Automotive Systems Technology

The Automotive Systems Technology curriculum prepares individuals for employment as automotive service technicians. It provides an introduction to automotive careers and increases student awareness of the challenges associated with this fast and ever-changing field.

Classroom and lab experiences integrate technical and academic coursework. Emphasis is placed on theory, servicing and operation of brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, steering/suspension, automatic transmission/transaxles, engine repair, climate control, and manual drive trains.

Upon completion of this curriculum students should be prepared to take the ASE exam and be ready for full-time employment in dealerships and repair shops in the automotive service industry.

The Wilkes Community College Automotive Systems Technology program is accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate the technical, communication, computation and personal responsibility skills needed to be successful in the ever-changing technologically advanced automotive industry.
  • Examine and validate underlying assumptions dealing with automotive shop and repair safety procedures, practices, chemical/solvent disposal, and management of waste streams reducing their impact on the global environment. Evaluate data collected from the power train management system to ensure the vehicle is performing efficiently and pollution is minimized to assist with reversing the effects on global problematic issues.
  • Seek best information, measure, analyze, diagnose, repair, and verify the repair in all areas of automotive repair (A1-A8 ASE areas). Efficiently access resources (both electronic and print) for service and technical information necessary to complete specific automotive services and repairs.

Contact Information

Image of Matt Ham
Matt Ham, MEd
Lead Instructor of Automotive Systems Technologies
Phone: 336-838-6278
mkham874@wilkescc.edu
Image of Mark McNeill
Mark McNeill, AAS
Instructor of Automotive Systems Technology
Phone: 336-838-6283
mgmcneill936@wilkescc.edu

Pathways

First Year – Fall Semester

  • ACA 115: Success and Study Skills
  • AUT 116: Engine Repair
  • AUT 116A: Engine Repair Lab
  • TRN 110: Intro to Transport Tech
  • TRN 120: Basic Transport Electricity
  • TRN 170: PC Skills for Transp
  • TRN 180: Basic Welding for Transp

First Year – Spring Semester

  • AUT 141: Suspension and Steering Systems
  • AUT 141A: Suspension and Steering Lab
  • AUT 151: Brake Systems
  • AUT 151A: Brake Systems Lab
  • AUT 181: Engine Performance I
  • AUT 181A: Engine Performance I Lab
  • ENG 110: Workplace Writing Essentials
  • MAT 110: Math Measurement & Literacy

First Year – Summer Term

  • TRN 130: Intro to Sustainable Transp
  • TRN 140: Transp Climate Control
  • TRN 140A: Transp Climate Control Lab

Second Year – Fall Semester

  • AUT 114: Safety & Emissions
  • AUT 163: Advanced Auto Electricity
  • AUT 183: Engine Performance II
  • AUT 221: Auto Transm/Transaxles
  • AUT 221A: Auto Transm/Transaxles Lab
  • ENG 116: Tech Report Writing
  • Behavioral/Social Science Elective

Second Year – Spring Semester

  • AUT 213: Automotive Servicing 2
  • AUT 231: Man Trans/Axles/Drtrains
  • AUT 231A: Man Trans/Axles/Drtrains Lab
  • AUT 281: Advanced Engine Performance
  • Humanities Elective
  • TRN 145: Advanced Transp Electronics

Fall Semester

  • ACA 115: Success and Study Skills
  • AUT 116: Engine Repair
  • AUT 116A: Engine Repair Lab
  • TRN 110: Intro to Transport Tech
  • TRN 120: Basic Transport Electricity
  • TRN 170: PC Skills for Transp
  • TRN 180: Basic Welding for Transp
  • AUT 141: Suspension and Steering Systems
  • AUT 141A: Suspension and Steering Lab

Spring Semester

  • AUT 151: Brake Systems
  • AUT 151A: Brake Systems Lab
  • AUT 181: Engine Performance I
  • AUT 181A: Engine Performance I Lab
  • ENG 110: Workplace Writing Essentials
  • MAT 110: Math Measurement & Literacy
  • TRN 130: Intro to Sustainable Transp
  • TRN 140: Transp Climate Control
  • TRN 140A: Transp Climate Control Lab

