Electrical and Industrial Automation Technology

The Electrical and Industrial Automation Technology program provides training in the areas of industrial electronics, process control, instrumentation, fluid power, electrical-mechanical systems and computer control integration.

The first semester is devoted to the study of basic electrical/electronic theory through lecture and hands-on laboratory exercises. The following three semesters focus on the theory and applications related to industrial machine and industrial process control systems.

Knowledge of the hardware and circuitry used in industrial control is learned through hands-on lab assignments and projects. Computers and industrial Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are used in the application of sequential machine control. Calibration and algorithm configuration of instrumentation is applied to closed-loop process control.

These areas may include: industrial electrical power and wiring; electric motors control; electronic/electrical troubleshooting; electrical maintenance; industrial computer control and applications; instruments and sensors; PID control loops; digital and analog circuits; fluid power control; robotics; automated/robotic manufacturing work cells; process control theory and application; computer aided drafting; electrical/electronic schematic reading; ladder logic diagrams; PLC programming; human machine interfacing software programming.

Helpful background - Mechanical and analytical aptitude with math and science background is desirable, as well as an interest in working with computers, machines, and electronic devices in a hands-on environment. Electronic/electrical classes or work experience is helpful, but not required.

Employment Opportunities - In order for industries to compete, they must reduce cost while improving productivity. This requires adapting to modern technology. Automation of equipment and processes is increasingly used to accomplish this goal. A need exists for personnel trained in servicing and maintaining high-technology equipment. The job outlook for service and technical personnel is expanding.

Opportunities exist in paper/pulp, manufacturing, mining, transportation, warehousing/distribution, utilities, graphics/publishing, chemical processing, petroleum refining, and many other industries.

ELECTRICAL AND INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY––A.A.S. DEGREE
CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 72

FRESHMAN YEAR - FALL SEMESTER
EIAT 1253 Intro to DC/AC Electronics 4 credits
EIAT 1233 Intro to Solid State Electronics 4 credits
EIAT 1243 Intro to Digital Electronics 3 credits
EIAT 1295 Basic Soldering 1 credits
EIAT 1244 Industrial Pneumatics 2 credits
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
  CSCI 1455 Intro to Computers 3 credits
  MATH 1511 Foundations of Math I 3 credits or MATH 1521 College Algebra 3 credits
    TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 20

FRESHMAN YEAR - SPRING SEMESTER
EIAT 1251 Programmable Logic Controllers 3 credits
EIAT 1265 National Electrical Code 1 credit
EIAT 1266 Industrial Motor Control 6 credits
EIAT 1275 Introduction to Process Control 2 credits
EIAT 1276 Electrical/Mechanical Equipment and Systems 2 credits
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
  ENGL 1511 College Writing I 4 credits
    TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 18

SOPHOMORE YEAR - FALL SEMESTER
EIAT 2265 Electrical Control of Machines 2 credits
EIAT 2266 Temperature, Strain, and Analytical Instruments 3 credits
EIAT 2267 Pressure, Flow, and Level Instruments 3 credits
EIAT 2252 Advanced Programmable Logic Controllers 4 credits
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
  PHYS 1561 College Physics I 4 credits
  GECL 2175 Job Search Strategies 1 credits
    TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 17

SOPHOMORE YEAR- SPRING SEMESTER
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
  ENGL 1532 Technical Report Writing 3 credits
  SOC 1558 Human Relations 3 credits
  elective - 3 credits from Minn transfer curriculum goal areas 5, 6, 7 or 9
ELECTIVE CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
Choose 8 credits from the following list of 2200 Course Level Credits:
  EIAT 2295 Computer Aided Design 2 credits
  EIAT 2235 Industrial Data Communications 3 credits
  EIAT 2245 Industrial PC Applications 3 credits
  EIAT 2276 Automated Industrial Control 4 credits
  EIAT 2277 Controllers and Control Loops (Tuning) 2 credits
    TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 17

ELECTRICAL AND INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY – DIPLOMA
CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: 64

FRESHMAN YEAR - FALL SEMESTER
EIAT 1253 Intro to DC/AC Electronics 4 credits
EIAT 1233 Intro to Solid State Electronics 4 credits
EIAT 1243 Intro to Digital Electronics 3 credits
EIAT 1295 Basic Soldering 1 credit
EIAT 1244 Industrial Pneumatics 2 credits
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
  CSCI 1455 Intro to Computers 3 credits
    TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 17

FRESHMAN YEAR - SPRING SEMESTER
EIAT 1251 Programmable Logic Controllers 3 credits
EIAT 1265 National Electric Code 1 credit
EIAT 1266 Industrial Motor Control 6 credits
EIAT 1275 Introduction to Process Control 2 credits
EIAT 1276 Electrical/Mechanical Equipment and Systems 2 credits
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
  ENGL 1532 Technical Report Writing 3 credits or ENGL 1511 College Writing I 4 credits
    TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 17

SOPHOMORE YEAR - FALL SEMESTER
EIAT 2265 Electrical Control of Machines 2 credits
EIAT 2266 Temperature, Strain, and Analytical Instruments 3 credits
EIAT 2267 Pressure, Flow, and Level Instruments 3 credits
EIAT 2275 Robotic Work Cells 2 credits
EIAT 2252 Advanced Programmable Logic Controllers 4 credits
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
  GECL 2185 Human Dynamics 1 credit or SOC 1558 Human Relations 3 credits
    TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15

SOPHOMORE YEAR- SPRING SEMESTER
EIAT 2295 Computer Aided Design 2 credits
EIAT 2235 Industrial Data Communications 3 credits
EIAT 2245 Industrial PC Applications 3 credits
EIAT 2276 Automated Industrial Control 4 credits
EIAT 2277 Controllers and Control Loops (tuning) 2 credits
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
  GECL 2175 Job Search Strategies 1 credit
     TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15

Electrical and Industrial Automation Technology Home Page has program specific information about classes and schedules. Bob Stevens has gathered most of the information that you will need to decide a course of action in this exciting field of automated controls.