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Printed on 7/20/2025

Diesel Equipment Technology

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10-412-1 Associate Degree (AAS) Full Time 65 Credits Financial Aid Eligible Location*: Appleton

*If general education courses are required, they may be available at multiple locations.

Skilled diesel technicians are in high demand. Get the skills you need for a great career in commercial motor vehicle maintenance, repair and advanced diagnostics. With this associate degree, you’ll receive in-depth theory and extensive hands-on training in heavy-duty diesel engine maintenance, air brake and hydraulic brake systems, drivetrains, steering and suspensions, and electrical systems. You’ll also gain skills in diesel engine rebuild and repair, engine systems, computer control systems and advanced drivetrain systems while you work on our fleet of over 75 diesel-powered over-the-road tractors and 55 trailers. The addition of math, communication, and social science courses provides you with a well-rounded education to help advance your career.

COURSE LIST

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Course list for reference only. Current students please refer to your individualized program plan or see your advisor.
**Outside effort hours are an estimate based on state standards, and may vary from person to person.

    Technical Studies (50 Credits)

    Course Title
    Course Number
    Credits
    Instructional Hours
    Outside Effort Hours**
    Early College Credit Options
    Prior Learning Credit Eligibility
  • Introduction to Diesel Technology
    10-412-102
    4Credit
    144
    72

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412102
    • Credits: 4.00

    Introduces the diesel shop environment, and emphasizes shop safety and general shop practices. Introduces over the road commercial motor vehicle preventative maintenance, and prepares students for success in the core diesel program classes.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ANY of the following options: 

    • Accuplacer Reading 243+ OR HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACT Reading 15+ OR Reading Level 2 Coursework

    • Student is in progress in Diesel Technology Assistant (61-412-2) Program of Study

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • TRANSP 94412002 - Diesel Uniforms​
  • Heavy Duty Diesel Steering & Suspension
    10-412-103
    4Credit
    144
    72

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412103
    • Credits: 4.00

    Covers maintenance, repair, and minor diagnostics of heavy duty steering & suspension systems used on over the road commercial motor vehicles.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ANY of the following options: 

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ANY of the following options:

    • TRANSP 10412102 - Intro to Diesel Technology

    • TRANSP 10412180 - Intro to Diesel Tech On Campus AND TRANSP 10412181 - Intro to Diesel Tech Co-op
  • Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Maintenance
    10-412-104
    4Credit
    144
    72

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412104
    • Credits: 4.00

    Covers maintenance, repair, and minor diagnostics on heavy duty diesel engines used in over the road commercial motor vehicles.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ANY of the following options: 

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ANY of the following options:

    • TRANSP 10412102 - Intro to Diesel Technology

    • TRANSP 10412180 - Intro to Diesel Tech On Campus AND TRANSP 10412181 - Intro to Diesel Tech Co-op
  • Heavy Duty Diesel HVAC & Cab Systems
    10-412-105
    4Credit
    144
    72

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412105
    • Credits: 4.00

    Covers maintenance, repair, and minor diagnostics on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems used in heavy duty over the road commercial motor vehicles. Students learn to maintain and repair cab components used on over the road commercial motor vehicles, and prepare for the Federal EPA 609 certification test.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ANY of the following options: 

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ANY of the following options:

    • TRANSP 10412102 - Intro to Diesel Technology

    • TRANSP 10412180 - Intro to Diesel Tech On Campus AND TRANSP 10412181 - Intro to Diesel Tech Co-op
  • Heavy Duty Diesel Drivetrains
    10-412-106
    4Credit
    144
    72

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412106
    • Credits: 4.00

    Covers maintenance, repair, and minor diagnostics on drivetrains used in heavy duty over the road commercial motor vehicles. Students service clutches, transmissions, differentials, drivelines, and wheel ends used on over the road commercial motor vehicles.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ANY of the following options: 

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ANY of the following options:

    • TRANSP 10412102 - Intro to Diesel Technology

    • TRANSP 10412180 - Intro to Diesel Tech On Campus AND TRANSP 10412181 - Intro to Diesel Tech Co-op
  • Heavy Duty Diesel Air & Hydraulic Brakes
    10-412-107
    4Credit
    144
    72

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412107
    • Credits: 4.00

    Covers maintenance, repair, and minor diagnostics on air and hydraulic brake system used on over the road commercial motor vehicles.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ANY of the following options: 

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ANY of the following options:

    • TRANSP 10412102 - Intro to Diesel Technology

    • TRANSP 10412180 - Intro to Diesel Tech On Campus AND TRANSP 10412181 - Intro to Diesel Tech Co-op
  • Heavy Duty Diesel Foundation Brakes
    10-412-108
    4Credit
    144
    72

