Curriculum Development
One of the key objectives of the Alternative Energy Automotive project is creating a new stackable certificate for students in the Automotive Technology pathway. After completing and analyzing the Job Skills Analysis with Compression Planning®, the project team mapped desired knowledge and competencies to preexisting coursework at the college. This mapping process led to the identification of five courses to be included in a new Alternative Energy Automotive Technician Certificate. This certificate will include three preexisting courses and two new courses focusing on alternative energy technologies.
Alternative Energy Automotive Technician Certificate
The project team has finalized the Alternative Energy Automotive Technician Certificate curriculum and is currently undergoing the approval process. Below is the proposed Plan of Study and a list of course descriptions.
Plan of Study & Course Descriptions
Meeting Industry Needs While Preparing Students for Certification
In addition to meeting the needs of local employers that were identified in the Job Skills Analysis with Compression Planning® session, the Alternative Energy Auto project team is aligning new curriculum with industry-recognized credentials.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, also known as ASE, has been improving the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals since 1972. ASE promotes excellence in vehicle repair, service and parts distribution, with almost 300,000 Automotive Technicians and Service Professionals holding certifications. ASE certifies individual technicians rather than automotive repair shops, supplying technicians with tangible proof of their technical knowledge and providing peace of mind for service managers and customers. Written by a panel of experienced automotive technicians and managers, ASE certification exams are challenging and have a first-attempt pass rate of approximately 66 percent. Automotive technologies are constantly changing and presenting new challenges for industry professionals, so each technician must recertify their ASE credentials through retesting every five years. There are over 40 certification areas in the ASE Test Series.
Curriculum is being developed so that students completing the Alternative Energy Automotive Technician Certificate will be prepared to sit for both the Alternate Fuels (F1) and Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist (L3) Certification Tests.
New Course Development
he Job Skills Analysis with Compression Planning® identified an industry need for technicians with knowledge of the following vehicle technologies: hybrid, fully electric, hydrogen, compressed natural gas, propane, bi-fuel, liquefied natural gas and ethanol. To support industry needs and provide students with in-demand skills, two new courses are being developed.
AUTO 2390 Advanced Hybrid Vehicles: Diagnosis and Repair (2 Credits)
This course builds on the fundamentals covered in AUTO 2190 and continues the study of automotive engine performance and electrical systems. Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles will be emphasized. System safety, diagnosis, live car servicing, and various manufacturer’s systems will be explored through lecture and lab activities. An expected outcome of AUTO 2390 should be students are prepared to pass the ASE Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Test (L3).
AUTO 2391 Advanced Alternative Fueled Vehicles: Diagnosis and Repair (2 Credits)
Compressed natural gas (CNG), hydrogen fuel cell, propane, bi-fuel, liquefied natural gas, ethanol and biodiesel vehicles will be explored. System safety, fueling, diagnosis, live car servicing, and various manufacturer’s systems will be explored through lecture and lab activities. An expected outcome of AUTO 2391 should be students are prepared to pass the ASE Alternative Fuels Certification Test (F1).
Articulation Agreements
The Automotive Technology program at Columbus State actively partners with area career centers to offer articulated credit for students completing an automotive program. Students from the following secondary school automotive programs can enter the Automotive Technology Pathway at Columbus State with credit for two technical courses:
- Coshocton County Career Center
- C-TEC
- Delaware Area Career Center--North Campus
- Eastland Career Center
- Fort Hayes Career Center
- Pickaway-Ross Career Center
- South-Western Career Academy
- Tolles Career & Technology Center
- Tri-Rivers Career Center
Columbus State students who complete the Automotive Technology Pathway by earning their Associate of Applied Science Degree have the opportunity to extend their education through articulation agreements with local universities. Automotive Technology courses articulate directly to bachelor’s degree programs at Ohio University, Miami University, Franklin University and Otterbein University.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1600689.