Engineering and Automotive Technology

Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Pathway

This pathway prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all types of automobiles. It includes instruction in brake systems, electrical systems, engine performance, engine repair, suspension and steering, automatic and manual transmissions and drive trains, and heating and air conditioning systems.

National Career Cluster Alignment

The Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Pathway is a part of the Transportation career cluster. Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Careers involve the planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods. This can be by road, pipeline, air, rail, or water. This cluster also includes related support services like transportation infrastructure planning, logistics services, and equipment and facility maintenance.

Pathway Courses

Level 1 Course: Maintenance & Light Repair I

• The Maintenance and Light Repair I (MLR I) course prepares students for entry into Maintenance and Light Repair II. Students explore career opportunities and requirements of a professional service technician. Content emphasizes beginning transportation service skills and workplace success skills. Students study safety, tools, equipment, shop operations, basic engine fundamentals, and basic technician skills.

• Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 General Industry. The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.

Level 2 Course: Maintenance & Light Repair II

• The Maintenance and Light Repair II (MLR II) course prepares students for entry into Maintenance and Light Repair III. Students study automotive general electrical systems, starting and charging systems, batteries, lighting, and electrical accessories. 

• Aligned Industry Credential: NC3 Snap-On Precision Measurements Instruments Certification. Earning this certification will enable a student to be able to show mastery of foundational knowledge in precision measurement instruments. Course content includes tape, rule, side caliper, gauge, angle, micrometer, and dial gauge measurement knowledge and applications. Students must pass all six subtests to fulfill the requirements of the promoted Precision Measurement Instruments Certification.

Level 3 Course: Maintenance & Light Repair III

• The Maintenance and Light Repair III (MLR III) course prepares students for entry into Maintenance and Light Repair IV. Students study and service suspension and steering systems and brake systems. Upon completing all of the Maintenance and Light Repair courses, students may enter automotive service industry as an ASE Certified MLR Technician.

• Aligned Industry Credential: NC3 Snap-On Precision Measurements Instruments Certification. Earning this certification will enable a student to be able to show mastery of foundational knowledge in precision measurement instruments. Course content includes tape, rule, side caliper, gauge, angle, micrometer, and dial gauge measurement knowledge and applications. Students must pass all six subtests to fulfill the requirements of the promoted Precision Measurement Instruments Certification.

Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway

• Credit Type: Dual Credit

• Institution: TCAT - Tennessee College of Applied Technology

• Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete a college assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the test, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.

Affiliated Career & Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.

Technology Pathway

The Technology pathway is designed for students interested in the exciting careers available in the high-demand fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This program of study is uniquely structured to offer students an overview of STEM fields, occupations, and applications, followed by more specialized study of the scientific inquiry or engineering design process.

National Career Cluster Alignment

The Technology Pathway is a part of the STEM career cluster. The Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Cluster involves planning, managing, and executing research, analysis, and technical services. This cluster includes laboratory testing, and research and development in the physical sciences, engineering, and math.

Pathway Courses

Level 1 Course: Principles of Engineering & Technology

Principles of Engineering and Technology is a foundational course in the STEM cluster for students interested in learning more about careers in engineering and technology. This course covers basic skills required for engineering and technology fields of study. Upon completion of this course, proficient students are able to identify and explain the steps in the engineering design process.

They can evaluate an existing engineering design, use fundamental sketching and engineering drawing techniques, complete simple design projects using the engineering design process, and effectively communicate design solutions to others.

• Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 General Industry. The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.

Level 2 Course: Digital Electronics

• Digital Electronics is intended to provide students with an introduction to the basic components of digital electronic systems and equip them with the ability to use these components to design more complex digital systems. Proficient students will be able to (1) describe basic functions of digital components (including gates, flip flops, counters, and other devices upon which larger systems are designed), (2) use these devices as building blocks to design larger, more complex circuits, (3) implement these circuits using programmable devices, and (4) effectively communicate designs and systems. Students develop additional skill in technical documentation when operating and troubleshooting circuits. Upon completion of the Digital Electronics course, proficient students will be able to design a complex digital system and communicate their designs through a variety of media.
• Aligned Industry Credential: NC3 Snap-On Precision Measurements Instruments Certification. Earning this certification will enable a student to be able to show mastery of foundational knowledge in precision measurement instruments. Course content includes tape, rule, side caliper, gauge, angle, micrometer, and dial gauge measurement knowledge and applications. Students must pass all six subtests to fulfill the requirements of the promoted Precision Measurement Instruments Certification. 
• Aligned Industry Credential: NC3 Snap-On Multimeter Certification. This certification includes training on the problem-solving capabilities of Snap-on digital multimeters - the same technology used by professionals in the workplace. Training ranges from basic applications to advanced troubleshooting.