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412108
    • Credits: 4.00

    Covers maintenance, repair, and minor diagnostics on foundation brake systems used on over the road commercial motor vehicles.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ANY of the following options: 

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ANY of the following options:

    • TRANSP 10412102 - Intro to Diesel Technology

    • TRANSP 10412180 - Intro to Diesel Tech On Campus AND TRANSP 10412181 - Intro to Diesel Tech Co-op
  • Heavy Duty Diesel Electrical Systems
    10-412-109
    4Credit
    144
    72

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412109
    • Credits: 4.00

    Covers maintenance, repair, and minor diagnostics on vehicle electrical system components used on over the road commercial motor vehicles.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ANY of the following options: 

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • TRANSP 94412003 - Diesel Electrical Kit

    AND ANY of the following options:

    • TRANSP 10412102 - Intro to Diesel Technology

    • TRANSP 10412180 - Intro to Diesel Tech On Campus AND TRANSP 10412181 - Intro to Diesel Tech Co-op
  • Heavy Duty Diesel Computer Controls
    10-412-110
    4Credit
    144
    72
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412110
    • Credits: 4.00

    Introduces computer control systems used in over the road commercial motor vehicles. Students learn to diagnose and repair current computer control systems.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • TRANSP 10412103 - HD Diesel Steering & Susp OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412104 - HD Diesel Engine Maintenance OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412105 - HD Diesel HVAC & Cab OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412106 - HD Diesel Drivetrains OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412107 - HD Diesel Air & HYD Brakes OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412108 - HD Diesel Foundation Brakes OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412109 - HD Diesel Electrical Systems OR equivalent Co-op courses
  • Heavy Duty Diesel Advanced Drivetrain
    10-412-116
    4Credit
    144
    72
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412116
    • Credits: 4.00

    Covers diagnosing and repair of over the road commercial vehicle drivetrains. Students diagnose and repair manual, automated, and automatic transmissions.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • TRANSP 10412103 - HD Diesel Steering & Susp OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412104 - HD Diesel Engine Maintenance OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412105 - HD Diesel HVAC & Cab OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412106 - HD Diesel Drivetrains OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412107 - HD Diesel Air & HYD Brakes OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412108 - HD Diesel Foundation Brakes OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412109 - HD Diesel Electrical Systems OR equivalent Co-op courses
  • Heavy Duty Diesel Advanced Engine Repair
    10-412-120
    4Credit
    144
    72
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412120
    • Credits: 4.00

    Covers major repair and diagnostics on heavy duty diesel engines found in modern commercial motor vehicles. Students disassemble, repair, assemble, and perform major diagnostics.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • TRANSP 10412103 - HD Diesel Steering & Susp OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412104 - HD Diesel Engine Maintenance OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412105 - HD Diesel HVAC & Cab OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412106 - HD Diesel Drivetrains OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412107 - HD Diesel Air & HYD Brakes OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412108 - HD Diesel Foundation Brakes OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412109 - HD Diesel Electrical Systems OR equivalent Co-op courses
  • Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Systems
    10-412-123
    4Credit
    144
    72
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 144
    • Outside Effort Hours: 72
    • Course Number: 10412123
    • Credits: 4.00

    Covers diagnosing and repair of over the road commercial motor vehicle engine systems. Students perform engine diagnostics that relate to engine performance issues and/or customer complaints.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    • TRANSP 10412103 - HD Diesel Steering & Susp OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412104 - HD Diesel Engine Maintenance OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412105 - HD Diesel HVAC & Cab OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412106 - HD Diesel Drivetrains OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412107 - HD Diesel Air & HYD Brakes OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412108 - HD Diesel Foundation Brakes OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412109 - HD Diesel Electrical Systems OR equivalent Co-op courses
  • Heavy Duty Diesel Capstone
    10-412-124
    1Credit
    36
    18
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 18
    • Course Number: 10412124
    • Credits: 1.00

    Perform preventive maintenance inspections, service, and repair of commercial motor vehicles. Students will also complete Department of Transportation annual inspections.

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    • TRANSP 10412103 - HD Diesel Steering & Susp OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412104 - HD Diesel Engine Maintenance OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412105 - HD Diesel HVAC & Cab OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412106 - HD Diesel Drivetrains OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412107 - HD Diesel Air & HYD Brakes OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412108 - HD Diesel Foundation Brakes OR equivalent Co-op courses

    • TRANSP 10412109 - HD Diesel Electrical Systems OR equivalent Co-op courses
  • Related Welding
    10-442-120
    1Credit
    36
    18
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 36
    • Outside Effort Hours: 18
    • Course Number: 10442120
    • Credits: 1.00

    Prepares students with the common techniques and procedures for SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW welding in a repair or machine shop environment. Topics include welding metal, cutting metal with plasma and oxy-fuel, and metal identification. Laboratory activities will provide the student with hands-on practice.

