Automotive Systems Technology
The Automotive Systems Technology curriculum prepares individuals for employment as Automotive Service Technicians. It provides an introduction to automotive careers and increases student awareness of the challenges associated with this fast and ever-changing field.
Classroom and lab experiences integrate technical and academic coursework. Emphasis is placed on theory, servicing and operation of brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, steering/suspension, automatic transmission/transaxles, engine repair, climate control, and manual drive trains.
Upon completion of this curriculum, students should be prepared to take the ASE exam and be ready for full-time employment in dealerships and repair shops in the automotive service industry.
For specific information about potential positions and wages in automotive systems employment, visit the Central Piedmont Career Coach website.
Automotive Systems Technology (A60160)
Degree Awarded
The Associate in Applied Science Degree - Automotive Systems Technology is awarded by the college upon completion of this program.
Admissions
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Many courses have prerequisites or co-requisites; check the Courses section for details.
Program Accreditation
The BMW-ADP and GM-ASEP programs are Master Certified by the National Automotive Technician Foundation (NATEF) Automotive Service Excellence (A.S.E.).
Program Manufacturer Partners
General Motors’ Automotive Service Excellence Program (ASEP), and BMW (ADP) are options for this associate degree program. In addition, Central Piedmont currently offers a Honda Professional Automotive Career Training (PACT) program certificate as an Express Service Technician. Contact the Public Service & Transportation Division Cooperative Education Coordinator at 704.330.4157 or the Transport Systems Technology Division at 704.330.2722 ext. 7331 for manufacturer program information.
Note: Students must furnish required hand tools and protective clothing, as well as textbooks. A list of these items can be obtained from an instructor or by contacting the Program Chair at 704.330.2722 ext. 7331.
Contact Information
The Automotive Systems Technology program is in the Public Service & Transportation Division, which can be reached at 704.330.2722 ext. 7331.
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| Select 3 credits of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Introduction to Communication | ||
or COM 231 | Public Speaking | |
| Select 3 credits of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Mathematical Measurement and Literacy | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Precalculus Algebra | ||
| Select 3 credits of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Art History Survey I | ||
| Art History Survey II | ||
| Theatre Appreciation | ||
| Cultural Studies | ||
| Myth in Human Culture | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Introduction to Jazz | ||
| Philosophical Issues | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| World Religions | ||
| Select 3 credits of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| World Civilizations I | ||
| World Civilizations II | ||
| American History I | ||
| American History II | ||
| American Government | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| ACA 122 | College Transfer Success | 1.0 |
| TRN 110 | Introduction to Transport Technology | 2.0 |
| TRN 120 | Basic Transportation Electricity | 5.0 |
| TRN 140 | Transportation Climate Control | 2.0 |
| AUT 141 | Suspension & Steering Systems | 3.0 |
| AUT 151 | Brake Systems | 3.0 |
| AUT 181 | Engine Performance 1 | 3.0 |
| AUT 183 | Engine Performance 2 | 4.0 |
| TRN 170 | PC Skills for Transportation | 2.0 |
| AUT 116 | Engine Repair | 3.0 |
| AUT 163 | Advanced Automotive Electricity | 3.0 |
| Select 3 credits from the following | 3.0 | |
| Advanced Transportation Electronics | ||
| Emerging Transportation Technology | ||
| Select 2 credits from the follwoing | 2.0 | |
| Green Transportation Safety and Service | ||
| Basic Welding for Transportation | ||
| Select 6 credits of the following | 6.0 | |
| Automatic Transmissions/Transaxles | ||
| Manual Transmissions/Transaxles/Drive Trains | ||
| Hybrid-Electric Transportation | ||
| Technical Electives | ||
| Select 9 credits of the following: | 9.0 | |
| Basic Transportation Electrical Lab | ||
| Transportation Climate Control Lab | ||
| Basic Welding for Transportation Lab | ||
| Automotive Servicing I | ||
| Safety and Emissions | ||
| Safety and Emissions Lab | ||
| Engine Repair Lab | ||
| Suspension & Steering Lab | ||
| Brakes Systems Lab | ||
| Automotive Servicing 2 | ||
| Automatic Transmissions/Transaxles Lab | ||
| Manual Transmissions/Transaxles/Drive Trains Lab | ||
| Work-Based Learning I | ||
| Work-Based Learning II | ||
| Work-Based Learning III | ||
| Work-Based Learning IV | ||
| Auto Shop Management | ||
| Emerging Transportation Technology | ||
| Advanced Engine Performance | ||
| Engine Performance 1 Lab | ||
| Total Credits | 66 | |
Automotive Systems Technology Diploma (D60160)
This diploma is also available for students enrolled in Career & College Promise.
