Harper College

OPTION 1: ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY DEGREE - MECHATRONICS/AUTOMATION

Program Overview

This 60 credit-hour Advanced Manufacturing Technology degree is designed to prepare students for the modern manufacturing environment. This program will prepare students for employment with companies that have implemented team-oriented design, production, quality and maintenance systems within the manufacturing environment. American manufacturers are increasingly using high-tech equipment that involves multiple integrated systems. It is critical that these companies be able to recruit and employ individuals who know how to operate, troubleshoot and maintain this high-tech equipment.

This sequenced degree plan is one of four options that students may pursue to earn the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. While there are multiple specializations, this particular degree can be awarded only once.

F = Fall only course S = Spring only course U = Summer only course

Program Requirements

F = Fall only course, S = Spring only course, U = Summer only course

FIRST SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
MFT 102 4 Program Requirement

Description: Provides the student with an introduction to the manufacturing world and provides specific instruction to facilitate safe work practices in industrial environments. Introduces manufacturing specializations such as mechatronics, precision machining and welding. Covers fire safety, pressurized gases, electrical hazards, and safe machine usage. Students will also become acquainted with OSHA policy. Students will have the opportunity to earn the Safety Certification through Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC).

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MFT 104 2 Program Requirement

Description: Provides an introduction to controlling and improving quality in a manufacturing setting. Explores ways that manufacturers use data and analysis to improve quality. Students will have the opportunity to earn the Quality and Measurement Certifications through the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC).

Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in MFT 102 with a grade of C or better.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MFT 108 3 Program Requirement

Description: Provides the basics of how manufacturing transforms materials into products. Students will learn about the varying types of production and will learn about the materials that are used in production and the types of processes used in manufacturing including machining, casting and assembly.

Prerequisite: MFT 102 with a grade of C or better.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MFT 109 2 Program Requirement

Description: Provides a basic understanding of tools and equipment used in manufacturing and knowledge of how to improve productivity through predictive and preventive maintenance.

Prerequisite: MFT 102 with a grade of C or better.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MTH 097 1 3 AAS General Education

Description: Reviews arithmetic, introduces basic algebraic and right triangle trigonometric techniques. Includes arithmetic, elementary algebra, geometry, ratio and proportions, measurements, right triangle trigonometry and their application to solve a variety of career and technical problems. Draws practical problems the student’s career area, including emergency services, graphic communications, building trades, culinary arts and information technology. Intended for students pursuing Harper degrees and certificates in career program fields. This course: is not transferable, does not satisfy the prerequisite for any other mathematics course, and does not satisfy any general education requirements.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

SECOND SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
ELT 110 4 Program Requirement

Description: Introduces fundamentals of electricity and magnetism. Covers basic electrical laws and principles. Presents electrical quantities, units, symbols and notation. Examines foundational electronic materials and components. Presents elementary DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) network analysis, key semiconductor devices, and simple analog and digital circuits. Also covers electrical safety considerations, laboratory instrumentation and test and measurement techniques.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ELT 120 2 Program Requirement

Description: Introduces students to the fundamentals of industrial electronics maintenance. Provides an overview of the various technologies encountered in the field as they relate to industrial electronic control of buildings and facilities. This includes basic electrical and electromechanical components and machinery, motors and controls, electrical and electronic interfaces, and electronic controllers. Also covers fluid power and piping systems. Emphasis is placed on safety, installation and preventative maintenance. Use of tools, test instrumentation and the importance of record keeping will be discussed.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ENG 101 3 AAS General Education

Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900

Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options: english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MFT 119 2 Program Requirement

Description: Applies and expands manufacturing skills and knowledge in the workplace environment. Students will have an on-site supervisor who will assign duties in the workplace. Regularly scheduled face-to-face on-campus sessions will be conducted to assess the student’s progress, problem areas and to review appropriateness of work involvement. Actual permissible duties and activities will be determined based upon the student’s knowledge and skills. The student must complete a minimum of 100 hours at the work site.

