Online Industrial Electronics and Electrical Maintenance Technology Program

The overall program goal for the A.S. in Industrial Electronics and Electrical Maintenance Technology Degree is to prepare students to enter positions in which they'll help design, troubleshoot, and maintain electrical and electronic equipment.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Recognize the work habits and characteristics that are demonstrated by successful technicians, including the codes and standards that technicians must know
• Read and interpret various types of technical drawings, including those used in electrical/electronics applications, and understand the basics of computer-aided design (CAD)
• Develop schematics, line drawings, and panel prints used for the design, manufacture, and maintenance of electrical and electronics systems
• Identify the basic concepts, terminology, and applications relating to electricity, including the components and operation of electrical systems
• Recognize the components and applications of circuits, and list how to troubleshoot circuits
• Identify the basic concepts, terminology, and applications relating to electronics, including the components and operation of electronic systems
• Explain how to test and diagnose electrical and electronic equipment using measuring and diagnostic devices, such as multimeters and oscilloscopes
• Describe the operation of transformers, and identify various types, including single- and three-phase transformers
• Identify electrical-system installation and design processes, and evaluate sample installations to ensure code compliance
• Identify various types of electric motors and describe how they are controlled; list the steps to use when troubleshooting electric motors and controllers
• Demonstrate an understanding of the hands-on, technical skills employed by electrical and electronics technicians in a laboratory setting, including the topics of measurements, circuitry, transformers, and motors

All degree applicants are required to complete two Basic Skills Assessments, one in reading and one in math, to determine the level of readiness for beginning their selected program. Additional studies may be required.

Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program, and learn the basics of engineering technology.

Objectives:

• Understand how to use your Student Portal.
• Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers.
• Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites.
• Use a scientific calculator.
• Learn about the development of engineering and engineering technology.
• Understand technical mathematics.

Objectives:

• Learn the basic math skills you’ll need to succeed in your program.
• Practice math functions using real-life examples.
• Use the metric system and formulas.

Objectives:

• Review basic grammar.
• Use action verbs.
• Learn how to construct paragraphs.

Objectives:

• Study the basics of computers and the Internet.
• Manage files and digital electronics.
• Use basic functions of Windows® and word processing.
• Search the Internet successfully using helpful techniques and shortcuts.

Objectives:

• Read and interpret technical drawings.
• Interpret symbols and abbreviations.
• Apply dimensioning and tolerancing to actual print reading.
• Get an overview of computer-aided drawing and its role in modern technology.

Objectives:

• Define the physical universe as you know it.
• Get the foundation you need to understand chemistry, physics, and earth and space sciences.

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

Objectives:

• Learn about the nature of electricity.
• Study DC and AC principles, generators, components, and currents.
• Discover electric cells, batteries, electrical language, and hardware.
• Identify alternating current and types of electric circuits.

Objectives:

• Draft using AutoCAD.®
• Learn computer-aided drafting and design systems.
• Use AutoCAD® menus and features.
• Create files and entities.
• Organize and annotate drawings.
• Modify displays.

Objectives:

• Study electronic components and basic electronic circuits.
• Learn about semiconductor switching devices and switching and connection devices.
• Discover amplifiers and oscillators.
• Explore modulation and detection circuits, logic circuits, and pulse digital circuits.

Objectives:

• Study basic algebraic concepts.
• Understand the systems of equations, polynomials, and radicals.
• Factor polynomial expressions 
• Simplify rational expressions.

Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Intermediate Algebra

Objectives:

• Review English grammar.
• Free write and brainstorm to come up with new ideas.
• Edit and revise your writing.
• Learn techniques for getting the reader’s attention.
• Write descriptive essays, first-person narratives, reflective essays, persuasive essays, and effective thesis statements.

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

Objectives:

• Get the fundamentals about transformers.
• Check checking simple circuits.
• Troubleshoot using basic meters.
• Learn how a voltmeter and an ammeter work.
• Use AC measuring instruments, multipurpose test instruments, oscilloscopes, component testers, and digital test equipment.

Objectives:

• Gain in-depth knowledge of electronic systems, electronic devices, and amplifications.
• Study audio and r-f circuits, oscillators, feedback, electronic power supply systems, industrial receivers, transmitters, video systems, servo and control systems, and pulse and logic circuits.
• Troubleshoot electronic equipment and systems using logical troubleshooting methods.
• Learn measuring techniques.
• Interpret data and results.

Objectives:

• Learn about exponential and logarithmic functions.
• Understand trigonometric functions and analytical trigonometry.
• Explore systems of equations.
• Read about inequalities.

