Diesel Medium and Heavy Truck Technician - Technical Diploma
The Diesel Medium and Heavy Truck Technician program prepares students for entry-level employment as a diesel truck technician working in over-the-road truck fleet maintenance, dealership service, or repair shop service. This four-semester technical diploma will focus on basic skills and knowledge in diesel engines, diesel fuel systems, truck brakes and chassis, steering and suspension, climate control, hydraulic applications, electronic technology, transport refrigeration, and truck preventive maintenance.
Delivery
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Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $9,821, Books: $2,384, Supplies: $0
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=314128
Requirements for Program Entry
- Apply at www.nwtc.edu/apply.
- Submit the following to transcripts@nwtc.edu: High school transcript (or GED/HSED transcript). College transcript.
- If your cumulative GPA is below 2.6, complete or submit a placement evaluation.
- Tip! Our admission advisors will assist you through every step. Have questions? Connect with NWTC Admissions at start@nwtc.edu or 920-498-5444.
Program Outcomes
- Diagnose major systems in the diesel truck industry.
- Repair major systems in the diesel truck industry.
- Service major systems in the diesel truck industry.
- Practice personal and professional work habits.
- Document complaint, cause and correction.
Curriculum
Students following the study plan below will complete the Diesel Medium and Heavy Truck Technician technical diploma in the number of semesters shown.
First Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Second Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Third Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Fourth Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
- Curriculum Note: The credit for 10-890-101, College 101, is an institutional Requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program credit requirements, but must be passed with a C or better.
- Students must earn a "C" or better in 31-804-304 Vocational Math A
Course Descriptions
Introduces diesel shop environment, safety, the use of manufacturer's service information and literature, handling hazardous materials, emphasizes general shop safety and general shop practices, basic equipment operation, rigging and lifting, hazardous material handling procedures, resume development, mock interviewing, and exploring industry career pathways.
Course Typically Offered: FallStudents gain skills that lead to success in college, employment, and life. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge and skills to apply the concepts of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, measurement, proportions, and percent to their career. No prerequisites needed.
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringFocuses on welding and cutting safety; develops skills in welding and cutting of metals used in the transportation trades. Methods of welding include gas metal arc welding (MIG) in the horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. Methods of cutting include oxy-fuel and plasma arc cutting of metals. Students will learn to set up and maintain welding equipment and weld and cut a variety of types and thicknesses of materials commonly used in the transportation trades.
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge skills process and understanding of welding and metal working machine safety; basic SMAW, GMAW and oxyacetylene metal joining operations and procedures. The use of basic metal cutting machines, measuring tools, and layout techniques. (Prerequisites: 10-412-170, Transportation Welding 1, 10-412-101 Diesel Service Fundamentals)
Course Typically Offered: FallIntroduces the student to the tools and equipment used in a heavy duty diesel shop, vehicle classifications, fasteners and repair hardware, drilling and tapping techniques, broken bolt extraction, and basic shop equipment operation. (Prerequisite:10-412-101 Diesel Service Fundamentals)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge and skills to apply the concepts of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry to their career. (Pre-requisite: Completion of 31-804-304 Vocational Math A with a "C" or better)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringFocus on the theory of electricity. This will include studying Ohms, Kirchoff's, and Newton's Laws and how they apply to the circuits on various electrical systems on a vehicle. Students will apply these theories to troubleshoot simple circuits. (Enrolled in Diesel program, Prerequisite: 10-412-101 Diesel Service Fundamentals; Enrolled in the Automotive or Collision program, there is no prerequisite for this course)
Course Typically Offered: FallFocuses on the fundamentals of electricity, batteries starting circuits, charging circuits, and electrical circuits found on heavy duty equipment. Covers testing and troubleshooting procedures for various systems presently used in the industry, as well as how to perform electrical repairs and wiring harness repair. (Pre-requisite: 10-412-153, Intro to Electrical Systems)
Course Typically Offered: FallElectronic schematics, applications of schematics, system similarities, components, review of systems operation, practical applications in diagnosing system problems, use of special test equipment/schematics to solve problems and wiring schematic reading. (Prerequisite: 10-412-153 Intro to Electrical Systems)
Course Typically Offered: SpringFocuses on lighting systems, instrumentation, troubleshooting and diagnostics of electrical systems used on heavy duty vehicles. Students will diagnose and repair electronic engines, transmissions and ABS systems. (Prerequisite: 10-412-154, Diesel Heavy Duty Electrical 1)