 

Level 3 Course: Robotics and Automated Systems

• Robotics and Automated Systems is an applied course for students who wish to explore how robots and automated systems are used in industry. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will have an understanding of the historical and current uses of robots and automated systems; programmable circuits, interfacing both inputs and outputs; ethical standards for engineering and technology professions; and testing and maintenance of robots and automated systems.
• Aligned Industry Credential: AutoDesk Inventor Certified User.  The Autodesk Certified User - Inventor certification measures users' knowledge and technical skills for the Inventor product, which provides a comprehensive set of design tools for producing, validating, and documenting complete digital prototypes.

Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway

• Credit Type: Dual Credit
• Institution: NSCC - Nashville State Community College
• Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete a college assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the test, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.

Affiliated Career & Technical Student Organization: TSA

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national organization devoted exclusively to the needs of students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). TSA chapters take the study of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) beyond the classroom and give students the chance to pursue academic challenges among friends with similar goals and interests.

BioSTEM Pathway

In the BioSTEM pathway, students gain an understanding of laboratory procedures and applications of scientific principles that assist biologists/chemists in a variety of fields including agriculture, pharmaceutical, environmental, clinical, industrial products, etc.

National Career Cluster Alignment

The BioSTEM Pathway is a part of the STEM career cluster. The Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Cluster involves planning, managing, and executing research, analysis, and technical services. This cluster includes laboratory testing, and research and development in the physical sciences, engineering, and math.

Pathway Courses

Level 1 Course: BioSTEM I

• BioSTEM I is a foundational course in the STEM cluster for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with emphasis in biotechnology. This course covers basic skills required for BioSTEM fields of study. Upon completion of this course, proficient students are able to identify and explain the steps in both the engineering design and the scientific inquiry process. Students conduct research to develop meaningful questions, define simple problem scenarios and scientific investigations, develop fundamental design solutions, conduct basic mathematical modeling and data analysis, and effectively communicate solutions and scientific explanation to others.

• Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 General Industry. The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.

Level 2 Course: BioSTEM II

• BioSTEM II is a project-based learning experience for students who wish to further explore the dynamic range of BioSTEM fields introduced in BioSTEM I. Building on the content and critical thinking frameworks of BioSTEM I, this course asks students to apply the scientific inquiry and engineering design processes to a course-long project selected by the instructor with the help of student input. Instructors design a project in one of the BioSTEM fields of medical laboratory science, research science, food science, forensic science or environmental science that reflects the interest of the class as a whole; the students then apply the steps of the scientific inquiry process throughout the course to ask questions, test hypotheses, model solutions, and communicate results. In some cases, instructors may be able to design hybrid projects that employ elements of several of the BioSTEM fields. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will have a thorough understanding of how scientists research problems and methodically apply BioSTEM knowledge and skills; and they will be able to present and defend a scientific explanation to comprehensive BioSTEM scenarios.

• Aligned Industry Credential: Autodesk Inventor Certified User. The Autodesk Certified User - Inventor certification measures users' knowledge and technical skills for the Inventor product, which provides a comprehensive set of design tools for producing, validating, and documenting complete digital prototypes.

Level 3 Course: BioSTEM III

• BioSTEM III is an applied course in the STEM career cluster which allows students to work in groups to solve a problem or answer a scientific question drawn from real-world scenarios within their schools or communities. This course builds on BioSTEM I and BioSTEM II by applying scientific knowledge and skills to a team project. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to effectively use skills such as project management, team communication, leadership, and decision making. They will also be able to effectively transfer the teamwork skills from the classroom to a work setting.

• Aligned Industry Credential: Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE). BACE is an industry-recognized exam offered by Biotility designed to assess core skills and knowledge sets defined by the bioscience industry. The exam framework is based on a DACUM analysis, detailing the competencies foundational to technician level positions. Reviewed and updated annually with oversight from a national advisory board, the BACE remains current to industry needs nationwide.

Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway

• Credit Type: Dual Credit

• Institution: TSU - Tennessee State University

• Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete a college assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the test, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.

Affiliated Career & Technical Student Organization: TSA

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national organization devoted exclusively to the needs of students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). TSA chapters take the study of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) beyond the classroom and give students the chance to pursue academic challenges among friends with similar goals and interests.