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

HVAC & Refrigeration - A.A.S. Degree

This is a suggested sample course sequence.
Please contact your program advisor regarding your academic plans.

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2023-2024 Required Courses

First Year - Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits
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 2024 Summer 2024 MNTC Goals: 1,7 Course Outline: COMS1020 — PDF	3
HVAC 1100 Alternative Heating and Cooling Methods HVAC - 1100: Alternative Heating and Cooling Methods Description HVAC 1100 This course will provide the student with an understanding of alternative heating and cooling applications and installations. Students will gain a fundamental working knowledge of a solar thermal and geothermal heating and cooling system. Including but not limited to how controls work within the system, panel installation, piping and site assessment. Also covered will be gas fireplaces, pellet/corn stoves and wood fired boilers. This course will use lectures, handouts, media presentations, and structured lab to deliver the subject material. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1100 — PDF	2
HVAC 1110 Indoor Air Quality HVAC - 1110: Indoor Air Quality Description HVAC 1110 Indoor air quality is an important consideration for the HVAC technician. This course familiarizes the student with accessories utilized in the HVAC field to improve indoor air quality. Topics covered include the different types of air filters, electronic air cleaners, UV air purifiers, air quality sensors, fresh air ventilation, humidifiers/dehumidifiers and heat/energy recovery ventilators. Credits: 1 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1110 — PDF	1
HVAC 1120 Refrigeration Principles and Applications HVAC - 1120: Refrigeration Principles and Applications Description HVAC 1120 This course covers the theory and the basics of residential and commercial compression refrigeration systems. A refrigeration trainer will be built by each student to supplement the theory delivered in the classroom. Credits: 4 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1120 — PDF	4
HVAC 1130 Tool Usage, Brazing and Soldering Techniques HVAC - 1130: Tool Usage, Brazing and Soldering Techniques Description HVAC 1130 This course provides an introduction to the tool commonly used in the HVAC/R industry. Proper use of the individual tools will be discussed and practiced. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1130 — PDF	2
HVAC 1140 Electric Motors/Controls/Schematics HVAC - 1140: Electric Motors/Controls/Schematics Description HVAC 1140 This course covers the operating principles of electric motors and control components used in HVAC/R industry. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: HVAC1140 — 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 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
Total Semester Credits:	20

First Year - 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. Credits: 4 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: HVAC1200 — PDF	4
HVAC 1210 Hydronic Heating Systems HVAC - 1210: Hydronic Heating Systems Description HVAC 1210 This course is designed to familiarize the student with boiler safety and operation. Properly operating boiler safety controls, operating controls, proper placement of shut off valves and water level check valves are all very important to boiler operation and customer safety. In addition fluid flow principles, piping design and applications, hot water and steam system operation and maintenance are important aspects for troubleshooting and repair of wet systems. Each is explained with some practical applications during this course. The principles of hydronic heat are studied, starting with an introduction of hydronic heat, heat load calculations, heat sources, fluid flow, pumps and emitters, and controls. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: HVAC1210 — PDF	2
HVAC 1230 Ventilating Systems and HVAC Installation HVAC - 1230: Ventilating Systems and HVAC Installation Description HVAC 1230 Ventilation systems are an important consideration for an HVAC technician. This course familiarizes the student with sheet metal fabrication and layout procedures. Construction blueprint reading and duct sizing is covered. Individual instruction packets cover air handler service procedure, multizone systems and the basic operation of economizers and make-up air units. Credits: 4 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: HVAC1230 — PDF	4
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. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: HVAC1240 — PDF	3
HVAC 1250 Commercial Refrigeration HVAC - 1250: Commercial Refrigeration Description HVAC 1250 The students will learn about various types of commercial refrigeration equipment, the necessary controls, and proper operation. Equipment will include reach in coolers and freezers as well as ice machines. Also covered will be proper maintenance procedures as well as troubleshooting and schematic diagrams. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: HVAC1250 — PDF	3
General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3) BIOL1110 Program Recommended ‡ (MnTC Goal 3)" aria-hidden="true"> MNTC - 3: General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3) Description MNTC 3 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: MNTC3 — PDF	3
Total Semester Credits:	19

