Commercial HVAC & Refrigeration - Diploma - Dakota County Technical College | DCTC - a 2-Year Minnesota School Offering Associate Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs to the Twin Cities, MN

Commercial HVAC & Refrigeration - Diploma

All HVAC courses must be taken in the sequence below.
Please contact your program advisor with questions.

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2024-2025 Required Courses

Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits
HVAC 1300 Basic Safety HVAC - 1300: Basic Safety Description HVAC 1300 Students will have a basic understanding of safety regarding operating and performing tasks involving HVAC equipment. Some of the subjects covered will be personal protective equipment (PPE), safety methods for operating and handling torches, welding equipment, chemicals, and electricity. Credits: 1 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1300 — PDF	1
HVAC 1310 Thermal Dynamics - Theory of Heat HVAC - 1310: Thermal Dynamics - Theory of Heat Description HVAC 1310 Introduction to the history of refrigeration, air conditioning and heating systems. Fundamentals and terminology relating to heat transfer; conduction, convection, and radiation. The principles of psychometrics, specific heat, and gas laws. Latent and sensible heat principles. The study of the first and second laws of thermal dynamics. Introduction to the types of equipment used. Job safety standards are applied. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1310 — PDF	2
HVAC 1170 Introduction to Basic Electricity HVAC - 1170: Introduction to Basic Electricity Description HVAC 1170 This course covers the fundamental concepts of electricity. Students will utilize Ohm's law, construct basic circuits, and learn the operation of basic test equipment. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1170 — PDF	2
HVAC 1320 Basic Motor Technology and Residential Controls HVAC - 1320: Basic Motor Technology and Residential Controls Description HVAC 1320 The study of the theory of magnetism and circuitry and how it applies to the induction motor. Introduction to the different types of motors used in the HVAC field that are used to drive fans, compressors, and pumps. The study of motor relays, contactors, and motor starters. The components used to make up an electric motor. Introduction to the basic controls used within an HVAC system to control temperature, humidity, and air flow. Understanding of secondary controls using transformers, relays, controls, and contactors. Introduction to wiring diagrams and schematics. Job safety standards are applied. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1320 — PDF	2
HVAC 1150 Halide Refrigerants Certification HVAC - 1150: Halide Refrigerants Certification Description HVAC 1150 This course provides an understanding of characteristics of common refrigerants used in equipment installed and serviced by HVAC/R technicians. This course also addresses environmental concerns, federal and state regulations (Minnesota and Wisconsin) on refrigerants and procedures, and use of recovery equipment. New refrigerants and methods of leak detection will also be covered. Before completing the course, the student will perform hands on recovery procedure. The course includes approved testing to meet EPA technician certification requirements. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1150 — PDF	2
HVAC 1160 Employability, Problem Solving and Customer Relations HVAC - 1160: Employability, Problem Solving and Customer Relations Description HVAC 1160 This course covers the study of relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and customers. Also covered are job-seeking and employability skills. Topics include attitudes, behaviors, and techniques for achieving success on the job, human relations, job relocation techniques, informal interviews, job applications, and mathematical problems pertaining to the HVAC/R technician. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1160 — PDF	2
HVAC 1325 HVAC Piping & State Mechanical Code HVAC - 1325: HVAC Piping & State Mechanical Code Description HVAC 1325 Studies of the State of Minnesota Mechanical and Energy Codes relating to refrigeration, gas piping, venting, steam, and hydronic system installation codes. Practice of fabrication of copper, iron, steel and pex piping. Job safety standards are applied Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1325 — PDF	2
HVAC 1330 Steam and Hot Water Heating HVAC - 1330: Steam and Hot Water Heating Description HVAC 1330 The study of steam and hydronic heating systems. Low pressure boiler code requirements, maintenance, troubleshooting and repairing of boiler systems. Study of the different types and applications of steam and hydronic boiler controls and piping. Practical lab experience of building-installation of a boiler and piping system. Preparation for the State of Minnesota Special Engineers license exam. Job safety standards are applied. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1330 — PDF	3
COMS 1020 Interpersonal Communication COMS - 1020: Interpersonal Communication Description COMS 1020 This course is intended to increase student's awareness of the processes, models, and theories of interpersonal communication relative to relationships that impact people's personal and professional lives. Through self-analysis and reflection, case studies, practical application, and critical thinking, students will examine the influence of communicative behaviors on themselves, their personal relationships, groups, and society. Concepts include self-esteem, self-fulfilling prophecies, perception, ethics, emotion, conflict, cultural awareness, language, nonverbal communication, social media, and listening. Meets Goal 7. Meets MNTC Goal 1 Fall 2016 and after. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Summer 2025 MNTC Goals: 1,7 Course Outline: COMS1020 — PDF	3
Total Semester Credits:	19

