Diesel Technology
31 courses · San Diego Miramar College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
DIES 90 Forklift Operation
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 8 - 9 hours lecture/24-27 hours lab
This course covers the theory, principles, and operation of forklifts. Topics include forklift safety; use and operation; load handling; preventive maintenance and upkeep; and problem identification. This course is designed to prepare students for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Forklift Certification.
DIES 100 Introduction to Diesel Technology
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This beginning class introduces students to the field of medium/heavy duty diesel-powered trucks and equipment. Topics include common types of diesel-powered trucks and equipment; shop safety; industrial fasteners; hydraulic fittings; technician tool requirements; service shop organization and procedures; and measuring tools. Students also receive an overview of the Miramar College Diesel Technology program. This course is intended for students majoring in Diesel Technology or those interested in the heavy duty transportation industry.
DIES 101 Heavy Duty Truck, Advanced Transportation, Equipment Preventive Maintenance and Inspections
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers preventive maintenance on trucks and other heavy duty equipment. Students learn to perform inspection and maintenance procedures on heavy duty trucks, alternative fueled trucks, and heavy equipment. Topics include the theory of maintenance practices; industry-related Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and hazardous materials (HAZMAT) documentation; California Biannual Inspection of Terminal (B.I.T.); heavy duty shop tools and equipment usage; and service literature usage. This course is designed for students interested in the commercial diesel and alternative fuel industry.
DIES 102 Heavy Duty Truck and Heavy Equipment Heating and Air Conditioning
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the fundamental skills necessary for diagnosing and servicing heavy duty truck and heavy equipment heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Topics include HVAC safety, theory of operation, use of HVAC diagnostic tools, and repair procedures. This course is designed for students interested in the commercial diesel vehicle industry.
DIES 105 Measuring Tools and Applied Mathematics
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This course covers the care and use of precision measuring tools and common shop measuring tools. Students also learn industry-standard mathematical concepts and applications related to the diesel service industry. This course is intended for students majoring in Diesel Technology.
DIES 121 Diesel Engines A
- Units
- 7
- Hours
- 64 - 72 hours lecture/144-162 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
In this course students learn the fundamental skills necessary to perform major overhaul operations on Detroit Diesel engines. Topics include theory of operation; construction and application; use of diesel repair shop equipment and tools; and dynamometer performance testing. This course is designed for students who intend to develop foundational skills applicable to the diesel repair industry.
DIES 122 Diesel Engines B
- Units
- 7
- Hours
- 64 - 72 hours lecture/144-162 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
In this course students learn the fundamental skills necessary to perform major overhaul operations on Caterpillar diesel engines. Topics include theory of operation; construction and application; use of diesel repair shop equipment and tools, and dynamometer performance testing. This course is designed for students who intend to develop foundational skills applicable to the diesel repair industry.
DIES 123 Diesel Engines C
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
In this course students learn the fundamental skills necessary to evaluate and repair engine components and accessories including cylinder blocks. Students also learn how to remove and install engines. This course is designed for students who intend to develop foundational skills applicable to the diesel repair industry.
DIES 124 Diesel Engines D
- Units
- 7
- Hours
- 64 - 72 hours lecture/144-162 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
In this course students learn the fundamental skills necessary to perform major overhaul operations on Cummins diesel engines. Topics include theory of operation; construction and application; use of diesel repair shop equipment and tools; and dynamometer performance testing. This course is designed for students who intend to develop foundational skills applicable to the diesel repair industry.
DIES 125 Diesel Engines I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
In this course students learn the fundamental skills necessary to perform major overhaul operations on Detroit Diesel engines. Topics include theory of operation; construction and application; and the use of diesel repair shop equipment and tools. This course is designed for students who have prior experience in the diesel repair industry.
DIES 126 Diesel Engines II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
In this course students learn the fundamental skills necessary to perform major overhaul operations on Caterpillar diesel engines. Topics include theory of operation; construction and application; and the use of diesel repair shop equipment and tools. This course is designed for students who have prior experience in the diesel repair industry.
