Helping to Build a Stronger World! - Santa Fe College

Santa Fe College
Applied Welding Technologies Program
SYLLABUS
3000 NW 83rd Street
Building H, Room 38
Gainesville, FL 32606
(352) 395-5253
Email: joseph.mahoney@sfcollege.edu
Helping
to
Build
a
Stronger
World!
CURRICULUM PROGRAM SYLLABUS ©2009

SANTA FE COLLEGE
APPLIED WELDING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
SYLLABUS
Basic Facts Students Should Know About This Program
The Welding Program here at SFC uses a system of learning called competency-based education (CBE).
This competency-based welding program is centered on teaching specific job skills required in industry.
CBE is a very personalized teaching system that has the following characteristics:
• Ongoing Program
• Open entry - open exit
• Credit granted for work completed
• Evaluation (grades) based on performance
• Fixed content in each course
• Variety of student levels served in each class
This competency-based program has several very important benefits for you:
• You will be given a list of the skills and knowledge needed to complete the program
successfully.
• Your performance will not be compared to that of other students, but to a fixed standard,
which has been set for the program.
• If you have already acquired certain skills required for this program, you may simply
demonstrate this and begin focusing your attention on new skills.
• You will be able to review learning materials several times in order to attain the skill or
knowledge.
• If you are able to attain the skills easily, you may progress through the program faster than the
average person.
What's Required of You: For this system to work, you will be expected to:
1. Assume the responsibility for your own learning. Your instructor will give you assistance,
but the actual responsibility for learning rests with you, the student.
2. Utilize the materials provided for you. The program's resources have been carefully chosen
and developed to help you learn.
3. Devote your energy to attaining the skills and knowledge required for your program.
The Instructor's Role: The instructors in SFC's Welding Program work with students individually and
guide them through the learning process with the help of many different learning resources. In CBE,
instructors are often referred to as learning managers because they manage the activities in the program and
facilitate the learning process. If you are having difficulty, you should go to your instructor with your
problem. The instructor's goal is to find the most effective way to help you learn the tasks in the program.
Page One

How Your Grade is Computed in This Program: Your grade will be computed using four different items.
These include Knowledge Tests, Performance Tests, Class Participation and Attendance.
Knowledge Tests: These tests measure what you know about the task you are working on. They cover
important information like safety and technical information, which is necessary to complete the task safely
and efficiently.
Performance Tests: These tests measure how well you have performed a task. These tests take place
at the end of a task. (See sample Page Three). These tests also compare your work to a set standard,
displayed on the weld sample rack.
Class Participation: This will be covered in detail later in this syllabus.
Attendance: Your instructor may choose to use your attendance in the calculation of your grade.
Getting to work on time and when you are scheduled is an important employability skill. You will practice
this skill while attending classes in the Welding Program. If you are going to be late or must miss class, call
your instructor and explain your situation.
The following policy will be used when attendance is computed into your grade:
1. A student will be allowed three (3) absences per term.
2. Each following absence shall equal one percentage point subtracted from the student's term end
grade.
3. Arriving to class late or leaving early shall equal .5 (1/2) percentage point subtracted from the
student's term end grade.
Remember, attendance is the most important part of your training here at SFC. If you are not in class, you
cannot practice your skills. You also loose valuable access to the welding lab, the program resources and the
feedback and guidance from your instructor. You pay for your time in class - - don't waste it.
The Grade Calculation: Your grade for each course will be calculated by using the average of all test scores
(knowledge and Performance). This average will be expressed as a percentage. Attendance points will then
be subtracted from this percentage. The final percent score will then be converted to a letter grade using this
table.
95% and higher = A
86% to 94% = B
71% to 85% = C
65% to 70% = D
64% and under = F
General Program Policies: All welding students will follow the SFC Student Code of Conduct.
Tobacco Policy: Smoking is not permitted in any SFC building. There will be absolutely no spitting allowed
in the welding area or the corridor, which serves the main entrance to the Welding Lab. No spit containers of
any type will be allowed in the Welding Program areas. In other words, if you can't use smokeless tobacco
without spitting, don't use it while you are in the Welding Program areas.
Insurance for Students: Student health insurance is a wise investment while you are attending classes here at
SFC. Information on student insurance is available through the Student Activities Program. Pay them a visit
in Building S, Room 147 for more information on your insurance options.
Page Two

Locker Policy: Lockers are available for your use here in the Welding Program. You must follow these
procedures in order to use one of the program lockers:
1. You must sign up for your locker through your instructor. You are responsible to have your
name placed on the locker assignment list by your instructor. Returning students must also
have their names applied to the locker assignment list by their instructor.
2. SFC is not responsible for personal items left in lockers.
3. All lockers must be vacated by the last class day of the term.
4. If you have not signed up for a locker as per number one above, your lock may be removed.
Removal of your lock usually results in the destruction of the lock.
Program Courses and Curriculum: The courses, which make up the Welding Program, will be studied in the
prescribed order. Exceptions to this are: 1) your employer makes a written request on company letterhead
stating his or her need for you to study a specific course because of a requirement with your job. 2) Your
instructor may need to rearrange the GMAW, FCAW and GTAW courses due to equipment demands within
the Welding Lab. The course sequence is as follows:
Course Sequence Course Title
1 Intro to Welding
2 Shielded Metal Arc Welding I
3 Shielded Metal Arc Welding II
4 Vertical Structural Welding Certification
5 Overhead Structural Welding Certification
6 Intro to Inert Gas Welding
7 Gas Metal Arc Welding
8 Flux Cored Arc Welding
9 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Variable 10 Blueprint Reading & Employability Skills
11 Intro to Pipe Welding
12 Pipe Welding Certification
13 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, Pipe
How to Project the Date You Should Finish an Assigned Task: Staying on schedule with your course
work is mandatory if you want to earn a good grade. You will need several things to figure out the date you
should finish an assigned task. These include: 1) the length of the task, or what we call average hours. You
have this information on your course outline. 2) A calendar. These are posted in the lab and classroom. 3)
The average number of hours per day you are in the Welding Program. Use this chart to figure your average
hourly attendance per day.
If you are taking: You Attend Class: Your Average # of Hours in Class Per Day Is:
1 course 6 hours per week = 1.2 average hours per day
2 courses 12 hours per week = 2.4 average hours per day
3 courses 18 hours per week = 3.6 average hours per day
4 courses 24 hours per week = 4.8 average hours per day
5 courses 30 hours per week = 6.0 average hours per day
6 courses 36 hours per week = 7.2 average hours per day
Page Three

How to Project the Date You Should Finish an Assigned Task (Continued): To calculate the date you
should finish a task you now use this formula:
Number of Hours in Task
÷ Average Hours in Class Per Day
Number of Work Days on Calendar to Finish Task
Here's an example. A student is taking one course in the term. The student will work on the first task in the
program, task #0101, Practice Basic Shop Safety (see Course Outline). This task takes an average of 18
hours to complete. The equation is:
18 (# of hours in task)
÷ 1.2 (average hours in class per day)
15 work days on calendar to finish task
You are responsible for calculating the number of workdays you have to complete each task. It is also your
responsibility to use the number of workdays you have to complete the task and a calendar to come up with a
date in which the task should be completed. This date must be recorded on your course outline along with the
date that you started the task. Using this simple procedure will keep you on time as you work through your
welding curriculum.
Graduation Requirement, Taking a Welding Certification Test: Starting in Fall Term 2008 students are
required to complete a welding certification test as a program graduation requirement. The Welding
Program's Advisory Committee recommended this requirement because it feels that students need to take a
certification test to better prepare them for the world of work and to experience the real pressures of
certification testing with an independent welding inspector.
Welder certification is an incredibly complicated subject. There are an infinite number of welder
certifications available in this broad industry called welding. Students in this program study for several
different certification tests in the curriculum. Other tests are available for industry workers and their
companies. During your course of study here at SFC, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the
welding certification process and the specific limits of a welding certification. With this new knowledge you
will choose the welding certification test you will take for your graduation requirement which best suites
your skills and your future employment opportunities.
Welding Certification Test Fees: There are two different certification test fee schedules available here at the
SFCC Welding Program. The following is a brief description of each.
Certification testing for Currently Enrolled Students: These tests will be conducted under the
guidelines of the American Welding Society's Certified Welder Program (SFC's Welding Lab is an
accredited testing facility for the American Welding Society). Daytime students will have two test dates
scheduled per term. The dates will fall at midterm and on the last week of the term. Evening students will
have a scheduled test date at the end of the term and will have the option of testing at midterm through the
day classes. The following test fees are for core curriculum certification tests only.
Test fee for two position plate or one-6G pipe
$30.00 fee to AWS
$100.00 fee to Welding Inspector
* $130.00 total fee *
Test fee for one position plate
$30.00 fee to AWS
$75.00 fee to Welding Inspector
* $105.00 total fee*
Page Four
The paperwork for these tests will come from AWS National Headquarters in Miami, Florida.