Spring Semester

Course Title	Credits
HVAC 1200 Forced Air Heating Systems HVAC - 1200: Forced Air Heating Systems Description HVAC 1200 The student will identify furnace electrical components and circuits, basic procedures required to service and install standard gas, oil and electric furnaces, belt-drive and direct drive blowers, humidifiers and air filtration techniques. Prerequisites: HVAC1170 and HVAC1140 or 1320. Credits: 4 Prerequisites: HVAC 1140 Electric Motors/Controls/Schematics HVAC 1170 Introduction to Basic Electricity HVAC 1320 Basic Motor Technology and Residential Controls Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: HVAC1200 — PDF	4
HVAC 1231 Ventilating Systems HVAC - 1231: Ventilating Systems Description HVAC 1231 Ventilating systems are the most important feature of a climate-controlled building. This course familiarizes the student with air handler installation and service procedures, multizone forced air systems, exhaust fans, heat recovery ventilators and the basic operation of economizers and make-up air units. Prerequisites: HVAC1170 and HVAC1140 or 1320. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: HVAC 1140 Electric Motors/Controls/Schematics HVAC 1170 Introduction to Basic Electricity HVAC 1320 Basic Motor Technology and Residential Controls Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: HVAC1231 — PDF	2
HVAC 1240 Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Service HVAC - 1240: Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Service Description HVAC 1240 Knowledge of the maintenance, servicing and charging of residential and commercial air conditioners and residential heat pumps is covered. The student will replace components, test pressures and temperatures and perform charging and refrigerant recovery procedures. The student also will troubleshoot air conditioners, heat pumps, and rooftop heating-cooling units. Prerequisites: HVAC1170, HVAC1150 and HVAC1140 or 1320. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: HVAC 1140 Electric Motors/Controls/Schematics HVAC 1150 Halide Refrigerants Certification HVAC 1170 Introduction to Basic Electricity HVAC 1320 Basic Motor Technology and Residential Controls Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: HVAC1240 — PDF	3
HVAC 1335 HVAC Commercial Diploma Internship HVAC - 1335: HVAC Commercial Diploma Internship Description HVAC 1335 This course will be an assigned internship with a professional, licensed HVAC contractor. Students will experience real hands-on service work performed on residential and commercial HVAC equipment. Students will work under an experienced technician applying their knowledge accumulated from lecture/lab training. Credits: 1 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1335 — PDF	1
HVAC 2220 Commercial HVAC HVAC - 2220: Commercial HVAC Description HVAC 2220 This course teaches the fundamental theory, operation, maintenance and basic troubleshooting of HVAC systems and components commonly found in commercial buildings such as schools, retail stores, hospitals, small production facilities etc. Equipment covered includes, but is not limited to, chilled and hot water systems, gas/electric packaged units, economizers, variable air volume, building automation and variable frequency drives. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC2220 — PDF	3
General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3) (BIOL 1110 recommended) ‡ MNTC - 3: General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3) Description MNTC 3 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: MNTC3 — PDF OR General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 4) (BIOL 1110 recommended) ‡ MNTC - 4: General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 4) Description MNTC 4 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: MNTC4 — PDF	3
Total Semester Credits:	16

Total Credits:	35

‡ Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.