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- Courses - Welding Technology
Welding Technology
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.
For more information please visit the Welding Technology website.
Degrees:
Certificates of Achievement:
Career Opportunities
Students will find many career opportunities open to them, such as Welder, Welding Technician, Fabricator, Certified Welding Inspector, Pipewelder, Ironworker, Boilermaker, Steamfitter, Sheet Metal, as well as Maintenance and Repair occupations.
Welding Technology Courses
WLDT 1 - Welding Camp
1 unit
This course is designed to introduce the basics of shop safety, hand tools and welding. Fabrication of simple metal projects. Emphasis on practical uses and applications. 9 hours lecture, 27 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: P/NP
WLDT 10 - Machining for the Metal Trades
4 units
This course is intended to show how machine tools are used in the metal trades and manufacturing, as well as how machine tools operate and when to use one particular machine instead of another. The advantage and disadvantage of various machining techniques as well as their application in the fabrication process are explored. Students will learn the use of drawings, hand tools, precision measuring tools, drilling machines, grinders, lathes, milling machines, and other specialized tools used to shape and finish metal and nonmetal parts. Additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques as well as related processes are explored. 36 hours lecture, 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Materials Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 55 - Print Reading for Industry
2 units
Interpreting and visualizing drawings and prints used in industrial settings. The role of prints in the digital age, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing to current standards. Foundational skills needed for print reading success, including basic mathematics, geometry principles, measurement tools, and the design process. Welding symbols and their use in manufacturing. 36 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: GR
WLDT 61A - Beginning SMAW and FCAW Theory
1 unit
Theory and safety of Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW) Flux-Core Arc (FCAW) welding of steel, flame cutting, plasma and carbon arc cutting. American Welding Society nomenclature, electrode and wire selection, job opportunities. Blueprint reading, welding symbols for welders and hazardous material regulation. Corequisite: WLDT 61AL or WLDT 61BL. 18 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 61AL - Beginning SMAW and FCAW Skills Lab
2 units
Skills of Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW) and Flux-Core Arc (FCAW) welding in the flat and horizontal positions to to American Welding Society code specifications. Oxy-fuel flame, plasma, and carbon arc cutting. Safe use and handling of welding equipment and consumables. Corequisite: WLDT 61A or WLDT 61B. 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 61B - Advanced SMAW and FCAW Theory
1 unit
Theory and safety of Stick (SMAW) and Flux-core Arc (FCAW) welding of steel, flame cutting, plasma and carbon arc cutting. American Welding Society nomenclature, electrode and wire selection, job opportunities. Blueprint reading, welding symbols for welders and hazardous material regulations. Corequisite: WLDT 61AL or WLDT 61BL. 18 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 61BL - Advanced SMAW and FCAW Skills Lab
2 units
Advanced skills in Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW) and Flux Cored Arc (FCAW) welding of steel in the horizontal, vertical and overhead positions to A.W.S. Codes. Safety and proper use of SMAW, FCAW, oxy-fuel cutting and plasma arc cutting equipment. Blueprint usage in the welding shop environment. Prerequisite: WLDT 61AL with a minimum grade of C. Corequisite: WLDT 61A or WLDT 61B. 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 62A - Beginning GTAW and GMAW Theory
1 unit
Theory of fuel and inert gas welding of steel, stainless steel and aluminum alloys, Oxy-Fuel welding, Oxy fuel brazing, flame cutting, and plasma cutting. Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) and Gas Metal Arc (GMAW) and welding equipment supplies. Nomenclature and metallurgy of steel, stainless steel and aluminum alloys. Introduction to blueprint reading and welding symbols. Hazardous material regulations and safety data sheets. Corequisite: WLDT 62AL or WLDT 62BL. 18 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 62AL - Beginning GTAW and GMAW Skills Lab
2 units
Skills of TIG (GTAW) and MIG (GMAW) welding of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys in the flat and horizontal positions to A.W.S. codes. Safety and proper use of TIG and MIG equipment, oxy-fuel welding and cutting, plasma cutting. Blueprint usage in welding shop environment. Corequisite: WLDT 62A or WLDT 62B. 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 62B - Advanced GTAW and GMAW Theory
1 unit
Theory of fuel and inert gas welding of Non-Ferrous alloys, Oxy-Fuel welding, Oxy fuel brazing, flame cutting, and plasma cutting. Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) and Gas Metal Arc (GMAW) and welding equipment supplies. Nomenclature and metallurgy of Non-Ferrous alloys. Introduction to blueprint reading and welding symbols. Hazardous material regulations and safety data sheets. Corequisite: WLDT 62AL or WLDT 62BL. 18 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 62BL - Advanced GTAW and GMAW Skills Lab
2 units
