Automotive Technology

Transportation Technologies:

This is a designed program of study for juniors and seniors. This program consists of instruction in five nationally-recognized certifications in Automotive Technology, which permit students who meet the qualifications to become National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (N.A.T.E.F), certified.

The five areas of study include Engine Performance, Electrical, Brakes, Suspension and Steering, and Heating and Air Conditioning. Math and technical reading are emphasized.

Auto Technology shows students what it feels like to be in a job environment. The course and the lab are set up to resemble a shop in which any technician would work in the job force.

CAREER EXPLORATION

Is It the Right Fit for Me?

Automotive careers are a good fit for people who like working with their hands and solving problems. People who enjoy “tinkering” and figuring out how things work are often drawn to this field. A high standard for safety is important. An interest in computer technology is helpful as many vehicle systems are controlled in this manner.

Careers in the Field

Careers in the field include:

Automotive Service Technician
Automotive Service Mechanic
Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Diesel Service Technician
Fleet Mechanic
Small Business Owner
Heavy/Tractor Trailer Truck Driver
U.S. Military
Automotive Sales

These are just a few examples! Discuss additional career paths with your School Counselor or CCTC's Counselor.

Learn More about the Industry

Automotive Service Association

Alliance for Automotive Innovation

Auto Care Association

Auto Service Professional

Shop Owner Magazine

Ratchet + Wrench Magazine

Course Descriptions

CTE Completer Requirements: Complete the sequence of courses below AND complete NATEF/ASE industry assessments

Articulation Agreements: Community College of Baltimore County, Montgomery College, Pennsylvania College of Technology

MAINTENANCE & LIGHT REPAIR I

(all three courses must be taken as a cohort)

Auto-Suspension & Steering

Course 880 | 5 periods/week/semester | 1 credit (CTE credit)

This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the ASE end-of-course assessment for automobile suspension and steering and immediately enter a career in this area and/or attend post-secondary education and/or training. Students develop diagnostic, technical and academic skills through classroom instruction and hands-on maintenance applications. Through theory and real-world experiences, students master the concepts and the ability to identify and perform necessary automobile suspension and steering repair tasks. Students will learn: steering system diagnosis and repair, front and rear suspension diagnosis and repair, miscellaneous service, wheel alignment diagnosis, adjust and repair, and wheel and tire diagnosis and repair. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to take the NATEF Core area exam and earn a Student ASE Achievement decal and certificate. Prerequisites and other notes: Engine performance skills are included. Recommended for grades 10-12. Students must take Industry Assessment to receive credit for the course. Recommended to take concurrently with Auto-Engine Performance Part A (881) and Auto-Engine Brakes (883).

Auto-Engine Performance (Part A)

Course 881 | 5 periods/week/semester | 1 credit (CTE credit)

This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the ASE end-of-course assessment for automobile engine performance and immediately enter a career in this area and/or attend post- secondary education and/or training. Students develop diagnostic, technical and academic skills through classroom instruction and hands-on maintenance applications.

Auto-Brakes

Course 883 | 5 periods/week/semester | 1 credit (CTE credit)

This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the ASE end-of-course assessment for automobile brakes and immediately enter a career in this area and/or attend postsecondary education and/or training. Students develop diagnostic, technical and academic skills through classroom instruction and hands-on maintenance applications. Through theory and real-world experiences, students master concepts and the ability to identify and perform necessary brake repair tasks. Students will learn: hydraulic system diagnosis and repair, drum brake diagnosis and repair, disk brake diagnosis and repair, power assist units diagnosis and repair, miscellaneous diagnosis and repair to include wheel bearings, parking brakes, electrical diagnosis and repair of brake light system, and antilock system diagnosis and repair. Upon successful completion of this course students will be eligible to take the NATEF Core area exam and earn a Student ASE Achievement decal and certificate. Prerequisites and other notes: Automotive-Electrical skills included. Recommended to take Auto-Electrical/Electronic Systems (882) and Auto-Heating & Air Conditioning (884) concurrently. Recommended for grades 10-12. Students must take Industry Assessment to receive credit for course.

MAINTENANCE & LIGHT REPAIR II

(all three courses must be taken as a cohort)

Auto-Electrical/Electronic Systems

Course 882 | 5 periods/week/semester | 1 credit (CTE credit)

This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the ASE end-of-course assessment for automobile electrical/electronic systems and immediately enter a career in this area and/or attend postsecondary education and/or training. Students develop diagnostic, technical and academic skills through classroom instruction and hands-on maintenance applications. Through theory and real-world experiences, students master the concepts and the ability to identify and perform necessary electrical/electronic systems repair tasks. Students will learn: general electrical diagnosis, battery diagnosis and service, starting system diagnosis and repair, charging system diagnosis and repair, lighting system diagnosis and repair, gauge, warning devices and driver information systems diagnosis and repair, horn diagnosis and repair, wiper/washer diagnosis and repair, accessories diagnosis and repair. Upon successful completion of 60 this course students will be eligible to take the NATEF Core area exam and earn a Student ASE Achievement decal and certificate. Prerequisites and other notes: Recommended to take concurrently with Auto – Heating & Air Conditioning Systems (884) and Auto-Engine Performance Part B (885). Recommended for grades 10-11. Students must take Industry Assessment to receive credit for course. Concentrator course for this major.

Auto-Heating & Air Conditioning Systems

Course 883 | 5 periods/week/semester | 1 credit (CTE credit)

This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the ASE end-of-course assessment for automobile heating and air-conditioning systems and immediately enter a career in this area and/or attend postsecondary education and/or training. Students develop diagnostic, technical and academic skills through classroom instruction and hands-on maintenance applications. Through theory and hands-on experiences, students master the concepts and ability to identify and perform necessary air-conditioning troubleshooting and repair tasks. Prerequisites and other notes: Program elective. Engine performance skills included. Recommended to take AutoElectrical/Electronic Systems (882) and Auto-Engine Performance Part B (885) concurrently. Recommended for grades 10- 12. Students must take Industry Assessment to receive credit for course.

Auto-Engine Performance (Part B)

Course 885 | 5 periods/week/semester | 1 credit (CTE credit)

Through theory and hands-on experiences, students master the concepts and the ability to identify and perform necessary engine performance troubleshooting and repair tasks. Students will learn: engine related service, general engine diagnosis, computerized engine controls diagnosis and repair, ignition system diagnosis and repair, fuel systems diagnosis and repair, air induction system diagnosis and repair, emission control system diagnosis and repair to include positive crankcase ventilation system, exhaust gas recirculation system, intake air temperature controls, early fuel evaporation controls, and evaporative emission controls. Upon successful completion of this course students will be eligible to take the ASE Core area exam and earn a Student ASE Achievement decal and certificate. Prerequisites and other notes: Auto- Engine Performance Part A (881), Auto-Suspension and Steering (880) and AutoBrakes (883). Recommended for grades 10-12. Students must take industry assessment to receive credit for the course.

TBD