Electrical Construction and Instrumentation - AOS and AAS

The Field

The electrical field is of considerable importance in today's technological environment. With the increased demand for environmentally-sound mechanical and electrical systems, the continuous growth in new technology, and the fact that industrial processes are rapidly becoming almost totally controlled and operated electrically, a wide demand for competent electricians has been created.

The field of automatically-controlled electrical and electronic systems has created a vast demand for skilled industrial electricians/mechanics, technicians, and service technicians. The field varies from the thermostatically-controlled electric heater to vast industrial processes which are totally automated.

Delhi graduates can select employment with electrical contractors, manufacturers, utilities, service industries, commercial businesses, governmental agencies, and repair shops, or may become self-employed.

The Instructional Program

The Electrical Construction and Instrumentation program uses the National Electrical Code as the basis for all instruction. The program focuses on electrical maintenance, layout, and installation; stressing residential wiring during the first semester and commercial wiring during the second semester. Students develop skills in the electrical trade using a hands-on approach to learning. Additionally, they learn the safe and proper use, care, and handling of various electrical tools, equipment, machines, and materials. They learn to apply electrical skills to residential, commercial, and industrial installations. Students further learn to coordinate electrical installations with other trades and are familiar with blueprints, specifications, and code requirements. Related topics covered include: electrical layout, blueprint reading, mathematics, and electrical theory.

The second year of the program continues with AC/DC theory; AC/DC motors; AC motor frequency devices; controllers and programmable logic controllers; solid-state theory; electronic control devices; electro-mechanical devices; and other components appropriate to the installation, maintenance, and servicing of automatic process systems, heating systems, and refrigeration and air-conditioning control systems. The use and care of recording, metering, and testing devices are an integral part of the instruction, which is done according to the standards of the National Electrical Code.          

There are a number of associate degree and certificate options for students, such as the A.A.S. in Electrical Construction and Instrumentation, which includes 21 credits of mathematics, science, and liberal arts courses in addition to the technical courses. There is also an A.O.S. degree that has the same technical courses as the A.A.S. but substitutes restricted elective courses for the mathematics, science, and liberal arts courses. The A.O.S. degree is also offered jointly with the IBEW JATC for journeyman electricians in an online format. For more information on the latter, see the SUNY Delhi website at www.delhi.edu.

There are two other A.O.S. degrees which combine one year of Electrical Construction and Maintenance with a year of either Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning or Plumbing, Heating, and Pipefitting. There is also an advisement track for a one-year certificate in Electrical Construction and Maintenance.

The A.O.S. and A.A.S.programs in Electrical Construction and Instrumentation are detailed below.

Curriculum

SUNY General Education Requirements: Students who intend to receive A.A., A.S., or baccalaureate degrees must satisfy SUNY and campus General Education (GE) requirements to graduate. Students should be aware that GE requirements may vary by academic program. Consult with your academic advisor. For general information, see the "General Education" section of this catalog.

 A.A.S. and A.O.S. degree students may not be required to fulfill General Education (GE) requirements; however, any student who may wish to transfer should complete as many GE courses as possible. Consult with your academic advisor.

A.O.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code:  1151

First Semester

Second Semester

Students must have a 2.3 grade point average to continue in the second year.

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Degree Requirement: 63 credit hours

Technical Standards: In addition to academic requirements, all applicants must also be able to meet the minimum Technical Standards for the program, with or without reasonable accommodation.

A.A.S. Degree

SUNY Curriculum Code:  1642

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Degree Requirement:  71 credit hours

Notes

¹ 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. Students with higher-level mathematics backgrounds may choose to substitute courses in the Calculus sequence. MATH 102 Mathematics for Applied Technology is the minimum exit-level requirement for the A.O.S. degree.

2 Students must choose an elective based on career goals and advisor recommendation. A variety of business, technical, and social science electives are available.

³ English is by placement according to competency.

Technical Standards:   In addition to academic requirements, all applicants must also be able to meet the minimum Technical Standards for the program, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must:

• be a high school graduate with a minimum 73% overall average or have a minimum 2500 GED test score
• have a 70% or higher on the Algebra Regents exam

Geometry and Algebra II /Trigonometry and a college-preparatory science are strongly recommended.

Students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.30 to enter the third semester of this program.

Student Learning Outcomes

A graduate of the Electrical Construction and Instrumentation A.A.S. and A.O.S programs should be able to:

1. Understand and discuss electrical theory and its practical application to electrical circuits and equipment, including the topics of electron theory, Ohm’s Law, types of electrical circuits, and concepts in direct-current circuits and electromagnetism. 
2. Design, plan, install, and maintain residential electrical equipment in accordance with the standards required by the National Electrical Code. 
3. Comprehend and interpret the National Electrical Code regulations to ensure code compliance, and demonstrate the skills required to perform the necessary calculations. 
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and applications of alternating-current theory from the point of production throughout its distribution and use in single- and three-phase systems. 
5. Understand and apply the theory of electrical heating systems, low-voltage control systems, residential and commercial services, and motor control systems. 
6. Demonstrate the ability to plan, install, and maintain residential and commercial electrical systems.
7. Wire direct-current motors and generators. 
8. Wire direct-current motor controllers and starters.
9. Diagnose residential and commercial heating control systems.
10. Diagnose residential and commercial cooling (air-conditioning).
11. Calculate voltage sources, both single-phase and three-phase, including alternators, generators, and batteries.
12. Observe National Electric Code compliance, including calculating wire sizes, sizing starters, fuses, and overloads.
13. Understand magnetism and magnetic properties.
14. Calculate electrical circuit configurations, including series, parallel, and series-parallel.
15. Calculate RLC circuits (resistance, inductance, capacitance).
16. Design and draw wiring and schematic diagrams.
17. Write sequences of operation for control systems.
18. Calculate power transmission systems (transformers).
19. Use programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
20. Understand AC motors and alternators, both single- and three-phase.