Heating and air-conditioning equipment make buildings comfortable for work, study or play. Refrigeration equipment makes it possible to safely store foods, medicines, and other items. The equipment that provides these conveniences is complex. Air conditioning, refrigeration and heating technicians are skilled workers who install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair it. Much of the equipment with which they work today is computer controlled.

Technicians in this field are often employed to design, manufacture, install, sell and service equipment to regulate interior temperatures. They often specialize in one area, and may work both outdoors and indoors.

Students in GRCC's program learn the theory and become proficient in the skills necessary to assume jobs as air conditioning, refrigeration and heating mechanics and technicians. They take at least two laboratory courses in their specialty every semester.

Students who complete the first two semesters of this program with at least a 2.0 grade point average are eligible for the Certificate in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating (Curriculum Code 924).

The following scheme is presented as a guide only. Courses may be taken in any order, as long as all requirements (including prerequisites) are met.

Suggested sequence

First Year

First Semester	Credits	CH**
EL 144 Basic Electricity	3	6
ER 110 Basic Refrigeration	2	4
ER 111 Refrigeration Applications	2	4
ER 121 Metallic & Non Metallic Joining Tech	2	4
ER 221 Duct Construction and Design	3	6
ER 275 Commercial Refrigeration	3	4
MN 116 Welding	2	4
First Semester Earned Credits:	17

Second Semester	Credits	CH**
ER 128 Heating/Cooling Controls	3	6
ER 135 Heating, Theory/Applications	2	4
ER 136 Air Conditioning, Theory/Applications	2	4
ER 174 Mechanical Blueprint Reading	3	4
ER 230 HVACR Electronic Controls	3	4
ER 246 Mechanical Codes	2	2
ER 276 Advanced Heating & Cooling	3	4
Second Semester Earned Credits:	18

Second Year

Third Semester	Credits	CH**
BA 101 Business and Technical English OR
EN 100 College Writing
EN 101 English Composition 1 *	3	3
CO 101 Introduction to Small Computers *	2	2
EL 162 Control Systems	2	3
TE 103 Technical Mathematics OR
MA 107 Intermediate Algebra	4	4
Lab Science (TE 114, PH 115, or PH 125)	4	6
Third Semester Earned Credits:	15

Fourth Semester	Credits	CH**
BA 102 Business and Technical English OR
EN 102 English Composition 2 *	3	3
ER 250 Basic Boiler Operation	3	4
WE - Wellness	1	2
PS 110 American Government	3	3
SC 135 Interpersonal Communication OR
Humanities Elective	3	3
Fourth Semester Earned Credits:	13
Total Credits:	63

* Students intending to transfer to HVACR Engineering Technology at Ferris State University should take CO 105 in addition to CO 101. They should also take EN 101 and EN 102 rather than the comparable BA courses.
** CH = Contact Hours

Information about GRCC HVAC, 2006

1. Air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating is a broad, stable industry that involves creating and maintaining safe, comfortable enclosed environments for people and products.

2. HVAC can be learned at many schools, public, or private.

3. At private schools you pay for everything yourself, the total cost for two years is about $36,000.

4. At GRCC taxes pay for most of the cost, so tuition and books for residents run about $9,000 for two years. Non-resident pay about $12,000.

5. Private schools meet classes fall, winter, spring, and summer for about 1900 hours.

6. GRCC HVAC meet classes fall, winter, and summer for about 1850 hours.

7. GRCC offers courses in topic sequence, learn concepts in order. Complete one 7-week course before taking the next course.

8. GRCC has professional instructors, willing to help students.

9. GRCC has modern, well-equipped labs for student use, at the Applied Technology Center.

10. GRCC supports placement of HVAC graduates.

11. GRCC has a free, lifetime job placement service.

12. GRCC offers financial aid, scholarships, grants, and loans

13. GRCC offers electives in special interest areas such as music, machining, welding, CAD, etc.

14. GRCC offers 1-year certificate and 2-year degree programs.

15. GRCC classes are accredited by North Central Association, so credits may transfer to a four year school for advanced training or degrees.

16. GRCC offers both day and evening classes.

17. GRCC has two semesters and a summer session for a total of 45 weeks of instruction per year.

18. GRCC offers complete flexibility in programming, course selection, and career planning.

19009 page hits and 16166 unique visits since 02-27-03
Updated on 31-JAN-09
Edit this page | View text only version

Grand Rapids Community College

Menu