Robotics and Automation Technology


256.352.8150
electrical@wallacestate.edu
www.wallacestate.edu/mechatronics

 

Associate in Applied Science Degree (5 semesters)

Certificate (5 semesters)

Short-Term Certificates (1 semester)

At a Glance

The Robotics and Automation Technology program at Wallace State prepares students for entry-level careers in robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing, and industrial technology, while also providing a strong foundation for career growth and advancement. Instruction is delivered through classroom lecture, demonstration, and technology-enhanced learning methods. Hands-on laboratory experiences reinforce course concepts and provide students with practical skills in troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and the operation of automated and robotic systems in real-world industrial environments.

Program Description

The Robotics and Automation Technology pathway includes a work-based learning option through the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME – Wallace State FAME ) Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT), a nationally recognized program. Accepted AMTs attend classes twice a week and work with an employer for at least three days a week. This practical experience complements classroom and lab learning, enhancing students’ understanding, and giving them the work experience advantage over others who have not completed a work-based learning program. Students also develop sought-after industry skills like safety, communication, team building, 5S, lean manufacturing, and machine reliability.

Program Expectations

Teaching is accomplished through traditional lectures and demonstrations in the classroom and a hybrid format of computer-based and web-based instruction. Hands-on laboratory exercises reinforce concepts covered in the courses, and real-world troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair exercises strengthen them.

Career Path

Through a strong foundation in electricity, electronics, automation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair, students are prepared for employment in industries that rely on advanced technology systems and automated equipment. The knowledge and skills gained in the program help position graduates for success in a variety of growing technical fields.

Examples of careers related to this degree include Robotics Technician, Industrial Maintenance Technician, Automation Technician, and Machine Integration Technician. The range of career opportunities available to graduates is broad and continues to expand as automation and advanced technologies play a larger role across industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for professionals in 2024 was as follows:

 

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians: $34.02 per Hour and $70,760 per Year  

Medical Equipment Repairers: Pay $30.11 per Hour and $62,630  per Year 

 

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

AUT 138 : Principles of Industrial Mechanics

This course provides instruction in basic physics concepts applicable to mechanics of industrial production equipment. Topics include the basic application of mechanical principles with emphasis on power transmission, specific mechanical components, alignment, and tension. Upon completion, students will be able to perform basic troubleshooting, repair and maintenance functions on industrial production equipment. 

Credits

3

AUT 186 : Principles of Industrial Maintenance Welding and Metal Cutting Techniques

This course provides instruction in the fundamentals of acetylene cutting and the basics of welding needed for the maintenance and repair of industrial production equipment. Topics include oxy-fuel safety, choice of cutting equipment, proper cutting angles, equipment setup, cutting plate and pipe, hand tools, types of metal welding machines, rod and welding joints, and common welding passes and beads. Upon course completion, students will demonstrate the ability to perform metal welding and cutting techniques necessary for repairing and maintaining industrial equipment.

Credits

3

ILT 102 : Industrial Automation

This course emphasizes automated control systems. Topics include robotics, programmable logic controllers, variable-speed drives, sensors, hydraulic and pneumatic and related control circuitry with emphasis on troubleshooting the total system. Hands on laboratory exercises are provided to program and troubleshoot robotics, programmable logic controllers, variable-speed drives, human machine interface, hydraulic and pneumatic, and sensors on an automation system. Upon completion, students should be able to apply principles of automated control systems.

Credits

3

ILT 117 : Principles of Construction Wiring

This course provides a study of the technical skills required to safely perform electrical wiring installations. Topics include methods of wiring residential, commercial, and industrial locations. Upon completion, studens should be able to apply safe wiring skills to residential, commercial and industrial applications. 

Credits

3

ILT 139 : Introduction to Robotic Programming

This course provides an introduction robotic programming. Emphasis is placed on but not limited to the following: Safety, motion programming, creating and editing programs, I/O instructions, macros, program and file storage. Upon completion the student will be able to safely perform basic functions in the work cell as well as program a robot to perform simple functions.

Credits

3

ILT 160 : DC Fundamentals

This course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of basic direct current (DC) electrical principals. Topics include safety, basic atomic structure and theory, magnetism, conductors, insulators, use of Ohm’s law to solve voltage, current, and resistance, electrical sources, power, inductors, and capacitors. Students will perform lockout/tagout procedures, troubleshoot circuits and analyze series, parallel, and combination DC Circuits using the electrical laws and basic testing equipment to determine unknown electrical quantities. As needed.

Credits

3

ILT 161 : AC Fundamentals

This course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of basic alternating current (AC) electrical principals. Topics include basic concepts of electricity, electrical components, basic circuits, measurement instruments, the laws of alternating current, and electrical safety with lockout procedures. Hands on laboratory exercises are provided to analyze various series, parallel, and combination alternating current circuit configurations containing resistors, inductors, and capacitors. Upon course completion, students will be able to describe and explain alternating current circuit fundamentals such as RLC Circuits, impedance, phase relationships, and power factors. They should also be able to perform fundamental tasks associated with troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining industrial AC systems. As needed.

Credits

3

ILT 162 : Solid State Fundamentals

This course provides instruction in basic solid state theory beginning with atomic structure and including devices such as diodes, bipolar transistors, field effect transistors, amplifiers, transistors, operational amplifiers, oscillator, and power supply circuits. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of solid-state devices, proper biasing and amplifier circuit analysis and the use of test equipment of diagnose, troubleshoot and repair a typical solid-state device circuits. This course also provides the opportunity for students to apply the solid-state principals and theories learned in class in the laboratory setting. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of solid-state devices, proper biasing and amplifier circuit analysis and the use of test equipment to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair atypical solid-state device circuits. As needed.

