Electrical Construction and Instrumentation - AOS and AAS

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 some of 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. degree programs in Electrical Construction and Instrumentation are detailed below.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must:

• be a high school graduate with a minimum 75% overall average or have a minimum 2500 GED test score
• have a 75% 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 2.00 to begin the second year of these programs.

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.

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.

Academic Requirements:

A.O.S. Degree
SUNY Curriculum Code:  1151

Minimum Total Credit Hours = 63

Major Courses Required - 51 credit hours

 General Education/Liberal Arts Courses Required - 6 credit hours

Restricted Electives by Advisement ² - 6 credit hours

Notes

¹ Mathematics is by placement according to competency. 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.

Student Learning Outcomes

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Minimum Total Credit Hours = 71

Major Courses Required - 49 credit hours

 General Education/Liberal Arts Courses Required - 22 credit hours

Notes

¹ English is by placement according to competency.

² 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.

³ Students must choose an elective based on career goals and advisor recommendation.

Student Learning Outcomes

A graduate of the Electrical Construction and Instrumentation A.O.S. or A.A.S. degree program should:

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. Design and draw wiring and schematic diagrams.
8. Write sequences of operation for control systems.
9. Demonstrate workmanship in electrical installations consistent with accepted industry practices.
10. Demonstrate the ability to safely use common test equipment.
11. Calculate electrical circuit configurations, including series, parallel, and series-parallel.
12. Diagnose residential and commercial heating control systems.
13. Calculate voltage sources, both single-phase and three-phase, including alternators, generators, and batteries.
14. Observe National Electric Code compliance, including calculating wire sizes, sizing starters, fuses, and overloads.
15. Understand magnetism and magnetic properties.
16. Calculate RLC circuits (resistance, inductance, capacitance).
17. Calculate power transmission systems (transformers).
18. Use programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
19. Understand AC motors and alternators, both single- and three-phase.