In our Manufacturing Technology: Composites Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree program, you will learn about the processing and design of composite structures and composite materials testing. Processes include compression molding, vacuum-assisted transfer molding, and resin transfer molding. Testing includes impact, shear, compression, flexure, and tension tests based on anisotropic (dependent on the direction of the material) theory and stress analysis.
Upon completion, you will be able to fabricate, repair, and fasten composite structures to meet blueprint specifications, as well as perform testing of the structures using specialized equipment.
The Manufacturing Technology: Composites program also offers diploma and multiple certificate options.
Skills You’ll Learn
The Manufacturing Technology: Composites program is focused on job-related skills in the following areas:
- Demonstrating an understanding of the layup process, vacuum bag schedules, and equipment operation involved in the manufacturing of various composite material combinations
- Fabricating, repairing, and fastening composites structures as per blueprint specifications
- Testing composite structures to meet specifications using specialized test equipment
Career Opportunities
There are many employment opportunities for Manufacturing Technology: Composite graduates, including:
- CAD/CAM technicians
- Manufacturing quality assurance technicians
- Manufacturing research and development technicians
- Manufacturing team leaders
- View more career opportunities
Degree requirements
67 Credit Hours
The following suggested schedule is based on full-time enrollment. Part-Time Students begin with ACA-111, BPR-111, ISC-112, MAC-121. Continue with sequence of required courses. General education courses may be taken at any time. For information about prerequisites and corequisites, please refer to the catalog.
Courses in this program
Semester Credit Hours: 13
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
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| ACA-111 | 1 | ||
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This course introduces the college's physical, academic, and social environment and promotes the personal development essential for success. Topics include campus facilities and resources; policies, procedures, and programs; study skills; and life management issues such as health, self-esteem, motivation, goal-setting, diversity, and communication. Upon completion, students should be able to function effectively within the college environment to meet their educational objectives.
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| BPR-111 | 2 | ||
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This course introduces the basic principles of print reading. Topics include line types, orthographic projections, dimensioning methods, and notes. Upon completion, students should be able to interpret basic prints and visualize the features of a part or system.
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| ISC-112 | 2 | ||
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This course introduces the principles of industrial safety. Emphasis is placed on industrial safety and OSHA regulations. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of a safe working environment and OSHA compliance.
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| MAC-121 | 2 | ||
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This course introduces the concepts and capabilities of computer numerical control machine tools. Topics include setup, operation, and basic applications. Upon completion, students should be able to explain operator safety, machine protection, data input, program preparation, and program storage.
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| MEC-187 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces composite engineering materials. Topics include selection and processing of composites. Upon completion, students should be able to select appropriate materials and demonstrate knowledge in processing and curing of composites.
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| MEC-188 | 3 | ||
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This course covers the properties and forms of various resins used in manufacturing commercial bag and vacuum composites and the processes for commercial application. Emphasis is placed on materials used, including polyester and/or vinyl, ester resins, and processes of hand lay-up vacuum, bag and vacuum assisted resin transfer molding. Upon completion, students should be able to produce composite materials suitable for mechanical testing.
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Semester Credit Hours: 14
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
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| CIS-113 | 1 | ||
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This course introduces basic computer usage for non-computer majors. Emphasis is placed on developing basic personal computer skills. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in basic computer applications.
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| MAC-114 | 2 | ||
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This course introduces the care and use of precision measuring instruments. Emphasis is placed on the inspection of machine parts and use of a wide variety of measuring instruments. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the correct use of measuring instruments.
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| MEC-110 | 2 | ||
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This course introduces CAD/CAM. Emphasis is placed on transferring part geometry from CAD to CAM for the development of a CNC-ready program. Upon completion, students should be able to use CAD/CAM software to produce a CNC program.
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| MEC-145 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces a variety of manufacturing materials and common processing techniques. Emphasis is placed on the processing, testing, and application of materials such as wood, metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of fundamental engineering applications for a variety of materials, including their process capabilities and limitations.
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| MEC-180 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces the physical and mechanical properties of materials. Topics include materials testing, pre- and post-manufacturing processes, and material selection of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics, composites, and non-conventional materials. Upon completion, students should be able to utilize basic material property tests and select appropriate materials for applications.
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| MEC-189 | 3 | ||
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This course covers the resins and fibers used in high performance aircraft type composites and processes for advanced composite application. Emphasis is placed on materials used such as epoxy and carbon and the processes of compression, molding, vacuum assisted resin transfer molding, and resin transfer molding. Upon completion, students should be able to produce composites suitable for mechanical testing.
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Semester Credit Hours: 9
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
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| ENG-111 | 3 | ||
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This course is designed to develop the ability to produce clear writing in a variety of genres and formats using a recursive process. Emphasis includes inquiry, analysis, effective use of rhetorical strategies, thesis development, audience awareness, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English.
