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Welcome to the Automotive Technology Website

The Automotive Technology Program at the Indian Valley Campus in Novato is recognized as one of the top programs in the State.

Career Options

General Automotive Technician
Specialized Automotive Technician
Parts Sales
Service Manager
Private Business Owner
Automotive Instructor/Trainer
Factory Service Representative

Salary Range

Starting Salary: $18,000 to $32,000
Top Salary: $45,000 to $65,000+

Employment Forcast

California Outlook: By 2012 – 92,400 automotive technicians are projected to be employed with 20,2000 openings due to separations and 16,600 openings due to growth.
National Outlook: 919,000 automotive technicians are projected to be employed by 2012, with 101,000 new positions.
Teaching Careers / Industrial Trainers: There is a large shortage of qualified candidates.

Personal Characteristics

An interest in mechanical things.
An ability to do precise work with tools, instruments or equipment and computers.
Average ability to understand and read repair manuals, to learn repair techniques.
Ability to make decisions based on tests and facts known about a particular automobile and follow procedures.
Ability to problem solve.
Observe the quality of work and parts; and see detail in objects and different shapes.
Ability to move often from one task to another using a variety of skills.
Ability to write legibly and the ability to use basic math skills.
Good physical condition, average use of hands and fingers.

Scholastic Options

Seven specialized Skills Certificates
Four Career Certificate
Associate of Science in Automotive Technology
Transfer to CSU in Industrial Technology

Skills Certificate

Automotive Service Advisor Skills Certificate

Course Title & Number	Description	Units
CIS 110	Introduction to Computer Information Systems	3
BUS 144	Business Communication	3
AUTO 110	Introduction to Automotive Maintenance	3
AUTO 111	Automotive Maintenance – Intermediate	3
AUTO 95	Applied Automotive Math	1
	Total Units Required	13

Engine Repair Skills Certificate

Course Title & Number	Description	Units
AUTO 112	Automotive Engines	4
AUTO 113	Specialized Electronic Training	5
AUTO 249A*	Directed Study - Fieldwork	1
AUTO 95	Applied Automotive Math	1
	Total Units Required	11

* Each section of AUTO 249A may be applied to only one Skills Certificate.

Brakes & Suspension Skills Certificate

Course Title & Number	Description	Units
AUTO 113	Specialized Electronic Training	5
AUTO 118	Brakes, Alignment and Suspension	6
AUTO 249A*	Directed Study - Fieldwork	1
AUTO 95	Applied Automotive Math	1
	Total Units Required	13

* Each section of AUTO 249A may be applied to only one Skills Certificate.

Drive Trains Skills Certificate

Course Title & Number	Description	Units
AUTO 113	Specialized Electronic Training	5
AUTO 232	Automatic Transmission/Transaxles	4
AUTO 233	Manual Drive Trains & Axles	4
AUTO 249A*	Directed Study – Fieldwork	1
AUTO 95	Applied Automotive Math	1
	Total Units Required	15

* Each section of AUTO 249A may be applied to only one Skills Certificate.

Heating and Air Conditioning Skills Certificate

Course Title & Number	Description	Units
AUTO 113	Specialized Electronic Training	5
AUTO 235	Automotive Air Conditioning	2.5
AUTO 249A*	Directed Study – Fieldwork	1
AUTO 95	Applied Automotive Math	1
	Total Units Required	9.5

* Each section of AUTO 249A may be applied to only one Skills Certificate.

Electrical / Performance Skills Certificate

Course Title & Number	Description	Units
	Select 17 Units from the following courses
AUTO 113	Specialized Electronic Training	5
AUTO 116	Automotive Electrical Systems	6
AUTO 228	Automotive Computer Systems	4
AUTO 229	Automotive Systems, Troubleshooting & Diagnosis	4
AUTO 249A*	Directed Study – Fieldwork	1
AUTO 281	Electrical & Electronic Systems Training	2
AUTO 283	Engine Performance Diagnosis & Repair	2
AUTO 285	Advanced Engine Performance/ Emissions	2
AUTO 95	Applied Automotive Math	1
	Total Units Required	17

* Each section of AUTO 249A may be applied to only one Skills Certificate.

Emissions Skills Certificate

Course Title & Number	Description	Units
AUTO 238	Basic Area Clean Air Car Course	3.5
AUTO 240	Enhanced Area Clean Air Car Course	1
AUTO 281	Electrical & Electronic System Training	2
AUTO 283	Engine Performance Diagnosis & Repair	2
AUTO 285	Advanced Engine Performance / Emissions	2
AUTO 249A*	Directed Study – Fieldwork	2
	Total Units Required	12.5

* Each section of AUTO 249A may be applied to only one Skills Certificate.

