Course Descriptions

INTRODUCTION TO CATERPILLAR SERVICE (CATTK 111)—Learn what happens in a Caterpillar shop—safety, machine operation, proper tool usage, computer usage, how to obtain service information and more. Three hours a week in lecture, three hours a week in the shop (lab). Weight-week format. Credits: 2

WELDING (WLDTR 120)—Learn the welding techniques used in industry. Work with equipment you’ll find on the shop floor. Get experience in welding with arc and oxyacetylene. Study hard surfacing, brazing, cutting, electrode selection, and metal identification. Two hours a week in lecture, six hours a week in the welding lab. Eight-week format. Credits: 2

APPROVED MATH ELECTIVE—Choose from Agricultural Computation (Automotive/Diesel Shop Math), Business Mathematics (covering skills in business transactions, such as: discounting, interest, payrolls, depreciation, and annuities), Concepts of Mathematics (study basics of math such as: logic, set theory, statistics, and finance), or take any course in the Mathematics Department higher than Math 110. Eight-week format. Credits: 3

INTERNSHIP 1 (CATTK 150)—Throughout this internship at your sponsoring dealership, you will be reinforcing what you have learned in your Caterpillar Engine Fundamentals class, Introduction to Caterpillar Service Industry class, and Welding class that were offered the first 8 weeks. You’ll also benefit from gaining a first-hand experience on what it is really like to be a Caterpillar dealership service technician by working full time with a one-on-one mentor. Plus, you will be paid for the hours that you work! Eight-week format. Credits: 4

Freshman Spring Semester:
FUNDAMENTALS OF HYDRAULICS (CATTK 112)—Learn how the pressure of fluid creates mechanical force. Study the basic principles and components of hydraulic systems and how they work on Caterpillar equipment. Take hydraulic systems apart and reconstruct them. Four hours a week in lecture, six hours a week in the shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credits: 3

CATERPILLAR ENGINE FUEL SYSTEMS (CATTK 113)—Explore what happens in the combustion chamber of an engine. Learn how to discover and fix problems with fuel injection and combustion systems. You will also learn how to diagnose and correct faults within the fuel systems. Four hours a week in lecture, six hours a week in the shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credits: 3

FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS (CATTK 114)—Acquire the knowledge of basic concepts of electrical systems. Learn to diagnose and correct electrical problems through usage of electrical test equipment, state-of-the-art electrical trainers, and Caterpillar equipment. Four hours a week in lecture, six hours a week in the shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credits: 3

BASIC COMPOSITION (ENGL 105) OR COMPOSITION (ENGL110)—Either one of these courses will teach you how to express yourself clearly and logically through writing. Both of these courses focus on grammar and work usage through writing of sentences, paragraphs, and short stories. Six hours in lecture a week. Eight-week format. Credits: 3

INTERNSHIP II (CATTK 151)—Throughout this internship at your sponsoring dealership, you will be reinforcing what you have learned in your Fundamentals of Hydraulics class, Caterpillar Engine Fuel Systems Class, and Fundamentals of Electrical Systems class that were offered the first 8 weeks of this semester. You’ll also benefit from gaining a first-hand experience on what it is really like to be a Caterpillar dealership service technician by working full time with a one-on-one mentor. Plus, you will be paid for the hours that you work! Eight-week format. Credits: 4

Summer Semester:
AIR CONDITIONING (CATTK 115)—Discover the theory and uses of air conditioning in Caterpillar products. Learn to use test equipment to diagnose and repair air conditioning systems including fixing malfunctioning component parts. The charging and recharging of air conditioning systems is also demonstrated. Two hours a week in lecture, six hours a week in the shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credits: 2

FUNDAMENTALS OF TRANSMISSIONS AND TORQUE CONVERTERS (CATTK 116)—Constant mesh, sliding gear, hydraulic, synchromesh, and transmissions involving planetaries. These are just some of the transmissions and differentials you’ll become acquainted with in this class. Learn how these systems operate and are maintained. Four hours a week in lecture, six hours a week in the shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credit: 3

MACHINE HYDRAULICS SYSTEMS (CATTK 117)—You learned basic hydraulics in your first class, now find out how to inspect, test, service, and diagnose Caterpillar hydraulic circuits, systems, and components. Work with the latest testing procedures and equipment. Four hours a week in lecture, six hours a week in the shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credits: 3

