Diesel Technology

Fuel your career with hands-on experience servicing medium and heavy-duty trucks.

Program Contact

Ricky Harris

(606) 451-6912

ricky.harris@kctcs.edu

GET STARTED TODAY (877) 629-9722

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What is Diesel Technology?

The Diesel Technology program at Somerset Community College offers excellent opportunities for graduates. Diesel technicians repair and maintain the diesel engines that power transportation equipment, such as heavy trucks, buses, and locomotives. Some mechanics work on bulldozers, cranes, road graders, and agricultural equipment such as farm tractors and combines. This program is offered on the Somerset and Laurel campuses.

Jobs can vary in many of the mechanic shops. Workers commonly do all kinds of repairs from working on a vehicle’s electronic system one day to doing major engine repairs the next. In some large shops, mechanics specialize in one or two types of work. For example, a shop may have mechanics that specialize in major engine repair, transmission work, electrical systems, or suspension or brake systems. Diesel maintenance is becoming more complex, as electronic components increasingly are used to control engine operation. In modern shops, diesel mechanics use hand-held computers to diagnose problems and adjust engine functions. Mechanics generally receive their assignments from shop supervisors or service managers. Most supervisors and managers are experienced mechanics who also assist in diagnosing problems and maintaining quality standards.

Group of students looking at a diesel engine.

Getting Started

What are my degree, diploma, and certificate options?

Required
Class	Credit Hours
Area 1: Writing/Accessing Information or Oral Communications or Humanities or Heritage	3
Area 2: Social Science or Behavioral Science or Natural/Applied Science or Mathematics	3
Area 3: Computer/ Digital Literacy	3
Technical Courses	52-55 credits

Any Semester (First Semester Preferred)
Class	Credit Hours
ADX 170 - Climate Control	3
ADX 171 - Climate Control Lab	1
ADX 120 - Basic Automotive Electricity AND	3
ADX 121 - Basic Automotive Electricity Lab OR	2
BEX 100 - Basic Electricity AND	(3)
BEX 101 - Basic Electricity Lab	(2)
DIT 190 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment AND	(3)
DIT 191 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab OR	(2)
ADX 260 - Automotive Electrical Systems (and)	3
ADX 261 - Automotive Electrical Systems Lab	2
Total	14

Spring Semester (Only time offered)
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 110 - Introduction to Diesel Engines AND	3
DIT 111 - Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab OR	2
ADX 150 - Automotive Engine Repair AND	(3)
ADX 151 - Automotive Engine Repair Lab	(2)
DIT 112 - Diesel Engine Repair	3
DIT 113 - Diesel Engine Repair Lab	2
Total	10

Fall Semester (Only time offered)
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 180 - Brakes	3
DIT 181 - Brakes Lab	2
DIT 150 - Powertrains	3
DIT 151 - Powertrains Lab	2
DIT 160 - Steering and Suspension	3
DIT 161 - Steering and Suspension Lab	2
DIT 103 - Preventive Maintenance	2
Total	17

Any semester (prefer last)
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 140 - Hydraulics	3
DIT 141 - Hydraulics Lab (or)	2
FPX 100 - Fluid Power (and)	(3)
FPX 101 - Fluid Power Lab	(2)
Gen Ed as needed	3-6
Total	8-12

Total credit hours for diploma: 52-55

Required
Class	Credit Hours
Area 1: Writing/Accessing Information or Oral Communications or Humanities or Heritage	3
Area 2: Social Science or Behavioral Science or Natural/Applied Science or Mathematics	3
Area 3 Computer/ Digital Literacy Course	3
Technical Courses	44-49

First Semester preferred
Class	Credit Hours
ADX 170 - Climate Control AND	3
ADX 171 - Climate Control Lab	1
ADX 120 - Basic Automotive Electricity AND	3
ADX 121 - Basic Automotive Electricity Lab OR	2
BEX 100 - Basic Electricity AND	(3)
BEX 101 - Basic Electricity Lab	(2)
DIT 190 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment AND	(3)
DIT 191 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab OR	(2)
ADX 260 - Automotive Electrical Systems AND	3
ADX 261 - Automotive Electrical Systems Lab	2
Total	14

Spring Semester (only time offered)
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 110 - Introduction to Diesel Engines AND	3
DIT 111 - Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab OR	2
ADX 150 - Automotive Engine Repair AND	(3)
ADX 151 - Automotive Engine Repair Lab	(2)
DIT 112 - Diesel Engine Repair	3
DIT 113 - Diesel Engine Repair Lab	2
DIT 152 - Powertrains for Construction Equipment	3
DIT 153 - Powertrains for Construction Equipment Lab	2
Total	15

Fall Semester (only time offered)
Class	Credit Hours
IMT 100 - Maintenance Welding (or WLD 120)	3
IMT 101 - Maintenance - Welding Lab (or WLD 121) (OR)	2
DIT 121 - Diesel Welding (Permission of Instructor Only)	(3)
DIT 150 - Powertrains	3
DIT 151 - Powertrains Lab	2
DIT 103 - Preventive Maintenance Lab	2
Total	12

Any semester offered every semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 140 - Hydraulics	(3)
DIT 141 - Hydraulics Lab OR	(2)
FPX 100 - Fluid Power AND	3
FPX 101 - Fluid Power Lab	2
GEN ED as needed	3
Total	8

