllers I | 3 |
| ELE 21203 Programmable Controllers II | 3 |
| ELE 25003 Industrial Controls | 3 |
| ELE 27003 Robotics | 3 |
| MFG 11102 Blueprint Reading for Industry | 2 |
| MFG 14103 Schematic Diagram Reading | 3 |
| MFG 16102 Hydraulics and Pneumatics | 2 |
| MFG 24302 Electrical Troubleshooting and Repair | 2 |
| MFG 25103 Power Transmission Devices | 3 |
| MFG 25302 Preventive Maintenance Planning& Scheduling | 2 |
| MFG 25403 Mechanical Skills | 3 |
| MFG 26102 Advanced Hydraulics and Pneumatics | 2 |
| MFG 27102 Occupational Safety and Health | 2 |
| Total Major Area hours | 36 |
| Total required hours for degree | 65 |
* Placement determined by testing.
NOTE: This degree is a direct pathway to the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) degree.
Additional Academic Requirements
Graduation requires students to achieve a 2.00 overall grade point average in all Electronics courses and a 2.00 overall grade point average in all coursework in order to receive an associate’s degree.
