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Welding Technology

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degree

A.S. in Welding Technology

The Welding Technology degree provides skills and knowledge in manual and semi-automatic welding processes used in the metal fabrication and construction industries. Instruction covers materials, equipment, procedures, testing techniques as well as safety and blueprint reading. Competencies include techniques of joining ferrous and non-ferrous metals by the use of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), and welding procedures.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
WELD 140 Mathematics for Welding Technicians 3
WELD 300 Introduction to Welding 3
WELD 302 Introduction to Welding Metallurgy 3
WELD 316 Welding Inspection 2
WELD 320 Shielded Metal Arc Welding Structural 3
WELD 322 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Pipe) 3
WELD 330 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Plate) 3
WELD 332 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Pipe) 3
WELD 333 Gas Metal Arc Welding, Steel 3
WELD 334 Gas Metal Arc Welding: Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals 2
WELD 335 Flux Core Arc Welding 3
WELD 342 Symbol Reading, Layout and Fabrication 3
WELD 155 Industry Training (3) 0.5 - 41
   or WELD 115 Code Welding (2)
   or WELD 298 Work Experience in Welding (0.5 -4)
Total Units: 34.5 - 38

1 A minimum of 1 unit from the following courses.

The Welding Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus the local ARC General Education Requirement, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • select the correct electrode classification and parameters for various thickness of material and welding positions on ferrous and nonferrous metals.
  • define principles of GMAW.
  • interpret GMAW electrode and classification and specification.
  • describe GMAW welding operations of various joint designs using selected electrodes on different positions.
  • describe SMAW operations of various positions using selected electrodes on different joint designs.
  • define principles of arc welding.
  • select correct electrode amperage settings for the job application.
  • identify GTAW principles and safe welding practices.
  • define GTAW applications and limitations.
  • explain the reason for the formation of each discontinuity type, and distinguish different discontinuities.
  • interpret fabrication blueprints using a systematic process.
  • interpret graphic welding symbols.
  • relate the requirements for welding ferrous and nonferrous metals.
  • select the appropriate setting and application methods.
  • list the methods used for discontinuity prevention and identify surface defects in welds.

Career Information

Welding certification is recognized by the welding industry as an important step in the profession. The American Welding Society (AWS) nationally accredits American River College's welding program. The ARC welding program has met all the requirements of the AWS QC4 standards for Accreditation of Test Facilities for their Certified Welder Program. Graduating students may find positions in oil refineries, nuclear power plants, aerospace, structural buildings, bridge construction, auto industry, and small commercial fabricating shops.

Certificates of Achievement

Shielded Metal Arc Plate and Pipe Certificate

This certificate promotes competence in plate and pipe welding. Emphasis is on power sources, electrode selection on various joint designs, techniques, and positions in welding. Instruction includes safety and proper procedures in making fillet and groove welds that are in compliance with structural and pipe welding codes.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
WELD 300 Introduction to Welding 3
WELD 320 Shielded Metal Arc Welding Structural 3
WELD 322 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Pipe) 3
Total Units: 9

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • interpret electrode classification and specification
  • select correct amperage setting for the job application
  • define principles of arc welding
  • certify and perform SMA operations in various positions using selected electrodes on different joint designs

Welding Metallurgy and Inspection (270 hours) Certificate

The Welding Metallurgy and Inspection certificate provides the science of metallurgy and weld inspection. Emphasis is on the identification and selection of irons and steel, mechanical and physical properties of metals and crystal structures of metals, rules and regulations of the welding construction industry, and principles, requirements and methods of inspection.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
WELD 302 Introduction to Welding Metallurgy 3
WELD 316 Welding Inspection 2
WELD 117 Ultrasonic Testing Level One 3
WELD 118 Ultrasonic Testing Level Two 3
WELD 300 Introduction to Welding 3
Total Units: 14

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • Describe the mechanical properties of different types of metals
  • Interpret and explain the Nondestructive Testing (NDT) procedures of codes and specifications relating to welding
  • Evaluate and explain in simple terms the reason for the formation of discontinuity in each of the welding processes
  • Explain different methods used for the prevention of weld discontinuities
  • Describe the crystalline structures of metals and explain how grain forms in metal
  • Explain the problems hydrogen causes when welding steel
  • Analyze phase diagrams of carbon and stainless steels

Welding Technology Certificate

This certificate provides skills and knowledge in manual and semi-automatic welding processes used in the metal fabrication and construction industries. Instruction covers materials, equipment, welding procedures, testing techniques, inspection, welding metallurgy, blueprint reading, and welding safety. Competencies include techniques of joining ferrous and non-ferrous metals by the use of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). Oxyacetylene welding, oxyacetylene cutting and plasma arc cutting, are also covered.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
WELD 140 Mathematics for Welding Technicians 3
WELD 300 Introduction to Welding 3
WELD 302 Introduction to Welding Metallurgy 3
WELD 316 Welding Inspection 2
WELD 320 Shielded Metal Arc Welding Structural 3
WELD 322 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Pipe) 3
WELD 330 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Plate) 3
WELD 332 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Pipe) 3
WELD 333 Gas Metal Arc Welding, Steel 3
WELD 334 Gas Metal Arc Welding: Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals 2
WELD 335 Flux Core Arc Welding 3
WELD 342 Symbol Reading, Layout and Fabrication 3
WELD 155 Industry Training (3) 0.5 - 41
   or WELD 115 Code Welding (2)
   or WELD 298 Work Experience in Welding (0.5 -4)
Total Units: 34.5 - 38

