BEMIDJI, Minn. (Nov. 6, 2009) — Manufacturing and applied engineering workers and students will see additions to the 360 Degrees certificate choices beginning in the spring of 2010. 360 Degrees is launching four new online certificate programs, including production technologies, machine technologies, automation technology and welding technology.
“We have received approval of a multi-institutional program that is accessible at all of our college partners,” said Karen White, executive director of the 360 Degrees Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence, led by Bemidji State University.
Approval of these programs allows 360 Degrees to optimize the teaching expertise and capacity across all of its partner institutions. Those partners include Central Lakes College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Northland Community and Technical College, Northwest Technical College, Pine Technical College, Riverland Community College, Saint Paul College and St. Cloud Technical College.
Registration for the new certificate options will begin in December for spring 2010 enrollment.
• Production technologies: This 15-credite certificate will provide an introduction to production technologies. Courses will include: technical mathematics, introductory computer skills, print interpretation, manufacturing processes, quality control, maintenance and safety.
• Machine technologist: This 30-credit certificate will provide an introduction to production technologies and machining technology. Courses will include: technical mathematics, introductory computer skills, print interpretation, manufacturing processes, quality control, maintenance, and safety. Students will also learn machine tool print reading, machine tool technology theory and lab principles, machining math, introduction to computer numerical control, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Automation technologies: This 30-credit certificate will provide an introduction to production and automation technologies. Courses will include: technical mathematics, introductory computer skills, print interpretation, manufacturing processes, quality control, maintenance and safety. Students will learn motor controls, analog circuits, digital electronics and AC/DC power.
• Welding technology: This 30-credit certificate will provide an introduction to production technologies and welding fundamentals. Courses will include: technical mathematics, introductory computer skills, print interpretation, manufacturing processes, quality control, maintenance and safety. Students will learn welding print reading and interpreting symbols, following welding procedures, safety, metallurgy and mechanical properties of materials, and hands on experience with specific welding processes including oxyacetylene cutting and welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux arc welding and gas tungsten arc welding.
Advanced manufacturing continues to be a high demand/high pay industry for the state of Minnesota. These certificates provide marketable skills and knowledge to entry-level employees and a way for these individuals to distinguish themselves from colleagues and advance their careers.
For more information about 360 Degrees, please contact Karen White at (218) 755-2208.
Editors Note
The preferred presentation of the 360 degrees name is 360°, using the “degrees” glyph. If you have the capability to present the name using the glyph, you are encouraged to do so.
ON THE WEB
• 360 Degrees: http://www.360mn.org, http://www.360distance.org
About 360 Degrees
360 Degrees Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence is a partnership of nine institutions led by Bemidji State University which includes Central Lakes College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Northland Community and Technical College, Northwest Technical College, Pine Technical College, Riverland Community College, Saint Paul College, and St. Cloud Technical College. 360 Degrees was initiated by the Governor of Minnesota to strengthen the state’s manufacturing economic sector and serve the needs of the industry by cultivating a potential future workforce through more flexible educational opportunities via the concept of the seamless career pathway.