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Industrial Diesel Technology

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Overview

EMSI

Median Salary

$58,673

Annual Job Openings

698

Currently Employed

6,921

Occupational Description

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.

 

Salary by Experience

Entry Level - $38,611

Mid Level - $58,673

Senior Level - $91,757

 

Employment Projection

 

General Skills

  • Repairing
  • Troubleshooting
  • Operations Monitoring
 

Job Tasks

    Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.

    Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.

 

Career data is provided by Lightcast.io.

Program Pathway

Print Program Flyer

 

Industrial Diesel Technology 1, Level 1 Certificate

Industrial Diesel Technology 1, Level 1 Certificate Total17
First Semester17
DEMR 1301Shop Safety and Procedures3
DEMR 1305Basic Electrical Systems3
DEMR 1306Diesel Engine I3
DEMR 1310Diesel Engine Testing & Repair I3
DEMR 1229Preventative Maintenance2
DEMR 1313Fuel Systems3

Certificate received upon completion!
Credits can be invested into next level.

Industrial Diesel Technology II, Level 2 Certificate

Program Admission Prerequisites
Prerequisite: Completion of Industrial Diesel Technology I, Level 1 Certificate (17 Credit Hours)
Industrial Diesel Technology II, Level 2 Certificate Total24
Second Semester12
DEMR 1316Basic Hydraulics3
DEMR 1349Diesel Engine II3
DEMR 2332Electronic Controls3
DEMR 1317Basic Brake Systems3
Third Semester12
DEMR 1321Power Train I3
DEMR 1323Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Troubleshooting and Repair3
DEMR 2312Diesel Engine Testing and Repair II3
DEMR 2334Advanced Diesel Tune-up and Troubleshooting3

Certificate received upon completion!
Credits can be invested into next level.

Industrial Diesel Technology, AAS

Program Admission Prerequisites
Prerequisite: Completion of Industrial Diesel Technology II, Level 2 Certificate (41 Credit Hours)
Industrial Diesel Technology, AAS Total19
Fourth Semester16
ENGL 1301Composition & Rhetoric I3
SPCH 1321Business and Professional Communication3
CORE Core - Mathematics [20]

Course options listed in the catalog.

Elective - Physical Activity Courses (as of Fall 2023)

Course options listed in the catalog.

Core - Life & Physical Sciences [30] (as of Fall 2025)

Course options listed in the catalog.

4
CORE Core - Language, Philosophy, & Culture [40]

Course options listed in the catalog.

Core - Creative Arts [50] (as of Fall 2025)

Course options listed in the catalog.

3
CORE Core - American History [60] (as of Fall 2021)

Course options listed in the catalog.

Core - Government [70]

Course options listed in the catalog.

Core - Social/Behavioral Sciences [80] (as of Fall 2022)

Course options listed in the catalog.

3
Fifth Semester3
PROGRAM CAPSTONE Program Capstone

Course options listed in the catalog.

3

Diploma received upon completion!

As of: Fall 2025

60Total Credit Hours

 
Footnotes
  • The Student Success Course Requirement is satisfied through successful completion of DEMR 1306 - Diesel Engine I.

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Program Details

 
  • The Industrial Diesel Technology Program at LSC-North Harris provides high quality education to individuals interested in pursuing a career in the repair of diesel-powered equipment utilized anywhere a diesel engine is powering a piece of equipment. Yesterday's mechanic has evolved into today's technician. From highly regulated over the road trucks to off road and shore marine industries, the industrial diesel technician may work on equipment utilizing hydraulic systems to move mass amounts of weight or perform special functions in the use of construction, farming, aircraft servicing, fire rescue and mining just to name a few. All these machines require skilled technicians to maintain and repair today’s highly complex technological challenges. All sectors of the transportation industry today utilize computers and advanced electrical components to operate efficiently and with a high probability of reliability. Today’s technicians are expected to have a thorough understanding of electricity and how computers communicate and transmit data over secure on-board network systems while these machines are in use. Many are tracked via satellite monitoring, GPS location, as well as functioning performance parameters. When these assets fail, industrial diesel technicians are expected to repair and return the equipment to service to minimize equipment down time which would in turn result in lost revenue.

Program Highlights

  • The Industrial Diesel Technology department at LSC-North Harris has made numerous industry partner connections throughout the State of Texas. Many of these industry leaders recruit exclusively from the department as a sole source of entry level technicians. The department faculty are the key to the program’s success, approaching their curriculum and training as ever changing and working directly with a professional advisory committee comprised of our industry partners to add/remove lessons and labs based on industry trends.

