Automotive Technology
Faculty in Focus: Automotive Technology
Tony Gumushian, Professor / Coordinator, Automotive Technology
Office: 2187
Phone: (708) 709-3614
Send E-Mail
A career in Automotive Technology offers students an opportunity to learn high-tech
skills using computerized diagnostic tools and engine analyzers to service today’s
complicated vehicles.
Students can choose to pursue certification for employment in automotive servicing
and repair, engine testing, automotive parts, automotive field service, and shop management.
Another option is for students to use their training at Prairie State College toward
two years of automotive apprenticeship or transfer to a four-year automotive power
technology program.
Prairie State College’s Automotive Technology Program offers students the necessary technology and skills to succeed in this exciting industry with an excellent career outlook. This program is National Institute For Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.
The program holds the Automobile Services Technology certification.
ASE Education Foundation 1503 Edwards Ferry Road., NE Suite 401 Leesburg, VA 20176 
Degrees and Certificates
View the curriculum for each program in the current Academic Catalog. You can also access the entire
catalog online. An archive of previous catalogs and addenda is also available.
Please visit Career Programs and Transfer Degrees, where you will find information describing the requirements needed to complete a degree or certificate.
Courses
A listing of course descriptions is available in the current Academic Catalog. For a listing of when courses are offered,
consult the current course schedule or WebAdvisor.
- Automotive Alignment Specialist Certificate
- Automotive Brake Specialist Certificate
- Automotive Drivability Specialist Certificate
- Automotive Engines Specialist Certificate
- Automotive Heating/AC Specialist Certificate
- Automotive Parts Specialist Certificate
- Automotive Services Technology Certificate
- Automotive Service Management Technology Certificate
- Automotive Transmission Specialist Certificate
- Automotive Technology AAS
Automotive Alignment Specialist Certificate
This short term program trains students to function as front end technicians. Students
learn to align and balance wheels, as well as repair steering mechanisms and suspension
systems.
Learning Objectives:
- The necessary skills to perform auto repair tasks as front end technicians
- The purpose and types of wheel bearings, tire and wheel alignment, balancing and design
- Shop hazards and best practices to avoid personal injury or property damage
Automotive Brake Specialist Certificate
Students in this program are trained to work on drum and disk braking systems, parking
brakes, and their hydraulic systems. Students learn to inspect, adjust, remove, repair,
and reinstall brake shoes, disk pads, drums, rotors, wheels and master cylinders,
and hydraulic fluid lines.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
- The operation of the basic components of automotive care and maintenance of brake systems
- Specialized training in basic automotive electrical systems and testing
- Shop hazards and best practices to avoid personal injury or property damage
Automotive Drivability Specialist Certificate
This short-term program trains students to diagnose drivability problems. Students
learn the basics of the engine, engine performance, and how the electronics work,
as well as the computer system functions of the vehicle. Students are taught to adjust
the ignition timing and valves, and adjust or replace spark plugs or other parts to
ensure efficient engine performance. Electronic test equipment is used to adjust and
locate malfunctions in fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
- The components of automotive engines and engine performance
- The basic operating principles of automotive electronics and electricity
- Shop hazards and best practices to avoid personal injury or property damage
Automotive Engines Specialist Certificate
This short-term program trains the student to function as an engine mechanic. Students
learn to overhaul engines, as well as service the electrical needs of the engine.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
- The necessary skills to perform auto repair tasks as engine mechanics
- Overhauling engines and the electrical needs of the engine
- Shop hazards and best practices to avoid personal injury or property damage
Automotive Heating/AC Specialist Certificate
This short-term program prepares technicians to install and repair air-conditioners
as well as service components such as compressors and condensers.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
- How to install, service and repair heating, defrosting and air conditioning systems in automobiles
- The basic operating principles of automotive electronics and electricity
- Shop hazards and best practices to avoid personal injury or property damage
Automotive Parts Specialist Certificate
This short-term program trains the student for positions in parts management. Students
learn the parts management system as well as basic business management techniques
and introductory computer skills.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
- The use of parts equipment and supply catalogs, descriptive nomenclature, stock familiarization, pricing procedures, and inventory control
- Basic automotive services and systems
- Shop hazards and best practices to avoid personal injury or property damage
Automotive Services Technology Certificate
This program prepares students for employment in automotive servicing and repair,
engine testing, automotive field services, and automotive parts, and shop management.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
- Best practices in automotive servicing and repair, engine testing, field services, parts and shop management
- Engine performance, brakes, suspension, electronics, computer and transmission system operation and diagnosis
- Shop hazards and best practices to avoid personal injury or property damage
Automotive Service Management Technology Certificate
Service management specialists are the link between the customers seeking repair or
maintenance for their vehicles and the technicians who perform the work. Students
are trained to write repair orders, inspect vehicles to determine work that needs
to be done, determine costs of the work, and prepare itemized estimates. In addition,
students learn basic computer skills and basic business management skills. After gaining
experience in entry-level positions, successful students can go on to management/supervisory
levels in auto shops.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
- Automotive repair shop operations, basic manufacturer and company policies and procedures, and existing labor agreements
- Best practices in sales and management relative to the automotive industry
- Manager’s role in preventing shop hazards and avoiding personal injury and/or property damage
Automotive Transmission Specialist Certificate
This short-term program trains mechanics to work on gear trains, couplings, hydraulic
pumps, and other parts of automotive transmissions. Because these are complex mechanisms
and include electronic parts, their repair requires considerable experience and training,
including a knowledge of hydraulics.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
- The components and functions of manual and automatic transmissions and transaxles
- Repair operations, adjustments, and performance testing on automatic transmissions, transmission controls, standard transmissions, overdrives, drive lines, and differentials
- Shop hazards and best practices to avoid personal injury or property damage
Automotive Technology AAS:
This program provides the balance of theory and practical knowledge necessary for
students preparing for careers in the automotive technology industry. Service technicians
are trained to maintain and repair cars, vans, small trucks, and other vehicles. Using
both hand tools and specialized diagnostic test equipment, they learn to pinpoint
problems and make necessary repairs or adjustments. In addition to performing complex
and difficult repairs, technicians handle a number of routine maintenance procedures
such as oil changes, tire rotation and battery replacement. Technicians also interact
with customers to explain repair procedures and discuss maintenance needs. The Automotive
program is currently aligned with the ASE Education Foundation and the National Institute
for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This program prepares students to pass all
nine Automotive ASE exams.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge
of:
- Understand the eight major systems of Automotive Technology and how they interact
- Safely perform the complete list of NATEF tasks included in every class syllabus
- Perform general maintenance and light repair tasks within the given flat rate times
- Fill out repair orders, including concern, cause, and correction
- Recycle fluids and discard parts and waste in accordance with EPA guidelines
- Use of tools and test equipment to diagnose, repair, and perform maintenance on all vehicle systems