DIES 128 Diesel Engines III
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
In this course students learn the fundamental skills necessary to perform major overhaul operations on Cummins diesel engines. Topics include theory of operation; construction and application; and the use of diesel repair shop equipment and tools. This course is designed for students who have prior experience in the diesel repair industry.
DIES 131 Alternative-Fueled Engine Overhaul
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the fundamental skills necessary to perform major overhaul operations on alternative-fueled engines. Topics include theory of operation; construction and application; and the use of repair shop tools and equipment associated with large bore alternative-fueled engines. This course is designed for students who have prior experience in the diesel industry.
DIES 135 Applied Failure Analysis
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Advisory
- DIES 105 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles involved in failure analysis of heavy duty diesel engine components. Students also learn problem solving techniques based on basic metallurgy concepts, different types of metals, metal forming processes, analysis of fractures, and identification of component wear characteristics. This course is designed for students interested in the commercial diesel and alternative fuel industry.
DIES 137 Diesel Fuel Injection Systems
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, principles of operation, laboratory practice, servicing, and maintenance procedures for diesel engine fuel systems used on heavy duty diesel trucks and equipment. Students learn fundamental skills required to repair high-pressure and electronically controlled fuel systems. Topics include pump timing, nozzle and unit-injector replacement, and cylinder cutout procedures. Students also learn the proper use of electronic tooling used in the diesel industry. This course is intended for students majoring in Diesel Technology.
DIES 137A Advanced Diesel Fuel Injection Systems
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DIES 137 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and DIES 144 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course focuses on the electronically controlled fuel injection systems of Caterpillar, Cummins, and Detroit Diesel engines. Students perform independently while learning system design, analysis, and mechanical adjustments. Students also learn how to use electronic service tools to access and set programmable system features and electronic diagnostic tools to troubleshoot system malfunctions. This course is intended for students interested in advanced diesel technology systems.
DIES 138 Electrical Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, principles of operation, laboratory practice, servicing, and maintenance procedures for diesel truck and equipment electrical systems. Topics include starting, charging, cab, and chassis systems. Students learn principles, practices, maintenance, and troubleshooting of batteries, starters, alternators, and truck and trailer wiring systems. This course is intended for students majoring in Diesel Technology.
DIES 144 Electronics for Diesel Technology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This course covers basic electrical and electronic theory related to heavy duty diesel powered equipment. Topics include basic electrical theory, series circuits, parallel circuits, circuit testing, and component identification. Students also learn the function and operation of electronic sensors. This course is intended for students majoring in Diesel Technology.
DIES 155 Air Brake Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, laboratory practice, principles of operation, overhaul, and servicing of heavy duty transportation and equipment air brake systems. Topics include servo type brakes, foundation type brakes, S-cam brakes, wedge brakes, disc brakes, air compressors, air reservoir systems, piping, control valves, switches, anti-lock, brake service procedures, reusability guidelines, and actuators used in heavy duty transportation and equipment air systems. This course is intended for students majoring in Diesel Technology.
DIES 160 Heavy Duty Manual Transmissions
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, laboratory practice, principles of operation, overhaul, maintenance, and troubleshooting of heavy duty manual transmissions for heavy duty transportation (HDT) vehicles using accepted industry standards and procedures. Topics include transmission types, powerflow, disassembly, component inspection, reassembly, reusability guidelines, air shift systems, troubleshooting procedures, and gear ratio calculations for manual transmissions used on Class 6 through Class 8 trucks. This course is designed for students majoring in diesel technology or those interested in the heavy duty transportation industry.
DIES 165 Truck Automatic Transmissions
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, laboratory practice, principles of operation, overhaul, maintenance, and troubleshooting of heavy duty automatic transmissions for heavy duty transportation (HDT) vehicles using accepted industry standards and procedures. Topics include transmission types and powerflow; torque converter types and powerflow; disassembly; component inspection; reassembly; reusability guidelines; transmission shift control systems; troubleshooting procedures; and planetary gear ratio calculations for automatic transmissions used on Class 6 through Class 8 trucks. This course is designed for students majoring in diesel technology or those interested in the heavy duty transportation industry.
