Diesel Technology (AC Transit) - Associate in Science

Students completing the Chabot College Heavy Duty Coach Mechanic Degree will have obtained theoretical and practical experience in the following Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) subject areas: T1-T8 and L2. In addition to encompassing all aspects of modern medium and heavy-duty diesel vehicles, the degree includes specific training on heavy-duty coach buses and general education courses that provide a well-rounded professional prepared for current and future opportunities in transportation and mobility-related industries.

The Automotive program at Chabot College consistently averages an enrollment of over 260 unduplicated students. The Automotive Program students complete all the courses offered as they prepare for industry employment. As students progress through the individual courses, they complete multiple certificates constructed in stackable pathways toward the transition to employment or Degree. The Heavy-Duty Coach Mechanic program will allow those students to enroll in the AC transit Heavy-Duty Coach Mechanic apprenticeship program, which typically graduates 6+ students yearly.

The Heavy-Duty Coach Mechanic program provides general education on the maintenance, diagnosis, and repair fundamentals of the Heavy-Duty Coach Bus service industry. The program includes the following ASE areas:

• T1: Gasoline Engines
• T2: Diesel Engines
• T3: Drive Train
• T4: Brakes
• T5: Suspension & Steering
• T6: Electrical/Electronic Systems
• T7: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
• T8: Preventative Maintenance Inspection

The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on activities using modern service and diagnostics equipment. The program also requires general education courses to ensure students gain a well-rounded technical education.

The Heavy Duty Coach Mechanic Associate of Science Degree program allows students to work and learn, focusing on a modality that supports a technician's pathway to a degree. The heavy-duty diesel transportation industry is experiencing a significant demand for technicians that is difficult to satisfy. The need for qualified technicians has increased due to attrition and the inclusion of new vehicle technologies that demand specialized training. Having the opportunity to learn while still working helps students achieve their educational goals and, at the same time alleviates the need for technicians in the field. Furthermore, the AS degree will train them to access work in a wider range of equipment, including mining, farming, construction machinery, and vehicles.

Students will also have the opportunity to claim a Certificate of Achievement as they progress through their AS degree in Heavy-Duty Coach Mechanics to further extend their employment opportunities in the industry of medium and heavy-duty diesel engine vehicles.