Welding

Randy Hammond, Chairperson

256.352.8272

randy.hammond@wallacestate.edu

www.wallacestate.edu/welding

Associate in Applied Science Degree (4 Semesters)

Certificate (4 Semesters)

Short-Term Certificates (1 Semester)

At a Glance

Certified structural welders, fabricators, and weld technicians are in high demand in Alabama and across the nation. Automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding, new construction, defense contractors, manufacturing fabrication, facility and infrastructure maintenance are the driving force behind these highly sought-after professionals. The welding curriculum is parallel with the (NCCER) National Center for Construction Education and Research and the American Welding Society standards.

Program Description

Associate in Applied Science General Technology-Welding Degree and Welding Technology Certificates offers a guide to skills and knowledge in the safe operation of the following welding processes and equipment operation: industrial blue prints, structural and pipe welding symbol interpretation, blueprint reading for fabrication, pipe fitting, weld inspection, weld testing instruction. Hands-on instructional courses offers structural and pipe welding workplace skills. Program instruction utilizes the latest welding technology in Stick, Mig, Pulse Mig, Pulse Mag, Fluxcore, Metal-core, Surface Tension Transfer, DC Tig, DC Pulse Tig, AC High Frequency Tig, Submerged Arc, and Oxy-fuel Cutting, Plasma Arc Cutting, and Carbon Arc Cutting processes.

Additional training courses are offered in robotics, CNC cutting and various welding applications.

Program Accreditations/Credentials

AWS/American Welding Society Accredited Testing Facility
National Coalition of Certifications Training Center
Lincoln Electric Educational Partner School
NCCER/National Center for Construction Education and Research
AWS/American Welding Society
CWI/Certified Welding Inspectors
AWS/American Welding Society Welding Educators

WSCC Welding Instructors have over 54 years of combined industry-construction welding and teaching experience.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet all WSCC general admission requirements.

Program Expectations

The Welding Technology Certificates and A.A.S. General-Welding Degree curriculums offer training in industrial blueprints, structural and pipe welding symbol interpretation, blueprint reading for fabrication, pipe fitting, weld inspection, weld testing instruction. Hands-on instructional courses offers structural and pipe welding workplace skills. Program instruction utilizes the latest welding technology in Stick, Mig, Pulse Mig, Pulse Mag, Fluxcore, Metal-core, Surface Tension Transfer, DC Tig, DC Pulse Tig, AC High Frequency Tig, Submerged Arc, and Oxy-fuel Cutting, Plasma Arc Cutting, and Carbon Arc Cutting processes that are common in the structural, facility maintenance, and pipe welding industries.

Program Exit Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students will be required to obtain two (2) different industry AWS/ASME Welding Certifications in either 3G Structural, 5G or 6G using or a combination of Stick, Mig, Flux-core, STT and Tig Welding processes as part of the graduate program exit industry credentials.

Essential Functions

As a WSCC welding student, you will be expected to fulfill the physical demands described below to successfully perform the essential functions of assigned tasks. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Students must frequently lift and/ or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally life weights up to 100 pounds.
Specific visual acuity that includes close vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Students are required to walk, sit, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch while performing welding tasks.
Students are required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls.
The student is frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
The student is required to talk and hear in the lab environments.
While performing duties or assignments, the student occasionally works near moving mechanical parts or in outside weather conditions.
The student is exposed to humid conditions and welding fumes if proper techniques are not used.
The noise level in the work environment is high.
Students are required to be punctual and have predictable attendance.
Students must be willing to follow instructions.

Career Path

This program is designed to equip students who successfully compete the program with skills to qualify for an entry level or better positions in production welding, lay-out fabrication, new and existing facility construction, pipe and pressure vessel welders, boilermakers, maintenance and repair welders, management, welding education, business owner, certified welding inspector, certified welding educator, sales of welding equipment and consumable, power plant, or automotive manufacturing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for welding professionals in 2016 was as follows:

Welders, cutters, and brazers
$18.94 hourly
$39,390 annually

Boilermakers
$29.84 hourly
$62,060 annually

Materials Engineers
$46.66 hourly
$97,050 annually

Plumbers, pipe and steamfitters
$24.74 hourly
$51,450 annually

Welding Instructors
$25.97 hourly
$54,020 annually

WSCC Graduate Annual Earnings

Welding Engineer: $102K
Pipe Welding: $96K
Certified Welding Inspectors: $130K
Manufacturing & Construction Welding: $59K
Robotic Weld Technicians: $60K

