Welding Technology Curriculum Guide and Course Descriptions

Welding Technology offers individuals independent training in contemporary processes and techniques used in welding.  Welding serves industry in areas such as construction, manufacturing and engineering.  The program offers virtually all the welding and cutting processes used in production and repair in today’s industry as well as an intensive hands-on approach to blueprints, welding symbols and shop math that is used throughout the steel fabrication industry.  It also develops the student's knowledge on a wide assortment of different types of metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, low alloy and low carbon, with an emphasis being placed on pipe.  Working with an advisory board, the welding program operates an up-to-date lab where students will learn on state-of-the-art equipment, developing welding and workplace skills.

Limited welding codes and specifications are introduced in producing a safe product.  The codes and specifications that are available are only guidelines for general manufacturers.  This in turn dictates the welding procedure specification required for each essential variable.  Gas pressure, tip sizes, welding speeds, amperage and voltage settings, wire feed rates, electrode sizes and inert gas selections are just some of the training arenas the student is introduced to for a welding technician career.  Welding technicians should be able to work in a variety of weather conditions.

Recommended Courses

Course code course title credit hours
WELD-110 Welding Safety (OSHA 10) 1
WELD-111 Oxy Acetylene and Safety 3
WELD-120 Shielded Metal Arc Welding I 3
WELD-140 Shielded Metal Arc Welding II 3
WELD-160 Shielded Metal Arc Welding III 5
WELD-181 Gas Metal Arc Welding I 3
WELD-231 Gas Metal Arc Welding II 5
WELD-222 Fluxed Core Arc Welding I 5
WELD-232 Fluxed Core Arc Welding II 5
WELD-190 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding I 3
WELD-210 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II 3
WELD-220 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding III 6
WELD-242 Pipe Layout and Blueprint Reading 1
Total   46

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Students completing a technical program may desire to seek the Associate in Applied Sciences Degree.  In addition to completing a technical program, this degree also requires the completion of 18 hours in general education.  Certain courses within this degree may or may not transfer to baccalaureate degree granting institutions. The student must complete 64 semester hours with a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or above.

Descriptions of Courses

CONT-200.  Welding Applications.  Up to 4 Hours (0-196 Contact Hours).  This course provides students with hands-on practice and skill development in various welding applications to prepare the student for a career in welding.  This is a short course focused on Welding applications found in commercial and industrial settings.

WELD-110.  Welding Safety OSHA 10. 1 Hour (15 Contact Hours). Students will learn basic OSHA regulations and safety. The students will also learn how to read the OSHA manual properly. This course will stress the importance of PPE, fall protection and hazards, along with other topics.

WELD-111.  Oxy Acetylene and Safety.  3 Hours (90 Contact Hours).  This course is a lab course designed to give students practical work experience in Oxy Acetylene welding. Students will receive instruction for proper set-up and operation of Oxy Acetylene cutting and welding equipment to produce quality cuts and bevels on pipe of various thicknesses. This will include techniques of Oxy/Acetylene welding carbon steel pipe and soldering and brazing of copper pipe to medical gas standards. Related safety subjects will also be covered.

WELD-120.  Shielded Metal Arc Welding. 3 Hours (85 Contact Hours). An extensive study into the technology of systems used in today's field of welding - manufacturing, construction, power/energy, transportation, fabrication and piping processes.  The format is lecture, demonstration, student application and evaluation.

WELD-140.  Shielded Metal Arc Welding II.  3 Hours (85 Contact Hours). An extensive study into the technology of systems used in today's field of welding - manufacturing, construction, power/energy, transportation, fabrication and piping processes.  The format is lecture, demonstration, student application and evaluation.

WELD-160.  Shielded Metal Arc Welding III. 5 Hours (150 Contact Hours). This course is a lab course designed to give students practical work experience in Shielded Metal Arc Welding. Students will receive instruction in electrodes used, the machines, striking the arc, running continuous beads, and positions used to weld in all positions on pipe. 

WELD-181.  Gas Metal Arc Welding. 3 Hours (85 Contact Hours). This course is a lab course designed to give students practical work experience in Gas Metal Arc Welding. Students will study the various components of this welding process, will learn to properly set up and operate MIG welding equipment to weld 1 G position and produce quality pipe welds. 

WELD-190.  Gas Tungsten Arc Welding.  3 Hours (85 Contact Hours).  This course is a lab course designed to give students practical work experience in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG). Students will learn to properly set up and operate TIG welding equipment to weld in all positions on pipe.

WELD-210.  Gas Tungsten Arc Welding II.  3 Hours (85 Contact Hours).  This course is a lab course designed to give students practical work experience in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG). Students will learn to properly set up and operate TIG welding equipment to weld in 5G position on pipe.

WELD-220.  Gas Tungsten Arc Welding III. 6 Hours (170 Contact Hours). This course is a lab course designed to give students practical work experience in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG). Students will learn to properly set up and operate TIG welding equipment to weld in 6G position on pipe.

WELD-222.  Fluxed Cored Arc Welding I.  5 Hours (140 Contact Hours). Emphasis is on maintenance and safety of equipment, setting up and using all types of MIG and Fluxcored equipment, passing test bends in 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G, and using 3/8" which will lead to certification. 

WELD-231.  Gas Metal Arc Welding II.  5 Hours (140 Contact Hours).  This course is a lab course designed to give students practical work experience in Gas Metal Arc Welding.  Students will study the various components of this welding process, will learn to properly set up and operate MIG welding equipment to weld in all positions and produce quality pipe welds.

WELD-232.  Fluxed Cored Arc Welding II.  5 Hours (140 Contact Hours).  This course is a lab course designed to give students practical work experience in Fluxed Cored Arc Welding.  Students will receive instruction for proper setup and operation of Fluxed Cored Arc welding equipment to produce quality pipe welds of various thicknesses.  Related safety subjects will also be covered.

WELD-242.  Pipe Layout and Blueprint Reading.  1 hour (30 Contact Hours).  This course is a study of industrial production and fabrication of piping formations and processes.  Emphasis is placed on terminology, symbols, and industry standard welding processes.  Students will demonstrate the ability to interpret plans and drawings used in industry and the application of fabrication and layout skills.  Prerequisite:  The successful completion of bend tests in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW courses.