Optional Elective Course for the Summer
SHOP PRACTICE (CATTK118)—This independent study course is based on your individual academic needs and what will help you meet your individual career goals. You will learn to unlock your potential by establishing a work schedule and devise your own methods for achieving the specific objectives of your project. Independently work on such projects as: rebuilding specialty engines, rebuilding damaged equipment/machines, designing trainers, and other opportunistic tasks that will broaden your educational background. Two hours a week in lecture, six hours a week in shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credit: 2

Sophomore Fall Semester
INTERNSHIP III (CATTK 250)—Throughout this internship at your sponsoring dealership, you will be reinforcing what you have learned in your Air Conditioning class, Fundamentals of Transmissions & Torque Converters Class, and Machine Hydralics class that were offered during the summer semester. You’ll also benefit from gaining a first-hand experience on what it is really like to be a Caterpillar dealership service technician by working full time with a one-on-one mentor. Plus, you will be paid for the hours that you work! Eight-week format. Credits: 4

UNDERCARRIAGE/FINAL DRIVES (CATTK 200)—Study the suspension systems found on Caterpillar machines. Work on brakes, suspension and steering components. Four hours a week in lecture, six hours a week in the shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credits: 3

MACHINE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS (CATTK 201)—Acquire the skills needed to diagnose and repair state-of-the-art electronics and computerized circuits. You will learn how to apply basic electrical concepts to identify malfunctions. By the end of this course, you will also be able to determine the cause of complex electrical problems common to Caterpillar equipment and machines. Four hours a week in lecture, six hours a week in the shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credits: 3

SPEECH AS A COMMUNICATIVE PROCESS (COMM 110)—Working in the shop, you’ll find you have to talk with customers, suppliers, service representatives, and managers and other service technicians. Learn how to make your verbal messages clear and easy to understand. Enhance your ability to connect with others. Six hours a week lecture. Eight-week format. Credit: 3

TECHNICAL WRITING (ENGL 201)—The Caterpillar Dealer Service industry has a language all its own and there will be times when you need to explain technical concepts to customers, suppliers, and others on your team. This course helps you learn technical writing including how to write in a logical order, how to explain complicated ideas using drawings, illustrations, and tables, and how to compose business letters and memos, and how to fill out service reports. Six hours a week lecture. Eight-week format. Credits: 3

Sophomore Spring Semester:
INTERNSHIP IV (CATTK 251)—this is your last rotation in the dealership as a student. Throughout this internship at your sponsoring dealership, you will be reinforcing what you have learned in your Undercarriage/Final Drives class and Machine Electronic Systems class. You’ll also benefit from gaining a first-hand experience on what it is really like to be a Caterpillar dealership service technician by working full time with a one-on-one mentor. Plus, you will be paid for the hours that you work! Eight-week format. Credits: 4

CATERPILLAR ENGINE PERFORMANCE (CATTK 202)—Find out how to trouble shoot problems on Caterpillar engines. Learn how to diagnose engine failure problems and other engine performance problems that may exist. Develop the knowledge and skills to make sure Caterpillar machines and equipment stay on the job. Two hours a week lecture, six hours a week in the shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credits: 2

DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (CATTK 203)—Apply what you’ve learned about diagnostic equipment for analyzing and repairing Caterpillar engines and machine systems. Two hours a week lecture, six hours a week in the shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credits: 2

MACHINE SPECIFIC SYSTEMS (CATTK 204)—Get the skills and knowledge to test and adjust specific machine systems. Gain knowledge of machines that are part of product lines that are less commonly seen in our area. Four hours a week lecture, six hours a week in the shop (lab). Eight-week format. Credits: 3

TWO SOCIAL SCIENCE ELECTIVES (FOR A TOTAL OF 6 CREDITS)—As a service technician you’ll be working with a variety of people. These courses will help you learn more about human nature and how to work with people. Classes you can choose from include: Social Science in Human Affairs (learn about groups in action—governmental, economic, educational, family, and religious groups); Introduction to Social Science (gain a general knowledge of what social science is); Americans and Their Culture (explore how we as Americans live in our society); Work Affairs (explore the United States and its foreign policy); or, with departmental permission, Leadership and Community Service (explore social, political, and economical issues and how we personally respond to them). Each course is six hours lecture per week. Eight-week format. Credits per course: 3

CATTK courses