Credentials and Careers

  • The industrial diesel technician level one certificate is completed in one semester and prepares students to do entry level preventive maintenance and simple repairs of a noncomplex nature in the industrial diesel field. Jobs that will be open to these students include lube technicians/tire technicians and trailer technicians.
  • The industrial diesel level two certificate prepares students to enter the industrial diesel field in entry level positions and begin doing more extensive repairs and attend more specialized factory training per employer specific equipment.
  • The industrial diesel associate of applied science program enables students to have more opportunity to gain employment in managerial roles after 3 to 5 years of working on the shop floor. Graduates are prepared to enter the field as field service maintenance technicians, mechanics, and managers.

Transferability

  • Program graduates may further their education at Lone Star College by applying to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy, Manufacturing, and Trades Management.
  • General education courses are designated for easy transfer to Texas public institutions and applicable to requirements at private and out-of-state institutions.
  • Technical coursework may be transferable to other institutions.

Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.

  • The Student Success Course Requirement is satisfied through successful completion of DEMR 1306 - Diesel Engine I.
 

For careers and median salaries, visit Career Star for more information.

  • The Industrial Diesel Technology Program at LSC-North Harris provides high quality education to individuals interested in pursuing a career in the repair of diesel-powered equipment utilized anywhere a diesel engine is powering a piece of equipment. Yesterday's mechanic has evolved into today's technician. From highly regulated over the road trucks to off road and shore marine industries, the industrial diesel technician may work on equipment utilizing hydraulic systems to move mass amounts of weight or perform special functions in the use of construction, farming, aircraft servicing, fire rescue and mining just to name a few. All these machines require skilled technicians to maintain and repair today’s highly complex technological challenges. All sectors of the transportation industry today utilize computers and advanced electrical components to operate efficiently and with a high probability of reliability. Today’s technicians are expected to have a thorough understanding of electricity and how computers communicate and transmit data over secure on-board network systems while these machines are in use. Many are tracked via satellite monitoring, GPS location, as well as functioning performance parameters. When these assets fail, industrial diesel technicians are expected to repair and return the equipment to service to minimize equipment down time which would in turn result in lost revenue.

Program Highlights

  • The Industrial Diesel Technology department at LSC-North Harris has made numerous industry partner connections throughout the State of Texas. Many of these industry leaders recruit exclusively from the department as a sole source of entry level technicians. The department faculty are the key to the program’s success, approaching their curriculum and training as ever changing and working directly with a professional advisory committee comprised of our industry partners to add/remove lessons and labs based on industry trends.

Credentials and Careers

  • The industrial diesel technician level one certificate is completed in one semester and prepares students to do entry level preventive maintenance and simple repairs of a noncomplex nature in the industrial diesel field. Jobs that will be open to these students include lube technicians/tire technicians and trailer technicians.
  • The industrial diesel level two certificate prepares students to enter the industrial diesel field in entry level positions and begin doing more extensive repairs and attend more specialized factory training per employer specific equipment.
  • The industrial diesel associate of applied science program enables students to have more opportunity to gain employment in managerial roles after 3 to 5 years of working on the shop floor. Graduates are prepared to enter the field as field service maintenance technicians, mechanics, and managers.

Transferability

  • Program graduates may further their education at Lone Star College by applying to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy, Manufacturing, and Trades Management.
  • General education courses are designated for easy transfer to Texas public institutions and applicable to requirements at private and out-of-state institutions.
  • Technical coursework may be transferable to other institutions.

Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.

  1. Apply current industry safety guidelines and standards to promote a safe working environment.
  2. Perform preventative maintenance on systems.
  3. Utilize precision instruments to identify, inspect, test and measure, and disassemble and reassemble various components used in the diesel industry to manufacturer’s standards.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of wiring diagrams and schematics, measure voltage, amperage and resistance with common industry equipment, evaluate and troubleshoot wiring, charging and starting problems.
  5. Evaluate, troubleshoot, and repair diesel engines, heavy-duty brakes, suspension and steering, power train assemblies, air conditioning and hydraulic systems.
  6. Apply the theory, concepts and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social and legal systems associated with the industrial diesel technology industry.

Testimony

"I love this school. They have given me a new outlook on my career and I would not change anything for the world."

STACEY B.

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