Welding technology is an integral part of many construction-type activities both in the manufacturing sector and in the civil construction field. It is also a medium for sculpture and artistic expression. The field requires a blend of knowledge combining the chemistry of materials, an understanding of physics, and good hand-eye coordination.

The most recent census established that over 900,000 men and women in the United States are employed as welders and/or flamecutters. The field has many employment opportunities, and many new welders are needed each year.

The Instructional Program

The Welding Technology program at SUNY Delhi offers a number of degrees and options for students interested in pursuing welding. Both Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) and Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.) degrees are available. The A.A.S. degree is useful for those students with good math and science backgrounds who are considering transferring to a four-year school at some point. The A.O.S. degree is geared towards students who are seeking employment after graduation. The A.A.S degree has two options: Industrial and Sculpture. The traditional welding program is the Industrial Option. The Sculpture Option has been added recently for those who want to learn welding but want to apply it in artistic endeavors. A one-year certificate is also available.

Career Options

Graduates of the Welding Technology program at Delhi have a number of career options. The majority of graduates proceed directly to employment. Graduates are qualified for employment as welding technicians in manufacturing firms, in state and county highway departments, or as welding subcontractors. Graduates with experience qualify for positions such as welding inspector, welding quality control, and welding estimator.

A second option for graduates is to transfer to a four-year program in this field. Two bachelor-degree programs to which A.A.S. graduates can transfer are the Welding and Fabrication Engineering Technology program at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA, and the Industrial Engineering Technology program at SUNY Institute of Technology. A related career option would be to transfer to a school with a Technology Education or a Vocational Education bachelor degree, which would lead to a teaching career at the high school level. In New York State, two schools with this degree are SUNY Oswego and SUNY Buffalo.

Curriculum

A.A.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code:  1643

Advisement Option: Industrial

First Semester 

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Degree Requirement:  71 credit hours

A.A.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code:  1643

Advisement Option: Sculpture

First Semester 

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

 Degree Requirement: 67 credit hours

A.O.S. Degee

SUNY Curriculum Code:  0666

Advisement Option: Industrial

First Semester 

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Degree Requirement: 63 credit hours

Notes

*Mathematics is by placement according to competency. MATH 128 College Algebra and MATH 138 Trigonometry are the minimum exit-level mathematics requirement for the A.A.S. degree. MATH 102 Mathematics for Applied Technology is the minimum exit-level requirement for the A.O.S. degree.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have earned a high school diploma. Any high school math and science courses are recommended.

Program Objectives

A graduate of the Welding Technology A.A.S. and A.O.S. programs should be able to:

1. Understand and apply the fundamentals of gas and arc welding.
2. Demonstrate familiarity with the shielded metal arc and oxyfuel gas welding and cutting processes, including safety, controls, accessories, types of equipment, and the selection and use of welding consumables.
3. Show practical knowledge of making welds with all types of mild steel electrodes, arc air gouging, and the welding of mild steel in all positions in a safe manner.
4. Exhibit the basic understanding of metallurgy necessary to a successful welder. 
5. Read and correctly interpret both basic and advanced welding fabrication blueprints, including welding symbols, weld testing symbols, structural steel shapes, and welding specifications.
6. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and techniques for the safe and successful operation of gas tungsten welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, submerged arc welding, and plasma arc cutting.
7. Qualify for certification by the American Welding Society, New York State Department of Transportation, and ASME codes through knowledge of all-position welding of ferrous/nonferrous metals using all major processes. 
8. Exhibit knowledge of the proper use of AWS/ASME pre-qualified procedures and familiarity with the detailed steps of qualified welding procedures and welder performance. 
9. Plan the physical layout, set-up, financing, and function of a small welding fabrication facility.
10. Recognize and respond to emergencies by making appropriate decisions regarding first-aid care.