Program Coordinator Jim Witt
Process technicians monitor and control the operation of industrial processing equipment, and will continue to be a vital link in the success of the processing industries in what is now a competitive and global marketplace. Process technicians work in industries such as petroleum refining, chemical manufacturing, oil and gas production and power generation. During the past 10 years, the work required of the process technician has become increasingly complex. Process technicians now are required to possess more knowledge and skills in use of computers, computer process control, regulatory compliance, team work, process and product quality assurance, process problem solving and process troubleshooting. In the foreseeable future, there will be an in-creased demand for trained process technicians in these processing industries because a high number of retirements are expected from an aging work force. As a result, companies are eager to hire qualified workers who have been trained in process industry operations and who possess the knowledge and skills needed to perform successfully in more technically oriented process operations jobs.
The Process Operations Technology program will provide you with the technical and personal skills now required to work as a process technician in most process industries. You will receive training to help you to succeed in this lucrative job market that will include processing equipment, process operations, process troubleshooting, process instrumentation and process safety, health and environmental compliance requirements. When you complete the Process Operations Technology program, you will have the skills required to work in various types of processing plants in many locations throughout the country.
Note: Enrollment as an intern in process technology is not automatic but highly selective; the program coordinator will approve the selection of all interns based upon strict conditions of academic performance, fitness for the work, consultation with the employer and with the Dean and other instructors.
Program Learning Objectives
Describe the issues associated with safety, health, and the environment within the process industry
Summarize the different types of fires and what is needed to extinguish them
Explain why quality is the driving force behind any industry, and how this affects a process operator’s ability to be successful
Understand the application of instrumentation within the process industry
Describe the major pieces of equipment and their applications within the process industry
Identify the problems that arise within different processes and properly troubleshoot and solve them in an efficient manner
Start-up, operate, monitor, and make necessary changes to a process unit
Apply the knowledge obtained in a working environment
Nature of the Work: A process technician is a key member of a team of people responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and controlling the production of products from the acquisition of raw materials through the production and distribution of products to customers in a variety of process industries. The duties of a process technician include maintaining a safe work environment, controlling, monitoring and troubleshooting equipment, analyzing, evaluating and communicating process information and training others, while continuing their own life-long learning process. In addition, a process technician must understand and apply quality assurance principles to all activities performed to ensure customer satisfaction. While performing these duties, the process technician will be required to wear personal protective safety equipment, use industrial safety devices and promote safety among co-workers. The life of a process technician must be flexible since they will work shift work in all types of weather. This career provides a variety of experiences for an individual looking for a challenging occupation.
Skills and Abilities: The successful process technician will possess basic knowledge of chemistry and physics related to the process industries, as well as knowledge of basic computer operations. In addition, it is essential for a process technician to have the ability to work effectively in a team-based environment. Strong oral and written communication skills are important so that the process technician can operate within the organizational structure of the company, as well as describe activities for relief personnel, maintain data logs, prepare reports and other needed materials.
Process Operations Technology - Biochem - PTECH/BIO.AAS
Associate in Applied Science Degree
First Semester
CHEM 130 - Fund Of Gen, Organic & Biochemistry 4 credit hours
or
CHEM 131 - Introduction To Chemistry I 4 credit hours
ENGL 131 - First-Year English I 3 credit hours
or
ENGL 137 - Technical Writing 3 credit hours
FIRE 110 - Fire Crew Rookie School 1 credit hour
MATH 116 - Intermediate Algebra 4 credit hours
or
MATH 125 - Technical Math I 3 credit hours
PRCS 131 - Introduction To Process Technology 3 credit hours
Total: 14-15 Credit Hours
Second Semester
CHEM 132 - Introduction To Chemistry II 4 credit hours
ELEC 131 - DC: Fundamentals in Electricity 3 credit hours
ELEC 132 - AC: Fundamentals in Electricity 3 credit hours
JOBS 132 - Targeting The Job Market 1 credit hour
or
JOBS 133 - Job Seeking Skills 1 credit hour
PRCS 133 - Process Technology Equipment I 2 credit hours
PRCS 134 - Process Technology Equipment II 2 credit hours
Total: 15 Credit Hours
Third Semester
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3 credit hours
