Part 1 3.7.qxp - Southwestern Oregon Community College

Fabrication/Welding Technology
Description: The Fabrication/Welding Technology programs prepare students for
employment in industries by applying advanced technology to manufacturing methods,
processes, and quality control. An emphasis is placed on understanding basic
processes and applications utilized in industrial fabrication with intensive lab
experience to ensure a working knowledge of measurement, production, product and
process control and quality assurance. The programs apply problem solving and
teamwork to fabrication using hands-on application of principles and technologies to
the ever-changing industrial environment.
Career Information: Students in the welding option or certificate program learn to
use manual welding and flame-cutting equipment, such as shielded metal arc welders,
gas metal welders, flux cored arc welders, gas tungsten arc welders, plasma arc
cutting equipment, and gas torches to cut, fit, and weld together metal components.
Employment opportunities are diverse; 60 percent of manufactured goods utilize
welded components, from metal computer chassis to automobile chassis, clean room
piping to natural gas pipelines, sheet metal ductwork to boilers and pressure vessels,
artwork to aircraft, and drift-boats to supertankers. Graduates of the program typically
begin work in either light or heavy metal fabrication as welders and/or fabricators, but
may qualify for several types of positions in industry such as structural fabrication,
welding and fitting layout, machinery fabrication, automatic and semi-automatic
welding, automatic flame or plasma cutting, plant maintenance, millwright welding, pipe
welding, quality assurance, or industrial safety positions. The program includes both
written and oral communications, general education courses, applied mathematical
and scientific applications, as well as a thorough understanding of applied mechanical
principles.
The Associate of Applied Science in Manufacturing Technology with a
Fabrication/Welding option provides the training for entry-level employment and
offers the technical knowledge necessary for career advancement. Coupled with
experience, the program prepares students for manufacturing employment
opportunities in industry, private enterprise, supervision, and/or advanced welding
technologies. These opportunities include welding, fabrication, inspection, fitting in
heavy machinery or structural steel, light industrial fabrication, estimating, and
technical sales.
The Fabrication/Welding Technology Certificate of Completion prepares
students for entry-level jobs in metal working fields. Required courses are applicable
toward the Associate of Applied Science degree in manufacturing technology with a
fabrication/welding option.
Program notes
Associate of Applied Science Manufacturing Technology
Fabrication/Welding Option
Notes:
1. Developmental and remedial courses, listed on page 62, will not fulfill elective
requirement.
2. HE250 or three credits of PE185 may be substituted for PE231.
3. Student may choose from SP100, 111, 112, 217, 218, 219.
4. See Distribution requirement lists on page 63. Courses must be from outside the
student’s area of concentration. CS120 is recommended.
Southwestern Oregon Community College 2006-07 Catalog www.socc.edu Programs 106