Heavy Equipment Operations

Application Code: 
1908
Degree Received: 
Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS)
Academic Department: 
Building Trades
Description: 

This program provides instruction in the skills required by heavy equipment operators for the light construction and heavy highway industries. Instruction is provided in the theory connected with heavy equipment operations as well as grades, soils, blueprint reading, safety, and supervision.

Programs leading to an AOS degree are hands-on programs and do not include liberal arts and sciences courses. Offered at the School of Applied Technology Campus in Wellsville, heavy equipment operations is geared toward a person who would like to enter the heavy equipment operation industry following graduation.

Classes and labs are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day with a break for lunch. Each morning, one or two hours will be devoted to class lectures on subjects specific to the heavy equipment operation trade. The classroom training is then applied in a hands-on laboratory setting, or off campus at a construction site.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 

Recommended: math A (algebra)

Due to the popularity of the heavy equipment operations program, there will be a change in the application review process for fall 2010.  Rather than accepting students strictly on a rolling admissions basis, students will be accepted based on the strength of their application for the 18 spaces that are available.  General criteria for consideration will include high school average, regents exam scores (if a New York State student), grades in related coursework, results of standardized tests (if available), and any additional information provided through letters of recommendation, a personal essay indicating career goals, and a resume.

We anticipate beginning the initial review on October 15.  Therefore, it is very important that you apply by the end of August and that the transcript, as well as any supporting documentation, be in the Alfred State Admissions Office prior to this date.

If space is still available after this initial review, applications will be accepted on a rolling admissions basis based on the criteria mentioned above.

Technical Standards:

Applicants in the heavy equipment operations program must meet the following physical requirements.

  1. Must be able to lift 50 pounds to shoulder height.
  2. Must be able to perform safely in the laboratory.
  3. Must be able to communicate orally with a person 20 feet away.
  4. Must be able to climb, un-aided, onto and off of equipment using three points of contact.
  5. Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
  6. Must be able to visually read from a blueprint or drawing.
  7. Must be able to hear a backup warning alarm.
Features & Facilities: 

On or off campus construction sites will be used for hands on instruction.

Graduation Requirements: 

A student must successfully complete all courses in the prescribed four-semester program and earn a minimum cumulative index of 2.0, which is equivalent to a "C" average.

Career Opportunities: 
  • Town, Village, County Department of Public Works
  • NYS Department of Transportation
  • Highway and Heavy Construction Companies
  • Mining Companies
  • Logging Companies
  • Building Construction Firms
  • Quarry Companies
Typical Semester Layout: 
First Semester credits
BLCT 1053 Safety & Identification of Heavy Equip. 3
BLCT 1044 Blueprint Reading Grades
4
BLCT 1016 Operations-Part I 6
BLCT 1052
Soils-Part I
2
BLCT 1043 Intro to Earth Moving
3
      18
Second Semester credits
BLCT 2023 Equipment Safety-Part II 3
BLCT 2034 Grades & Blueprint Reading II
4
BLCT 2033 Equipment Preventive Maintenance
3
BLCT
2036 Operations-Part II 6
BLCT 2092 Soils-Part II 2
      18
Third Semester credits
BLCT 3003 Advanced Equipment Safety 3
BLCT 3002 Blueprint Reading-Part III 2
BLCT 3005
Operations-Part III 5
BLCT 3013 Paving-Part I 3
BLCT 3012
Soils-Part III 2
BLCT 3023 Supervision-Part I 3
      18
Fourth Semester credits
BLCT 4002 Below Grade Construction
(Heavy Highway)
2
BLCT 4012 Earth Moving (Heavy Highway) 2
BLCT 4022 Finish Operations 2
BLCT 4032 Finishing and Grading 2
BLCT 4004 Operations-Part IV 4
BLCT 4003 Paving-Part II 3
BLCT
4013
Supervision-Part II
3
      18
Employment and Transfer Report
Employment and Transfer Rate: 
100%
Employment and Transfer Survey Details: 
Survey Details200620072008
Receiving Degrees -- -- 4
Responding to Survey -- -- 4 (100%)
Employed -- -- 3 (75%)
Employed in Field -- -- 3 (100%)
Transfered -- -- --
Unemployed & Seeking Employment -- -- --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment -- -- --