  • AUT 116: Engine Repair
  • AUT 116A: Engine Repair Lab
  • AUT 181: Engine Performance I
  • AUT 181A: Engine Performance I Lab
  • TRN 120: Basic Transport Electricity

  • TRN 110: Intro to Transport Tech
  • TRN 120: Basic Transport Electricity
  • TRN 170: PC Skills for Transp
  • TRN 180: Basic Welding for Transp

  • AUT 116: Engine Repair
  • AUT 221: Auto Transm/Transaxles
  • AUT 231: Man Trans/Axles/Drtrains
  • TRN 120: Basic Transport Electricity

  • AUT 163: Advanced Automotive Electricity
  • TRN 110: Intro to Transport Technology
  • TRN 120: Basic Transport Electricity
  • TRN 145: Advanced Transport Electronics

  • AUT 116: Engine Repair
  • AUT 181: Engine Performance I
  • AUT 183: Engine Performance II
  • AUT 281: Advanced Engine Performance

  • TRN 110: Intro to Transport Tech
  • TRN 120: Basic Transport Electricity
  • TRN 170: PC Skills for Transp
  • TRN 140: Transp Climate Control
  • TRN 140A: Transp Climate Control Lab

  • AUT 141: Suspension & Steering
  • AUT 141A: Suspension & Steering Lab
  • AUT 151: Brake Systems
  • AUT 151A: Brake Systems Lab
  • AUT 181: Engine Performance I
  • AUT 181A: Engine Performance Lab

Minimum Semester Hours: 12

Technical Standards

The Automotive Systems Technology program technical standards have been developed to inform students of the nonacademic essential functions of the program and profession. Examples are not all inclusive.

Standard Essential Function Examples
Communication
Oral / Written
  • Skills sufficient to communicate information and ideas so others will understand
  • Communicate procedures for auto repair to coworkers and customers
  • Read and write work orders
  • Read schematics, meters and testers
Mobility / Motor Skills
  • Motor skills sufficient to move the hands and use hands to grasp or manipulate
  • Ability to safely operate in and around machinery and electrical machinery
  • Mobility sufficient to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body
  • Make auto repairs
  • Assemble parts
  • Work with many types of hand, air, or other power tools
  • Physical activities may include:
    • Crawling
    • Lifting
    • Balancing
    • Stooping
Physical Strength and Stamina
  • Ability sufficient to lift and carry
  • Lift and carry wheels, engine parts, brake rotors, etc.
  • Install equipment overhead
Sensory

  • Sight
  • Sound
  • Taste
  • Touch
  • Smell
  • Visual skills sufficient to see details at close range
  • Listening skills sufficient to communicate with others
  • Identify sounds from the vehicle during diagnostic phase
  • Visual skills to inspect or assess for safety
  • Identify defects and make repairs
  • Listen to customer’s assessment of problem
  • Listen for sounds to diagnose problem
  • Hear others inside of an industrial shop or in the field by voice, loud speaker, phone, and/or two-way radio
  • Inspect an area or piece of equipment for potential failures or safety issues
  • Detect potential dangers in the shop such as smelling gas leaks, identifying leaks in hydraulic lifts, etc.
Environmental / Occupational Exposure
  • Possible exposure to extreme noise levels
  • Possible exposure to extreme weather
  • Possible exposure to dust, chemicals, and fumes
  • Work in confined spaces
  • Work around motors and air tools
  • Work outside or inside of a non-climate-controlled shop
  • Work with petroleum products
  • Work under a vehicle to make repairs
Field or Industry Professional Standards
  • Valid Driver’s License

Disability Services Statement

Wilkes Community College is an ADA compliant institution. WCC does not discriminate based on a disability in the admissions process or in access to its programs, services, and/or activities for qualified individuals who meet eligibility requirements. WCC will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities who are eligible to receive or participate in college programs, services, and/or activities. If a student believes that he/she cannot meet one or more of a program’s essential functions without accommodations, the student is encouraged to disclose this to Disability Services as soon as possible.

Associate to Bachelor Agreements

An Associate to Bachelor agreement is an opportunity for students to complete their Associate's degree at Wilkes Community College and then transfer into a specified program at a partnering four-year institution for their Bachelor's degree. Wilkes Community College has the following Associate to Bachelor agreements for our Automotive Systems Technology graduates: