Effective Fall 2025
- School of Engineering Technologies
- Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
- More Information about Metal Fabrication Technology
This program prepares graduates with well-rounded metal fabrication skills in welding, machining, and sheet metal fabrication. Graduates will be well versed in welding processes such as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), machining processes that include mill, lathe, grinding, heat treating and CNC applications, and sheet metal fabrication processes using English wheels, shrinking & stretching equipment, bead rollers, sheet metal brakes, rotary shears, press brakes, and power hammers.
This diverse combination of metal working skills will provide a versatile graduate with an ability to work for a variety of industries or as an entrepreneur.
Career Opportunities
Metal fabricators, assemblers, machinist, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technician, production technician, manufacturing assistant, production welder. These opportunities exist in companies that specialize in custom metal fabrication, specialty parts fabrication, all forms of industrial manufacturing, and classic vehicle maintenance and repair.
Recommended High School Subjects
A strong background in high school math and sciences is desired. An awareness of computer application and software also is desired. Penn College dual enrollment coursework in machining or welding may afford the student advanced credit.
Special Equipment Needs
See program Tool List for major.
Laptop Computer Required
- Windows 11 or higher (recommended).
- 64-bit, 3.0 GHz or greater, 4 or more cores (Intel or AMD) (required).
- 250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drive (recommended).
- 16+ GB RAM (required); 32+ GB RAM (recommended).
- 1 GB GPU minimum Graphics Card (required); 4 GB GPU (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
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 http://www.pct.edu/catalog/TransferringCredits ). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean
Program Goals
A graduate of this major should be able to:- demonstrate safe work habits when working with industrial machinery.
- demonstrate critical thinking when working from technical drawings, including proper selection of materials and building the desired product to completion.
- identify health hazards associated with metal fabrication in an industrial setting.
- demonstrate correct welding procedures, with an understanding of metal preparation, and proper welding techniques.
- demonstrate the ability to communicate in a professional manner while working an individual or in groups.
Curriculum
| First Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE101 | First Year Experience | 1 | .50 | 1.50 | S | REQ | |
| MTT128 | Mill Applications | 4 | 1 | 9 | M | REQ | |
| MTT129 | Lathe Applications | 4 | 1 | 9 | M | REQ | |
| WEL102 | Welding Blueprint & Layout | 3 | 2 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| WEL103 | Welding for NDT I | 3 | 1 | 6 | M | REQ | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | ||||||
| Second Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| MTH181 | College Algebra & Trigonometry I | 3 | 2.50 | 1.50 | S | REQ | |
| WEL104 | Welding for NDT II | 3 | 1 | 6 | M | REQ | |
| WEL240 | Basic CNC Programming | 3 | 2 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| CSC124 | Information, Technology & Society | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| ENL111 | English Composition I | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | ||||||
| Third Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| MTT213 | Machine Tool Applications | 4 | 1 | 9 | M | REQ | |
| MTT222 | Fixture Design & Fabrication | 4 | 1 | 9 | M | REQ | |
| ENL201 | Technical & Professional Communication | 3 | 3 | S | REQ | ||
| WEL252 | Welding Blueprint & Layout II | 3 | 2 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 14 | ||||||
| Fourth Semester | Credits | Notes | Lecture | Lab/Clinical | M/S | Type | |
| MTT130 | Sheet Metal Forming & Fabrication | 3 | 2 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| MTT216 | Abrasive Machining & Heat Treatment | 4 | 1 | 9 | M | REQ | |
| MSC106 | Introduction to Metallurgy | 4 | 3 | 3 | M | REQ | |
| QAL241 | Non-Destructive Testing I | 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 | |||
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| SSE | Social Science Elective | 3 | S | SSE | |||
| TOTAL CREDITS | 17 | ||||||
Accreditation
The machining course work in this associate degree is included in the Accredited Testing/Certification Institute for the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS). This accreditation enables our certified faculty to offer NIMS certification exams to our students or to award alternative credit to those students who have already successfully completed certification exams.