Automotive Technology
24 courses · Cuesta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
ATCH 101 SURVEY OF AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 2 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/1.50 lab hours)
Presents a basic overview of the automotive mechanics industry in a hands-on learning environment, with an emphasis on the foundational knowledge and skills required for a basic entry level position.
ATCH 105 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT I
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2 hours per week: (2.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
Prepares students for employment, soft skill development and inter-collegiate competition in Career Technical Education. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Students will learn to plan projects, work in teams, solicit community support and develop a range of skills valued by employers. Students registered for this class may not register for cross-listed classes during the same semester. Participation in the SkillsUSA chapter activities and/or competition is required. This course may be repeated up to three times for credit when participating in different competitions.
ATCH 109 INTRODUCTION TO AUTOMOTIVE COMPUTERS
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 4 hours per week: (2.00 lecture hours/2.00 lab hours)
Covers the theory, operation, and basic test procedures for on-board computers found on domestic and imported vehicles. Designed for entry level automotive study.
ATCH 125 ENGINE PERFORMANCE
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/3.00 lab hours)
- Advisory
- ATCH 152 ATCH 109 or one year in the automotive trade
Studies automotive engine performance theory and operation including fuel, electrical, emission, and computer systems. Emphasizes tune-up, pollution control, and driveability diagnostic techniques.
ATCH 147 INDEPENDENT STUDIES: AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
- Units
- 0.5 to 2
- Hours
- 1.5 to 6 hours per week: (0.00 - 0.00 lecture hours/1.50 - 6.00 lab hours)
- Prerequisite
- The student must have completed preparatory course work in the technical field in which the study is to be undertaken.
Provides an opportunity for in-depth study or practicum experience by an individual student in a selected topic in the automotive technology area with support and direction from an instructor.
ATCH 152 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Presents the principles of internal combustion engines encompassing design, construction, and application of engine components, including the ignition, cooling, lubricating, fuel systems, and engine tests and measurements.
ATCH 153 ENGINE REPAIR PROCEDURES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (2.00 lecture hours/4.00 lab hours)
- Advisory
- ATCH 152
Presents a lecture and laboratory course covering theory and manipulative skills required for employment as an Engine Service Technician. Covers information needed for NATEF Master Automotive Service Technology (MAST 2013) task areas for Engine Repair (Section A1) sub-sections A & D and to pass ASE Automotive Technician Certification Test for Engine Service Specialist – A1. This course will cover the routine issues related to the diagnosing, and the common repairs and service of automotive engines.
ATCH 158 AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRONICS
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/3.00 lab hours)
Studies basic electrical theory, transistors and other semiconductors, as well as batteries, charging systems, cranking systems, lighting, vehicle wiring, and accessory systems.
ATCH 160 AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/3.00 lab hours)
Presents electrical and electronic testing, troubleshooting, and repair procedures on the modern vehicle. Covers body and accessory circuits, power options, instrumentation, and interfacing between engine and body control computers.
ATCH 166 AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE AND LIGHT REPAIR
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (1.50 lecture hours/1.50 lab hours)
Presents theory and practical application of safety inspections, battery service, oil and lubrication, cooling system, ignition system, brake inspection, wheel bearings and minor repairs.
ATCH 168 AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR BUSINESS
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Introduces the many facets of operating an automotive repair business, including entrepreneurship, franchising, market analysis, physical facilities, financing, organization, taxes, insurance, bookkeeping, legal aspects. Material is covered from both the employee's and the employer's point of view.
ATCH 182 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/3.00 lab hours)
Introduces fundamental operations, rebuilding procedures, and service of torque converters and automotive automatic transmissions. Provides preparation for Automotive Service Excellence Certification.
ATCH 186 CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (2.00 lecture hours/4.00 lab hours)
Presents suspension geometry and design, wheel alignment, active suspension systems, wheel balancing, tires, and steering systems. Provides training toward Automotive Service Excellence Certification.
ATCH 188 AUTOMOTIVE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (2.00 lecture hours/4.00 lab hours)
Provides theory and practical application of the function and repair of heating and air conditioning systems as applied to domestic and imported automobiles. Provides training toward Automotive Service Excellence Certification.