PRCS 135 - Safety, Health, And Environment 3 credit hours
PRCS 151 - Process Instrumentation Control I 3 credit hours
PRCS 231 - Quality Control 2 credit hours
PRCS 252 - Process Instrumentation Control II 3 credit hours
SPCH 131 - Public Speaking 3 credit hours
or
SPCH 145 - Public And Private Communication 3 credit hours
Total: 17 Credit Hours
Fourth Semester
PRCS 255 - Process Technology Systems 3 credit hours
PRCS 256 - Process Technology Operations 3 credit hours
PRCS 265 - Process Troubleshooting 4 credit hours
PRCS 271 - Process Technology Internship 1-4 credit hours
Social/Behavioral Science Elective 3 credit hours
Total: 14-17 credit hours
Total credit hours required for the A.A.S. in Process Operations Tech - Biochem: 60
Process Operations Technology - Bioprocess - PTECH/BIOPRCS.AAS
Associate in Applied Science Degree
First Semester
CHEM 130 - Fund Of Gen, Organic & Biochemistry 4 credit hours
or
CHEM 131 - Introduction To Chemistry I 4 credit hours
ENGL 131 - First-Year English I 3 credit hours
or
ENGL 137 - Technical Writing 3 credit hours
FIRE 110 - Fire Crew Rookie School 1 credit hour
MATH 116 - Intermediate Algebra 4 credit hours
or
MATH 125 - Technical Math I 3 credit hours
PRCS 131 - Introduction To Process Technology 3 credit hours
Total: 14-15 Credit Hours
Second Semester
ELEC 131 - DC: Fundamentals in Electricity 3 credit hours
ELEC 132 - AC: Fundamentals in Electricity 3 credit hours
PRCS 111 - Introduction to Biofuels 3 credit hours
PRCS 133 - Process Technology Equipment I 2 credit hours
PRCS 134 - Process Technology Equipment II 2 credit hours
Social/Behavioral Science Elective 3 credit hours
Total: 16 credit hours
Third Semester
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3 credit hours
SPCH 131 - Public Speaking 3 credit hours
or
SPCH 145 - Public And Private Communication 3 credit hours
PRCS 121 - Ethanol Production 3 credit hours
PRCS 151 - Process Instrumentation Control I 3 credit hours
PRCS 252 - Process Instrumentation Control II 3 credit hours
Total: 15 credit hours
Fourth Semester
JOBS 132 - Targeting The Job Market 1 credit hour
or
JOBS 133 - Job Seeking Skills 1 credit hour
PRCS 135 - Safety, Health, And Environment 3 credit hours
PRCS 255 - Process Technology Systems 3 credit hours
PRCS 256 - Process Technology Operations 3 credit hours
PRCS 265 - Process Troubleshooting 4 credit hours
PRCS 271 - Process Technology Internship 1-4 credit hours
Total: 15-18 credit hours
Total credit hours required for the A.A.S. in Process Operations Tech - Bioprocess: 60
Process Operations Tech - Petroleum - PTECH.AAS
Associate in Applied Science Degree
First Semester
CHEM 130 - Fund Of Gen, Organic & Biochemistry 4 credit hours
or
CHEM 131 - Introduction To Chemistry I 4 credit hours
ENGL 131 - First-Year English I 3 credit hours
or
ENGL 137 - Technical Writing 3 credit hours
FIRE 110 - Fire Crew Rookie School 1 credit hour
MATH 116 - Intermediate Algebra 4 credit hours
or
MATH 125 - Technical Math I 3 credit hours
PRCS 131 - Introduction To Process Technology 3 credit hours
Total: 14-15 Credit Hours
Second Semester
ELEC 131 - DC: Fundamentals in Electricity 3 credit hours
ELEC 132 - AC: Fundamentals in Electricity 3 credit hours
PHSC 130 - General Physical Science 4 credit hours
or
PHYS 125 - Applied Physics I 4 credit hours
PRCS 133 - Process Technology Equipment I 2 credit hours
PRCS 134 - Process Technology Equipment II 2 credit hours
Total: 14 Credit Hours
Third Semester
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3 credit hours
JOBS 132 - Targeting The Job Market 1 credit hour
or
JOBS 133 - Job Seeking Skills 1 credit hour
PRCS 135 - Safety, Health, And Environment 3 credit hours
PRCS 151 - Process Instrumentation Control I 3 credit hours
PRCS 255 - Process Technology Systems 3 credit hours
PRCS 231 - Quality Control 2 credit hours
SPCH 131 - Public Speaking 3 credit hours
or
SPCH 145 - Public And Private Communication 3 credit hours
Total: 18 Credit Hours
Fourth Semester
PRCS 252 - Process Instrumentation Control II 3 credit hours
PRCS 256 - Process Technology Operations 3 credit hours
PRCS 265 - Process Troubleshooting 4 credit hours
PRCS 271 - Process Technology Internship 1-4 credit hours
Social/Behavioral Science Elective 3 credit hours
Total: 14-17 credit hours
Total credit hours required for the A.A.S. Process Operations Tech - Petroleum: 60
Process Operations Technology - PTEC.CP
Certificate of Proficiency
Requirements:
FIRE 110 - Fire Crew Rookie School 1 credit hour
PRCS 131 - Introduction To Process Technology 3 credit hours
PRCS 133 - Process Technology Equipment I 2 credit hours
PRCS 134 - Process Technology Equipment II 2 credit hours
PRCS 135 - Safety, Health, And Environment 3 credit hours
PRCS 151 - Process Instrumentation Control I 3 credit hours
PRCS 231 - Quality Control 2 credit hours
PRCS 252 - Process Instrumentation Control II 3 credit hours
PRCS 255 - Process Technology Systems 3 credit hours
PRCS 256 - Process Technology Operations 3 credit hours
PRCS 265 - Process Troubleshooting 4 credit hours
PRCS 271 - Process Technology Internship 1-4 credit hours
Total: 30 credit hours
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Proficiency in Process Operations Technology: 30
Bioprocess Technology - PTECH/BIOPRCS.CC
Certificate of Completion
Requirements:
PRCS 111 - Introduction to Biofuels 3 credit hours
PRCS 121 - Ethanol Production 3 credit hours
PRCS 133 - Process Technology Equipment I 2 credit hours
PRCS 134 - Process Technology Equipment II 2 credit hours
PRCS 135 - Safety, Health, And Environment 3 credit hours
PRCS 151 - Process Instrumentation Control I 3 credit hours
Total: 16 Credit Hours