Automotive Technology
12 courses · Shasta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
AUTO-1 Vehicle Electrical Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 lecture/81 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to cover the basic theory of electricity and magnetism, as well as areas of operation, testing, and service of vehicle batteries, switches, relays, starters and starting systems, alternators, regulators, charging systems, and light circuits. The course includes electrical theory, repair procedures, and laboratory tasks. This course, along with the Introduction to Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology course, is designed to prepare students to become ASE certified in area A-6 and is required for Automotive majors. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
AUTO-11 Introduction to Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 lecture/81 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- Prerequisite
- AUTO 1 with a grade of C or higher, or current automotive service excellence (ASE) A6 credentials
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course explores the use of Hybrid and Electric battery power for vehicle transportation. Topics will include safety when using high voltage, maintenance, driveability, inverter, DC/DC power transfer, and battery technology. Physics of battery storage, hybrid generation systems, electric vehicle applications, and their integrated systems from many manufacturers will be discussed. Hybrid and high-voltage maintenance procedures will be covered. This course could be a preparation for the student to successfully complete the L3 ASE certification exam. The Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist (L3) is a new, advanced-level certification geared toward technicians who perform diagnoses and repairs on hybrid/electric vehicles. Students are advised that the Automobile Electrical/Electronic Systems (A6) and Engine Performance (A8) certifications are required to register for the (L3) certification. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
AUTO-20 Engine Performance
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 36 lecture/108 lab total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to give students the understanding of the operation of automotive engines and related systems such as electrical, ignition and fuel delivery. The course will also provide students with entry-level skills to diagnose, service and repair these systems using current industry tools and equipment. This course includes ASE laboratory tasks and is designed to prepare students to become ASE certified in area A-8.
AUTO-21 Advanced Engine Performance
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 lecture/81 lab total
- Corequisite
- AUTO 20, or previous completion of AUTO 20 with a grade of C or higher
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to continue the study of engine performance by including the emission control system and computer-controlled engine operation. The course will also provide students with entry-level skills to diagnose, service, and repair these systems using current industry tools and equipment. The course includes ASE laboratory tasks, and is designed to prepare students to become ASE certified in areas A-8 and L-1. The course, along with Level 2 Smog Technician Training, will qualify students to sit for the Bureau of Automotive Repair Smog Inspector License.
AUTO-94 Automotive Technology Work Experience Education
- Units
- 1-14
- Hours
- 54-756 Work Experience Education hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
The Automotive Technology Work Experience Education course allows the student to gain on-the-job experience through employment/volunteerism at an approved automotive technology job site that is acquired by the student and related to the student’s major. A faculty member supervises all WEE courses to ensure that the work experience is of educational value. The course stresses good work habits and meeting of competencies through actual on-the-job performance. A student may repeat this course since course content varies and skills are enhanced by supervised repetition and practice. A maximum of 14 units may be earned in a single semester.
AUTO-132 Steering and Suspension
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 lecture/81 lab total
This course is designed to give students the entry-level skills required to diagnose, service, and repair modern automotive suspension systems. The course includes theory of operation, repair procedures and ASE laboratory tasks. This course is designed to prepare students for ASE A-4 certification.
AUTO-147 Automotive Braking Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 lecture/81 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
This course is designed to provide the entry level skills needed to diagnose, service, and repair various braking systems found on domestic and import automobiles and light trucks. The course includes brake theory, repair procedures, ASE laboratory tasks, and is designed to prepare students to become ASE certified in area A-5. Standard, power assist, drum and disc type systems, and anti-lock braking systems are included in this course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
AUTO-150 Introduction to Engine Machining
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 36 lecture/108 lab (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 216)
- Formerly
- INDE 150
This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic fundamentals of the internal combustion engine. The subjects will cover the operation and design of varied engine systems and the repair and rebuilding of these engines. This course will also provide instruction in the disassembly, cleaning, and inspection of the internal combustion engine. The student will be orientated in the use of general and specialty tools used in the rebuilding of internal combustion engines. ASE-based tasks will utilize hand tools, power tools and modern machining equipment. Completion of this course will prepare students to become certified in ASE area A-1. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
AUTO-161 Manual Drive Train and Axles
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 lecture/81 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
This course is designed to give a technical and working knowledge of manual drive trains and axles. Subject matter includes clutch diagnosis and repair, manual transmission diagnosis and repair, transaxle diagnosis and repair, drive (half) shaft and universal joint diagnosis and repair, rear axle diagnosis and repair, four-wheel drive component diagnosis and repair, theory of operation, repair procedures, and ASE laboratory tasks. This course is designed to prepare students to become ASE certified in area A-3. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
AUTO-162 Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 lecture/81 lab total
This is a course designed to give a working knowledge of automatic transmissions and transaxles. Subject matter covered will include transmission/transaxle maintenance and adjustment, in-vehicle transmission/transaxle repair, and off-vehicle transmission/ transaxle repair. The course includes theory of operation, repair procedures, and ASE laboratory tasks. This course is designed to prepare students to become ASE certified in area A-2.
AUTO-163 Heating, Air Conditioning and Accessories
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 lecture/81 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
This course is designed to give students a technical and working knowledge of automotive heating and air conditioning systems. Emphasis is placed on entry level skills necessary for diagnosing, servicing, and repairing modern automotive heating and air conditioning systems. The course includes theory of operation, repair procedures, and ASE laboratory tasks. This course is designed to prepare students to become ASE certified in area A-7. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
AUTO-176 Level 2 Smog Technician Training
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 lecture/27 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 54)
- Advisory
- AUTO 11, AUTO 20, and AUTO 21 with a grade of C or higher
The Smog Check training is intended to provide students the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform Smog Check inspections. Students who successfully complete this training, and meet the Bureau's additional requirements, will qualify to apply for the Smog Check Inspector state licensing examination. This course may be offered in a distance education format.