Transferable Program College Credits

ASU Business in Management-Technology B.S. Degree American Welding Society Certified Welding Inspectors*

*(up to one year credit for minimum AWS CWI requirements)

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

WDT 100 : Introduction to Applied Technologies

The course is designed to introduce the student to the basic concepts, terminology and procedures associated with applied analytical skills needed to succeed in higher level courses to include: basic mathematical applications, use of scientific calculators, measurements, and geometric and triangulation methods.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 102 : SMAW Fillet/OFC

This course provides the student with instruction and opportunities to develop skills with Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) processes. Emphasis is placed on safety, welding terminology, equipment identification, set-up and operation, and related information in the SMAW process. This course also covers the rules of basic safety and identification of shop equipment and provides the student with the skills and knowledge necessary for the safe operation of oxy-fuel cutting.(Can replace WDT 108 & 122)

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 104 : SMAW Fillet/PAC/CAC

This course provides students with instruction and opportunities to develop skills with Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW processes. Emphasis is placed on safety, welding terminology, equipment identification, set-up and operation, and related information in the SMAW process. This course also covers the rules of basic safety and identification of shop equipment and provides students with skills and knowledge necessary for the safe operation of carbon arc cutting and plasma arc cutting. (Can replace WDT 109 & 123)

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 106 : Shielded Metal Arc Welding Groove

This course provides students with instruction and opportunities to develop skills on joint design, joint preparation, and fit-up of groove welds in accordance with applicable welding codes. Emphasis is placed on safe operation, joint design, joint preparation, and fit-up. (Can replace WDT 120 & 125)

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 108 : Shielded Metal Arc Fillet/OFC

This course provides the student with instruction on safety practices and terminology in the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process. Emphasis is placed on safety, welding terminology, equipment identification, set-up and operation, and related information in the SMAW process. This course also covers the rules of basic safety and identification of shop equipment and provides the student with the skills and knowledge necessary for the safe operation of oxy-fuel cutting.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 109 : Shielded Metal Arc Fillet/PAC/CAC

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 110 : Industrial Blueprint Reading

This course provides students with the understanding and fundamentals of industrial blueprint reading. Emphasis is placed on reading and interpreting lines, views, dimensions, weld joint configurations and weld symbols. Upon completion students should be able to interpret welding symbols and blueprints as they apply to welding and fabrication. CORE

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 115 : GTAW Carbon Pipe

This course is designed to provide the student with the practices and procedures of welding carbon steel pipe using the gas tungsten arc weld (GTAW) process. Emphasis is placed on pipe positions, filler metal selection, purging gasses, joint geometry, joint preparation, and fit-up. Upon completion, students should be able to identify pipe positions, filler metals, purging gas, proper joint geometry, joint preparation, and fit-up to the applicable code.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 116 : GTAW Stainless Pipe

This course is designed to provide the student with the practices and procedures of welding stainless steel pipe using the gas tungsten arc weld (GTAW) process. Emphasis is placed on pipe positions, filler metal selection, purging gasses, joint geometry, joint preparation and fit-up. Upon completion, students should be able to identify pipe positions, filler metals, purging gas, proper joint geometry, joint preparation, and fit-up to the applicable code.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 119 : Gas Metal Arc Fillet/Flux Cored Arc Welding

This course introduces the student to the gas metal arc and flux cored arc welding process. Emphasis is placed on safe operating practices, handling and storage of compressed gasses, process principles, component identification, various welding techniques and base and filler metal identification.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 120 : Shielded Metal Arc Welding Groove

This course provides the student with instruction on joint design, joint preparation, and fit-up of groove welds in accordance with applicable welding codes. Emphasis is placed on safe operation, joint design, joint preparation, and fit-up. Upon completion, students should be able to identify the proper joint design, joint preparation and fit-up of groove welds in accordance with applicable welding codes.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 122 : Shielded Metal Arc Welding Fillet/OFC Lab

