Engineering Technology: Automation

The Engineering Technology: Automation, Associate in Science Degree prepares students to work in an engineering industry to design, create, build, troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and enhance automated integrated electronic, electrical, and electromechanical systems. Students completing this program will be well versed in the principles of operation of integrated electronic, electrical, and mechanical components and systems through the use of computer controls.  This proficiency will be accomplished by engaging the students in contextualized and experiential learning where the foundational principles in electronics and mechatronics engineering will be linked to concrete, real-world applications through practicums and industry internships. 

To earn an Associate's in Science degree for Engineering Technology: Automation, students must complete 27-33 specified units and will be required to participate in at least one semester unit of Work Experience Education with a Moorpark College-affiliated industry, which can be coordinated with the department. 

The majority of the courses required for the program are offered as short-term classes, approximately 8 weeks long, as a combination of online and in-person modality.  

• We are aiming towards offering a cohort type program of study as our proposed program is heavily focused on experiential and teamwork teaching and learning pedagogy. Due to this factor and the aforementioned narrative in regards to need and undersupply of qualified workers, we project to be able to recruit a cohort of 15 students every fall semester and have them complete the degree requirements (without the GE) within a period of year and a half. Factors considered:
• Offering short term hybrid (online and in-person) classes so students can complete more courses in a shorter period of time
• Minimal availability of similar programs in Moorpark College’s service area
• According to BLS (see attachment 1) there is a large job market that is being fulfilled here in CA and will still be available for the next 10 years
• The Naval Bases in Ventura County are constantly looking for engineering technicians and have available funding for internships as well, this is also true for many of our local industries. 
• At least one of the courses ENGT M02 is going to be accepted by Cal State Channel Islands in their Mechatronics program. Also, students completing this program will be well versed in automation, electronic, electrical and mechanical engineering basics, and if they choose to pursue higher education they will be very well prepared • Dual enrollment with high schools is possible with the first 2 courses in the pathway and trigonometry and Engineering Design/CAD course.

The AS Degree in Engineering Technology: Automation is aimed at creating a valuable and an effective career pathway for the students in our community. There is a substantial need in Ventura County for such a career pathway as identified by the largest employer of the Ventura County, the Navy, and other industries in the area such as Skyworks, Skurka, Aerovironment, Haas Automation, JSL Industries, etc. This associate's degree program could serve as a gateway to high-skill and high-wage jobs for our new students, returning students, or the adult members of our community who might be seeking a career change or those who are already working in the engineering industry but would benefit from obtaining a more formal education. Furthermore, the knowledge and experience gained from this program will definitely benefit those students who decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering as it will provide them with foundational education and skill set in the field of engineering technology and automation. By completing this program, students will gain a firm understanding of how to apply engineering principles to real world situations and operations, and this proficiency will certainly heighten their confidence and motivation to strive for better paying jobs and perhaps aim for higher education in the various fields of engineering or engineering technology.

To earn an Associate of Science in Engineering Technology: Automation, students must:

1. Complete a minimum of 60 associate degree-applicable semester units.  Students planning to transfer should complete 60 CSU transferable or 60 UC transferable units, depending on their intended transfer destination.
2. Complete the Moorpark College’s General Education requirements to include Areas 1-7 or the Cal-GETC Pattern. Transfer students should plan to complete the Cal-GETC. All courses for the Cal-GETC must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
3. Complete the required coursework for the major as listed in the Moorpark College catalog with a grade of “C” or better (or a “P”) in each of the courses selected. 
4. Achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better in courses used to satisfy the degree requirements.
5. Complete a minimum of 12 semester units within the Ventura County Community College District.