College Catalog

One College Avenue, Williamsport PA 17701-5799 · (570) 326-3761 or (800) 367-9222

Building Automation Technology (BBT)
Academic School: Construction & Design Technologies
(Effective Fall 2004)

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)

The purpose of this major is to offer students with foundational skills in areas of electrical technology and HVAC technology the knowledge and skills to continue in an expanding career area related to building automation and controls technology. The major is based on students' completion of an applied technology curriculum for the first four semesters in a technology-related field. Students may choose to complete the major with an emphasis in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology (HV) (HP), Electrical Technology (EL), Electromechanical Maintenance Technology (MT) and Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology, Robotics and Automation Emphasis (RO). In addition, other applied technology degrees in areas such as Electronics Technology will also be considered for the directed technical elective requirements of the BBT major. After completing the first four semesters, students may petition to graduate with the appropriate two-year A.A.S. degree where applicable.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Building Automation Technology will allow students who have acquired appropriate applied technology skills in their first two years to move into advanced course work related to building automation. Additional course work emphasizes the application of the fundamentals of mechanical systems, control system theory and the use of computer methods to control and integrate the operation of buildings in a productive, safe and efficient manner. The major also emphasizes control system programming and layout, networks used for building control, software programs to design and document control systems, building commissioning, the operation and control of chillers and boilers, and related mechanical and electrical equipment. Energy management in buildings and interoperable systems are also studied. Technical courses include hands-on lab components with work on industry standard and state of the art equipment. This major includes a three-month paid internship in building automation.

Career Opportunities:  Building automation-engineering technicians, HVAC Temperature Controls Project Engineer, Controls-Focused Service Technician, Automation Design Engineer, Construction/Project Manager, Remote Site Operations Supervisor, Building Automation System Applications Engineer. Employment opportunities in building automation technology exist with HVAC controls companies, physical plant departments of college, university, hospital, government buildings and other not-for-profit institutions. Opportunities also are available in commercial and industrial facilities.

Recommended High School Subjects:  High school Algebra I and II are necessary for this major. Most students will have completed College Algebra I and II prior to entering the BBT major. Four years of high school English are desirable. Three science courses, with Physics recommended, are suggested for this major.

Special Admissions Requirements:  A.A.S. degree in related major.

Remediation Strategies:  All entering students will be tested for English, math, and reading deficiencies. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies as explained in this catalog (see http://www.pct.edu/catalog/PlacementTesting.htm ).

Transfer Procedures:  Students transferring from other institutions with an A.A.S. in a relevant applied technology field will be evaluated for admission to the BBT major based on their degree and appropriate course work in general education areas.

Program Goals:  A graduate of this major should be able to:

• follow safety practices that apply to the installation and troubleshooting of HVACR systems, including knowledge of applicable codes and standards of the NEC, ASHRAE, OSHA, EPA and other applicable code making bodies.
• demonstrate basic HVACR processes and explain the function, layout, and operation of commercial HVACR systems.
• use test and balance procedures for commissioning commercial HVACR systems.
• explain the function, operating characteristics, and appropriate applications of basic control loops and control modes as found in direct digital, analog electronic, electric and pneumatic commercial control systems.
• using a typical building automatic control system, troubleshoot a commercial HVAC system to identify and correct control system malfunctions.
• read blueprints and manufacturer's technical instructions and use these to install a sensor, controller, and actuator plus any required relays and power supplies.
• given a sequence of control, lay out a control system logic diagram and program it into a DDC controller.
• analyze interoperability and energy management as they apply to vertically and horizontally integrated building control systems.
• apply basic theory to the operation of DC and AC circuits, including Ohms law, frequency, and true RMS voltage, impedance and power factor.
• interpret relay logic, control system diagrams and one-line diagrams, and use a multimeter to troubleshoot control systems and single- and three-phase power systems.
• describe the basic operation and application of magnetic motor starters, and variable speed drives to HVACR equipment.
• analyze the operation of electronic circuits and use troubleshooting techniques including work with the oscilloscope.
• use general-purpose software and specific building automation software to monitor and control a building HVACR system and building electrical systems.
• use CAD programs and spread sheet programs to lay out control systems.
• explain the function of network devices and network protocols such as a bridge, router, gateway, hub, firewall, twisted pair, fiber, Ethernet, Arcnet, TCP/IP, BacNet, and Lon Talk.

Directed Building Automation Technology electives include EET, ELT, ACR, and PLH courses. Major courses other than EET, ELT, ACR, and PLH courses will need adviser approval.

HP/HV entering students must take PHS 114 as the science elective in the sixth semester.

Pennsylvania College of Technology · One College Avenue · Williamsport, PA 17701 · (570) 326-3761 or (800) 367-9222

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