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Associate in Specialized Technology Degree

Through lectures, demonstrations, shop exercises, and campus work projects, students are prepared for employment in the residential-commercial electrical construction industry. The goal of the program is to prepare students to become leaders at many levels in the construction field: journeyman electrician, job site foreman, construction superintendent, project manager, front office administrator, or owner of a contracting firm.

The program provides thorough instruction and training in residential and commercial electrical construction through lecture and shop demonstrations, including topics such as: safety rules and regulations for electricians (including an introduction to the National Electrical Code); electrical devices and wiring techniques; AC and DC motors; circuit load calculations, circuit breakers, fuses, switchboards, switchgear and distribution equipment; standby and emergency systems; basic electronic theory; solid-state controls and adjustable frequency drives. Other topics include reading of blueprints and specifications, cost estimating, site layout and development, scheduling, construction quality control, material purchasing, small business management, and accident prevention. The program also covers the processes and procedures necessary for carrying out construction projects from start to finish, including complying with building permit requirements and mandatory site tests. Students in this program also take courses in the technical, business, logistical, and management aspects of the construction industry to prepare them to advance into supervisory or administrative positions or to run their own businesses.

The ability of students to apply theory to hand skills is monitored through shop projects requiring skill levels of increasing difficulty and through serving the college on supervised building maintenance and renovation.

Academics

Introduction to the Program

Upon successful completion of the requirements for the Construction Technology - Electrical Emphasis Program, graduating students will demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills to become apprentice electricians and build a foundation to become master electricians, superintendents, project managers, and construction managers.

Employment Information

Potential Electrical Jobs

  • Commercial Electrician
  • Industrial Electrician
  • Instrument Technician / Cable Installer Technician
  • Low Voltage Technician
  • Maintenance Electrician
  • Outside Lineman
  • Renewable Energy Technician
  • Residential Electrician
  • Solar Photovoltaic Technician

Electrical Courses

ELEC 111 Basic Electrical Theory I

Provides an overview of the electrical trade. Covers safety rules and regulations for electricians, including lockout/tagout procedures. Introduces Ohm’s law (as applied to DC circuits); series/parallel circuits, resistive circuits, and circuit analysis; the NEC® and how to use it. Also focuses on electrical prints, schematics, one-lines, and wiring diagrams.
3

ELEC 112 Basic Electrical Skills I

Trains students in basic hardware, systems, and tasks familiar to electricians in residential construction/maintenance, including electrical devices and wiring techniques. Stresses safety precautions and appropriate National Electric Code® requirements throughout.
4.5

ELEC 121 Basic Electrical Theory II

Focuses on alternating-current systems, forces and the application of Ohm’s law. Covers AC and DC motors (components, circuits, and connections). Introduces various types of lamps and lighting fixtures. Focuses on grounding and bonding electrical systems; fuses and circuit breakers and their practical application and sizing; various types of contactors and relays and their practical applications.
3

ELEC 122 Basic Electrical Skills I

Further trains students in basic hardware, systems, and tasks familiar to electricians in residential construction/maintenance, including electrical devices and wiring techniques. Stresses safety precautions and appropriate National Electric Code® requirements throughout.
4.5

ELEC 231 Intermediate Electrical Theory I

Covers branch and feeder circuit load calculations; conductor selection; lighting systems, components, and controls; hazardous location equipment installation; sizing and selecting circuit breakers and fuses; switchboards, switchgear, and distribution equipment, including transformers (types, construction, connections, protection, and grounding); various commercial services; sizing conductors and overcurrent protection; voice, data, and video cabling systems; selecting, sizing, and installing motor controllers.
3

ELEC 232 Intermediate Electrical Skills I

Trains students in intermediate level hardware, systems, and tasks familiar to electricians in commercial construction/maintenance, including electrical devices and wiring techniques. Stresses safety precautions and appropriate National Electric Code® requirements throughout.
4

ELEC 241 Intermediate Electrical Theory II

Introduces fundamental information related to: electric circuits in health care facilities and other special locations; standby and emergency systems; fire alarm systems; specialty transformers. Covers basic electronic theory, solid-state controls and adjustable frequency drives, and HVAC controls, Introduces heat tracing and freeze protection. Also reviews motor operation and maintenance and medium-voltage terminations/splices.
3

ELEC 242 Intermediate Electrical Skills II

Further trains students in intermediate level hardware, systems, and tasks familiar to electricians in commercial construction/maintenance, including electrical devices and wiring techniques. Stresses safety precautions and appropriate National Electric Code® requirements throughout.
4.5

ELEC 251 Advanced Electrical Theory I

Explores electrical topics related to security, including access control and various intrusion detection systems. Particularly emphasizes CCTV and other video systems, including various types of equipment and their installation and configuration.
3

ELEC 252 Advanced Electrical Skills I

Trains students in advanced level hardware, systems, and tasks pertinent to industrial and utility construction/maintenance, including electrical devices and wiring techniques. Stresses safety precautions and appropriate National Electric Code® and standard utility requirements throughout.
6

ELEC 253 Advanced Electrical Theory II

Explores electrical topics related to communication, including both telecommunication and wireless communication systems, both residential and commercial. Particularly emphasizes audio systems (components, power requirements, and configuration) and broad band systems (CATV, SMATV, and MATV systems), along with the function and operation of various components.
3

ELEC 261 Advanced Electrical Theory III

Covers topics related to power transmission and distribution, including the methods used to distribute power in residential and commercial subdivisions. Introduces distribution equipment such as case breakers and switchboards. Provides an introduction to substations – the different types and functions – and the function of the control house in the substation, its components, and protective systems.
3

ELEC 262 Advanced Electrical Skills I

Further trains students in advanced level hardware, systems, and tasks pertinent to industrial and utility construction/maintenance, including electrical devices and wiring techniques. Stresses safety precautions and appropriate National Electric Code® and standard utility requirements throughout.
6

ELEC 263 Advanced Electrical Theory IV

Focuses on various tasks related to electrical construction, including switchgear and breaker maintenance – both medium- and low-voltage sources – and the safety practices involved. Covers preventive and predictive maintenance and non-destructive testing, along with other testing techniques. Introduces trenching, excavating, and boring equipment and processes.
3