Effective Fall 2021

The Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Design Technology degree addresses industry needs for educated technicians with business management, supervision, and design skills. In addition to the hands-on equipment installation and troubleshooting procedures developed during the first four semesters of the program, students will continue their studies and develop skills in HVAC system design, HVAC controls, and energy/project management. Students will also gain skills vital for HVAC business operations in the areas of estimating, scheduling, material and equipment management, contractor/subcontractor relations, and quality control. Graduates of this major are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to design HVAC mechanical and refrigeration systems, describe the systems’ functions, and communicate the operations and specifications of the system designs. Students may elect to earn a dual degree by also pursuing the associate’s degree in Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be prepared to seek employment in the residential or commercial industry as design engineers, application engineers, and project managers, with some graduates beginning their careers as self-employed business owners in sales, service, installation, or design of HVAC systems and equipment.

Special Equipment Needs

See the Tool List on the Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Design Technology major web page.

Remediation Strategies

All incoming students must meet placement requirements in English and math. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies as explained in the College Catalog (see https://www.pct.edu/catalog/admissions-policy).

Program Goals

A graduate of this major should be able to:
  • complete competent technical work in a variety of heating, cooling, plumbing, and refrigeration fields while applying safety and code standards.
  • identify and demonstrate correct use of tools, materials, and equipment used in the trade.
  • read and interpret blueprints and electrical schematics to proficiently install and troubleshoot equipment.
  • apply industry standard practices when designing, installing, and troubleshooting HVAC equipment.
  • install, service, and repair hydronic heating systems, air conditioning systems, heat pump systems, refrigeration systems and plumbing systems.
  • install and troubleshoot residential and commercial electrical, pneumatic and electronic HVAC control systems.
  • apply basic knowledge of airflow, ventilation, and energy conservation concepts in the design of systems using modern building design and solar energy technology.
  • demonstrate knowledge of various fuels and energy producing applications as they relate to the HVAC system.
  • estimate the cost of an installation, design, and repair of HVAC equipment and systems.
  • demonstrate an awareness of, and respect for, customer/employer relations.
  • interpret HVAC building codes, regulations, drawings, and specifications.
  • utilize computer software to execute building load calculations, distribution system design, building drawings, equipment selection, and cost estimates.
  • understand and apply the principals of thermodynamics, airflow, ventilation, and energy efficiency.
  • evaluate management and sales methods as they relate to the HVAC market.

Curriculum

First SemesterCreditsNotesLectureLab/ClinicalM/SType
FYE101First Year Experience 1.50 1.50 SREQ
ACR111Introduction to Refrigeration 53 6 MREQ
PLH113Mechanical Systems Design and Operation 42 6 MREQ
ELT250HVAC/R Electricity 53 6 MREQ
MTH180College Algebra and Trigonometry I 33 SREQ
TOTAL CREDITS 18
Second SemesterCreditsNotesLectureLab/ClinicalM/SType
ACR236Air Conditioning Systems I 32 3 MREQ
ACR239Residential HVAC System Design 32 3 MREQ
ELT252HVAC Controls I-Residential 43 3 MREQ
PLH236Basic Heating Systems (Installation) 32 3 MREQ
MTH182College Algebra and Trigonometry II 33 SREQ
ACR103HVAC Print Reading and Automated Design 21 3 MREQ
TOTAL CREDITS 18
Third SemesterCreditsNotesLectureLab/ClinicalM/SType
ACR249Advanced HVAC System Service 31 6 MREQ
ACR251Warm-Air Heating and Duct Design 32 3 MREQ
ELT253HVAC Controls II-Commercial 43 3 MREQ
PLH244Hydronic Heating Systems 42 6 MREQ
ENL111English Composition I 33 SREQ
TOTAL CREDITS 17
Fourth SemesterCreditsNotesLectureLab/ClinicalM/SType
ACRCommercial Refrigeration Elective 8 MACR
or
CMECommercial Mechanical Elective 8 MCME
CSC124Information, Technology, and Society 33 SREQ
PHS103Physics Survey 33 SREQ
or
SCI100Environmental Science 33 SREQ
ENL201Technical and Professional Communication 33 SREQ
TOTAL CREDITS 17
Fifth SemesterCreditsNotesLectureLab/ClinicalM/SType
BHV311Fundamentals of Engineered Systems Design 32 3 MREQ
BHV316Heating and Cooling System Configurations 32 3 MREQ
SCLScience Elective with lab 4 SSCL
SPCSpeech Elective 3 SSPC
OEAOpen Elective 3 SOEA
TOTAL CREDITS 16
Sixth SemesterCreditsNotesLectureLab/ClinicalM/SType
BHV320Advanced Cooling System Design 32 3 MREQ
BHV325Advanced Heating Design 32 3 MREQ
HIPCore Historical Perspective 3 SHIP
MGT115Principles of Management 33 SREQ
PHL210Ethics 33 SREQ
TOTAL CREDITS 15
Seventh SemesterCreditsNotesLectureLab/ClinicalM/SType
BHV366Advanced HVAC Control 32 3 MREQ
BHV400Commercial Refrigeration Systems Design 32 3 MREQ
ARPCore Arts Perspective 3 SARP
OEAOpen Elective 3 SOEA
SSPCore Social Science Perspective 3 SSSP
TOTAL CREDITS 15
Eighth SemesterCreditsNotesLectureLab/ClinicalM/SType
BHV431Environmental Impacts of the HVAC Industry 3Writing Enriched Requirement3 MREQ
BHV432Mechanical System Design 32 3 MREQ
BHV495Senior Project 33 MREQ
CDPCore Global and Cultural Diversity Perspective 3 SCDP
OEEExploration Electives 3 SOEE
TOTAL CREDITS 15

Additional Information

Endorsed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). Approved National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) Bronze Certification training site.

Accreditation

Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).