This course is designed to introduce the student to the proper set-up and operation of the shielded metal arc welding equipment. Emphasis is placed on striking and controlling the arc, and proper fit up of fillet joints. This course is also designed to instruct students in the safe operation of oxy-fuel cutting. Upon completion, students should be able to make fillet welds in all positions using electrodes in the F-3 groups in accordance applicable welding code and be able to safely operate oxy-fuel equipment and perform those operations as per the applicable welding code.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 123 : Shielded Metal Arc Welding Fillet/PAC/CAC Lab

This course is designed to introduce the student to the proper set-up and operation of the shielded metal arc welding equipment. Emphasis is placed on striking and controlling the arc, and proper fit up of fillet joints. This course is also designed to instruct students in the safe operation of plasma arc and carbon arc cutting. Upon completion, students should be able to make fillet welds in all positions using electrodes in the F-4 groups in accordance with applicable welding code and be able to safely operate plasma arc and carbon arc equipment and perform those operations as per applicable welding code.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 124 : Gas Metal Arc/Flux Cored Arc Welding Lab

This course provides instruction and demonstration using the various transfer methods and techniques to gas metal arc and flux cored arc welds. Topics included are safety, equipment set-up, joint design and preparation, and gases.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 125 : Shielded Metal Arc Welding Groove Lab

This course provides instruction and demonstrations in the shielded metal arc welding process on carbon steel plate with various size F3 and F4 group electrodes in all positions. Emphasis is placed on welding groove joints and using various F3 and F4 group electrodes in all positions. Upon completion, the student should be able to make visually acceptable groove weld joints in accordance with applicable welding codes.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 126 : Gas Metal Arc/Flux Core Arc Welding

This course introduces students to the gas metal arc and flux cored arc welding process and allows them to develop skills. Emphasis is placed on safe operating practices, handling and storage of compressed gasses, process principles, component identification, various welding techniques and base and filler metal identification.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 131 : Carbon Steel Fabrication Methods

This course allows the student to plan, execute and present results of fabrication processes using carbon steel material. Emphasis is placed on enhancing skill attainment in the carbon steel fabrication field. The student will be able to demonstrate and apply competencies and agreed upon between the student and instructor.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college.

WDT 141 : Aluminum Fabrication Methods

This course allows the student to plan, execute, and present results of fabrication processes using aluminum material. Emphasis is placed on enhancing skill attainment in the aluminum fabrication field. The student will be able to demonstrate and apply competencies identified and agreed upon between the student and instructor.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college.

WDT 151 : Stainless Steel Fabrication Methods

This course allows the student to plan, execute, and present results of fabrication processes using stainless steel material. Emphasis is placed on enhancing skill attainment in the stainless steel fabrication field. The student will be able to demonstrate and apply competencies identified and agreed upon between the student and instructor.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college.

WDT 155 : GTAW Carbon Pipe Lab

This course is designed to provide the student with skills in welding carbon steel pipe with gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) techniques in various pipe weld positions. Upon completion, students should be able to perform gas tungsten arc welding on carbon steel pipe with the prescribed filler metals in various positions in accordance with the applicable code.

Credits

Prerequisites

WDT 115 and/or as required by college

WDT 156 : GTAW Stainless Pipe Lab

This course is designed to provide the student with the skills in welding stainless steel pipe with the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) techniques in various pipe weld positions. Upon completion, students should be able to perform gas tungsten arc welding on stainless steel pipe with the prescribed filler metals in various positions in accordance to the applicable code.

Credits

Prerequisites

WDT 116 and/or as required by college

WDT 157 : Consumable Welding Processes

This course provides instruction and demonstration with the consumable welding processes to produce grove and fillet welds in all positions, according to applicable welding codes. Topics include safe operating practices, equipment identification, equipment set-up, correct selection of electrode, current/polarity, shielding gas and base metals.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 158 : Consumable Welding Processes Lab

This course is provides instruction and demonstration with the consumable welding process to produce groove and fillet welds in all positions, according to applicable welding codes. Topics include safe operating practices, equipment identification, equipment set-up, correct selection of electrode, current/polarity, shielding gas and base metals. Upon completion, the student should be able to produce grove and fillet welds using consumable welding processes according to AWS Codes and standards.