DIES 170 Truck Drive Axles and Specifications
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, laboratory practice, principles of operation, overhaul, maintenance, and troubleshooting of heavy duty drive axles for heavy duty transportation (HDT) vehicles using accepted industry standards and procedures. Topics include drive axle types, powerflow, disassembly, component inspection, reassembly, reusability guidelines, troubleshooting procedures, and truck specifications for drive axles used on Class 6 through Class 8 trucks. This course is designed for students majoring in diesel technology or those interested in the heavy duty transportation industry.
DIES 175 Truck Chassis R&R
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, laboratory practice, and principles of component removal, overhaul, and servicing of heavy duty clutches used in heavy duty transportation (HDT). Students learn how to use specialized and general shop equipment and hand tools to remove and replace (R&R) components of heavy duty transportation units. Other topics include the operation, installation, and troubleshooting of single and multiple disc clutches. This course is intended for students majoring in Diesel Technology.
DIES 180 Steering, Suspension, and Driveline Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, laboratory practice, principles of operation, servicing, overhaul, and maintenance of Heavy Duty Transportation (HDT) steering, suspension, and driveline systems used on Class 6 through Class 8 trucks. Topics include caster, camber, toe-in, basic alignment, steering systems, driveline systems, and suspension systems used on commercial trucks. Students learn common industry methods to perform vibration analysis of steering, suspension, and driveline systems as well as related adjustments and repairs. This course is designed for students majoring in Diesel Technology or those interested in the off-highway heavy equipment industry.
DIES 200 Mobile Hydraulic Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, principles of operation, laboratory practice, servicing, and maintenance procedures for diesel truck and equipment hydraulic systems. Topics include hydraulic schematics, reservoirs, pumps, actuators, valves, piping, and fittings. Students learn how to use standard industry procedures, hydraulic schematics, and test equipment for diagnosing, analyzing, and repairing heavy duty transportation (HDT) mobile hydraulic systems and components. This course is intended for students majoring in Diesel Technology.
DIES 202 Advanced Equipment Hydraulics/Hydrostatic Drives
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and DIES 144 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and DIES 200 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, principles of operation, and diagnostics of electronically controlled hydraulic systems used in the heavy equipment industry. Students learn to apply International Organization for Standardization (ISO) schematics and electronic service tools to electronically controlled hydraulic systems. This course is designed for students interested in the off-highway diesel equipment industry.
DIES 212 Brakes, Final Drives and Steering Systems
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers principles and practices in the operation and servicing of heavy equipment brakes, final drive systems, and steering systems. This course is designed for students interested in the off-highway diesel equipment industry.
DIES 222 Undercarriage
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 16 - 18 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the fundamentals of operation, wear analysis, preventive maintenance, and major service of track-type undercarriages. This course is designed for students interested in the off-highway diesel equipment industry.
DIES 230 Heavy Equipment Transmissions
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, laboratory practice, principles of operation, overhaul, maintenance, and troubleshooting of heavy equipment power-shift transmissions (HET) using accepted industry standards and procedures. Topics include transmission types and powerflow; torque converter types and powerflow; disassembly; component inspection; reassembly; reusability guidelines; transmission shift control systems; troubleshooting procedures; and planetary gear ratio calculations for automatic transmissions used on off-highway heavy equipment. This course is designed for students majoring in diesel technology or those interested in the off-highway heavy equipment industry.
DIES 240 Equipment Chassis R&R
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: DIES 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course covers the theory, laboratory practice, and principles of component removal, overhaul, and servicing of heavy duty clutches used in heavy duty transportation (HDT). Students learn how to use specialized and general shop equipment and hand tools to remove and replace (R&R) components on heavy equipment. Other topics include the operation, installation, and troubleshooting of single and multiple disc clutches. This course is intended for students majoring in Diesel Technology.
DIES 270 Work Experience
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 54 - 216 hours other
This work experience course of supervised employment is designed to assist students to acquire career awareness, work habits, attitudes and skills related to the student's college major. One unit of credit may be earned for every 54 hours of work experience. A maximum of fourteen credit hours for all work experience subject areas may be earned during one enrollment period. This course is intended for students majoring in Diesel Technology or those interested in the diesel powered equipment industry.