Course Typically Offered: SpringCovers but is not limited to hydraulics principles, system schematics and symbols, pumps, valves, cylinders, motors, accumulators, filters, reservoirs, hydraulic seals, fluids, maintenance, and safety rules. (Prerequisite: 10-412-101 Diesel Service Fundamentals)
Course Typically Offered: SpringFocus on the sub system of various OEM chassis including compressed air for brakes, avoidance collision system, and chassis configurations. Students will use OEM software to obtain OEM specifications for each sub system.(Prerequisite: 10-412-101 Diesel Service Fundamentals)
Course Typically Offered: SpringFocus on the sub system of the various OEM engine to include air intake, exhaust system, cooling and oil system. Students will work with OEM literature for follow flow and diagnostic procedures for each system. (Prerequisites: 10-412-101 Diesel Service Fundamentals, 10-412-151, Intro to Diesel Mechanics)
Course Typically Offered: SpringThis course provides the learner development of the introductory skills, process and understanding of preventative maintenance inspection A and B on various types of diesel-powered equipment. The learner will be exposed to the safe and proper way of changing oil and filters, greasing as well as the materials used to correctly perform basic maintenance on vehicles. American Petroleum Institute (API) engine oil classification and Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) viscosity of oils and greases as well as various types of filters and filtration methods used on vehicles will be discussed. (Prerequisite: 10-412-101 Diesel Service Fundamentals)
Course Typically Offered: SpringDevelops skills required to service commercial vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Students practice proper procedures for handling R134A Freon and for servicing HFC 134A systems. Students will be prepared to take the Federal 609 Certification test. (Prerequisites: 10-412-154, Diesel Heavy Duty Electrical 1; 10-412-152, Schematic Interpretation)
Course Typically Offered: FallFocuses on electronic computer controlled engine management system function, component identification and computer-based diagnostic tool operation. Lab demonstrations cover component identification, function and testing of the engine management systems. Introduction to proper operation and use of electronic testing with the use of a digital volt ohm meter.
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course is designed to prepare students for the Wisconsin Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) pre-trip inspection, air brake and skills test. Preparation will also be given for taking the State DOT written test including general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles.
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringFocuses on engine tune up to optimize fuel mileage and performance of the engine. Students will perform an engine tune up on various engines following the OEM procedures utilizing specialty tools and equipment.
Course Typically Offered: FallFocuses on key performance and troubleshooting skills and methodology. Student will be using OEM testing and troubleshooting process to ensure the engine functioning to OEM specs. Computer based diagnostic tools will be uses on trucks during road test situations.
Course Typically Offered: FallStudents will disassemble, identify each part of a modern diesel engine, measure all wear points and make reuse recommendations. Students will also reassemble an electronic controlled diesel engine. Covers component analysis, function and operation theories of the diesel engine.
Course Typically Offered: FallFocuses on heavy-duty truck suspensions and steering systems. Students will learn about the operation, maintenance and overhaul of various types of heavy-duty suspensions. Provides technicians with the opportunity to perform total vehicle alignments. Also covers testing and troubleshooting of power steering systems and steering complaints. (Prerequisites: 10-412-158, Chassis Sub-Systems; 10-412-156, Hydraulic/Pneumatic Systems)
Course Typically Offered: SpringCovers procedures for overhauling, adjusting and troubleshooting heavy-duty transmission, clutches and various final drives found on over-the-road trucks and tractors. Students will work on modern manual and automated transmission and use skills to diagnose and repair transmission. (Prerequisite: 10-412-158, Chassis Sub-Systems)
Course Typically Offered: SpringFocuses on the operation and maintenance of the power train. Students will learn how the power flows through the differential and power divider. Covers calculation of the change driveline angles. (Prerequisite: 10-412-158, Chassis Sub-Systems)
Course Typically Offered: SpringFocuses on the air brake system component operation and maintenance for trucks and tractor/trailers. Students will learn to perform overhaul procedures for cam, wedge and disc air operated foundation brakes, as well as heavy-duty hydraulic brakes. It provides the opportunity for students to test and troubleshoot the entire air and hydraulic brake systems, including ABS systems found in trucks. (Prerequisite: 10-412-158, Chassis Sub-Systems)
Course Typically Offered: SpringFocuses on the techniques for performing preventive maintenance and DOT criteria for performing annual inspections. Discussion includes the importance of vehicle maintenance and inspections. Students learn record-keeping requirements and earn an annual inspection certificate upon successful completion of the test at the conclusion of the class. (Prerequisites: 10-412-158, Chassis Sub-Systems; 10-412-164, Diesel Steering & Suspension, 10-412-165, Transmission and Clutches, 10-412-166, Differential and Driveline, 10-412-167, Diesel Heavy Duty Brake Systems)
Course Typically Offered: Spring