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. Topics include 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.
- Demonstrate mathematical operations using accepted mathematical applications.
- Practice shop safety and welding safety.
- Perform straight, bevel and cuts using manual and automatic oxyfuel and plasma equipment.
- Set-up and operate constant current welding equipment.
- Set-up and operate constant voltage welding equipment.
- Perform fillet and groove welds in all positions on carbon steel plate.
- Perform fillet and groove weld on pipe in all positions.
- Identify and describe the heat relationship to the grain structure of various metals.
- Maintain and develop testing and inspection records.
- Demonstrate layout and fabrication skills that culminate the previous materials used in program.
Recommended: In-depth knowledge of basic math skills
Applicants for the welding program must meet the following physical requirements:
- Must be able to perform safely in the shop.
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds to eye level.
- Must be able to communicate orally with a person six-10 feet away in a shop environment.
- Must be able to visually decipher an oscilloscope monitor and digital/analog meter, and scan tool displays.
- Must be able to diagnose mechanical failures that are distinguished audibly.
- Must be able to understand and retain information found in service repair manuals and use diagnostic flow charts.
- Must be able to visually read an LCD display on welding equipment.
- Must have the dexterity and mobility to weld in all the welding positions to meet all requirements.
- Good eyesight is recommended.
- AWS (American Welding Society) Certified
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.
- Industrial Welder
- Steel Construction
- Equipment Repair
- Self-employment
- Fabrication Welder
- Structural Welder
Alfred State welding technology graduates may enter directly into the technology management BBA degree program.
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 [2] | 1724 [3] | Gas Welding, Gas Cutting and Plasma Cutting | 4 |
| WELD [2] | 1733 [4] | Weld Metallurgy, Bluepring Reading and Inspection & Testing | 3 |
| WELD [2] | 1728 [5] | Arc Welding, Carbon Arc Cutting and Gouging | 8 |
| WELD [2] | 1723 [6] | Welder's Calculations | 3 |
| 18 | |||
| Second Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD [2] | 2715 [7] | Shielded Metal Arc and Flux Cored Arc Welding | 5 |
| WELD [2] | 2725 [8] | Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW I) | 5 |
| WELD [2] | 2735 [9] | Gas Tungsten Arc Weld'g | 5 |
| WELD [2] | 2733 [10] | Tolerancing and Working Drawings | 3 |
| 18 | |||
| Third Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD [2] | 3005 [11] | SMAW II, Codes/Insp, Basic CNC | 5 |
| WELD [2] | 3813 [12] | Metallurgy, Code, Certification, Inspection & Testing | 3 |
| WELD [2] | 3025 [13] | GTAW II, Comp of Materials | 5 |
| WELD [2] | 3015 [14] | GMAW II, FCAW II | 5 |
| 18 | |||
| Fourth Semester | credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| WELD [2] | 4425 [15] | GMAW III, FCAW III, SAW | 5 |
| WELD [2] | 4435 [16] | SMAW III, GTAW III | 5 |
| WELD [2] | 4445 [17] | Welding Fabrication | 5 |
| WELD [2] | 4013 [18] | Senior Project | 3 |
| 18 | |||
| Survey Details | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving Degrees | 13 | 12 | 22 |
| Responding to Survey | 10 (77%) | 4 (33%) | 17 (77%) |
| Employed | 6 (60%) | 3 (75%) | 14 (82%) |
| Employed in Field | 5 (83%) | 3 (100%) | 12 (92%) |
| Transferred | 3 (30%) | 1 (25%) | 2 (12%) |
| Unemployed & Seeking Employment | -- | -- | -- |
| Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment | 1 (10%) | -- | 1 (6%) |
$20,000 - $29,999 (3)
$50,000 - $59,999 (3)
Prefer not to disclose (9)