Diploma Awarded
A diploma in Automotive Systems Technology is awarded by the College upon completion of this program.
Admissions
- Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent is required as the foundation of a career in this area.
- Many courses have prerequisites or co-requisites; check the Courses section for details.
Program Accreditation
This program is Master Certified by the National Automotive Technician Foundation (NATEF) Automotive Service Excellence (A.S.E.).
Note: Students must furnish required hand tools and protective clothing, as well as textbooks. A list of these items can be obtained from an instructor or program chair by contacting the program chair at 704.330.4183.
Contact Information
The Automotive Systems Technology program is in the Transport Systems Technologies Division. For more information, call the program office at 704.330.4122 or the program chair at 704.330.4183.
Choose 42 hours from Major and Related Course Requirements listed below:
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENG 101 | Applied Communications I | 3.0 |
| MAT 110 | Mathematical Measurement and Literacy | 3.0 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| TRN 110 | Introduction to Transport Technology | 2.0 |
| TRN 120 | Basic Transportation Electricity | 5.0 |
| TRN 140 | Transportation Climate Control | 2.0 |
| AUT 141 | Suspension & Steering Systems | 3.0 |
| AUT 151 | Brake Systems | 3.0 |
| AUT 181 | Engine Performance 1 | 3.0 |
| TRN 140A | Transportation Climate Control Lab | 2.0 |
| TRN 170 | PC Skills for Transportation | 2.0 |
| AUT 116 | Engine Repair | 3.0 |
| AUT 116A | Engine Repair Lab | 1.0 |
| AUT 151A | Brakes Systems Lab | 1.0 |
| AUT 183 | Engine Performance 2 | 4.0 |
| AUT 221 | Automatic Transmissions/Transaxles | 3.0 |
| AUT 231 | Manual Transmissions/Transaxles/Drive Trains | 3.0 |
| Technical Electives | ||
| Select 1 credit of the following: | 1.0 | |
| Automotive Servicing I | ||
| Work-Based Learning I | ||
| Work-Based Learning II | ||
| Automotive Servicing 2 | ||
| Suspension & Steering Lab | ||
| Basic Transportation Electrical Lab | ||
| Total Credits | 44 | |
Automotive Systems Technology Certificates (C60160)
- Automotive Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Transportation Service and Repair (C60160-20)
- Automotive Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Transportation Welding and Alternative Fuels (C60160-25)
- Automotive Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Basic Hybrid Vehicle Technology (C60160-30)
- Automotive Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Electric Vehicle Foundations (C60160-40)
Automotive Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Transportation and Repair (C60160-20)
| Major Requirement | ||
| Introduction to Transport Technology | ||
| PC Skills for Transportation | ||
| Basic Transportation Electricity | ||
| Basic Transportation Electrical Lab | ||
| Transportation Climate Control | ||
| Transportation Climate Control Lab | ||
| Total Credits | 14.0 | |
Automotive Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Transportation Welding and Alternative Fuels (C60160-25)
| Major Requirements | ||
| TRN 110 | Introduction to Transport Technology | 2.0 |
| TRN 170 | PC Skills for Transportation | 2.0 |
| TRN 180 | Basic Welding for Transportation | 3.0 |
| TRN 180A | Basic Welding for Transportation Lab | 1.0 |
| ATT 115 | Green Transportation Safety and Service | 2.0 |
| ATT 140 | Emerging Transportation Technology | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 13 | |
Automotive Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Basic Hybrid Vehicle Technology (C60160-30)
| Major Requirements | ||
