Minnesota North College - Hibbing Campus Academic Year 2022-23
Diesel Mechanics/Heavy Equipment Maintenance AAS Degree (75 credits)
FIRST YEAR
FALL SEMESTER 2022 – 17 Credits
CREDITS
HOURS
LEC/LAB
DSL 1501
General Shop Practices 1
2
1/2
DSL 1510
Diesel Engines 1
4
1/6
DSL 1519
Heavy Equipment Hydraulics 1
2
1/2
DSL 1531
Heavy Duty Air Brakes
3
1/4
DSL 1537
Electronics/Electrical Systems 1
3
1/4
ENGL 1110
Professional Organization Writing
3
3/0
SPRING SEMESTER 2023 – 19 Credits
DSL 1511
Diesel Engines 2
4
2/4
DSL 1512
Diesel Sub Systems
1
.5/1
DSL 1530
Heavy Equipment Hydraulics 2
2
1/2
DSL 1538
Electronics/Electrical Systems 2
3
1/4
DSL 1560
Heavy Equipment Air Conditioning
3
1/4
COMM 1210
Introduction to Communication (MNTC 1)
3
3/0
General Education Electives from MNTC*
3
SECOND YEAR
FALL SEMESTER 2023 – 20 Credits
DSL 2500
General Shop Practices 2
1
0/2
DSL 2515
Machine Tool Technology
3
2/2
DSL 2524
Powershift Transmissions and Torque Converters
3
1/4
DSL 2535
Undercarriage
1
1/0
DSL 2540
Standard Transmissions/Clutches
4
2/4
DSL 2545
Steering and Alignment
2
1/2
General Education Electives from MNTC*
3
General Education Electives from MNTC 5
3
SPRING SEMESTER 2024 – 19 Credits
DSL 2533
Electronics/Electrical Systems 3
4
2/4
DSL 2536
Heavy Equipment Hydraulics 3
4
2/4
DSL 2543
Differentials/Drivelines
3
2/2
DSL 2550
Customer Repair Internship
5
0/10
General Education Electives from MNTC*
3
* 9 of the required 15 MNTC credits must be selected from a minimum of 2 of the following goal areas:
• Goal 1: Communication
• Goal 3: Natural Sciences
• Goal 4 Math/Logical Reasoning
• Goal 6: Humanities and Fine Art
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Heavy equipment mechanics repair all parts of large trucks, buses, construction, and earth moving equipment. They
inspect, test and repair heavy equipment systems, including hydraulics, pneumatics and electrical. Students in the Diesel
Mechanics program develop the skills to troubleshoot and repair a Diesel engine through our hands-on learning approach.
MNC’s Diesel and Heavy Equipment program provides a modern equipped diesel shop including a fuel injector room and
use of an engine dynamometer. Students learn theory and application of 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines, electrical and
hydraulic systems, fuel injection, turbochargers, clutches, heavy equipment, recordkeeping, power transmissions, and
steering, brakes, and tires.
Diesel Mechanics/Heavy Equipment Maintenance AAS Degree
Page 2
Minnesota North College, a member of Minnesota State, is an
affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and educator.
This document is available in alternate formats upon request by going
to www.MinnesotaNorth.edu to obtain the contact information of your
home campus Accessibility Services coordinator.
Document Updated: 06-16-2022
PROGRAM ELECTIVES
• DSL 1527 Welding, 2 credits
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the Diesel Mechanics and Heavy Equipment Maintenance program, graduates will be able to:
1. Demonstrate professional behavior that reflects integrity, accountability, responsibility, and ethical practice.
2. Work collectively and collaboratively, exhibiting skills in leadership, perseverance, and integrity.
3. Demonstrate the ability to work safely and recognize safety hazards.
4. Establish a basis of using test equipment for troubleshooting Mechanical situations.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the operation of a diesel engine.
6. Exhibit basic troubleshooting of electrical systems used in heavy equipment and their repair.
7. Demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot hydraulic systems.
8. Demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot heavy duty air and hydraulic brake systems.
9. Exhibit the use of precision measuring tools.
10. Demonstrate the operation of manual and automatic transmissions.
11. Demonstrate the repair of differentials and planetary axles.
12. Establish the necessary skills for undercarriage repair.
13. Demonstrate the operation of steering systems.
ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS
• Minnesota State University, Moorhead
• Bemidji State University
PROGRAM NOTES
• All Diesel students must pass a pre-enrollment drug test. All tests will be screened through a facility designated by
Minnesota North College.
• Differential tuition is assessed for the DSL courses.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Diesel mechanics and heavy equipment mechanics secure jobs with road construction companies, trucking companies, the
mining industry, bus lines and logging and diesel equipment dealers. Government agencies hire mechanics to maintain their
diesel-powered equipment.
PROGRAM FACULTY
John Bright
John.bright@minnesotanorth.edu
Forrest Brownlee
Forrest.brownlee@minnesotanorth.edu