    General Studies (15 Credits)

    Course Title
    Course Number
    Credits
    Instructional Hours
    Outside Effort Hours**
    Early College Credit Options
    Prior Learning Credit Eligibility
  • Written Communication
    10-801-195
    3Credit
    54
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10801195
    • Credits: 3.00

    Develops writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    OR ALL of the following:

    • Student is not in progress in Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, or Technical Diploma (31 or 32 level)
  • Oral/Interpersonal Comm
    10-801-196
    3Credit
    54
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10801196
    • Credits: 3.00

    Focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    OR ALL of the following:

    • Student is not in progress in Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, or Technical Diploma (31 or 32 level)
  • Math w Business Apps
    10-804-123
    3Credit
    54
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10804123
    • Credits: 3.00

    This course integrates algebraic concepts, proportions, percents, simple interest, compound interest, annuities, and basic statistics with business/consumer scenarios. It also applies math concepts to the purchasing/buying and selling processes.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ANY of the following options:

    • Accuplacer Arithmetic 250+ OR HS GPA 2.75+ OR ACT Math 16+ OR Arithmetic Level 1 Coursework

    • Student is not in progress in Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, or Technical Diploma (31 or 32 level)
  • Intro to Ethics: Theory & App
    10-809-166
    3Credit
    54
    108

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10809166
    • Credits: 3.00

    This course provides a basic understanding of the theoretical foundations of ethical thought. Diverse ethical perspectives will be used to analyze and compare relevant issues. Students will critically evaluate individual, social and professional standards of behavior, and apply a systematic decision-making process to these situations.

    Prereq: Student has completed or is in process of completing ALL of the following:

    OR ALL of the following:

    • Student is not in progress in Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, or Technical Diploma (31 or 32 level)
  • Psychology of Human Relations
    10-809-199
    3Credit
    54
    108
    N/A

    • Instructional Hours: 54
    • Outside Effort Hours: 108
    • Course Number: 10809199
    • Credits: 3.00

    Explores the relationship between the general principles of psychology and our everyday lives. Students are given the opportunity to achieve a deepened sense of awareness of themselves and others. This understanding enables students to improve their relationships with others at work, in the family, and in society.

    Coreq: Student has completed or is simultaneously enrolling in ALL of the following:

    OR ALL of the following:

    • Student is not in progress in Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, or Technical Diploma (31 or 32 level)
×

Expected Competencies

For more information visit our Credit For Prior Learning page.
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Eligible Dual Credit Course

What is Dual Credit?

FVTC courses taught at the high school by certified high school teachers. These teachers receive mentorship from FVTC faculty to ensure alignment in competencies, curriculum, and assessments.


  • Students earn both high school and college credits, with grades applying to both transcripts.
  • There is no cost to the school district or family.
  • Dual Credit course availability varies by high school based on factors such as lab space, equipment, and teacher qualifications.

Process:

As part of the annual course planning, students and families should meet with their High School Guidance Counselor to discuss future college and career goals. This conversation will help identify Dual Credit courses that best align with specific pathways.

×

Recommended Start College Now Course

What is Start College Now?

Qualified public-school juniors and seniors may enroll in college level classes at FVTC or online, if a comparable course is not offered within their district.

Student Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must have parent/guardian approval.
  • Must meet all course entry requirements.
  • Must be in good academic standing with an acceptable disciplinary record.

Application Process:

Interested students should consult their High School Guidance Counselor to explore course options and complete a “Start College Now” application. Applications must be submitted to High School Counselors by March 1st for fall courses and October 1st for spring courses. If approved by the school board, the cost is covered by the high school.

×

Eligible Dual Credit & Recommended Start College Now Course:

What is Dual Credit?

FVTC courses taught at the high school by certified high school teachers. These teachers receive mentorship from FVTC faculty to ensure alignment in competencies, curriculum, and assessments.

  • Students earn both high school and college credits, with grades applying to both transcripts.
  • There is no cost to the school district or family.

**Dual Credit course availability varies by high school based on factors such as lab space, equipment, and teacher qualifications.

What is Start College Now?

Qualified public-school juniors and seniors may enroll in college level classes at FVTC or online, if a comparable course is not offered within their district.

Student Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must have parent/guardian approval.
  • Must meet all course entry requirements.
  • Must be in good academic standing with an acceptable disciplinary record.

Application Process:

Interested students should consult their High School Guidance Counselor to explore course options and complete a “Start College Now” application. Applications must be submitted to High School Counselors by March 1st for fall courses and October 1st for spring courses. If approved by the school board, the cost is covered by the high school.

×

N/A

This course is not available for Dual Credit or Start College Now due to factors such as course rigor, necessary equipment, and prerequisite requirements.