Total credit hours for diploma: 52-55

First Semester
Class	Credit Hours
ADX 170 - Climate Control AND	3
ADX 171 - Climate Control Lab	1
Any Electives from Auto/Diesel or Industrial Education core	8
Total	12

First Semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 180 - Brakes	3
DIT 181 - Brakes Lab	2
Any Electives from Auto/Diesel or Industrial Education core	7
Total	12

First Semester or Any Semester
Class	Credit Hours
ADX 120 - Basic Automotive Electricity AND	3
ADX121 - Basic Automotive Electricity Lab OR	2
BEX 100 - Basic Electricity AND	(3)
BEX 101 - Basic Electricity Lab	(2)
ADX 260 - Automotive Electrical Systems AND	3
ADX 261 - Automotive Electrical Systems Lab OR	2
DIT 190 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment AND	(3)
DIT 191 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab	(2)
Any Electives from Auto/Diesel or Industrial Education core	2
Total	12

First Semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 160 - Steering and Suspension	3
DIT 161 - Steering and Suspension Lab	2
Any Electives from Auto/Diesel or Industrial Education core	7
Total	12

Spring Semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 110 - Introduction to Diesel Engines AND	3
DIT 111 - Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab OR	2
ADX 150 - Automotive Engine Repair AND	(3)
ADX 151 - Automotive Engine Repair Lab	(2)
DIT 112 - Diesel Engine Repair	3
DIT 113 - Diesel Engine Repair Lab	2
Any Electives from Auto/Diesel or Industrial Education core	2
Total	12

First Semester or Any Semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 140 - Hydraulics AND	(3)
DIT 141 - Hydraulics Lab OR	(2)
FPX 100 - Fluid Power AND	3
FPX 101 - Fluid Power Lab	2
Any Electives from Auto/Diesel or Industrial Education core	7
Total	12

First Semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 103 - Preventive Maintenance Lab	2
Any Electives from Auto/Diesel or Industrial Education core	11
Total	13

Fall Semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 150 - Powertrains	3
DIT 151 - Powertrains Lab	2
Any Electives from Auto/Diesel or Industrial Education core	7
Total	12

First Semester or Any
Class	Credit Hours
ADX 260 - Automotive Electrical Systems AND	3
ADX 261 - Automotive Electrical Systems Lab OR	2
DIT 190 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment AND	(3)
DIT 191 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab	(2)
Total	5

Spring Semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 110 - Introduction to Diesel Engines AND	3
DIT 111 - Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab OR	2
ADX 150 - Automotive Engine Repair AND	(3)
ADX 151 - Automotive Engine Repair Lab	(2)
DIT 112 - Diesel Engine Repair	3
DIT 113 - Diesel Engine Repair Lab	2
DIT 152 - Powertrains for Construction Equipment	3
DIT 153 - Powertrains for Construction Equipment Lab	2
Total	15

Total credits for certificate: 20

First Semester or Any Semester
Class	Credit Hours
ADX 260 - Automotive Electrical Systems AND	3
ADX 261 - Automotive Electrical Systems Lab OR	2
DIT 190 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment AND	(3)
DIT 191 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab	(2)
Total	5

Spring Semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 110 - Introduction to Diesel Engines AND	3
DIT 111 - Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab OR	2
ADX 150 - Automotive Engine Repair AND	(3)
ADX 151 - Automotive Engine Repair Lab	(2)
DIT 112 - Diesel Engine Repair	3
DIT 113 - Diesel Engine Repair Lab	2
Total	10

Fall Semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 103 - Preventive Maintenance Lab	2
DIT 180 - Brakes	3
DIT 181 - Brakes Lab	2
DIT 160 - Steering and Suspension	3
DIT 161 - Steering and Suspension Lab	2
Total	12

Total credits for certificate: 27

First Semester or Any Semester
Class	Credit Hours
ADX 120 - Basic Automotive Electricity AND	3
ADX 121 - Basic Automotive Electricity Lab OR	2
BEX 100 - Basic Electricity AND	(3)
BEX 101 - Basic Electricity Lab	(2)
DIT 190 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment AND	(3)
DIT 191 - Electrical Systems for Diesel Equipment Lab OR	(2)
ADX 260 - Automotive Electrical Systems AND	3
ADX 261 - Automotive Electrical Systems Lab	2
Total	10

Spring Semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 110 - Introduction to Diesel Engines AND	3
DIT 111 - Introduction to Diesel Engines Lab OR	2
ADX 150 - Automotive Engine Repair AND	(3)
ADX 151 - Automotive Engine Repair Lab	(2)
DIT 112 - Diesel Engine Repair	3
DIT 113 - Diesel Engine Repair Lab	2
Total	10

Fall Semester
Class	Credit Hours
DIT 180 - Brakes	3
DIT 181 - Brakes Lab	2
DIT 160 - Steering and Suspension	3
DIT 161 - Steering and Suspension Lab	2
Total	10

Total credit hours for certificate: 30

How Do I Pay For This?

Worry no more. With the lowest tuition in Kentucky, financial aid options, and a helping hand to guide you through the application process, SCC has you covered. SCC will help you reach your goals at a price that won't break the bank.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Length of Program

You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.

This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.