Second Year - Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits
ENGL 1150 Composition I ENGL - 1150: Composition I Description ENGL 1150 This course emphasizes the process of writing expository and persuasive essays using effective writing skills and a variety of research techniques. Also included in the course content are critical reading and logical reasoning. Meets MnTC Goal 1. Prerequisites: See course details in eServices for prerequisite information. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: Please go to E-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Summer 2024 Fall 2024 Spring 2025 MNTC Goals: 1 Course Outline: ENGL1150 — PDF OR ENGL 1200 Technical Writing ENGL - 1200: Technical Writing Description ENGL 1200 This course is designed to enhance students' abilities to write technical documents. The content covered will include proposals, research reports, technical manuals, feasibility studies, and process reports. Prerequisites: Students need a score of 240 or above on the Accuplacer English and Reading assessment. Co-requisite: If students score between 230-239 they can register for this course, but must concurrently take READ 0110 College Reading Boost. Meets MnTC Goal 1 Credits: 3 Prerequisites: Please go to E-Services to see Pre-requisites for this course Corequisites: READ 0110 College Reading Boost Future Offering: Spring 2024 Summer 2024 Fall 2024 Spring 2025 MNTC Goals: 1 Course Outline: ENGL1200 — PDF	3
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
IETA 1500 Print Reading IETA - 1500: Print Reading Description IETA 1500 This is a foundational course in industrial print reading. This course is designed for students who have no previous experience with print reading. The primary goals of this course are to help individuals acquire a solid foundation in print reading, mechanical drafting concept, machine layout tools to transfer measurements from drawing to stock. Understand piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID). Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: IETA1500 — PDF	3
IETA 2000 Boiler Operations and Power Distributions IETA - 2000: Boiler Operations and Power Distributions Description IETA 2000 This course teaches basic powerplant technology, powerplant engineering, and energy conversion offered in departments of mechanical engineering and nuclear engineering, including fossil and nuclear power plants. This course includes information on operating and maintaining steam and hot water boilers that are the main source of heating for buildings. Students will be required to obtain a Minnesota Special Boiler Operator license by the end of the course. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: IETA2000 — PDF	3
Total Semester Credits:	12

Second Year - Spring Semester

Course Title	Credits
General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) ‡ (Any MnTC Goal Area)" aria-hidden="true"> GENE - 0000: General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) Description GENE 0000 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: GENE0000 — PDF	6
HVAC 2900 Internship HVAC - 2900: Internship Description HVAC 2900 The purpose of the course is to introduce students to working in the field of HVAC. Using knowledge and skills they have acquired through this program and partnering with local businesses, students will work for a company to gain additional knowledge and skills, and to potentially help students acquire employment. Credits: 1 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: HVAC2900 — PDF	1
IETA 1600 Welding Basics IETA - 1600: Welding Basics Description IETA 1600 This course covers basic welding procedures using arc welding and oxy-fuel equipment. One of the major topics of discussion will be safe use of this equipment. Time will be spent in the lab completing welds in various positions with different processes and electrodes. The processes to be covered in this class will be stick welding (SMAW), wire feed (GMAW), Tig (GTAW) Oxy-Acetylene welding, cutting and brazing along with an introduction to other equipment used in welding shops. Students in this course will be non-welding majors where welding may be a useful tool. Course instruction will stress the many situations where it is advisable to have a skilled welder engaged. Knowing your limitations is of the utmost importance. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: IETA1600 — PDF OR IETA 2700 Intro to Plumbing IETA - 2700: Intro to Plumbing Description IETA 2700 The course is designed for students to be introduced to residential and commercial plumbing systems. There are numerous factors that are included in a working pluming system, including a supply system, drainage system, venting system, and a rain water system. This course is designed for students to understand the working systems of an existing building and to help with expansion of new systems. Credits: 2 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2024 Course Outline: IETA2700 — PDF	2
Total Semester Credits:	9

Total Credits:	60

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