Diesel Technology

The Rend Lake College Diesel Technology program is designed to provide students with the technical knowledge and work skills needed to enter the diesel engine repair and maintenance field. This mechanical-field program is structured with both lecture and laboratory experience and leads to either an Associate in Applied Science Degree or an Occupational Certificate.
College personnel take great pride in the fact that most work is based on realistic live-work situations. Emphasis is placed on hydraulics, diesel fuel systems, transmissions and power trains, diesel engine maintenance, diesel engine electronics and computerized engine controllers in relation to the modern technology of today’s industry. Associate degree course work includes one semester of supervised occupational experience (on-the-job training).

Degrees & Certificates in Diesel Technology

APPLIED SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

DIESEL TECHNOLOGY - Certificate

Occupational Certificate
► Total = 30 Hours

First Semester (17 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 1203 Ignition and Electrical Systems (5)
AGRI 1208 Diesel Engines (6)
DIEL 1204 Intermediate Diesels (4)
DIEL 1208 Diesel Accessories (2)

Second Semester (13 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 1204 Physics of Hydraulics (4)
DIEL 1202 Basic Diesel Fuel Systems (2)
DIEL 1203 Heavy Equipment Alignment (2)
DIEL 1205 Heavy Equipment Brakes (3)
DIEL 1206 Advanced Diesels (2)

DIESEL TECHNOLOGY - Degree

Associate in Applied Science Degree

A two-year program leading to an Associate in Applied Science Degree. The program is designed to prepare students for occupations involving the maintenance and repair of diesel engines. Upon completion of the curriculum, the student should have a thorough knowledge of servicing diesel systems and their accessories. Also upon completion, the student has the option to capstone into a participating four-year institution.

► Total = 66 Hours

First Semester (17 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 1208 Diesel Engines (6)
DIEL 1208 Diesel Accessories (2)
ENGL 1101 Rhetoric and Composition I ¹ (3)
CSCI 1101 Intro to Computers or
CSCI 1102 Intro to Computers w/ Business Applications (3)
PSYC 2101 Introduction to Psychology (3)

Second Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 1204 Physics of Hydraulics (4)
COMM 1101 Principles of Effective Speaking (3)
DIEL 1202 Basic Diesel Fuel Systems (2)
DIEL 1205 Heavy Equipment Brakes (3)
DIEL 1210 Supervised Occupational Experience (4)

Third Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 1203 Ignition and Electrical Systems (5)
AGRI 1222 Applied Mathematics (3)
AGRI 2201 Transmission and Power Trains (4)
DIEL 1204 Intermediate Diesels (4)

Fourth Semester (17 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 1206 Ag Air Conditioning Systems ² (4)
AGRI 2204 Advanced Major Overhaul (5)
DIEL 1203 Heavy Equipment Alignment (2)
DIEL 1206 Advanced Diesels (2)
DIEL 2210 Supervised Occupational Experience or
AGRI 2206 Advanced Electrical and Hydraulics (4)

RECOMMENED COURSE (17 Cr. Hrs.)

WELD 1270 Introduction to Welding Processes (4)
¹ Prerequisite course(s) may be required based on test scores.
² Highly recommended course for students in the Diesel Technology program.

Diesel Technology Brochures

Diesel Technology Brochure

Program Costs

Diesel Technology Degree

Program Outcomes

Diesel Technology

Communicate effectively the current issues and challenges of the Agriculture industry.
Demonstrate the ability to gather and synthesize information pertinent to Agriculture.
Demonstrate the ability to calculate and interpret results of specific agricultural scenarios.
Exhibit an in-depth understanding of internal combustion engines common to the agriculture industry.
Develop critical thinking skills in order to troubleshoot DC electrical systems.
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of fluid power.
Demonstrate a basic understanding concerning function and adjustment of various agricultural implements.
Demonstrate a personal work ethic and perspective necessary to be successful in the agriculture industry.

Headlines

RLC AUTO ALUMN HOWELL HELPS START NEW CUMMINS CERTIFICATE

INA, Ill. (May 16, 2022) — Garrett Howell hasn’t forgotten where he started his journey.The 2016 graduate of Rend Lake College’s Automotive Technology program is now a Power Gen Diagnostic Domain Architect for the CPS Diagnostics division of Cummins, Inc. in Columbus, Ind. Rend Lake College graduate Garrett Howell recently gave back to the program that moved him forward in the field. Howell...
RLC earns national recognition for its trade programs

INA, Ill. (Oct. 5, 2020) — Rend Lake College’s trade programs rate among the best in the nation, according to a recent ranking from education website Learn.org. Learn.org recently published its list of the 50 Best Trade Schools Programs for the 2020-21 school year and RLC landed in the No. 18 spot. The website’s editorial team considered hundreds of universities across the country and selected...
Heavy Equipment Alignment Training underway at RLC’s improved Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. (Sept. 22, 2020) — Due to funding from the Delta Regional Authority, Rend Lake College hosted its first heavy equipment alignment training utilizing a mobile alignment lab at the Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus. There were 15 students and three instructors in attendance at the training, which covered topics like alignment angles, tire wear angles, rolling compensation, two...
Paying it forward: RLC donates to local high schools

INA, Ill. (Feb. 28, 2020) — Rend Lake College recently came bearing gifts for several local high school agriculture programs in the form of small and diesel engines. RLC was able to donate several engines to agriculture programs at Webber High School, Benton Consolidated High School and Wayne City High School. The engines will give local students a chance to gain insight into the mechanical side of...
Apprenticeship programs showcased at RLC

INA, Ill. (Feb. 26, 2020) — Students and businesses from around the region got a firsthand look at how apprenticeships benefit the local workforce Wednesday at Rend Lake College. RLC hosted Apprenticeship Works! — a program that showcased how local businesses have worked with the college to give students on-the-job training that will benefit them during their future careers. Current students...

Faculty & Staff

Dr. Gabriele Farner

Dean of Applied Science & Technology

Phone Extension: 1292

Building: Advanced Technology Center

Office: 138

M.S. & B.S., Southern Illinois University | Ph.D., Missouri Baptist University

Colin Jones

Diesel Technology Instructor | Applied Science & Advanced Technology

Phone Extension: 7915

Building: Applied Science Center

Office: 115

B.S., Southern Illinois University| A.A.S., Rend Lake College

Emily VanDeveer

Administrative Assistant | Applied Science & Technology Division

Phone Extension: 1261

Building: Advanced Technology Center

Office: 139

A.A.S - RLC, B.A.S - SIUC

Applied Science & Technology Division
Phone: (618) 437-5321 Ext. 1261
Email: [email protected]
Address: 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, IL 62846 Attn: Applied Science
Fax Number: (618) 437-5677 Attn: Applied Science

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