Automotive Technology: Hybrid. Electric and Alternative Fuels

The automotive technology program prepares students for employment in the field and provides upgrade opportunities for currently employed personnel. By completing the degree or certificate requirements, the student will gain proficiency in safety practices, automotive service, testing, troubleshooting, brakes, suspension,wheel alignment, engine tune-up, electrical systems, fuel systems (carburetion and fuel injection), emission systems, transmissions, drive trains, engine repair, engine rebuilding, automotive machining, or air conditioning. Competencies will be assessed regularly in accordance with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards. A student completing degree or certificate requirements may expect to enter the industry as a technician in automotive service, repair, tune-up, smog certification, or automotive air conditioning.

Based on projected enrollments, it is estimated that approximately 21 students would be eligible to receive this certificate each year. 

The emphasis of the Hybrid, Fuel-cell and Electric Vehicles Certificate is on key hybrid, fuel-cell and electric vehicle systems including their basic operation, function, service and maintenance. The systems include: engine management, emission controls, electronic/electronic controls and on board diagnostics related to hybrid,fuel-cell and electric vehicles.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Safely work in a shop environment and on high voltage/high-pressure alternative fuel vehicles.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency in entry-level skills for employment in the automotive service field
   and/or related areas.
• Essential skills for working in a team setting development.
• Locate references, training information and manufacturer's procedures from industry resources and will
  be able to perform tasks in accordance with their research.
• Describe the basic operation of the major systems on hybrid, fuel-cell and electric vehicles.
• Perform basic service, repair, maintenance and diagnostics on hybrid, fuel-cell and electric vehicles.

This certificate is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions and current technicians for career advancement at local automotive dealerships, independent repair facilities, national repair chains, and parts suppliers. 

Students will be required to complete two introductory courses to get the fundamentals of automotive and hybrid technology. Followed by courses in diagnosis and repair of hybrid, fuel-cell and electric cars. 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ATEC1	Introduction to Automotive Service	2	Y1
ATEC 22B or	Advanced Engine Performance. Electrical and Fuel System	8	Y1
ATEC 25 and	Automotive Electrical System	4	Y2
ATEC 26	Automotive Testing and Diagnosis	4	Y2
ATEC 51	Introduction to Alternative Fuel Vehicles	2	Y1
ATEC 52	Introduction to Hybrid, Electrical and Fuel-Cell Vehicle Technology	3	Y2
ATEC 53	Hybrid, Fuel-Cell and Electric Vehicle Diagnosis Repair	3	Y2

Automotive Technology

Cerritos College, LATTC, and Long Beach City College

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