1A minimum of 1 unit from the following courses.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • list the factors that must be considered before a welding process is selected.
  • evaluate a weld according to a given standard or code.
  • compare the three types of welding current used for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding.
  • define voltage, electrical potential, amperage, and electrical current as related to Gas Metal Arc Welding.
  • discuss how the Gas Metal Arc Welding molten weld pool can be controlled by varying the shielding gas, power settings, weave pattern, travel speed, electrode extension, and gun angle.
  • explain what each of the digits in a standard Flux Cored Arc Welding electrode identification number mean.
  • list and define the three units used to measure a welding current.
  • give the characteristics of the three filler metal groups E6010 and E6011, E6012 and E6013, and E7016 and E7018.
  • discuss three general categories of pipe welds including how they are used and what type of weld root penetration and strength they require.
  • make a single V-groove butt welded joint on a pipe in any position to code specifications.
  • list the crystalline structures of metals and explain how grains form.
  • describe practical applications of metallurgy.
  • solve basic welding fabrication math problems.
  • read a set of welding blueprint drawings and explain each item shown and its dimensioning.

Career Information

Graduates may find employment in a number of industries including; pipe line construction, oil refining, aerospace, structural building, bridge construction, automotive, and small commercial fabricating. They may also work as welding shop supervisors and welding sales persons, and they can also become welding shop owners.

Certificates

Gas Metal Arc and Flux Core Arc Welding Plate (252 hours) Certificate

The Gas Metal Arc Welding certificate promotes competence in welding with different types of metal transfer, constant voltage power sources, different types of shielding gases, and electrode selection on various joint designs. Instruction is provided in gas metal and flux cored arc welding on fillet and groove welds to specific structural and pipe standards.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
WELD 333 Gas Metal Arc Welding, Steel 3
WELD 334 Gas Metal Arc Welding: Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals 2
WELD 300 Introduction to Welding 3
WELD 335 Flux Core Arc Welding 3
Total Units: 11

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • select the correct electrode classification and parameters for various thicknesses of material and welding positions on ferrous and nonferrous metals
  • define principles of gas metal arc welding
  • interpret electrode classification and specification
  • analyze gas metal arc welding operations on various joint designs using selected electrodes for different welding positions

Gas Tungsten Arc Plate and Pipe Welding (180 hours) Certificate

The Gas Tungsten Arc Welding certificate promotes competence in welding ferrous and nonferrous materials. Emphasis is on proper use of gas tungsten arc welding (GTA) equipment setup requirements, process variables, material requirements, and welding procedures that are in compliance with industry standards.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
WELD 330 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Plate) 3
WELD 300 Introduction to Welding 3
WELD 332 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Pipe) 3
Total Units: 9

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • identify GTA principles and safe practices.
  • define GTA applications and limitations.
  • weld mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum alloys using GTA procedures in all positions.
  • evaluate and demonstrate procedures for a given welding project or application.
  • relate the requirements of welding ferrous and nonferrous materials.
  • select the appropriate settings and applications methods of GTA process.

Pipe Welding Certificate

This certificate promotes competence in pipe welding with emphasis on power sources, electrode/filler metal selection on various joint designs, techniques, and positions for welding. Instruction includes safety, math, and proper procedures in making fillet and groove welds that are in compliance with structural and pipe welding codes.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
WELD 140 Mathematics for Welding Technicians 3
WELD 322 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Pipe) 3
WELD 332 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Pipe) 3
Total Units: 9

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • interpret electrode and filler metal classifications and specifications.
  • select correct amperage setting for the job application.
  • define principles of arc welding.
  • perform Shielded Metal Arc Welding and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding operations in various positions using selected electrodes on different joint designs.
  • use math in welding applications.

Career Information

Certificate completers may find employment in a number of industries, including PG&E pipeline construction, oil refining, power generation, structural building, bridge construction, and small commercial fabricating shops.


Welding Equipment Maintenance and Blueprint Interpretation (234 hours) Certificate

This certificate promotes competence in solving equipment, mathematical and manufacturing problems that apply to the welding trade. It emphasizes metal placement, measurement, and layout of tools used in construction, as well as the fundamentals of blueprint reading and welding equipment repair.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
WELD 107 Welding Equipment Maintenance 3
WELD 140 Mathematics for Welding Technicians 3
WELD 300 Introduction to Welding 3
WELD 342 Symbol Reading, Layout and Fabrication 3
Total Units: 12

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • evaluate algebraic expressions by substituting given numbers for letter values
  • solve formulas by substituting numbers for letters, analyzing word statements and diagram values
  • compute the area, radius, and diameter of a circle
  • compute area, radius, and central angles of a sector
  • measure angles in degrees, minutes, and seconds
  • identify and demonstrate the proper use of common power tools and accessories used in the welding trade
  • interpret fabrication blueprints using a systematic process
  • interpret graphic welding symbols
  • interpret electrical and electronically controlled circuits
  • evaluate testing equipment used for welding maintenance repair

Apply for a Scholarship

The Promise to Career: Construction Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and students who are enrolling or continuing their education in an approved construction, construction pre-apprenticeship, welding, or HVAC program at a Los Rios College. Award amount is $500. A completion scholarship is also available to students who finish their program with a degree or certificate.

Apply for Scholarship