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Welding Technology

Application Code: 
0666
Degree Received: 
Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS)
Academic Department: 
Computerized Design and Manufacturing
Description: 

The welding technology program is taught according to the standards set by the American Welders Society (AWS) and is AWS-certified.

The program focuses on welding processes performed in all positions on both plate and pipe. Included will be proper safety methods, required math, related skills, layout and fit up, welding codes and standards, welding inspection, testing and drawing/welding symbol interpretation.

The first year students will complete AWS Level I standards for an Entry Level Welder. The second year will take students toward AWS Levels II and III - Advanced Welder and Expert Welder. Additional techniques such as high-pressure vessel, high-pressure pipe, and ship fitting will be taught as well as other advanced welding techniques.

The students perform extensive hands-on work in a fully equipped approximately 2,600 square foot welding lab. Every student will have an individual welding booth with adequate ventilation and air replacement equipment. Lecture will be held in a separate facility utilizing the latest instructional techniques.

In their second year, the students will work in a 10,000 square foot fabrication facility located at the nearby Wellsville Dresser-Rand facility. This laboratory was made possible through a commitment from Dresser-Rand and Lincoln-Electric in partnership with Alfred State College.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 
  • Recommended: math A (algebra)

Technical Standards:

Applicants for the machine tool technology program must meet the following physical requirements.

  1. Must be able to perform safely in the shop.
  2. Must be able to lift 50 pounds up to eye level.
  3. Must be able to communicate orally with a person 6-10 feet away in a shop environment.
  4. Must be able to visually decipher an oscilloscope monitor and digital/analog meter, and scan tool displays.
  5. Must be able to diagnose mechanical failures that are distinguished audibly.
  6. Must be able to understand and retain information found in service repair manuals and use diagnostic flow charts.
  7. Must be able to visually read an LCD display on welding equipment.
  8. Student must have the dexterity and mobility to weld in all the welding positions to meet all requirements.
  9. Good eyesight is recommended. 
Accreditation/Certification: 
  • AWS (American Welding Society) Certified
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. Students are required to earn a grade of "C" or higher in WELD 1723 welders calculations to be eligible for graduation. (Articulation is available in this area.)

A "C" or higher must be received also for WELD 4013 senior project.

Career Opportunities: 
  • Industrial Welder
  • Steel Construction
  • Equipment Repair
  • Self-employment
  • Fabrication Welder
  • Structural Welder
Typical Semester Layout: 

A typical class day begins at 7:45 a.m. and includes approximately one hour of lecture in the latest welding technology. This is followed by approximately five hours of instructor-monitored lab time. Students receive 750 hours of lab instruction each year (1,400 hours if completing two years) and 200 hours of lecture a year (400 hours if completing two years).

First Semester credits
WELD 1724 Gas Welding, Gas Cutting and Plasma Cutting 4
WELD 1733 Weld Metallurgy, Bluepring Reading and Inspection & Testing 3
WELD 1728 Arc Welding, Carbon Arc Cutting and Gouging 8
WELD 1723 Welder's Calculations 3
      18
Second Semester credits
WELD 2715 Shielded Metal Arc and Flux Cored Arc Welding 5
WELD 2725 Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW I) 5
WELD 2735 Gas Tungsten Arc Weld'g 5
WELD 2733 Tolerancing and Working Drawings 3
      18
Third Semester credits
WELD 3005 SMAW II, Codes/Insp, Basic CNC 5
WELD 3813 Metallurgy, Code, Certification, Inspection & Testing 3
WELD 3025 GTAW II, Comp of Materials 5
WELD 3015 GMAW II, FCAW II 5
      18
Fourth Semester credits
WELD 4425 GMAW III, FCAW III, SAW 5
WELD 4435 SMAW III, GTAW III 5
WELD 4445 Welding Fabrication 5
WELD 4013 Senior Project 3
      18
Employment and Transfer Report
Employment and Transfer Rate: 
100%
Employment and Transfer Survey Details: 
Survey Details200620072008
Receiving Degrees 12 17 14
Responding to Survey 10 (83%) 15 (88%) 11 (79%)
Employed 9 (90%) 15 (100%) 11 (100%)
Employed in Field 9 (100%) 14 (93%) 10 (91%)
Transfered --
 -- --
Unemployed & Seeking Employment 1 (10%)
 -- --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment -- -- --
Alfred State College,  10 Upper College Drive,  Alfred, NY 14802   |   1-800-4-ALFRED (425-3733)