Credits

Prerequisites

WDT 157 and/or as required by college

WDT 160 : Robotics Lab I

This course is the practical application of robotics theory. Students will complete machine origins, robotic programming, robotic welding parameters, link programs to create jobs, and allocate a weave start.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 161 : Pipe Fabrication Methods

This course allows the student to plan, execute and present results of fabrication processes using pipe material. Emphasis is placed on enhancing skill attainment in the pipe fabrication field. The student will be able to demonstrate and apply comeptencies identified and agreed upon between the student and instructor.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college.

WDT 162 : Consumable Welding Applications

This course provides instruction and demonstration with consumable welding processes for ferrous and non-ferrous materials to produce groove and fillet welds in various positions, according to applicable welding codes. Topics may include safe operating practices for pulse and tubular applications, equipment identification, equipment set-up, correct selection of electrodes, current/polarity, shielding gas and base metals.

Credits

WDT 163 : Consumable Welding Applications Lab

Credits

Prerequisites

WDT 162 and/or as required by college

WDT 166 : FCAW

This course provides instruction and demonstration with the flux core arc welding process to produce groove and fillet welds in all positions, according to applicable welding codes. Topics include safe operating practices, equipment identification, equipment set-up, correct selection of filler metals, current/polarity, shielding gas and base metals. Upon completion, the student should be able to produce groove and fillet welds using the FCAW welding process, according to AWS Codes and Standards.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 167 : FCAW Lab

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 193 : Co-Op

These courses constitute a series wherein the student works on a part-time basis in a job directly related to welding. In these courses the employer evaluates the student’s productivity and the student submits a descriptive report of his work experiences. Upon completion, the student will demonstrate skills learned in an employment setting.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 217 : SMAW Carbon Pipe

This course introduces the student to the practices and procedures of welding carbon steel pipe using the shielded metal arc weld (SMAW) process. Emphasis is placed on pipe positions, electrode selection, joint geometry, joint preparation and fit-up. Upon completion, students should be able to identify pipe positions, electrodes, proper joint geometry, joint preparation, and fit-up in accordance with applicable code.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 218 : Certification

This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge needed to perform welds using the prescribed welding process. Emphasis is placed on the welding test joints in accordance with the prescribed welding code. Upon, completion, students should be able to pass an industry standard welding test in accordance with various applicable welding code requirements.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 219 : Welding Inspection and Testing

This course provides the student with inspection skills and knowledge necessary to evaluate welded joints and apply quality control measures as needed. Emphasis is placed on interpreting welding codes, welding procedures, and visual inspection methods. Upon completion, students should be able to visually identify visual acceptable weldments as prescribed by the code or welding specification report.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 221 : Pipefitting and Fabrication

This course provides the student with skills and practices necessary for fabricating pipe plans using pipe fittings. Emphasis is placed on various pipe fittings to include various degree angles. Upon completion, students should be able to fit various pipe fitting, and cut and fabricate tees, and assorted angles.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 223 : Blueprint Reading for Fabrication

This course provides the student with advanced skills in identifying and interpreting lines, views, dimensions, notes, bill of materials, and the use of tools of the trade. Emphasis is placed on figuring dimensional tolerances, layout and fitting of different component parts. Upon course completion, a student should be able to interpret, layout, and fabricate from blueprints to given tolerances.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 228 : Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

This course provides student with knowledge needed to perform gas tungsten arc welds using ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, according to applicable welding codes. Topics include safe operating practices, equipment identification and set-up, correct selection of tungsten type, polarity, shielding gas and filler metals. Upon completion, a student should be able to identify safe operating practices, equipment identification and setup, correct selection of tungsten type, polarity, shielding gas, filler metals, and various welds on ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, using the gas tungsten arc welding process according to applicable welding codes.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 229 : Boiler Tube

This course is designed to provide the student with the practices and procedures of welding boiler tubes using the gas tungsten arc and shielded metal arc welding process to the applicable code. Emphasis is placed on tube fit-up, tube welding technique, and code requirements. Upon completion, students should be able to identify code requirements and tube welding technique.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 230 : Orbital Gas Tungsten Art Welding

This course provides student with skills needed to perform orbital gas tungsten arc pipe welds using ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals according to applicable welding codes. Topics include safe operating practices, equipment identification and set-up, correct selection of tungsten type, polarity, shielding gas and filler metals.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 232 : Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

