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- Welding Technology
Degrees & Certificates
Welding Technology
Associate in Science
2022-2023
About the Program
Welding touches every aspect of our modern life from the shoes we wear to the food we eat. The Welder or Welding Technician is concerned with all of the activities related to the manufacturing, production, performance, and maintenance of welded products. Interest is primarily in the manufactured or fabricated product, including process selection, power sources, base and filler materials, manufacturing methods, hands-on skills training, inspection, quality control, performance evaluation, and equipment service. The broad range of welded products with which welders and welding technicians deal includes structures, such as bridges, buildings, utility equipment, wind turbines, and communication towers; pressure vessels and heat exchangers, such as nuclear systems, boilers, solar thermal systems, oil and natural gas exploration, chemical processing equipment, storage vessels, and transmission and distribution piping; transportation vehicles for water, land, air, and space travel; and production and processing machines of all types.
Completion of the certificate/AS degree requirements prepares students to take certification tests in a workplace environment. Students may begin this program any semester and enter with either Welding Technology 61 or Welding Technology 62 as the starting series, or may choose Welding Technology 70 or Welding Technology 71 as a means to explore the topic on a more superficial approach. This program is designed to teach theoretical concepts in one course and hands-on skills in a companion course. These companion courses must be taken concurrently. While units in the program are transferable to many institutions, students should consult a counselor for specific information.
About the Degree
The Associate of Science in Welding Technology prepares students for the welding and manufacturing industry. Welding touches every aspect of our modern life from the shoes we wear to the food we eat. The Welder or Welding Technician is concerned with all of the activities related to the manufacturing, production, performance, and maintenance of welded products. Interest is primarily in the manufactured or fabricated product, including process selection, power sources, base and filler materials, manufacturing methods, hands-on skills training, inspection, quality control, performance evaluation, and equipment service. The broad range of welded products with which welders and welding technicians deal includes structures, such as bridges, buildings, utility equipment, wind turbines, and communication towers; pressure vessels and heat exchangers, such as nuclear systems, boilers, solar thermal systems, oil and natural gas exploration, chemical processing equipment, storage vessels, and transmission and distribution piping; transportation vehicles for water, land, air, and space travel; and production and processing machines of all types.
Career Opportunities
The welding industry offers a wide variety of dynamic and challenging careers. Underwater welders are needed on off shore oil rigs. Welder-operators use automated welding systems to manufacture cars. Structural welders help to construct skyscrapers and bridges. In addition to welders, other professionals such as certified inspectors and engineers rely on welding to do their jobs. Without these professionals, our country would fall apart. The demand for skilled welding professionals is constantly growing. By 2025, our nation’s workforce will need over 400,000 welders to satisfy the demands of several industries.
Program Outcomes
- Upon completion of the AS in Welding Technology, students are able to operate safely in a welding workplace environment.
- Upon completion of the AS in Welding Technology, students have skills necessary to
pass an American Welding Society standard welding certification test.
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| WLDT 55 Print Reading for Industry | 2 |
| WLDT 61A Beginning SMAW and FCAW Theory | 1 |
| WLDT 61AL Beginning SMAW and FCAW Skills Lab | 2 |
| WLDT 61B Advanced SMAW and FCAW Theory | 1 |
| WLDT 61BL Advanced SMAW and FCAW Skills Lab | 2 |
| WLDT 62A Beginning GTAW and GMAW Theory | 1 |
| WLDT 62AL Beginning GTAW and GMAW Skills Lab | 2 |
| WLDT 62B Advanced GTAW and GMAW Theory | 1 |
| WLDT 62BL Advanced GTAW and GMAW Skills Lab | 2 |
| WLDT 63 Welding Layout and Fitting | 2 |
| WLDT 66 Welding Inspection and Testing | 2 |
| WLDT 69A Beginning Pipe Welding | 3 |
| WLDT 69B Advanced Pipe Welding | 3 |
| WLDT 73 Welding Workplace Safety | 1 |
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| WLDT 1 Welding Camp | 1 |
| WLDT 67A Welding Skills Lab | 2 |
| WLDT 67B Advanced Welding Skills Lab | 2 |
| WLDT 68 Certification Preparation | 2 |
| WLDT 70 Introduction to Welding | 2 |
| WLDT 72A Beginning Laser Welding | 2 |
| WLDT 72B Intermediate Laser Welding | 3 |
| WLDT 72C Advanced Laser Welding | 2 |
| WLDT 80 The Welding Business | 2 |
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| MATH 50 Intermediate Algebra for SLAM | 4 |
| MATH 53A Technical Intermediate Algebra for Welding A | 2 |
| MATH 53B Technical Intermediate Algebra for Welding B | 1 |
| MATH 72A Technical Elementary Algebra A | 1 |
| MATH 72B Technical Elementary Algebra B | 1 |
| MATH 72C Technical Elementary Algebra C | 1 |
| MATH 72D Technical Elementary Algebra D | 1 |
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| ASL 1A American Sign Language I | 3 |
| BUSN 48 Human Relations in Organizations | 3 |
| BUSN 52 Business Communications | 3 |
| CIS 50 Introduction to Computing Information Technology | 3 |
| GDDM 3 The History of Modern Design | 3 |
| WLDT 71 Welding for the Arts | 3 |
ᅀRequired if a student uses the Las Positas College General Education Pattern for Associate of Science (AS) Degree
| Units Category | Units |
|---|---|
| Total Units in the Major | 44 |
The Associate Degree is conferred upon those students who complete the required 60 or more semester units of the degree pattern with a grade-point average of 2.0 or better, of which 12 units must be earned at Las Positas College. In addition, students must complete a General Education pattern in order to earn a degree: see the Las Positas College General Education Pattern for Associate of Science (AS) Degree, California State University General Education-Breadth, or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (for CSU) patterns for listing of areas and courses. Double counting courses in GE and the major is permissible. The number of units that may be double counted will depend on the entry point to the degree program, the optional course(s) taken, and the GE pattern selected. Elective units are degree applicable. Consult with an adviser or a counselor to plan the courses necessary to achieve your academic goal.
Updated: July 2022