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| MAT-121 | 3 | ||
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This course provides an integrated approach to technology and the skills required to manipulate, display, and interpret mathematical functions and formulas used in problem solving. Topics include the properties of plane and solid geometry, area and volume, and basic proportion applications; simplification, evaluation, and solving of algebraic equations and inequalities and radical functions; complex numbers; right triangle trigonometry; and systems of equations.
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| ELE-001 | |||
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ELE-001 is a category of electives and not a specific course. Students must select from the approved Humanities/Fine Arts Electives for General Education courses for AAS Programs listed below as indicated under degree requirements. Lecture, Lab, Clinical, and Credit Hours are determined by the course selected. ART-111, ART-114, ART-115, ENG-231, ENG-232, ENG-241, ENG-242, HUM-110, HUM-115, HUM-211, HUM-212, MUS-110, MUS-112, MUS-113, PHI-215, PHI-240, REL-110
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Semester Credit Hours: 16
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
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| BPR-121 | 2 | ||
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This course covers the interpretation of intermediate blueprints. Topics include tolerancing, auxiliary views, sectional views, and assembly drawings. Upon completion, students should be able to read and interpret a mechanical working drawing.
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| DFT-151 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces CAD software as a drawing tool. Topics include drawing, editing, file management, and plotting. Upon completion, students should be able to produce and plot a CAD drawing.
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| DFT-152 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces extended CAD applications., Emphasis is placed upon intermediate applications of CAD skills. Upon completion, students should be able to use extended CAD applications to generate and manage drawings.
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| ISC-132 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces quality concepts and techniques used in industry. Topics include elementary statistics and probability, process control, process capability, and quality improvement tools. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and principles of quality and apply them to the work environment.
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| MEC-212 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces different composite tests and testing procedures. Topics include data analysis, report writing, test machines, and test procedures. Upon completion, students should be able to perform and report results using impact, shear, compressions, flexure, and tension tests.
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| PLA-110 | 2 | ||
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This course introduces the plastics processing industry, including thermoplastics and thermosets. Emphasis is placed on the description, classification, and properties of common plastics and processes and current trends in the industry. Upon completion, students should be able to describe the differences between thermoplastics and thermosets and recognize the basics of the different plastic processes.
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Semester Credit Hours: 15
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
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| ENG-112 | 3 | ||
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This course, the second in a series of two, introduces research techniques, documentation, styles, and writing strategies. Emphasis is placed on analyzing information and ideas and incorporating research findings into documented writing and research projects. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources using documentation appropriate to various disciplines.
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| MAC-117 | 4 | ||
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This course is designed to prepare students to operate equipment used in metal forming production ships. Emphasis is placed on tooling skills, work planning, job control, handling of materials, operation of metal forming equipment, inspection, quality assurance, and safety. Upon completion, students should be able to operate metal forming workstations.
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| MEC-215 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces the basics of fiber reinforced composites materials, anisotropic theory, stress analysis, and test methods for composites. Topics include anisotropic constitutive equations and associated elastic constants, micromechanics models, theory of failures, classical laminate theory, laminate design, and special laminates. Upon completion, students should be able to apply concepts to the design of simple composite structural components.
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| ECO-251 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces economic analysis of individual, business, and industry in the market economy. Topics include the price mechanism, supply and demand, optimizing economic behavior, costs and revenue, market structures, factor markets, income distribution, market failure, and government intervention. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and evaluate consumer and business alternatives in order to efficiently achieve economic objectives.
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| MAJ-001 | |||
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MAJ-001 is a category of major electives and not a specific course name. To select the appropriate credit hours for this individual program, select Major Electives to view available class options.
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Students must select two credits from the following options. Contact an advisor for information on work based learning courses.
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
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| DFT-153 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces advanced CAD applications. Emphasis is placed upon advanced applications of CAD skills. Upon completion, students should be able to use advanced CAD applications to generate and manage data.
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| ELN-231 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces the fundamental concepts of control of rotating machinery and associated peripheral devices. Topics include rotating, machine theory, ladder logic, electromechanical and solid state relays, motor controls, pilot devices, three-phase power systems, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to interpret schematics and demonstrate an understanding of electromechanical and electronic control of rotating machinery.
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| WBL-110 | 0 | ||
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This course covers basic knowledge for gaining and maintaining employment. Topics include job search skills, work ethic, meeting employer expectations, workplace safety, and human relations. Upon completion, students should be able to successfully make the transition from school to work.
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| WBL-111 | 1 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-112 | 2 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-113 | 3 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-121 | 1 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-122 | 2 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-131 | 1 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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