Students develop the skills necessary to install, service, and maintain diesel and natural gas-powered generator sets in residential and commercial settings. This major emphasizes continuous-power, peaking-power, prime-power, and standby-power generating units. Advanced instruction is provided in the areas of electronically controlled diesel engines, gaseous-fueled engines, troubleshooting and repair of electric power generators, engine governors, and the electronic switching components necessary in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power. Students develop the practical skills needed to work with electrical machinery, electric and electronic machine control devices, and other electronic equipment. The students are exposed to all facets of the career field with a particular focus on problem solving and transferability of technical knowledge and skills.
Effective Fall 2024
- School of Engineering Technologies
- Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
- More Information about Electric Power Generation Technology: Diesel Emphasis
Career Opportunities
Industrial and residential electric power generation technician (diesel and natural gas), technical sales consultant, industrial maintenance, field service technician, sales representative, service manager.
Recommended High School Subjects
Four years of English; two years of algebra; two years of science.
Special Admissions Requirements
The sequence of this program begins in the fall semester. Students who elect to start in the spring semester may take general education coursework but will not be able to stay in sequence for completion in four semesters.
Students applying for a dual degree with other diesel-related majors will need to select this major as their primary major.
Special Equipment Needs
• This program has a required tool list which can be found at:
https://www.pct.edu/media/3411/download?inline
Laptop Computer Required
- Windows 11 or higher (recommended).
- Intel Core i5 or i7 (generation 10 or higher) processor (recommended).
- 8+ GB RAM (recommended).
- 250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drive (recommended).
- Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
- Laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
- Broadband Internet connection when working off campus (required).
- Additional plug-ins may be required (Information Technology Services Service Desk available for assistance).
- Chromebooks and other devices running Chrome OS are prohibited.
Remediation Strategies
Students who require a developmental math course will not be able to stay in sequence for completion in four semesters; additional semester(s) will be necessary. All incoming students must meet placement requirements in math. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies as explained in the College Catalog (see https://www.pct.edu/catalog/admissions-policy).
Transfer Procedures
This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see https://www.pct.edu/admissions/transfer/transferring-credits). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.
Program Goals
A graduate of this major should be able to:- practice approved safety procedures applicable to the electrical power generation industry.
- demonstrate the correct and safe use of basic hand tools, specialty tools, and testing equipment.
- demonstrate knowledge of DC and AC electrical principles and fundamentals as applied to the electrical power generation systems.
- demonstrate ability to read and interpret schematics, equipment software programs, equipment manuals and to write clear, accurate, and complete service reports.
- demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals, operation principles, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of diesel and natural gas engines used as prime movers.
- demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals, operation principles, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of power generation control systems.
- demonstrate understanding of power generator sizing options, transfer switches, synchronizing, switch gear, and paralleling technology.
Curriculum
| First Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE101 | First Year Experience | 1 | .50 | 1.50 | S | REQ | |
| DSM120 | Basic Electricity | 4 | 2 | 6 | M | REQ | |
| DSM159 | Electrical Power Generation Safety | 2 | 2 | M | REQ | ||
| CSC124 | Information, Technology & Society | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| ENL111 | English Composition I | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| MTH123 | Technical Algebra & Trigonometry I | 3 | 2.50 | 1.50 | S | REQ | |
| or | |||||||
| MTH181 | College Algebra & Trigonometry I | 3 | 2.50 | 1.50 | S | REQ | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 16 | ||||||
| Second Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| DSM119 | Fuel Systems | 2 | 2 | M | REQ | ||
| DSM154 | Diesel Engine Technology | 5 | 5 | M | REQ | ||
| DSM116 | Diesel Engine Laboratory | 4 | 12 | M | REQ | ||
| RET122 | Alternating Current Essentials | 3 | 2 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| ARP | Core Arts Perspective | 3 | S | ARP | |||
| or | |||||||
| AAP | Core Applied Arts Perspective | 3 | S | AAP | |||
| or | |||||||
| CDP | Core Global & Cultural Diversity Perspective | 3 | S | CDP | |||
| or | |||||||
| HIP | Core Historical Perspective | 3 | S | HIP | |||
| or | |||||||
| SSP | Core Social Science Perspective | 3 | S | SSP | |||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 17 | ||||||
| Summer Session | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| DSM152 | Electric Power Generation Internship | 2 | M | REQ | |||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 2 | ||||||
| Third Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| DSM226 | Automatic Transfer Switch | 2 | 1 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| DSM289 | Diesel Electronic Fuels: Systems, Operation & Diagnostics | 5 | 3 | 6 | M | REQ | |
| ELT227 | Industrial Motor Control | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| DSM227 | Power Generation Theory & Operation | 4 | 2 | 6 | M | REQ | |
| PHS103 | Physics Survey | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| or | |||||||
| PHS114 | Physics with Technological Applications | 4 | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 18 | ||||||
| Fourth Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| DSM225 | Gaseous-Fueled Engines | 2 | 1 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| ELT245 | Introduction to Programmable Logic Control | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| ELT246 | Electrical Machinery Analysis | 3 | 2 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| DSM292 | Power Generation Systems | 3 | 2 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| ENL201 | Technical & Professional Communication | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| DSM228 | Residential Power Generation | 2 | 1 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 17 | ||||||
Technical Standards/Essential Functions
Students must be able to meet both our academic standards and technical standards/essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation. The Electric Power Generation: Diesel Emphasis program wishes to ensure that access to its facilities, programs, and services is available to all students, including students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability & Access Resources Office (dar@pct.edu or 570-320-5225) immediately to begin confidential conversation about possible accommodations necessary to meet these standards.
Participants must fulfill the following technical functions with or without reasonable accommodations:
• Students must be able to observe and comprehend wiring diagrams, schematics, digital displays, and digital software in order to safely perform electrical diagnostic testing and repairs.
• Students must be able to observe and comprehend lab equipment (including testing and/or measuring equipment) necessary for laboratory work.
• Students must effectively interpret, assimilate, and understand technical manuals, technical software, manufacturer's instructions, and warning labels for the safety of the technician and safe operation of the equipment.
• Students must meet applicable safety standards for the environment, including but not limited to, wearing hard hats, safety glasses, hard-toe shoes, and other safety-related equipment, as required by the industry.