(John H. Daniel Campuses)
Award: Certificate
Length: Thirty-one credit hour program
Purpose: The certificate program in automotive diagnosis and tune-up is designed to prepare students for employment as entry level automotive technicians.
Occupational Objectives: A student completing this program will have the skill sets to obtain gainful employment as Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in such positions as represented by the following occupational task list:
- Brake Technician
- Electrical/Electronic Technician
- Transmission/Transaxle Technician
- Air Conditioning Technician
- Automotive Alignment Technician
- Automotive Engine Technician
- Automotive Service Writer
- Shop Foreman
- Automotive Vehicle Inspector
- Automotive Wheel and Tire Tech
- Independent Repair Shop Owner/Operator
- Automotive Lab Technician
Program Description: This curriculum is designed to teach students automotive fundamentals such as lubrication, cooling, fuel system, suspension, braking systems, air conditioning, and electrical system. Emphasizes electronics as applied to the modern automobile and computerized fuel-controlled systems. Students are also trained in shop practices, service and tune-up procedures. Each automotive course uses shop projects and hands-on experience in diagnosis and mechanical repairs to develop job-related skills. The program also includes general education courses and technical electives. Students will be advised as to which courses are most applicable to their fields of interest.
All automotive students are required to furnish a personal set of hand tools.
Southside Virginia Community College fully supports Tech Prep Linkages with high schools. College programs are designed to provide a seamless transition between high school Tech Prep and college technical and engineering programs.