Diesel Technology AAS

The Diesel Technology Program provides a well-rounded education in the service and repair of trucks and heavy equipment related to areas including farming, logging, marine, locomotive, and construction. Students learn theory in shop practice, diesel engines, safety, hydraulics, DC electrical systems and microcomputers, power trains, brakes, and chassis and suspension. Students learn comprehensive safety training applicable to the work environment. Employment opportunities are available with a wide variety of diverse companies including trucking, logging, mining, construction, general and specialty repair shops, dealerships, and government agencies including the park service, the state, county shops, city shops, and other state and federal agencies. Core instruction for the Diesel Technology program is provided during the first year. During the second year, students receive in-depth instruction in more complex systems. Students entering with prior training from high school, military, or industry can challenge portions of the training program by examination and/or performance testing. Students must achieve competencies in course work before moving to the next instructional area. Shop experience is combined with related theory. A specified set of tools is required upon entry. The tool list can be found on the program website.

All students will be subject to a Driver’s License Validation check and must hold a valid driver’s license while enrolled in the mechanics programs. This program has physical requirements that may affect the student’s ability to perform in this program.

Admission requirements

All diesel students need to complete a program application. Priority application deadlines are as follows:

Fall registration -- February 1
Spring registration -- October 1

Admission Checklist

1. Complete general LC State admission requirements
2. Submit Diesel application form
3. Schedule meeting with program faculty

Entrance requirements for AAS degree seeking students in the Diesel Technology program include:

  • A valid driver’s license with no DUI conviction within the past year.
  • ALEKS score of 14 or higher in Math and Writing Placement Exam of 2 or higher or qualify for MTHPT-103 and ENGL-101.
  • Physical recommendations as listed in the US Bureau of Labor Statistics for Diesel Technology.

The diesel program has limited space, and a waitlist is utilized if the program is full. Duration on the waitlist is one semester. If students do not move into program classes after one semester on the waitlist, they need to reapply for the diesel program.

Upon completion of the Diesel Technology Program, the student will have the basic skills to:

  • Application of shop and industry safety procedures 
  • Develop a safety attitude, use and identify personal protective equipment, understand fire safety, and material handling
  • Understand terminology; knowledge of tools and equipment; knowledge of CDL operation; use of scan tools and diagnostic tools
  • Certification in forklift and crane operation
  • Evaluation of diesel engine performance
  • Engine identification and external component identification
  • Familiar with Power Trains systems; able to disassemble and reassemble PowerShift transmissions, straight gear transmissions, drive lines, differentials, and clutches
  • Able to troubleshoot and repair various engine systems such as engine brakes, emission controls, evolving hybrids, electrical, and multiplexing. 
  • Knowledge of theory and operation of various systems
  • Learn the basic operation and function of air brakes, chassis, and suspension systems
  • Understand hydraulic schematics; diagnosing and repairing hydraulic systems
  • A/C systems students will receive MACS A/C Certification
  • Knowledge of DOT compliance
  • Obtain Commercial Driver's License Training (CDL)

General Education Requirements

Written Communication
ENGL-101WRITING AND RHETORIC I3.00
Oral Communication
Select one of the following:3.00
FUNDAMENTALS OF ORAL COMMUNICATION
SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Mathematical Ways of Knowing
MTHPT-137MATH FOR TECHNOLOGY4.00
Social & Behavioral Ways of Knowing
Select one of the following:3.00
CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
WORLD PREHISTORY
INTRODUCTION TO NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES
PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS
INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY
WORLD HISTORY I
WORLD HISTORY II
UNITED STATES HISTORY I
UNITED STATES HISTORY II
DIVERSITY IN ORGANIZATIONS
HUMAN RELATIONS IN ORGANIZATIONS
AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT
INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
DIVERSITY IN ORGANIZATIONS
HUMAN RELATIONS IN ORGANIZATIONS
Additional General Education Core
Select one of the following:3.00-5.00
RACE AND ETHNICITY
INTRODUCTION TO ART
INTRODUCTION TO BIOINFORMATICS
CONCEPTS OF BIOLOGY
PLANTS AND PEOPLE
BIOLOGY IN FILM
HUMAN BIOLOGY
HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I
CONCEPTS OF CHEMISTRY
GENERAL, ORGANIC AND BIOCHEMISTRY
PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY I
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE
LITERATURE AND IDEAS
WORLD CLASSICS
INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE
NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE
MYTHOLOGIES
NATIVE AMERICAN WRITTEN LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE
PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO EARTH SYSTEMS
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
THE ART AND HISTORY OF THE MOTION PICTURE
INTRODUCTION TO THE ARTS
INTEGRATED SCIENCE II
ETHICS AND IDENTITY
HELLS CANYON INSTITUTE
SOCIAL-CULTURAL ASPECTS OF SPORTS
SURVEY OF MUSIC
MUSIC IN AMERICA
WORLD MUSIC
HISTORY OF MUSICAL THEATER
HISTORY OF JAZZ AND POPULAR MUSIC STYLES
NEZ PERCE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
NEZ PERCE LANGUAGE AND HISTORY
INTEGRATED SCIENCE I
INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL SCIENCES
NATURAL SCIENCE FOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATOR
GENERAL PHYSICS I
GENERAL PHYSICS II
PHYS SCIENCES FOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATORS
DESCRIPTIVE ASTRONOMY
PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS I
ELEMENTARY SPANISH I
ELEMENTARY SPANISH II
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II
DIVERSITY IN ORGANIZATIONS
HUMAN RELATIONS IN ORGANIZATIONS
SURVEY OF THE THEATER
Total Credits16.00-18.00

Program Requirements

Technical Core
DSLTC-102ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS (or DSLTC-102A, DSLTC-102B and DSLTC-102C)6.00
DSLTC-103POWER TRAINS LECTURE AND LAB6.00
DSLTC-105DIESEL ENGINES6.00
DSLTC-126SAFETY2.00
DSLTC-200SHOP SKILLS AND CLIMATE CONTROL6.00
DSLTC-210HYDRAULICS6.00
DSLTC-220DIESEL ENGINE FUEL SYSTEMS AND TUNE-UP6.00
DSLTC-230POWER TRAINS6.00
DSLTC-240CHASSIS, SUSPENSION AND AIRBRAKES6.00
Total Credits50.00

Sequential Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
DSLTC-102
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
or INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS I and ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS II
6.00
DSLTC-105 DIESEL ENGINES 6.00
DSLTC-126 SAFETY 2.00
MTHPT-137 MATH FOR TECHNOLOGY 4.00
 Credits18.00
Spring
COREOral Communication 3.00
DSLTC-210 HYDRAULICS 6.00
DSLTC-220 DIESEL ENGINE FUEL SYSTEMS AND TUNE-UP 6.00
ENGL-101 WRITING AND RHETORIC I 3.00
 Credits18.00
Second Year
Fall
COREAdditional General Education Course 3.00
CORESocial & Behavioral Ways of Knowing 3.00
DSLTC-103 POWER TRAINS LECTURE AND LAB 6.00
DSLTC-230 POWER TRAINS 6.00
 Credits18.00
Spring
DSLTC-200 SHOP SKILLS AND CLIMATE CONTROL 6.00
DSLTC-240 CHASSIS, SUSPENSION AND AIRBRAKES 6.00
 Credits12.00
 Total Credits66.00

Graduates from Diesel Technology programs go on to obtain careers in a variety of fields:

  • Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technician
  • Diesel Mechanic/Technician
  • Farm Machine Technician
  • Construction Machine Technician
  • Crane Technician
  • Commercial Boat Mechanic