| TRN 110 | Introduction to Transport Technology | 2.0 |
| TRN 120 | Basic Transportation Electricity | 5.0 |
| TRN 120A | Basic Transportation Electrical Lab | 1.0 |
| TRN 170 | PC Skills for Transportation | 2.0 |
| AUT 113 | Automotive Servicing I | 2.0 |
| ATT 115 | Green Transportation Safety and Service | 2.0 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
Automotive Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Electric Vehicle Foundations
| Major Requirements | ||
| TRN 110 | Introduction to Transport Technology | 2.0 |
| TRN 170 | PC Skills for Transportation | 2.0 |
| TRN 120 | Basic Transportation Electricity | 5.0 |
| TRN 120A | Basic Transportation Electrical Lab | 1.0 |
| ATT 115 | Green Transportation Safety and Service | 2.0 |
| ATT 140 | Emerging Transportation Technology | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Automotive Systems Technology Suggested Course Sequence
The following is the suggested plan for when to take each course to complete the Associate in Applied Science degree, based on the program requirements of the 2024-2025 catalog. This is only a recommendation — you may take courses in another order upon consultation with your advisor. This plan is based on you starting with college-level math and English courses, starting your program in the fall, and attending full-time. You can also follow this sequence if you attend part-time. Speak with your academic advisor about the plan and any questions. This program might also offer diplomas or certificates; visit the catalog or contact the program for details. Visit the Academic Advising page for instructions on locating your assigned advisor: https://www.cpcc.edu/academics/academic-advising
| Term I | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| TRN 110 | Introduction to Transport Technology | 2.0 |
| TRN 170 | PC Skills for Transportation | 2.0 |
| AUT 116 | Engine Repair | 3.0 |
| AUT 116A | Engine Repair Lab | 1.0 |
| TRN 120 | Basic Transportation Electricity | 5.0 |
| TRN 120A | Basic Transportation Electrical Lab | 1.0 |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| ACA 122 | College Transfer Success | 1.0 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Term II | ||
| AUT 151 | Brake Systems | 3.0 |
| AUT 151A | Brakes Systems Lab | 1.0 |
| AUT 141 | Suspension & Steering Systems | 3.0 |
| TRN 140 | Transportation Climate Control | 2.0 |
| TRN 140A | Transportation Climate Control Lab | 2.0 |
| MAT 110 | Mathematical Measurement and Literacy or Quantitative Literacy or Statistical Methods I or Precalculus Algebra | 3.0 |
| You may have completed program certificate C60160-20. Confirm eligibility with your academic advisor. | ||
| Credits | 14 | |
| Term III | ||
| WBL 112 | Work-Based Learning I | 2.0 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Term IV | ||
| AUT 181 | Engine Performance 1 | 3.0 |
| AUT 163 | Advanced Automotive Electricity | 3.0 |
| AUT 231 | Manual Transmissions/Transaxles/Drive Trains | 3.0 |
| COM 110 or COM 231 | Introduction to Communication or Public Speaking | 3.0 |
| WBL 122 | Work-Based Learning II | 2.0 |
| ATT 115 | Green Transportation Safety and Service or Basic Welding for Transportation and Basic Welding for Transportation Lab | 2.0 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Term V | ||
| AUT 183 | Engine Performance 2 | 4.0 |
| TRN 145 or ATT 140 | Advanced Transportation Electronics or Emerging Transportation Technology | 3.0 |
| AUT 221 | Automatic Transmissions/Transaxles | 3.0 |
| Behavioral/Social Science | 3.0 | |
| WBL 132 | Work-Based Learning III | 2.0 |
| You may have completed a program certificate(s). Confirm eligibility with your academic advisor. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 68 | |