Career Certificates

Master Repair Career Certificate

Course Title & Number	Description	Units
AUTO 112	Automotive Engines	4
AUTO 113	Specialized Electronic Training	4
AUTO 114	Basic Fuel Systems	4
AUTO 116	Automotive Electrical Systems	6
AUTO 118	Brakes, Alignment & Suspension	6
AUTO 225	Automotive Careers & Customer Relations	2
AUTO 228	Automotive Computer Controls	4
AUTO 229	Automotive Systems, Troubleshooting & Diagnosis	4
AUTO 232	Manual Drive Trains and Axles	4
AUTO 233	Automatic Transmissions / Transaxles	4
AUTO 235	Automotive Air Conditioning	2.5
AUTO 238	Basic Area Clean Air Car Course	3.5
AUTO 240	Enhanced Area Clean Air Car Course	1
AUTO 249A	Directed Study – Fieldwork	4
AUTO 95*	Applied Automotive Math	1
MACH 120	Machine Technology I	3
MACH 130	Welding I	2
	Total Units Required	59

* Applied Toward the Career Certificate only.

This Career Certificate signifies to employers that the student has completed comprehensive training in skill areas where upon employment the student will enter the workforce with the equivalency of 2 years of a formal apprenticeship program.

Electrical / Performance Career Certificate / Associate of Science

Course Title & Number	Description	Units
	Select 29.5 Units from the following courses
AUTO 113	Specialized Electronic Training	5
AUTO 114	Basic Fuel Systems	4
AUTO 116	Automotive Electrical Systems	6
AUTO 225	Automotive Careers and Customer Relations	2
AUTO 228	Automotive Computer Systems	4
AUTO 229	Automotive Systems, Troubleshooting & Diagnosis	4
AUTO 235	Automotive Air Conditioning	2.5
AUTO 249A	Directed Study – Fieldwork	2
AUTO 281	Electrical & Electronic Systems Training	2
AUTO 283	Engine Performance Diagnosis & Repair	2
AUTO 285	Advanced Engine Performance / Emissions	2
AUTO 95*	Applied Automotive Math	1
	Total Units Required	29.5

* Applied Toward the Career Certificate only.

Electrical/Performance Career Certificate: This career path is designed to prepare students to enter the automotive service repair industry at least the second year apprenticeship level.

Emissions / Performance Career Certificate / Associate of Science

Course Title & Number	Description	Units
AUTO 114	Basic Fuel Systems	4
AUTO 225	Automotive Careers and Customer Relations	2
AUTO 235	Automotive Air Conditioning	2.5
AUTO 238	Basic Area Clean Air Car Course	3.5
AUTO 240	Enhanced Area Clean Air Car Course	1
AUTO 281	Electrical & Electronic System Training	2
AUTO 283	Engine Performance Diagnosis & Repair	2
AUTO 285	Advanced Engine Performance / Emissions	2
AUTO 229	Automotive Systems, Troubleshooting & Diagnosis	4
AUTO 249A	Directed Study – Fieldwork	2
AUTO 95*	Applied Automotive Math	1
	Total Units Required	26

* Applied Toward the Career Certificate only.

Electrical/Emission Career Certificate: This career path is designed to prepare students to enter the automotive service repair industry at least the second year apprenticeship level. In addition the courses are required by the Bureau of Automotive Repair to meet the educational requirement to be eligible to take the test to become an Advanced Emission Specialist Smog Technician.

Chassis Repair Career Certificate / Associate of Science

Course Title & Number	Description	Units
AUTO 112	Automotive Engines	4
AUTO 113	Specialized Electronic Training	5
AUTO 118	Brakes, Alignment and Brakes	6
AUTO 225	Automotive Careers and Customer Relations	2
AUTO 232	Automatic Transmission / Transaxles	4
AUTO 233	Manual Drive Trains and Axles	4
AUTO 235	Automotive Air Conditioning	2.5
AUTO 249A	Directed Study – Fieldwork	3
AUTO 95*	Applied Automotive Math	1
MACH 120	Machine Technology I	3
MACH 130	Welding I	2
	Total Units Required	36.5

* Applied Toward the Career Certificate only.

Chassis Repair Career Certificate: This career path is designed to prepare students to enter the automotive service repair industry at least the second year apprenticeship level.

College of Marin is one of 112 public community colleges in California and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Approximately 10,000 credit and noncredit students enroll each fall and spring semester. Classes also are offered during the summer.

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For any member of the community seeking accommodations for the disabled, please contact (415) 485-9340. College of Marin students seeking academic adjustments should contact (415) 485-9406.