Powersports Technology

47.0611

(Associate of Applied Science Degree)

The Powersports Technology program prepares individuals to perform maintenance, troubleshooting, and overhaul of the major components of powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. Instruction is provided in the classroom on theory, inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of wheels, brakes, operating controls, steering, hydraulics, suspension, electrical circuitry, electronic/mechanical engines, manual/automatic shift transmissions, and jet drives. Students gain real-world experience through lab projects and a summer internship.

The program contributes to the green economy by teaching students to work with electric power being used in powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. Students are also taught about different types of alternative fuels and their impacts on the environment. Biodegradable solvents and other products are used to help reduce water, air, and soil contamination.

Enrollment in the Powersports Technology program is limited and students are selected for this program on a competitive basis. Contact the Office of Admissions for the specific application requirements and deadline.

The Powersports Technology program is accredited by the Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC) in Two-Stroke and Four-Stroke Gasoline Engines and Electrical. All students will have the opportunity to become certified through EETC in Two-Stroke and Four-Stroke Gasoline Engines and Electrical.

Graduates of the two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program will have the technical competencies required to be productive in an entry-level technician position. Powersports, outdoor, and/or marine employment opportunities include original equipment manufacturer dealers, independent sales and service shops, agriculture-related employers, golf course maintenance shops, and/or government agencies.

It is a graduation requirement of the Powersports Technology (PST) program for students to earn a grade of “C” or better in all “Core Curriculum” courses.

Program Mission
The mission of the Powersports Technology program is to provide students with the opportunity to develop the technical and interpersonal skills necessary to succeed in today’s powersports, outdoor, and marine industries.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate:

• Electrical knowledge and skills needed to repair and maintain powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to repair, maintain and troubleshoot two-stroke, four-stroke, and diesel engines.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to repair, maintain, and troubleshoot drive train, jet drive, suspension and steering, hydraulic, hydrostat, and brake systems.
• Critical thinking skills used in troubleshooting.
• Oral and written communication skills needed in the industry.
  

Program Assessments

• National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)
• Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC) – optional
• Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP)
  
  

PST 100 Introduction to Powersports Technology. This course introduces and illustrates all components of powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. Safety, environmental protection, tool usage, fasteners, and gaskets are covered. 2 credit hours.

PST 110 Preventive Maintenance & Inspection. This course includes instruction in lubrication and cooling systems of powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. Students learn how air-cooled and liquid-cooled systems work as well as the major parts of both two-stroke and four-stroke engine lubrication systems and how these systems are serviced. Types and characteristics of motor oil, coolants, gearbox systems, radiator caps, and thermostats are covered. 2 credit hours.

PST 120 Electrical I. This course includes instruction in battery, charging, and ignition systems of powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. The use of electricity to provide the source of starting and operating power as well as the operation and design of common ignition systems are covered. Vacuum, centrifugal advance, half-wave and full-wave rectification, alternators, regulators, batteries, and AC charging systems are included. 2 credit hours.

PST 130 Accessory Systems. This course includes instruction in the fundamentals and troubleshooting of accessory systems used on powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. Lighting systems, warning devices, communication systems, and cruise control are covered. The importance of switches in electrical circuits is emphasized. 2 credit hours.

PST 140 Wheels, Tires, & Brakes. This course includes instruction in powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment front and rear wheels, tires, and brake systems. Types of wheels; wheel inspection; repacking wheel bearings; wheel removal, installation, lacing, truing, straightening, balancing, and troubleshooting are covered. Types of tires, tire removal, flat repair, and tire installation are included. Students learn the operating principles of mechanical drum and hydraulic disc brake systems and how inspection, troubleshooting, and repairs are performed. The advantages of anti-lock brake systems (ABS) and linked braking systems (LBS) are explored. 2 credit hours.

PST 145 Frame & Suspension Systems. This course includes instruction on powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment frame and suspension system designs and how they affect performance and dependability. Fundamental inspection, service, repair, and troubleshooting procedures on frames and suspension systems are covered. 2 credit hours.