Certification for those not currently enrolled in SFC welding courses: A variety of welding
certification tests are available to the public at large through SFC's Welding Program. The fee for a basic two
position, limited thickness, low carbon steel plate test or a 6G limited thickness low carbon steel pipe test is
$345.00. Contact the Welding Program office for further details.
BEING TO CLASS ON TIME IS IMPORTANT!
Many of the rules and procedures that are used in the Welding Program are a direct result of the rules
and procedures used in industry. Since this is a training program, some compromises do take place to insure
students' freedom of choice.
In industry, a worker who habitually arrives late for his or her job will be disciplined through a
variety of methods. One method is to dock the worker's pay for the tardiness. Another method would be to
discharge the worker from the job.
We all know that everyone will have a situation or an emergency that will now and then cause us to
be late. The Welding Program has a cushion built into the grading system, which allows for these infrequent
cases (3 free points).
Coming to class late or showing up to work late sends a signal to your supervisor and to all those
around you. It is important that you understand that the signal is not a positive one. The signal you send by
coming late says that you are not concerned with this portion of your education or your employment. We
know that for your training to be successful you as a student must give 100%. When you come to class late,
you are automatically reducing your 100% effort. The College cannot make up this loss on your part. This is
your responsibility and yours alone.
Because the Welding Program tries to maintain a work environment a penalty is placed on tardiness.
Students arriving to class late will waive their access to the instructor during the lab period for that class.
Please see your instructor if you have had an emergency or a situation that was beyond your control.
Remember we are here to help, but you must do your part in order for you to be successful!
Instructor Office Hours
Your instructor's office hours are posted on the bulletin board located outside the main entrance door
to the H-38 Welding Lab. Your instructor's phone number and e-mail address are posted on the office hours
form.
You may have to set up an appointment to visit with your instructor during office hours. Talk with
your instructor to see how office hours visits are handled.
NOTE TAKING IS REQUIRED!
Page Five

In industry workers are often given oral instructions. Whether you are a banker or a welder oral
communication is a major part of each workday. Taking notes helps workers refresh their memory. When
your supervisor directs you through a list of jobs, the supervisor expects you to complete them all. Your boss
does not want you to come back and ask, "What was the second and third thing you wanted me to do on that
list?" Going back to your supervisor with this type of question would not compliment your work skills.
Having a few notes will eliminate the need to approach your boss with this unnecessary question.
Taking notes can also save you from embarrassing mistakes. When you save your notes and follow
your notes exactly as directed by your supervisor, you have a permanent record of the oral instructions
presented to you by your boss. Remember, when taking notes review your written information with your
supervisor before your conversation is completed!
Your instructor will be directing you through a variety of activities each class period. It is your
responsibility to take notes while the instructor works with you. This note taking technique will improve
your success in the Welding Program and will prepare you for your next job.
A pocket spiral notebook is most often used by trades’ people in the construction and metal trades
industry. These notebooks fit in the breast pocket of your shirt or jacket. This type of notebook is highly
recommended, but you may use any type of resource.
Remember, taking notes will help you improve the speed at which you learn your welding skills
and will prepare you for good communication skills on the job. Don't neglect this student obligation!
Page Six
Class Participation, The 4 th Component Of Your Grade