Advanced skills in Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) and Gas Metal Arc (GMAW) welding of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys in the horizontal, vertical and overhead positions to A.W. S. codes. Safety and proper use of TIG and MIG equipment, oxy-fuel welding and cutting, plasma cutting. Blueprint usage in welding shop environment. Pipe and tubing fit-up and welding. Prerequisite: WLDT 62AL with a minimum grade of C. Corequisite: WLDT 62A or WLDT 62B. 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 63 - Welding Layout and Fitting
2 units
Interpretation of welding blueprints by making welding layouts and weldment fitups. Current methods, practices, and recommended procedures. Use of jigs, fixtures, holding devices, and welding sequences. Methods of straightening and restoring dimensions to finished product. Laboratory includes SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW welding, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting. Strongly Recommended: WLDT 61BL with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 62BL with a minimum grade of C. 18 hours lecture, 54 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 66 - Welding Inspection and Testing
2 units
Theory and skills in performing inspections and tests using destructive and nondestructive methods. American Welding Society (AWS) codes and their role in welding inspection. The role and duties of the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). Strongly Recommended: WLDT 61AL with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 62AL with a minimum grade of C. 18 hours lecture, 54 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 67A - Welding Skills Lab
2 units
Development and improvement of skills in Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW), Flux Cored Arc (FCAW), Gas Metal Arc (GMAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) welding. Strongly Recommended: WLDT 61AL with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 62AL with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 70 with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 71 with a minimum grade of C. 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 67B - Advanced Welding Skills Lab
2 units
Advanced development and improvement of skills in Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW), Flux Cored Arc (FCAW), Gas Metal Arc (GMAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) welding. Strongly Recommended: WLDT 67A with a minimum grade of C. 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 68 - Certification Preparation
2 units
Welding skills preparation for certification testing. Theory of American Welding Society D1.1, American Society of Mechanical Engineers Section IX and American Petroleum Institute 1104. Strongly Recommended: WLDT 61AL with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 61BL with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 62AL with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 62BL with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 69A with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 69B with a minimum grade of C. 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 69A - Beginning Pipe Welding
3 units
Theory and practical application of: pipe joint preparation and design, API (American Petroleum Institute) and AWS (American Welding Society) welding codes specification for pipe and pipe fittings, analysis of joint configuration, plasma and flame cutting of pipes, wire and electrodes selections, beginning of pipe welding blue print and welding symbols, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and GTAW of pipe joints, non-destructive and destructive test and qualitative concepts of evaluation. Welding in the 1G and 2G positions. Prerequisite: WLDT 61BL with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 62BL with a minimum grade of C. 18 hours lecture, 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 69B - Advanced Pipe Welding
3 units
Theory and practical application of: pipe joint preparation and design, API (American Petroleum Institute) and AWS (American Welding Society) welding codes specification for pipe and pipe fittings, analysis of joint configuration, plasma and flame cutting of pipes, wire and electrodes selections, beginning of pipe welding blue print and welding symbols, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and GTAW of pipe joints, non-destructive and destructive test and qualitative concepts of evaluation. Welding in the 5G and 6G positions. Prerequisite: WLDT 69A with a minimum grade of C. 18 hours lecture, 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 70 - Introduction to Welding
2 units
Basic skills in Shielded Metal Arc (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW), Gas Metal Arc (GTAW) and Flux Core Arc (FCAW) welding. Oxy-fuel welding and thermal cutting. Emphasis on safety, proper usage, theory and care of welding equipment. 18 hours lecture, 54 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 71 - Welding for the Arts
3 units
Provides basic welding, shop skills and instruction that artistically inclined individuals should know in order to be effective in the process of creating metal art and sculpture. Provides instruction on types of metals (aluminum, iron, steel, cast iron, bronze, stainless steel, etc.), mechanical fastenings, cutting and permanent joining together of metals and alloys through welding processes such as SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, oxyacetylene and braze welding, plasma and fuel gas cutting. Instruction includes general shop safety, equipment use, finishing, welding electricity fundamentals, welding consumable identification, and hazardous materials regulation. 18 hours lecture, 108 hours laboratory. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU; CSU GE: C1.
