Industrial Maintenance

Industrial maintenance refers to the career path of providing maintenance, troubleshooting and repair, and improvement of complex machines and automation systems to support manufacturing and other industries.  The industrial maintenance field has experienced and is projected to grow at above average rates during the next 10 years.  An industrial mechanic employs a wide range of skills including electrical and electronics, machining, welding, and hydraulics in order to maintain industrial systems.  Upon completion of this program, students will:

• Identify characteristics of various motor types and proper employment of each type;
• Employ procedures to determine the electrical materials, equipment, and application of code and regulations to support various electrical installations for both commercial and industrial projects:
• Troubleshoot analog and digital circuits using standard and specialized test equipment;
• Employ mill and lathe systems in building designated projects;
• Proficiently weld on a single plate, and two connecting pieces of ferrous metals;
• Demonstrate proficiency in welding SMAW or GMAW in desired position;
• Explain the principles of hydraulics; and
• Identify hydraulic devices and symbols and explain their functions.

Industrial Maintenance Tier I, CTS

Industrial Maintenance Tier II, CTS

CAS Total Credits: 30-32

Note: Upon completion of Tiers I and II, a student has met the requirements for a CAS, but may not receive both a Tier II CTS and a CAS.

Industrial Maintenance Tier III, CTS

Industrial Maintenance Tier IV, CTS

AAS Total Credits: 64-70

**Optional Course Offerings:

• ELCT 102 - Electrical Fundamentals II Credit(s): 4 *
• MCH 101 - Introduction to Manufacturing Processes Credit(s): 1
• MCH 102 - Introduction to Manufacturing Materials Credit(s): 2
• MCH 125 - Introduction to CNC Lathe Operations Credit(s): 3 *
• MCH 129 - Machine Quality Control and Precision Measurements Credit(s): 3
• MCH 134 - Introduction to Mills Credit(s): 4
• WLDG 100 - Introduction to Welding Fundamentals Credit(s): 2
• WLDG 122 - Welding Theory III Practical Credit(s): 3 *
• WLDG 145 - Fabrication Basics I Credit(s): 3 *

Program Information

• Students who transfer from Electronics or Machining or Welding after their first year will have taken seven credits of math, communications, and workplace safety.  They will need to make up 7-11 credits of coursework from the first year of Industrial Maintenance.  The exceptions are ELCT 100  and ELCT 110 , which are offered in the fall and summer semesters.
• Industries such as large-scale manufacturing including wood products, energy generation, petroleum refining, chemical processing, automotive, aviation/aerospace, rail, ship, and trucking all employ mechanical systems that require maintenance as well as repair.  This program provides a student with the necessary instruction to meet the wide range of challenges encountered in these industries by maintenance personnel.
• Upon completion of Tiers I and II, a student has met the requirements for the Certificate of Applied Science (CAS), but may not receive both a Tier II Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) and the CAS.  Similarly, upon completion of Tiers I, II, III, and IV, a student has met the requirements for the AAS degree, but may not receive both the Tier IV CTS and the AAS degree.

Opportunities after Graduation

• Industrial maintenance is projected to grow 15-30% over the next 10 years in Montana.
• Industrial maintenance workers typically earn wages above the median.

Advising Information

For more information about this program, contact the advisor.