Program Code: AASEM
ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCE DEGREE
This program of study prepares students to work in the growing field of Mechatronics. It combines technical skills from the computer, electrical/electronic and mechanical disciplines to develop well-rounded, multi-skilled technicians who can design, install, program, integrate, service and troubleshoot Mechatronic components and systems.
Mechatronics has been identified as one of the ten emerging technologies that will change the world. The U.S. Department of Labor has listed Mechatronics as a new and emerging “green jobs” growth area that has also been identified as one of the in-demand industry clusters. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for Mechatronics is green and bright through 2018 with an annual salary of around $50,000. According to the Center for Automotive Research, Mechatronics will dominate future hiring at motor vehicle firms. The National Council on Competiveness estimates that 100 million new jobs will be created in the 21st century at the intersection of disciplines rather than in individual disciplines. Mechatronics technicians exhibit this multi-disciplinary or multi- skilled requirement.
There is not a mechatronics industry sector; rather, it is an enabling approach to technology that is increasingly applied in a number of economic sectors including: Alternative/Renewable Energy and a variety of Green Jobs; Biotechnology, Life Science and Medical; Logistics; Heavy and Special Trade Construction; Energy, Mining and Related Support Services; Petroleum Refining and Chemical; Transportation Equipment; Production Support and Industrial Machinery; Agriculture, Forestry and Food; and Aerospace, Homeland Security and Defense.
Program Outcomes/Objectives:
When students complete this program, they will be able to:
- interface and program a programmable logic controller,
- interface and program robots,
- analyze and build fluid power and control logic circuits.
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