- Course Material Fees May Apply
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 72A - Beginning Laser Welding
2 units
This course will cover the theory and concepts associated with modern laser welding of metals and materials. The use of the laser in the manufacturing environment will be shown along with typical applications. The different types of lasers available for welding. The advantages and disadvantages of continuous power laser welding and pulsed laser welding. Strongly Recommended: MATH 71 with a minimum grade of C or MATH 71A with a minimum grade of C and/or MATH 71B with a minimum grade of C. 36 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 72B - Intermediate Laser Welding
3 units
This course will cover the theory and applied skills associated with modern laser welding of metals and materials. Hands-on use of the laser welding equipment will be shown along with typical applications. The different types of joint configurations for welding will be covered. The tools for measuring and monitoring laser welding performance will be explored. Methods of inspection, as well as defect detection, their cause and corrective action will be discussed. Practical application of codes and specifications for industrial laser welding applications will be reviewed. Laser welding safety requirements and personal protective equipment. Prerequisite: WLDT 72A with a minimum grade of C (may be taken concurrently). 18 hours lecture, 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 72C - Advanced Laser Welding
2 units
This course will cover the application of modern laser welding of metals and materials. The hands-on use of the laser in the manufacturing environment will be performed. Utilization of tools for monitoring their performance will be explored. The safe and proper use continuous power laser welding and pulsed laser welding as well as the equipment and supplies will be covered. Direct measurement of temporal and spatial characteristics of the laser beam will be performed. Welding as well as metallurgy and joint configurations will be employed. Inspection, as well as defect detection, as well as their cause and corrective action will be demonstrated. Utilization of codes and specifications for industrial laser welding applications will be applied as well as welding safety requirements and personal protective equipment. Calculation of laser beam welding parameters. Prerequisite: WLDT 72B with a minimum grade of C. 108 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 73 - Welding Workplace Safety
1 unit
This course provides the safety knowledge required to operate safely in a welding or construction workplace environment. This course will emphasize hazard identification, avoidance and control as a means to proactively create a safe workplace environment. OSHA safety standards will be emphasized throughout to maintain consistency with workplace environment. This course meets the 10 hour OSHA construction safety training requirements. 18 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 79 - Manufacturing Processes
2 units
This course examines the processes and equipment used in modern manufacturing. This course provides an excellent introduction to today’s manufacturing processes, as well as an overview of the processes and equipment used in modern manufacturing. The course concentrates on the five major types of industrial materials; metals, plastics, ceramics, woods, and composites. It provides thorough coverage of the forming, separating, fabricating, conditioning, and finishing processes related to each material. The course also includes the materials and manufacturing processes used in packaging finished goods. The proper and safe use of hand tools, basic shop tools, manufacturing and welding equipment will be covered. Understanding the relationship between manufacturing processes, materials properties, materials processing and design. 27 hours lecture, 27 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP
WLDT 80 - The Welding Business
2 units
This course explores the combination of materials, labor and machines. This course examines the unique aspects associated with the operation of a successful welding business. This course provides a basic understanding of the flow of work through a welding operation from the initial customer contact through the completed component arriving at the customers receiving facility. The request for quotation, the processes of bidding on work, estimating, quotations, contract documents, codes, specifications, customer requirements, manufacturing travelers, quality control, manufacturing methods, labor, raw material sources, subcontractors, finishing, transportation, materials handling, packaging, and the process for getting paid for doing the work. Strongly Recommended: WLDT 61AL with a minimum grade of C or WLDT 62AL with a minimum grade of C. 36 hours lecture. Transfer: CSU.
- Degree Applicable, Credit
- Grading Option: OP