The main objective of this ATE grant was to create a level 2 certificate program in High Value Program with multiple pathways to further education and industry. As planned, the certificate program was created and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in Spring 2017. The goal of this program is to provide a structured and adaptive learning environment to community colleges focused on high value manufacturing in the energy industry.
The novelty of this certification includes the innovative pedagogy methods, provision of online learning modules and multiple pathways tailored specific to students’ goals. This allows the students a personalized learning experience and high-quality manufacturing education aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.
High Value Manufacturing Certificate Program Curriculum:
The coursework is divided into 3 semesters as follows:
| Course Number | Course Number | Credit Hours | |
| Semester 1 | |||
| MATH 1314 | College Algebra | 3 | |
| MCHN 1302 | Print Reading for Machining Trades | 3 | |
| MCHN 1338 | Basic Machine Shop I | 3 | |
| PTRT 1301 | Introduction to Petroleum Industry | 3 | |
| ENTC1347 | Safety and Ergonomics | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | |||
| MCHN 1308 | Basic Lathe | 3 | |
| MCHN 1313 | Basic Milling Operations | 3 | |
| INMT 1345 | Computer Numerical Controls | 3 | |
| INMT 1371 | Materials and Applications | 3 | |
| INCR 1302 | Physics of Instrumentation | 3 | |
| PTRT1470 | Petroleum Data Management | 4 | |
| Semester 3 | |||
| PTRT 2370 | Petroleum Operations | 3 | |
| INMT 1343 | Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) | 3 | |
| INMT 1372 | Quality and Assessment | 3 | |
| INMT 2370 | Project Management (Capstone) | 3 | |
| INMT 1373 | Machine Shop Logistics | 3 | |
As a part of this project, following five courses were either created or significantly modified.
| Materials and Applications |
| CAD and GD&T |
| Quality and Assessment |
| Project Management |
| Machine Shop Logistics |
It may be noted that in order to utilize the existing course numbers, some of the above courses have been renamed (compared to what was mentioned in the grant proposal) to match the existing course names. The newly developed HVM courses are designed to provide emphasis on applications and experimental learning along with theoretical concepts which provides hands-on experience to students.
Pathways after completion of certification:
Post completion of the certification, students have multiple pathways such as returning to industry, transfer to a 4-years degree program as shown in below diagram:
(Multiple pathways available after completion of certification)
Since many community colleges are open-access institutions with large percentage of under-represented minorities, this program enables a boarder student population to access the high-quality industry standard training. It creates pathways to high demand STEM careers for a diverse group of students.
More information about the program can be found on the following link: