DACC Catalog - Dona Ana Community College - New Mexico State ...

2012-2013 Catalog 61Technical Requirements, continuedBOT 228 Medical Insurance Billing 3HIT 150 Introduction to Medical Terminology3or AHS 120 Medical TerminologyHIT 158 Advanced Medical Terminology 3Heating, Ventilation,Air Conditioning andRefrigerationAssociate of Applied Science DegreeCertificates of Completion (COSTS LISTED ON PAGE 12):• HVAC/R• Residential HVAC(575) 527-7596The climate in New Mexico creates a demand for skilled technicians inboth heating and cooling because people prefer to live and work in comfort.Every new home, hospital, university building, shopping mall, or officecomplex requires installation mechanics, service technicians, operating engineers,maintenance foremen, and trained crews to keep complex environmentalsystems operating efficiently.The heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry is one of the country’smost stable. The supply of qualified, trained people has not kept pacewith the demand, and new opportunities are constantly developing. The demandfor trained HVACR graduates is also increasing due to EnvironmentalProtection Agency requirements that refrigerants be handled by a certifiedtechnician.Technicians knowledgeable in heating, air conditioning, and refrigerationare also needed in defense, space exploration, and manufacturing. Becauseclimate control is important wherever microprocessors are used in manufacturingor scientific research, skilled technicians are in demand in thesefields. Many experienced technicians own and manage their own businesses.The Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program at DACC usestraining facilities equipped with the most modern test equipment and toolsavailable. As a student, you will learn to—• service, repair, and maintain heating, air conditioning, and refrigerationsystems;• read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and symbols to diagnoseand troubleshoot problems in a system;• evaluate, diagnose, and service various mechanical and electrical controls;• apply the mathematics related to the heating, air conditioning, andrefrigeration trade;• handle customer relations, shop management procedures, and recordkeeping relative to the trade;• properly use special tools and testing equipment; and• become certified in Section 608, EPA certification.A unique cooperative training program is offered during the final semesterto provide students with field experiences. Working side by side with journeymentechnicians, students are offered an opportunity to practice andrefine their new skills.After the first semester, full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigerationstudents must purchase a personal set of technician’s tools (approximatecost, $850). The tool set includes the basic tools that most employers requireon the job. Part-time students will purchase only those tools required by thespecific course(s) in which they are enrolled.Students will also provide their own medical/accident insurance. They needto be in good physical condition and possess the ability and desire to workwith their minds and hands.The curriculum is competency and performance based and uses multimediaclassroom instruction and hands-on laboratory exercises. Classroom andlaboratory hours are listed in the Schedule of Classes.All heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration students are eligible to joinSkillsUSA. Membership provides students an opportunity to develop theirleadership skills and to become proficient in public speaking and parliamentaryprocedure. SkillsUSA also offers students a chance to demonstratetheir occupational skills. Skill competitions are conducted each year in NewMexico for all postsecondary students.During the last semester prior to graduation, students will be required to takethe North American Technical Excellence (NATE) exam or other approvednational competency examination. There will be an additional testing fee.Whether taking classes or working on a job site, students enrolled in thisprogram will be required to perform the same job duties and be able tomeet the same physical requirements that they will as a graduate in thefield. Depending where they find employment, graduates may be requiredto work in inclement weather, lift up to 50 pounds from the ground, havegood eye-hand coordination, work safely around electrical hazards usingthe appropriate safety equipment, work safely using hand and power tools,ascend and descend stairs and ladders, and stand, squat, stoop, or kneelfor long periods of time. Licensure for journeyman gas fitters and journeymansheet metal workers require both a written and practical exam. Not alllicensing agencies provide special testing accommodations.Additional Graduation RequirementsTo receive either an associate degree or a certificate of completion, studentsare required to obtain a Career Readiness Certificate in the areas of AppliedMath, Reading for Information, and Locating Information at the appropriatelevel for their respective degree option. To facilitate success in obtainingtheir Career Readiness Certificate students will be required to take 1 creditof OETS 102, Career Readiness Certification Preparation. A program advisorcan provide additional information.Associate Degree (66 credits)NOTE: Students must receive a final grade of C or better in all required HVACcourses. Courses with course prefixes appearing in italics are identical tothose offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus.Core Requirements13 creditsengl 111g Rhetoric and Composition 4bot 209 Business and Technical Communications 3ororenglengl203g218gBusiness and Professional CommunicationTechnical and Scientific Communicationororcommcommpsysoc253g265g201g101gPublic SpeakingPrinciples of Human CommunicationIntroduction to PsychologyIntroductory SociologyRelated Requirements16 creditsBMGT or any approved ECON elective 3c s 110 Computer Literacy3ororoecsoecs105227Introduction to Microcomputer TechnologyComputer Applications for Technicians33