ATCH 193 AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL TOPIC
- Units
- 0.5 to 4
- Hours
- 0.5 to 4 hours per week: (0.50 - 4.00 lecture hours/0.00 - 0.00 lab hours/0.00 - 0.00 activity hours)
Examines a special topic in the field of study related to the discipline offering this course.
ATCH 195 TECHNICAL CAREER PREPARATION IN AUTOMOTIVE
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1 hours per week: (1.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Overview of automotive careers with focus on preparing for the job market. Includes discussion of career opportunities in the automotive industry, both union and non-union. Focus on providing the tools necessary to target and obtain a position in the automotive industry.
ATCH 252 WORK EXPERIENCE IN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
- Units
- 0.5 to 4
- Hours
- 1.5 to 12 hours per week: (0.00 - 0.00 lecture hours/0.00 - 0.00 lab hours/1.50 - 12.00 work experience hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Provides opportunities for students in Automotive Technology to connect academic curricula to experiential learning in the workplace as an internship, Service Learning placement or general employment. Allows students to develop and work on learning objectives in workplace competencies and technical skills relevant for their course of study and career pathway. Students must work 54 hours for each unit of credit earned, in half-unit increments (27 hours), up to a maximum of 4 units. Employment can be paid or unpaid.
ATCH 255 MODERN DIESEL TECHNOLOGY
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/3.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Advisory
- ATCH 158
- Transfers to
- CSU
Covers the task fields required by ASE A9 certification test addressing light diesel technology. This course will cover essential details of fuel delivery, cylinder head, lubrication, cooling, fuel and valvetrain diagnosis and repair. Engine block diagnosis, repair, cleaning. Lubrication and cooling systems diagnosis and repair. Air induction and exhaust systems diagnosis and repair.
ATCH 264 EMISSION CONTROL/SMOG LICENSE PREPARATION
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (6.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Covers the rules and regulations governing the Smog Check Program, inspection procedures using the Emissions Inspection System (EIS), and the OBDII inspection system (OIS). Successful completion of ATCH 264 meets a portion of the requirements for technicians seeking a Smog Check Technician License (EO).
ATCH 269 AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (1.50 lecture hours/4.50 lab hours)
- Prerequisite
- Successful completion of 12 semester credits of ATCH courses with a 3.0 GPA.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Presents lecture and lab instruction centering around the working environment in the automotive repair industry. Students are assigned to a commercial automotive repair facility for their laboratory experience. Lectures cover such topics as work habits, resumes, interviewing, attitude, safety, labor laws, record keeping, and rules and regulations pertinent to the automotive repair industry.
ATCH 280 MANUAL DRIVETRAINS
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (2.00 lecture hours/4.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Presents the fundamental operation, service, diagnosis, and repair of clutch assemblies, manual transmissions and transaxles, rear wheel drive (RWD) drive shafts and universal joints, front wheel drive (FWD) half- shafts and constant velocity joints, rear axle assemblies and differentials, and drive axle wheel bearings as applied to automobiles and light duty trucks.
ATCH 281 MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (2.00 lecture hours/4.00 lab hours)
- Advisory
- ATCH 182 ATCH 186 ATCH 109
- Transfers to
- CSU
Presents the operation, diagnosis, repair, and overhaul of rear wheel drive manual transmissions, front wheel drive manual transaxles, and rear wheel drive axles as applied to automobiles and light duty trucks both foreign and domestic.
ATCH 284 BRAKING SYSTEMS
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/3.00 lab hours)
- Advisory
- ATCH 109
- Transfers to
- CSU
Presents automotive braking systems including conventional drum type brakes, disc brakes, vacuum and hydraulic boosters, and anti-lock brake systems. Provides training for licensing by the Bureau of Automotive Repair and by Automotive Service Excellence Certification.
ATCH 287 INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 6 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/3.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Presents essential details of electric vehicle drivetrains, facility safety, high-voltage safety, high-voltage drivetrain layouts, battery systems, drive train electricity and electronics, BMS (Battery Management Systems), traction motors, charging, and tools. Building a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) from component parts will be the core lab component of the course.