PST 150 Engine I. This course includes instruction on two-stroke and four-stroke engines for powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. Engine parts, installation, initial starting, break-in, inspection, diagnosis, tune-up, general service, reconditioning, and reassembly are covered. Ignition system, fuel system, and valve train adjustments are included. 2 credit hours.

PST 155 Carburetors and Electronic Fuel Injection. This course includes instruction in carburetion and electronic fuel injection used in powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. Students will learn the theory and operation of various types of carburetors as well as electronic fuel injection systems. Carburetors, fuel tanks, manual and electric fuel pumps, sensors, senders, fuel taps, and related tubing are also covered. 2 credit hours.

PST 165 Starting, Ignition, and Charging Systems. This course teaches the theories of electric starting systems, breaker point, CDI ignition, and different types of charging systems. The students will also service and troubleshoot alternators, batteries, rectifiers, stators, switches, wiring, regulators, relays, starters, solenoids, schematics, and all components associated with the starting, charging and ignition systems of powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. Prerequisite: PST 120. 2 credit hours.

PST 175 Engine II. This course includes instruction on two-stroke and four-stroke diesel engines for powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. Engine parts, installation, initial starting, break-in, inspection, diagnosis, tune-up, general service, reconditioning, and reassembly are covered. Ignition system, fuel system, and valve train adjustments are included. Prerequisite: PST 150. 2 credit hours.

PST 200 Internship. Students are required to work a minimum of twelve weeks and perform a variety of tasks. Program objectives, students’ educational objectives, and employer’s on-the-job training capabilities determine internship content and objectives. A training agreement between the employer, the student and the college is required. The student will submit a weekly summary of activities (tasks performed). Prerequisite: Department Chair approval. 12 credit hours.

PST 210 Power Transmission, Hydrostatic, and Jet Drive Systems. This course includes powertrains used on light equipment such as powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. Classroom and lab instruction on components and systems with use and interpreting testing and diagnosing equipment are highly emphasized. Topics include: powertrain theory and principles, clutches, manual transmissions, drive shafts, differentials, final drives, special drives, stern and jet drives, failure analysis, and terminology. 2 credit hours.

PST 220 Electrical II & Electronics. This course includes instruction on the safety precautions and knowledge required to service powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment electrical and electronic systems. Electrical and electronic theory, system design and operation, the proper use of test equipment, and the procedures used to diagnose and repair electrical and electronic problems are covered. Prerequisite: PST 120. 3 credit hours.

PST 230 Job Estimating, Troubleshooting, & Diagnostics. This course includes instruction on diagnosing and troubleshooting problems and estimating the time and cost involved with repairs of powersports, outdoor, and marine equipment. 2 credit hours.

PST 245 Hydraulics. This course teaches the fundamentals of hydraulic circuits as well as how to diagnose and test problem areas. Pumps, motors, valves, and electrical controls are also covered. Schematics are used to understand the function of valves, fluid flow, and electrical control circuits. 2 credit hours.

PST 260 Service Writer. This course will teach the basic principles and responsibilities of a service writer’s position within the dealership. Topics covered include repair orders, work orders, customer relations, peer relations, warranty work, and networking with other departments within the dealership including the parts and sales departments. 2 credit hours.

PST 275 Emerging Technologies. This course introduces students to emerging changes in the powersports, outdoor, and marine industries including changes to minor and major equipment components. Examples of topics that may be studied include modifications and innovations to electrical systems, fuel systems, braking systems, power systems, and steering systems. Prerequisite: Department Chair approval. 2 credit hours.

PST 299 Special Topics in Powersports Technology. Special Topics in Powersports Technology (PST) may include instruction on topics not covered in other PST courses. Topics covered in other PST courses may also be covered in more depth in this special topics course. Projects may be undertaken in any area related to the major program with credit hours determined by the level and amount of involvement. The minimum involvement required for one credit is 30 contact hours. The specific topic(s), objectives, plan of instruction, and evaluation criteria must be documented in the syllabus; approved by the Department/Division Chair; and filed in the Academic Records Office. Students may complete more than one Special Topics course, provided that the credits earned in this manner do not exceed a total of four (4) credits. 1-4 credit hours.