SSC125-Introduction to Sociology

Objectives:

• Study deviance, crime, and social control
• Analyze the effects of stratification, racial and ethnic inequality, sex, gender, and sexuality.
• Assess the roles of health, family, education, and religion in sociology.
• Examine the impact of politics, the economy, social movements, technology, and other contributors to social change.

SSC130 - Essentials of Psychology
This course will introduce you to the relationship between biology and behavior. You will learn about human development throughout the life span.

Objectives:

• Identify major psychological theories.
• Discuss consciousness, memory, thought, and language.
• Define intelligence, personality, and stress.
• Analyze the role of gender in psychology.
• Explain how community influences behavior.

BUS121-Economics 1

Objectives:

• Explain the economic systems and the economic perspective
• Identify the key factors in macroeconomics and how economists study the economy as a whole
• Explain the macroeconomic models and fiscal policies
• Explain money, banking, and financial policy
• Explain extending analysis of aggregate supply, current issues in theory and policy, and international economics
• Analyze foreign exchange and investment and the effects each nation’s economy has on another nation’s economy

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

Objectives:

• Get a broad introduction to two-dimensional and three-dimensional Computer-Aided Design (CAD) focused on electrical/electronics-specific applications.
• Use AutoCAD® in hands-on exercises, assignments, and projects.

EET214-Interpreting the National Electrical Code® (3 credits)

Objectives:

• Gain an understanding and appreciation of the National Electrical Code.®
• Get in-depth coverage for all of the essential elements of the code including terminology, structure, and specific applications and interpretations.
• Study conductor fill, load, and voltage drop calculations.
• Learn GFCI requirements, grounding rules, and wiring requirements for hazardous locations.
• Learn code variables based on single-family and multi-family classifications and residential and commercial classifications.
• Study code requirements specific to health-care facilities.

EET215-Electronic Process Controls (3 credits)

Objectives:

• Learn the basics of electronic control technology.
• Study the fundamentals of motor-control theory, process control, and instrumentation.
• Understand the applications of sensors, programmable controls, and motion controls.

EET210-Electric Motors and Control (3 credits)

Objectives:

• Discover the principles of generator and motor operation, induction motors and synchronous motors, and motor control systems.
• Learn about performance and speed control.
• Study solid-state drive systems.
• Use SCRs as AC to DC converters.
• Install and maintain drive systems.

EET216-Electrical Installations (3 credits)

• Learn how electricity is generated and distributed. Evaluate industrial electrical system requirements and specify the correct equipment and conductor type and capacity for electrical systems. 

EET221-Pulse Circuits (3 credits)

• Understand pulse circuits and pulse techniques, generators, timing and synchronization. Learn how to troubleshoot pulse circuits.

EET235-Digital Electronics (3 credits)

• Explore number and logic systems. Learn the essentials of Boolean algebra. Study D/A and A/D conversions. Apply these concepts to modern circuit designs.

IET232-Programmable Logic Controllers (3 credits)

• Study programmable controllers found in motor-control and other industrial systems. Identify the role of computers in telecommunications systems. Get a basic introduction to common computer network installations.

HUM102 - Art Appreciation

Objectives:

• Define the language, visual elements, and principles of design of art
• Identify two-dimensional media
• Identify three-dimensional media
• Explain the evolution of art from ancient Mediterranean cultures through eighteenth century Europe
• Identify features and popular examples of art throughout the history of African, Asian, Pacific, and American cultures
• Compare the genres of the Modern and Postmodern eras of art from around the world

Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Living with Art, 11th Edition

 

HUM104 - Music Appreciation

In this course, you'll understand how to appreciate music by learning about the roles of the composer and the listener, the principles of music theory and instrumentation, musically significant historical periods, and varying styles of music.

Objectives:

• Identify the building blocks of music a composer can use to create a piece, such as rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form, and timbre
• Explain the evolution of Western music through history, from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century
• Differentiate between the music of the baroque era and the musical styles of previous time periods
• Recognize the major characteristics of classical music, including form, melody, and instrumentation
• Discuss the musical trends and innovations that occurred during the romantic era
• Trace the evolution of American popular music in the twentieth century
• Recognize the influence of world music on modern Western composition

Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Experience Music, Fourth Edition

 

ENG115 - Introduction to Literature

Objectives:

• Develop your critical thinking skills.
• Study the themes and forms of literature.
• Read and analyze the main genres of literature-poetry, fiction, and drama.

This two-week session includes the use of various measuring instruments for performing a series of comprehensive experiments. The experiments are designed to provide familiarization with instrumentation, equipment, preparation of data, and laboratory reporting techniques.

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.