The Field

The field of refrigeration and air conditioning represents the installation and servicing of air conditioners, coolers, freezers, and other cooling systems in buildings and other applications.

The Instructional Program

The one-year Refrigeration and Air Conditioning certificate program consists of the first-year courses from the two-year associate's degree program in Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Most students interested in this field enroll directly in the associate's degree program (for more information, see the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning program description). The certificate is primarily for those individuals who can only spend one year in college. It is a two-semester program that begins each fall. If a student completes the certificate program and then decides to continue on for a related associate's degree, the courses taken for the certificate will transfer with no loss of credit.

Career Options

The job titles associated with graduates of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning certificate program are:

• Refrigeration Mechanic
• Refrigeration Apprentice
• HVAC Technician

There are career opportunities with refrigeration and air-conditioning distributors, HVAC contractors, HVAC maintenance firms, and commercial building maintenance. Students who continue on for the associate's degree increase their options for employment in the field of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning.

Further information regarding careers in this field can be found in the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning program description.

Curriculum

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0957

First Semester

Second Semester

Certificate Requirement: 33 credit hours

Notes

*MATH 102 Mathematics for Applied Technology is the minimum requirement for this program.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have earned a high school or equivalency diploma and meet the College requirements for English and reading competency. Two years of high school mathematics are also recommended.

Program Objectives

A graduate of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning certificate program should be able to:

1. Understand and discuss fundamental refrigeration principles, including trade tools, gas laws, pressure/temperature relationship, heat transfer, refrigerants, compression cycle, compressors, condensers, evaporators, metering devices, refrigeration oils, desiccants and driers, evacuation, and safe handling of refrigerants.
2. Demonstrate a hands-on knowledge of the refrigeration system including skills in servicing, analyzing, problem solving, and pertinent safety practices.
3. Understand the basic electricity knowledge necessary to HVAC mechanics.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the equipment and specific topics associated with commercial refrigeration systems.
5. Demonstrate a knowledge of air-conditioning principles and air-conditioning systems, including room air conditioners, air-conditioning systems, heat pumps, low-voltage thermostats, and hydronics.
6. Apply the knowledge necessary to accurately troubleshoot air-conditioning systems. 
7. Demonstrate hands-on skills in the installation and servicing of a wide variety of air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment and systems in a safe manner.
8. Understand and apply the fundamentals of gas and arc welding as they apply to the refrigeration and air-conditioning field. 
9. Recognize and respond to emergencies by making appropriate decisions regarding first-aid care.