Prerequisite: MFT 102, MFT 104, MFT 108 and MFT 109 with grades of C or better.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

Technical electives2 5 Program Requirement

THIRD SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
AAS General Education electives+ 6 AAS General Education
ELT 135 2 Program Requirement

Description: Investigates sensor operation and application for a variety of functions: tactile, photo, fiber-optic, magnetic, thermal, sonic, pressure and vision systems.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ELT 140 2 Program Requirement

Description: Examines the procedures and mechanisms by which programmable logic controller functions are used. Programming in ladder logic and controller code focuses on the direct application of a variety of input and output devices. Hardware, programming, peripherals and accessories are emphasized.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ELT 143 2 Program Requirement

Description: Introduces students to advanced wiring topics as they relate to the commercial electrical service. A safety review followed by terminology, principles, and test and measurement equipment use associated with commercial alternating current (AC) power are examined. Emphasis is placed on the practical application, operation, installation and maintenance of low voltage control systems and single and three-phase AC power equipment and systems. Select portions of the National Electric Code are studied.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ELT 145 2 Program Requirement

Description: Introduces students to variable frequency drives (VFDs) as they pertain to residential and commercial motor control applications. A safety review followed by terminology, principles, test and measurement equipment use associated with VFDs and typical applications are examined. Emphasis is placed on the practical application, operation, installation and maintenance of VFDs.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

FOURTH SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
AAS General Education elective+ 3 AAS General Education
ELT 144 2 Program Requirement

Description: Introduces students to fractional horsepower motors for residential and commercial applications. A safety review followed by terminology, principles, and test and measurement equipment use associated with motors and motor controls are examined. Emphasis is placed on the practical application, operation, installation and maintenance of direct current (DC) motors and controls, and single three-phase alternating current (AC) motors and controls.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ELT 215 4 Program Requirement

Description: Introduces students to industrial control systems. Covers fluid power fundamentals, and pneumatic and hydraulic circuit theory. Examines the integration of optics, sensors, and various electronic control systems including programmable logic controller (PLC) and personal computer (PC) controllers. Infrared (IR) emitters and detectors, and laser systems are also examined. Introduces the application and control of automated robotic systems. The course culminates with a capstone team project involving the development, design, construction, presentation and ultimate demonstration of a fully operational automated industrial control system.

Prerequisite: ELT 110 and ELT 140 with grades of C or better, or consent of instructor.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ELT 240  S   4 Program Requirement

DescriptionThis course is only offered in the spring term.

Emphasizes advanced programmable logic controller (PLC) applications and system integration. An overview of PLCs coupled with safety and industry-best practices are discussed. Sensors, PLC ladder logic and PLC functionality are reviewed and the Human Machine Interface (HMI) is examined. Applications involving pneumatic and servo controlled robotics, 2 and 3 dimensional (2D and 3D) vision systems, and industrial and home automation are explored. Lastly, advanced PLC communications protocol, wireless interface/system considerations and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity are covered.

Prerequisite: ELT 110 and ELT 140 with grades of C or better, or consent of instructor.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

Technical elective2 3 Program Requirement

1 - Students make take MTH 097, MTH 101, MTH 103 or higher.

2 - Select courses not listed as required that have one of the following prefixes: ELT, MFT, MNT, SCM, or WLD.

+ - At least one of the AAS General Education electives must meet the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the AAS in Advanced Manufacturing Technology, students should:

  • be familiar with the types of careers in manufacturing.
  • recognize and maintain a safe manufacturing workplace.
  • be able to explain the key elements of a quality system.
  • identify the major components of the production process.
  • understand the various processes used in manufacturing.
  • understand basic measurement in manufacturing and geometric dimensioning and tolerance.
  • read basic drawings for manufacturing.
  • identify the key elements of production and production planning.
  • identify how tools and equipment are used in manufacturing.
  • explain the purpose of preventive and predictive maintenance.
  • understand the career ladder available for them in manufacturing.
  • be skilled and knowledgeable in electronic control systems, programmable logic controllers, infrared emitters and detectors, laser systems, and automated robotic systems.
  • Be familiar with and understand how they can personally impact lean manufacturing on the job.
Last Updated: 11/8/24