Automated Industrial Technology

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Automated Industrial Technology (AIT) prepares students to troubleshoot, maintain and repair a variety of automated electro-mechanical, product assembly, process control, and product distribution systems that use programmable controls and other methodologies to accomplish system management. These systems include robotic, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and electronic devices. Through this degree, graduates will gain the skills to define, integrate, install, program, and maintain complex control systems. Additionally, students will gain the communication, problem solving and professional skills needed to be successful in this field. The Automated Industrial Technology courses are designed to prepare students for industry recognized certifications. Certificates of Completion (CCLs) in Automated Industrial Technology I and II and additional AIT CCLs are also available at select colleges. Please check with your local college for program availability.

Details

Field of Interest
Applied Technology
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Automated Industrial Technology (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3177
Total credits required
64-76
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Spring 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

This program may require students to be able to lift objects as heavy as 50 pounds.

What You'll Learn
  • Collaborate with diverse individuals and entities to achieve common goals.
  • Install, test and troubleshoot Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).
  • Analyze AC/DC circuits, and analog and digital systems.
  • Calibrate, adjust and test process control systems.
  • Install, test, operate and troubleshoot motor drives in an electrical control system.
  • Perform, monitor and interpret machine operation.
  • Interpret electrical and electronic control and power schematics and measure current, voltage and resistance.
  • Analyze and perform preventive and predictive maintenance on robotic and other automated industrial equipment.
  • Utilize computer information systems, microcomputer applications, and programming techniques.
  • Apply electronic and mechanical fabrication techniques.
  • Describe and adhere to safety, health and environmental rules and regulations.
  • Practice professional standards of the industry and ethical behavior.
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in varied settings in a culturally responsive manner.
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

$67,530

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AIT100 Industrial Safety Critical course 1
AIT105 Modern Maintenance Operations Critical course 3
AIT110 Mechanical Power Transmission Systems 3
AIT115 Hydraulic Systems 3
AIT120 Pneumatic Systems 3
AIT125 DC and AC Components and Circuits Critical course Gateway course 3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AIT205 Power Electronics and Variable Frequency Drives 3
AIT210 Programmable Logic Controller Programming and Troubleshooting 3
AIT215 Process Control Systems 4
AIT270 Robotics I 3
GTC107 Technical Mathematics I Critical course OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AIT250 or
AIT291
Automated Industrial Technology Capstone or Automated Industrial Technology Internship 3
AIT225 Industrial Motors and Motor Control 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
GTC108 or
MAT14+ or
MAT15+
Technical Mathematics II or College Mathematics or College Algebra/Functions None or MA or MA 3–6
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RE Restricted Elective 3–7
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
SG or
SQ
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or SB or L or SB 3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AIT100 Industrial Safety Critical course 1
AIT105 Modern Maintenance Operations Critical course 3
AIT110 Mechanical Power Transmission Systems 3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
GTC107 Technical Mathematics I Critical course OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AIT120 Pneumatic Systems 3
AIT125 DC and AC Components and Circuits Critical course Gateway course 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AIT270 Robotics I 3
GTC108 or
MAT14+ or
MAT15+
Technical Mathematics II or College Mathematics or College Algebra/Functions None or MA or MA 3–6

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AIT115 Hydraulic Systems 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AIT205 Power Electronics and Variable Frequency Drives 3
AIT215 Process Control Systems 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AIT225 Industrial Motors and Motor Control 3
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AIT210 Programmable Logic Controller Programming and Troubleshooting 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or SB or L or SB 3

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RE Restricted Elective 3
SB Social & Behavioral Sciences SB 3

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design HU 3
RE Restricted Elective 3

Term 11

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 11
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AIT250 or
AIT291
Automated Industrial Technology Capstone or Automated Industrial Technology Internship 3
SG or
SQ
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4
RE Restricted Elective 0–4
Footnote

Restricted Electives

Students should work with their program advisor to select 6-10 credits from courses that align with the academic/career goals and further their development in the areas of controls, mechanical tech, electrical/electronic, or power systems. Courses from required courses area may not be used.

Any AIT, ELC, MIT, or PPT courses except courses used to satisfy Required Courses area. Students may also choose courses from the following focus areas.

Controls Focus Area
CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems
CNT140AB Introduction to Networks
CIS156 Python Programming: Level I 
AIT275 Robotics II
 
Mechanical Tech Focus Area
MPT150 Introduction to SolidWorks
DFT105AA Computer Aided Drafting I: AutoCAD
DFT254AA Integrated Circuit Design - CMOS IA
DFT255 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing
WLD106++ Arc Welding (any suffixed course)
 
Electrical/Electronic Focus Area
ELE131 Digital Logic and Circuits
ELE173 Fabrication Techniques 
ELE241 Microprocessor Concepts
AIT123 J-STD Soldering Certification 
AIT128 A-620 Cable and Wire Harness Assembly Certification
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=186429).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Automated Industrial Technology