# Automotive Technology (AT) courses Palomar College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 15 courses Source: https://palomar.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/32573/33385/32600 "Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026, Spring 2027. ### AT 100 — Introduction to Automotive Technology - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 10 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/fall-2026/at.md); Spring 2027, 8 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/spring-2027/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass This course is an introduction for students with minimal to no background in the automotive field. The course covers the basic theory and operation of the automobile, and related systems such as engine cooling, lubrication, fuel injection, ignition, emissions, and more. The introduction to basic electricity covers batteries, starting, and charging systems. Through laboratory practices, this course also offers a practical introduction to automotive tools, diagnostic equipment, and minor maintenance and repair. ### AT 105 — Automotive Electricity and Electronics - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab - **Prerequisite:** (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): AT 100 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 4 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/fall-2026/at.md); Spring 2027, 4 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/spring-2027/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass This course offers an in-depth introduction to automotive electrical and electronic systems, basic electrical theory, wiring diagrams, body control modules, and computer networks. Hands-on laboratory practices using electrical/electronic testing equipment for troubleshooting and repair. ### AT 110 — Automotive Engine Performance - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab - **Prerequisite:** AT 100 and AT 105 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/fall-2026/at.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/spring-2027/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass This course emphasizes the description and operation of conventional and electronic ignition systems, sensors and actuators, and computerized engine controls. Laboratory practices will focus on diagnosing engine performance-related concerns and diagnostic trouble codes using testing equipment and scan-tool communications. ### AT 115 — Automotive Fuel Injection and Fuel Systems - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab - **Prerequisite:** AT 100 and AT 105 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/spring-2027/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass In-depth introduction to fuel management systems and the various fuels currently used in automotive engines, including gasoline multi-port, sequential, and direct injection. Topics also include air-fuel ratio and sensor response. Students will apply technical knowledge through laboratory practices to troubleshoot and diagnose electronic fuel systems. ### AT 120 — Automotive Transmissions, Transaxles, and Drive Lines - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab - **Prerequisite:** AT 100 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/fall-2026/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass This course covers the hydraulic and mechanical functions, and repair of automotive transmissions and transaxles. Students will disassemble, inspect, reassemble, and test three-speed conventional transmissions, clutches, universal joints, drive lines, and differentials. ### AT 125 — Automotive Machining - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/fall-2026/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass The various testing and machining operations involved in an automotive machine shop. Areas covered include cylinder head service and repair, connecting rod service, cylinder boring and honing, crankshaft service, and various other automotive machining and measuring techniques. ### AT 130 — Automotive Brake Systems - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab - **Prerequisite:** (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): AT 100 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 4 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/fall-2026/at.md); Spring 2027, 4 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/spring-2027/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass The hydraulic, mechanical, and electronic functions of modern automotive brake systems. Hands-on laboratory covers conventional and electronic brake systems' troubleshooting, and complete system repair of power, drum, and disc brakes. ### AT 135 — Automotive Suspension, Wheels, and Steering Systems - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab - **Prerequisite:** (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): AT 100 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/spring-2027/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass Introduction to front and rear wheel alignment using the latest equipment technology. Topics covered are steering, geometry, turn radius, ball joints, toe track, camber, caster, suspension, bearing service, wheel balance, and tire wear identification. ### AT 160 — Associated Studies in Automotives - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 3.00 hours lecture - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass Applied science and technology as related to the automotive field. Areas covered include metrics, Ohms Law and electron theory, metal alloys and their properties and uses, thermal expansion, gas laws, limits and fits, and friction and torque. ### AT 165 — Automotive Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab - **Prerequisite:** (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): AT 100 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/fall-2026/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass The principles of operation and servicing of modern automotive air conditioning systems. Lecture and laboratory practices will cover refrigeration, heating, ventilation, ducting, and electrical systems. Students will complete and receive EPA certification in the handling and disposal of refrigerants. ### AT 170 — Auto Repair Shop Experience - **Units:** 2 - **Hours:** 6.00 hours lab - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass The student gains valuable skill development in the maintenance, repair and diagnosis in automotive technology. The class runs in a similar format to an actual repair shop where students service cars supplied by the Palomar community. ### AT 197 — Topics in Automotive - **Units:** 0.5-3 - **Hours:** 0.50-3.00 hours lecture, 1.50-9.00 hours lab - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass - Notes: Units awarded in topics courses are dependent upon the number of hours required of the student. Any combination of lecture and laboratory may be scheduled by the department. Refer to Class Schedule. Topics in automotive technology. See Class Schedule for specific topic offered. Course title will designate subject covered. ### AT 210 — Automotive Specialized Electronics - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab - **Prerequisite:** AT 100 and AT 105 Recommended Preparation: AT 110 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/spring-2027/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass Advanced electronic principles and automotive computer-controlled networks. Identification, diagnosis, repair, and verification of malfunctioning electronic components. Function and operation of semiconductors, diodes, transistors, and capacitors. ### AT 215 — Automotive Emission Control - **Units:** 4 - **Hours:** 3.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab - **Prerequisite:** AT 105; AT 110 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/spring-2027/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass Advanced Engine Performance theory and diagnoses as it relates to emission control systems and five-gas emission analysis. This course also covers the Level II Smog Check Training, which includes the program rules and regulations from Title XVI of the California Code of Regulations. Students will demonstrate competency using the smog check inspection equipment and demonstrate the ability to perform a full Smog Check. At the successful completion of this course, the student will be awarded a Level II Smog Check Training certificate of completion by the Bureau of Auto Repair, thus completing eligibility to apply for the State examination for a California Smog Inspector License. ### AT 225 — Automotive Engine Rebuilding - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 2.00 hours lecture, 4.00 hours lab - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/palomar-college/schedule/spring-2027/at.md) - Grading: Grade/Pass/No Pass The complete rebuilding of at least one automobile engine using the machine tools and techniques of industry.