This course provides students with knowledge and the opportunity to develop skills for gas tungsten arc welds using ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, according to applicable welding codes. Topics include safe operating practices, equipment identification and set-up, correct selection of tungsten type, polarity, shielding gas and filler metals.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 240 : Orbital Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Lab

This course is designed to provide the student with the practices and procedures of welding carbon pipe using the orbital gas tungsten arc welding process (GTAW). Emphasis is placed on welding pipe using the orbital GTAW process in the 2G, 5G and 6G positions to code requirements.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 250 : Pipe Preparation for Orbital Welding Lab

This course provides practical application of the concepts and principles of machining conventional and narrow groove pipe end bevels using hydraulic and pneumatic equipment for precision orbital welding applications.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 257 : SMAW Carbon Pipe Lab

This course is designed to provide the student with skills in welding carbon steel pipe with the shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) techniques in various pipe welding positions. Upon completion, students should be able to perform shielded metal arc welding on carbon steel pipe with the prescribed electrodes in various positions in accordance with the applicable codes.

Credits

Corequisites

WDT 217 and/or as required by college.

WDT 258 : Certification Lab

This course is designed to provide the student with the skills needed to perform welds using the prescribed welding process. Emphasis is placed on welding test joints in accordance with the prescribed welding code. Upon completion, students should be able to pass an industry standard welding test in accordance with various code requirements.

Credits

Prerequisites

WDT 218 and/or as required by college

WDT 259 : GTAW Groove Lab

This course provides students with skills needed to perform gas tungsten arc welds using ferrous metals according to applicable welding codes. Topics include safe operating practices, equipment identification and set-up, correct selection of tungsten type, polarity, shielding gas and filler metals. Upon completion, a student should be able to identify safe operating practices, equipment identification and set-up, correct selection of tungsten type, polarity, shielding gas, filler metals and various welds on ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, using the gas tungsten arc welding process according to applicable welding codes.

Credits

WDT 260 : SMAW Carbon Pipe

This course introduces students to the practices and allows opportunities to develop skills for welding carbon steel pipe using the shielded metal arc weld (SMAW) process. Emphasis is placed on safety, pipe positions, electrode selection, joint geometry, joint preparation, and fit-up.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 268 : Gas Tungsten Arc Lab

This course provides student with skills needed to perform gas tungsten arc welds using ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals according to applicable welding codes. Topics include safe operating practices, equipment identification and set-up, correct selection of tungsten type, polarity, shielding gas and filler metals. Upon completion, a student should be able to identify safe operating practices, equipment identification and set-up, correct selection of tungsten type, polarity, shielding gas and filler metals and various welds on ferrous and/or nonferrous metals, using the gas tungsten arc welding process according to applicable welding codes.

Credits

Prerequisites

WDT 228 and/or as required by college

WDT 269 : Boiler Tube Lab

This course is designed to provide the student with the skills in welding boiler tubes using the gas tungsten arc and shielded metal arc welding process using filler metals in the F6 and F4 groups to applicable code. Emphasis is placed on welding boiler tubes using the gas tungsten arc and shielded metal arc welding process in the 2G and 6G positions in accordance with the applicable code. Upon completion, students should be able to perform gas tungsten arc and shielded metal arc welding on boiler tubes with the prescribed filler metals in the 2G and 6G positions to the applicable code.

Credits

Prerequisites

WDT 229 and/or as required by college

WDT 275 : Robotic Welding II

This course is designed to teach students how to MIG weld using a robot weld cell and includes extensive hands-on training. Topics include robot programming and the interrelationship with welding principles, programmed safety precautions utilized in robotic welding, robotic weld controls systems, troubleshooting, and utilization of multi-functional teach pendants. Upon completion, students will be able to operate MIG welding industrial robots and understand the interaction between robots and MIG welding technology.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college.

WDT 291 : Co-Op

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college

WDT 292 : Co-Op

These courses constitute a series wherein the student works on a part-time basis in a job directly related to welding. In these courses the employer evaluating the student’s productivity and the student submits a descriptive report of his work experiences. Upon completion, the student will demonstrate skills learned in an employment setting.

Credits

Prerequisites

As required by college