Starting Spring Term 2004 a 4 th component will be used to calculate your grade. This
is an addition to the “How Your Grade is Computed in This Program” section of this
Syllabus found on page two. Since the Welding Program is primarily a job preparatory
program this item in the grade calculation has been introduced to help students better prepare
them for what will be expected of them in their future employer’s workplace.
Class Participation will require little or no changes for most students in the Program.
However, every student should be aware that their participation, not just attendance and
completion of tests, will have a serious affect on their grade just as it would have an affect on
an employee’s standing in a job environment. Here are just a few examples of what is
expected of students who are demonstrating good class participation skills:
Attention to classroom and lab discussions
Courteous interaction in discussions
Efficient use of time in lab activities
Accurately following daily class schedules
Using class time for accomplishment of welding assignments
Efficient use of personal and scheduled break times
Students who have difficulty with class participation skills will have points subtracted
from their term end grade and may be required to see other SFC staff to continue their studies
in the program. The following policy will apply:
1 st Occurrence- Instructor meeting, 1 point subtracted from term end grades.
2 nd Occurrence- Instructor meeting, 3 points subtracted from term end grades.
3 rd Occurrence- Instructor meeting, 6 points subtracted from term end grades.
4 th Occurrence- Referral to Student Advisor, and or Department Director.
Remember that the Program wants all SFC Welding Students, for their sake, to be successful in the
jobs they will hold in the future. Practicing good participation skills while studying in the Welding Program
will help students have success when they make the transition from student to employee.
Page Seven

SFC
WELDING PROGRAM
TEXTBOOK, TOOL AND CLOTHING LIST
Listed below is the cost of tuition, books, tools and clothing. It is impossible to give exact prices on some
items, as the prices change from term to term. Some prices depend on the quality of the product. We
recommend that high quality safety products be purchased.
I. TUITION COST (you need to see a staff member in The Construction and Technical Programs office
for up to date tuition and lab fee information)
II. TEXTBOOKS (available at SFC Bookstore)
A. The Procedure Handbook Of Arc Welding 14 th Edition, Lincoln Electric Company
Approximately $39.00
C. How To Read Shop Drawings (Author and Publisher: Lincoln Electric)
Approximately $14.00
III. TOOLS AND CL0THING (These items are available at a wide variety of stores and suppliers. Their
cost will vary by style, model, etc.) Approximately $250.00
A. Pen and/or pencil I. Oxy-fuel welding/cutting goggles, #5 lens
B. Spiral note pad J. Striker
C. Leather work books, K. Tip Cleaners
ankle high minimum L. Pliers
D. Cotton or cotton blend pants M. Welding helmet with chipping lens and
and shirts #10 filter lens
E. Welding cap or hat N. Chipping hammer
F Safety glasses, clear lenses O. Tape measure, 6 ft. minimum
G. Welding jacket or leathers P. Soapstone
H. Leather welding gloves, Q. Wire brush
gauntlet type R. Ear Plugs
S. TIG Gloves
IV CERTIFICATION TEST GRADUATION REQUIREMENT (Choose One)
A. One Position Plate Test $105.00
B. Two Position Plate Test or 6G Pipe Test $130.00
Local Welding Supply Companies:
Airgas South, 2330A NE Waldo Road, Phone: 338-7508
Praxair Distribution SE, 933 SE 4 th Street, Phone: 372-8417
Strate Welding Supply, 1910 NE 27 th Ave., Phone: 377-2408
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