Automotive Technology

Effective: Fall 2024
Associate in Science Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description

The AS degree in Automotive Technology is built around a core set of courses that specialize in Maintenance, Engine Performance, Drivetrain, and Chassis.

In the first semester, you will start your education with our core automotive courses and start building your foundation for the automotive industry. As you progress through your automotive program, you will be able to obtain certificates in different automotive areas and start entering your new career in the automotive industry on a part-time basis if you choose. You will also be prepared to take your industry certification exams during your courses here at Chabot College from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and California State Licensing.

Students completing the Chabot Automotive Technology Degree will have obtained theoretical and practical experiences in the following Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) subject areas: A1-A8, C1, L1, L3, and L4 (Advanced Drivers Assistance Systems - ADAS),


What can I do with this major?

Chabot College's automotive technology degree will help future technicians master the critical thinking skills needed for a successful career and introduce them to the hands-on experience employers need.

Our automotive technology degree will apply to any job a student may choose within the transportation industry. Automotive technicians are in demand everywhere, ranging from dealerships, independent repair shops, fleet repair and maintenance, and manufacturing.

Career opportunities in the automotive and related transportation industries worldwide include technician, system specialist, and supervisor. For current wage and demand information, please visit the California Employment Development Department https://edd.ca.gov/ and search for "Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics."


Learning and Career Pathway
  • Industrial Technology & Automotive

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

The AS degree in Automotive Technology requires 68 units, requiring summer terms in order to complete it within two years. Summer terms are included in the program map below. 

Semester 1

17 units

ATEC 50
Introduction to Automotive Technology1

3 units
Automotive industry fundamentals including careers; safety; fasteners, hand tool identification and usage; vehicle systems, electrical fundamentals; service information access and use; automotive chemical and fluid applications; hazardous waste handling; general shop equipment usage, and vehicle servicing. Register into ATEC 50 first and then register for the other courses. (same as APAU 9724)
Course Details:

ATEC 1
Automotive Engines

4 units
Automotive engine fundamentals including; configurations and designs, operation, diagnostic tests; disassembly, inspection, thread repair, broken bolt removal, precision measurement, assembly, timing chains and belts, valve adjustments, cooling systems, introduction to engine machining, proper use of shop related tools and equipment, and safety practices. (same as APAU 9747)
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 50
Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

ATEC 2
Automotive Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles

3 units
Automotive Automatic Transmission fundamentals including: Diagnosis, inspection, repair, and adjustment of automatic transmission/transaxle assemblies, torque converters, friction materials, hydraulics, gear trains, manual and electronic controls. (same as APAU 9733)
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 50
Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

ATEC 4
Automotive Suspension and Steering

3 units
Automotive Suspension and Steering fundamentals including: Diagnosis, inspection, repair, and adjustment of modern automotive steering, suspension, supplemental restraint, tire pressure monitoring, and alignment systems, theory of operation, common automotive steering and suspension systems, wheel alignment principles, methods of diagnosis, adjustment and repair, suspension service equipment. (same as APAU 9734)
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 50
Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

English 1- Critical Reading and Composition

4 units
GE
  • 1 - ATEC 50 can be taken at the same time as ATEC 1, 4 and 6A

Semester 2

15.5-16.5 units

ATEC 3
Automotive Manual Transmissions and Transaxles

3 units
Automotive Manual Transmission fundamentals including: Theory, diagnosis, repair and adjustment of automotive manual transmissions/transaxles, driveshafts, half shafts, final drives, clutches, viscous couplings, and transfer cases. Two, four and all-wheel drive assemblies, theory, service and repair. (same as APAU 9732)
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 50
Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

ATEC 5
Automotive Braking Systems

3 units
Automotive Braking Systems including: Diagnosis, inspection, repair, and adjustment of modern automotive brakes and anti-lock braking systems, traction control, and dynamic stability control systems, theory of operation, the study of basic laws of hydraulics, brake service equipment. (same as APAU 9723)
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 50
Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

ATEC 6A
Automotive Electrical and Electronic Fundamentals

4 units
Automotive Electrical and Electronic Fundamentals including: Ohm's Law, basic electrical circuits, components, battery, starting, charging, and basic wiring systems, electrical components and the use of basic wiring diagrams for trouble shooting systems, repair of wiring circuits and correct use of diagnostic equipment. (same as APAU 9725)
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 50
Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

ATEC 7
Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning Systems

2.5 units
Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning including: Diagnosis, testing, adjustment, and repair of air conditioning, cooling and heating systems, heat and energy, air flow, refrigerant recycling, equipment and controls. (same as APAU 9729)
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 50
Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

Math Course for General Education: see a counselor to choose the appropriate course.

3-4 units
GE

Summer 1

3 units

ATEC 75
Automotive Service Consultant

3 units
Automotive Service Consultant fundamentals including: Communications, customer service, legal documents, business interactions, billing, parts and labor guides, shop management applications, shop operations, sales, vehicle identification and systems operations. Course content is aligned with tasks identified by Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 50

Semester 3

16 units

ATEC 6B
Automotive Electrical and Electronic Systems

3 units
Automotive body electronics, vehicle lighting, instrumentation, OEM audio, navigation, and communication systems, supplemental restraint systems, starter interlock systems, computer controlled charging systems. (same as APAU 9748)
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 6A
Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

ATEC 8
Automotive Air and Fuel Delivery Systems

4 units
Automotive Air and Fuel Delivery including: Introduction to the principles of automotive fuel induction systems, including the inspection, diagnosis, and evaluation of fuel storage, fuel pumps, carburetion, intake and exhaust systems, engine operation principles, computerized engine controls, and fuel injection systems. (same as APAU 9727)
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 6A
Terms Offered: Fall, Spring

ATEC 10
Automotive Advanced Engine Performance

3 units
Automotive Engine Management Systems including: Ignition systems, combustion process, emission control devices, diagnostic practices for drivability, emissions, on board diagnostic systems, vehicle systems integration, and new engine technology. (same as APAU 9741)
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 8
Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

Semester 4

16.5-17.5 units

ATEC 92
Advanced Drivers Assistance Systems

3 units
This course introduces students to the Advanced Drivers Assistance Systems (ADAS) utilized in vehicles. This technology is also the foundation for autonomous vehicles. This course will cover the various Advanced Drivers Assistance Systems (ADAS), exploring system operation, diagnosis, service, repairs, and calibration.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 4
    2. and
  2. Prerequisite: ATEC 6A
    3. and
  3. Prerequisite: ATEC 6B
Terms Offered: Spring, Fall

ATEC 94
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

4.5 units
Study of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle architecture, operation, diagnosis, service and repair processes. This course prepares students for the electrification portion of ASE L3 certification exam. Students who have previously completed ATEC 90/91, ATEC 290/91, APAU 9750/9751 do not need to take this course.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: ATEC 50
  2. Prerequisite: ATEC 250
  3. Prerequisite: ATEC 6A
  4. Prerequisite: ATEC 206A
  5. Strongly Recommended: ATEC 5
  6. Strongly Recommended: ATEC 205
  7. Strongly Recommended: ATEC 8
  8. Strongly Recommended: ATEC 208

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term. 1

3-4 units
GE

General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

3 units
GE
  • 1 - Math proficiency course can also count towards Communication and Analytical Thinking General Education requirement
Total Units: 68-70 units
This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.