Heavy Equipment Technology - CAT Dealer Service Technician Option

47.0302

(Associate of Applied Science Degree)

This Associate of Applied Science Degree program is a college-level program that gives the student the education and skills needed to work on over 300 Caterpillar (CAT) machines and engines - including the biggest, hardest-working, most high tech equipment in the world. Paid internships at a local CAT Dealer give the student the money needed to complete the program - and the experience needed to land a great paying, challenging career. The CAT Dealer Service Technician Option is accredited by the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) Foundation. The program is also accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).

Enrollment in the CAT Dealer Service Technician Option is limited and students are selected for this program on a competitive basis.  Contact the Office of Admissions for the specific application requirements and deadline.  In order to participate in the CAT Dealer Service Technician Option, each student must be sponsored by a CAT Dealer who provides four required internship experiences. 

It is a requirement of the CAT Dealer Service Technician Option for students to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 on a 4.000 point grading scale to remain sponsored in the option.

Program Mission
The mission of the CAT Dealer Service Technician Option is to provide students with the opportunity to develop the technical skills necessary to succeed as a service technician on Caterpillar equipment and components.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to provide the opportunity for students to develop:

• Knowledge and skills needed to repair, maintain, troubleshoot and diagnose Caterpillar equipment systems.
• Critical thinking skills used in troubleshooting and diagnostics and to demonstrate these skills.
• Oral and written communication skills needed to succeed in the Caterpillar Dealer network.  

Program Assessments

• Think-Big Caterpillar CAT-On-Line
• MoDOT Commercial’s Drivers License (CDL)
• Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP)

CAT 110 CAT Engine Fundamentals. The principles of compression ignited internal combustion engines are taught and variations in design are discussed. Caterpillar engines are used for laboratory disassembly and assembly. 4 credit hours.

CAT 111 Introduction to CAT Service Industry. This course provides instruction and laboratory experience in shop safety, shop operation and how to obtain Caterpillar service information. 2 credit hours.

CAT 112 Fundamentals of Hydraulics. This course is a practical study of the basic principles and components of hydraulic circuits and the application of these principles to Caterpillar competencies in the areas of servicing and maintaining hydraulic equipment. Laboratory practices include disassembly and reassembly of components and tracing circuits. 3 credit hours.

CAT 113 CAT Engine Fuel Systems. This course is a study of combustion chamber design, Caterpillar fuel injection systems and diagnosing faults in fuel injection and combustion systems. 3 credit hours.

CAT 114 Fundamentals of Electrical Systems. This course is designed to include electrical concepts as they apply to electrical systems. It will include the use of electrical test equipment to diagnose electrical problems found on Caterpillar equipment and engines. 3 credit hours.

CAT 115 Air Conditioning. This course provides an introduction into the basic theory and principles of air conditioning as they relate to Caterpillar equipment. Use of equipment to diagnose and repair malfunctions, including repair of component parts and the charging and recharging of systems will be stressed in the laboratory. 2 credit hours.

CAT 116 Fundamentals of Transmissions & Torque Converters. A study is made of the various sliding gear, hydrostatic synchromesh and power shift transmissions involving planetaries. 3 credit hours.

CAT 117 Machine Hydraulic Systems. This course is designed for inspecting, testing, servicing and diagnosing Caterpillar basic hydraulic systems. 3 credit hours.

CAT 150 Internship I. This supervised experience is required of students enrolled in the CAT Dealer Service Technician curriculum. Placement is obtained through the cooperation of a CAT dealer. Student’s needs and objectives determine major emphasis. Prerequisite: Department Chair approval. 4 credit hours.

CAT 151 Internship II. This supervised experience is required of students enrolled in the CAT Dealer Service Technician curriculum. Placement is obtained through the cooperation of a CAT dealer. Student’s needs and objectives determine major emphasis. Prerequisite: Department Chair approval. 4 credit hours.

CAT 200 Undercarriage and Final Drive. This course is a continuation of power train systems with emphasis on final drives and track systems. 3 credit hours.

CAT 201 Machine Electronic Systems. This course provides the background needed to diagnose and repair the sophisticated electronics and computerized circuits found on Caterpillar equipment and engines. Basic electronic concepts, component function and identify malfunctions and to test the systems properly. 3 credit hours.

CAT 202 CAT Engine Performance. A course to provide a thorough understanding of the necessary diagnostic skills required for troubleshooting Caterpillar engines and fuel systems. Emphasis will be placed upon knowledge and skills necessary to assure product reliability and performance. 2 credit hours.

CAT 203 Diagnostic Testing. This is a course that studies the practical use of diagnostic equipment for analyzing and repairing Caterpillar machine and engine systems. 2 credit hours.

CAT 204 Machine Specific Systems. This course is designed to develop knowledge and skills used to test and adjust specific Caterpillar machine systems. 4 credit hours.

CAT 250 Internship III. This supervised experience is required of students enrolled in the CAT Dealer Service Technician curriculum. Placement is obtained through the cooperation of a CAT dealer. Student’s needs and objectives determine major emphasis. Prerequisite: Department Chair approval. 4 credit hours.

CAT 251 Internship IV. This supervised experience is required of students enrolled in the CAT Dealer Service Technician curriculum. Placement is obtained through the cooperation of a CAT dealer. Student’s needs and objectives determine major emphasis. Prerequisite: Department Chair approval. 4 credit hours.