Credits

3

ILT 163 : Digital Fundamentals

This course provides instruction on basic logic gates, flip-flops, registers, counters, microprocessor/computer fundamentals, analog to digital conversion, and digital analog conversion. Emphasis is placed on number systems, Boolean algebra, combination logic circuits, sequential logic circuits, and typical microprocessor data manipulation and storage. This course also has an embedded lab with exercises designed to develop skills required by industry. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze digital circuits, draw timing diagrams, determine output of combinational and sequential logic circuits and diagnose and troubleshoot electronic components as well as demonstrate knowledge of microprocessor and computer circuits. CORE. As needed.

Credits

3

ILT 164 : Circuit Fabrication I

This course provides instruction in fabrication of functional circuits and is an introduction to device construction and fabrication. Utilizing discrete components, students will fabricate functional circuits. Topics include soldering, cable construction, coaxial cable connection and termination, component mounting, cases, and chassis, printed circuit board design, layout, fabrication, and repair, as well as soldering techniques, care of tools, wire splicing, wire wrapping, connector maintenance, and related shop safety. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic circuit and project construction.

Credits

1

ILT 166 : Motors and Transformers I

This course covers motor operation, motor types, motor components, motor feeder and branch circuits. Topics include motor protection and motor control circuits. Upon lab completion, students should be able to test motors, transformer types, and test input and output voltage. 

Credits

3

ILT 167 : AC/DC Machinery and Controls I

This course provides the student with knowledge in AC/DC machinery and controls. Topics include the characteristics and operating principles of the different types of AC/DC generators and motors, manual and automatic starters and controllers. The lab enables to students test, troubleshoot and repair AC/DC Machinery and controls. Upon completion, the student will be able to apply practical skills in AC/DC machinery. 

Credits

3

ILT 169 : Hydraulics/Pneumatics

This course provides an introduction to hydraulics/pneumatics. Topics include hydraulic pumps, pneumatic compressors work and system components such as valves, filters, regulators, actuators, accumulators, and lubricators. The lab enables students to test, troubleshoot and repair hydraulic pumps, pneumatic compressors work and system components such as valves, filters, regulators, actuators, accumulators, and lubricators.  Upon completion, students will be able to apply principles of hydraulic/pneumatics.  

Credits

3

ILT 175 : Computer Fundamentals for Technology Students

This course introduces the students to applications of computers in the laboratory setting. It will cover the computer from a hardware standpoint and introduce the operating system. Application software will include word processing, spreadsheets, datebase managers, and other electronic related software. Upon completion, students should be able to operate a personal computer in the technical setting.

Credits

3

ILT 181 : Special Topics in ILT

This course provides a guided independent study of special topics in ILT. The student and instructor design th eplan of study. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate skills developed in these courses. 

Credits

3

ILT 194 : Intro. to Programmable Logic Controllers

This course provides an introduction to programmable logic controllers. Emphasis is placed on, but not limited to, the following: PLC hardware and software, numbering systems, installation, and programming. Upon completion, students must demonstrate their ability by developing, loading, debugging, and optimizing PLC programs.

Credits

3

ILT 195 : Troubleshooting Techniques I

This course focuses on the systematic approach to solving problems. Emphasis is placed on the instrument failures and their interaction with process downtime. Upon completion, students will be able to solve problems on a process simulator or in an actual setting.

Credits

3

ILT 196 : Advanced Programmable Logic Controllers

This course includes the advanced principals of PLC’s including hardware, programming, and troubleshooting. Emphasis is placed on developing advanced working programs, and troubleshooting hardware and software communication problems. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate their ability in developing programs and troubleshooting the system.

Credits

3

ILT 197 : Motor Controls I

This course is a study of the construction, operating characteristics, and installation of different motor control circuits and devices. Emphasis is placed on the control of three phase AC motors. This course covers the use of motor control symbols, magnetic motor starters, running overload protection, pushbutton stations, multiple control stations, two wire control, three wire control, jogging control, sequence control, and ladder diagrams of motor control circuits. Upon completion, students should be able to understand the operation of motor starters, overload protection, interpret ladder diagrams using pushbutton stations and understand complex motor control diagrams.

Credits

3

ILT 210 : Mechatronics

This course covers the components that make up a mechatronics system. Students will learn the functions of the electrical components, electrical drives and mechanical components and the roles that they play in the system. The student is also introduced to basic PLC networking with Ethernet-type devices. Students will also be introduced to other types of networking protocols and network security. Students gain knowledge in the selection of PLC equipment used to control mechatronics systems. By understanding the complete system, students will learn and apply troubleshooting strategies to identify, localize and (where possible) to correct malfunctions.

Credits

3

ILT 218 : Industrial Robotics Concepts

This course provides instruction in concepts and theories for the operation of robotic servo motors and power systems used with industrial robotic equipment. Emphasis is on the application of the computer to control power systems to perform work. Student competencies include understanding of the functions of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical power system components, ability to read and interpret circuitry for proper troubleshooting and ability to perform preventative maintenance.

Credits

3

ILT 231 : National Electric Code

This course introduces students to the National Electric Code. Emphasis is placed on locating and interpreting needed information within the NEC code manual. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to locate code requirements for a specific electrical installation. 

Credits

3

ILT 240 : Sensors Technology and Applications

This course provides a study of industrial electronic sensors. Topics include, but are not limited to, photo-electric, temperature, gas and humidity, pressure and strain sensors. The lab enables students to test, and troubleshoot electronic sensors and sensor circuits. Upon completion, students should be able to select, install, test, and troubleshoot industrial electronic sensors.

Credits

3