Welding Technology A.A.S.

The Welding Technology curriculum provides students with a sound understanding of the science, technology, and applications essential for successful employment in the welding and metal industry. Instruction includes consumable and non-consumable electrode welding and cutting processes.

Courses provide the student with industry-standard skills developed through classroom training and practical application.

Successful graduates of the Welding Technology curriculum may be employed as entry-level technicians in the welding and metalworking industries. Career opportunities also exist in construction, manufacturing, fabrication, sales, quality control, supervision, and welding-related self-employment.

Specific Requirements

Courses requiring a grade of “C” or better: EGR and WLD

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
EGR-110		2
This course introduces general topics relevant to engineering technology. Skills developed include goal setting and career assessment, professional ethics, critical thinking and problem solving, using college resources for study and research, and using tools for engineering computations. Upon completion, students should be able to choose a career option in engineering technology and utilize college resources to meet their educational goals. View course details for Introduction to Engineering Tech ‌‌
WLD-110		2
This course introduces oxy-fuel and plasma-arc cutting systems. Topics include safety, proper equipment setup, and operation of oxy-fuel and plasma-arc cutting equipment with emphasis on a straight line, curve and bevel cutting. Upon completion, students should be able to oxy-fuel and plasma-arc cut metals of varying thickness. View course details for Cutting Processes ‌‌
WLD-115		5
This course introduces the shielded metal arc (stick) welding process. Emphasis is placed on padding, fillet, and groove welds in various positions with SMAW electrodes. Upon completion, students should be able to perform SMAW fillet and groove welds on carbon plate with prescribed electrodes. View course details for SMAW (Stick) Plate ‌‌
WLD-121		4
This course introduces metal arc welding and flux core arc welding processes. Topics include equipment setup and fillet and groove welds with emphasis on the application of GMAW and FCAW electrodes on a carbon steel plate. Upon completion, students should be able to perform fillet welds on carbon steel with prescribed electrodes in the flat, horizontal, and overhead positions. View course details for GMAW (MIG) FCAW/Plate ‌‌
WLD-131		4
This course introduces the gas tungsten arc (TIG) welding process. Topics include the correct selection of tungsten, polarity, gas, and proper filler rod with emphasis placed on safety, equipment setup, and welding techniques. Upon completion, students should be able to perform GTAW fillet and groove welds with various electrodes and filler materials. View course details for GTAW (TIG) Plate ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
ENG-111		3
This course is designed to develop the ability to produce clear writing in a variety of genres and formats using a recursive process. Emphasis includes inquiry, analysis, effective use of rhetorical strategies, thesis development, audience awareness, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies English Composition. View course details for Writing and Inquiry ‌‌
MAT-110		3
This course provides an activity-based approach that develops measurement skills and mathematical literacy using technology to solve problems for non-math intensive programs. Topics include unit conversions and estimation within a variety of measurement systems; ratio and proportion; basic geometric concepts; financial literacy; and statistics including measures of central tendency, dispersion, and charting of data. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the use of mathematics and technology to solve practical problems and to analyze and communicate results. View course details for Math Measurement & Literacy ‌‌
MEC-110		2
This course introduces CAD/CAM. Emphasis is placed on transferring part geometry from CAD to CAM for the development of a CNC-ready program. Upon completion, students should be able to use CAD/CAM software to produce a CNC program. View course details for Introduction to CAD/CAM ‌‌
WLD-116		4
This course is designed to enhance skills with the shielded metal arc (stick) welding process. Emphasis is placed on advancing manipulative skills with SMAW electrodes on varying joint geometry. Upon completion, students should be able to perform groove welds on carbon steel with prescribed electrodes in the flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. View course details for SMAW (Stick) Plate/Pipe ‌‌
WLD-132		3
This course is designed to enhance skills with the gas tungsten arc (TIG) welding process. Topics include setup, joint preparation, and electrode selection with an emphasis on manipulative skills in all welding positions on plate and pipe. Upon completion, students should be able to perform GTAW welds with prescribed electrodes and filler materials on various joint geometry. View course details for GTAW (TIG) Plate/Pipe ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
WLD-141		3
This course introduces the basic symbols and specifications used in welding. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of lines, notes, welding symbols, and specifications. Upon completion, students should be able to read and interpret symbols and specifications commonly used in welding. View course details for Symbols and Specifications ‌‌
WLD-143		2
This course introduces the concepts of welding metallurgy. Emphasis is placed on basic metallurgy, effects of welding on various metals, and metal classification and identification. Upon completion, students should be able to understand basic metallurgy, materials designation, and classification systems used in welding. View course details for Welding Metallurgy ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
COM-110		3
This course provides an overview of the basic concepts of communication and the skills necessary to communicate in various contexts. Emphasis is placed on communication theories and techniques used in interpersonal group, public, intercultural, and mass communication situations. Upon completion, students should be able to explain and illustrate the forms and purposes of human communication in a variety of contexts. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a general education course in Communication. View course details for Introduction to Communication ‌‌
HUM-115		3
This course introduces the use of critical thinking skills in the context of human conflict. Emphasis is placed on evaluating information, problem-solving, approaching cross-cultural perspectives, and resolving controversies and dilemmas. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate orally and in writing the use of critical thinking skills in the analysis of appropriate texts. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a general education course in Humanities/Fine Arts. View course details for Critical Thinking ‌‌
ISC-121		3
This course covers workplace environmental health and safety concepts. Emphasis is placed on managing the implementation and enforcement of environmental health and safety regulations and on preventing accidents, injuries, and illnesses. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of environmental health and safety. View course details for Environmental Health and Safety ‌‌
WLD-231		3
This course covers gas tungsten arc welding on pipe. Topics include joint preparation and fit up with emphasis placed on safety, GTAW welding technique, bead application, and joint geometry. Upon completion, students should be able to perform GTAW welds to applicable codes on pipe with prescribed electrodes and filler materials in various pipe positions. View course details for GTAW (TIG) Pipe ‌‌
WLD-262		3
This course introduces destructive and nondestructive testing methods. Emphasis is placed on safety, types, and methods of testing, and the use of testing equipment and materials. Upon completion, students should be able to understand and/or perform a variety of destructive and nondestructive testing processes. View course details for Inspection and Testing ‌‌

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
PSY-150		3
This course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include history, methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, motivation, cognition, abnormal behavior, personality theory, social psychology, and other relevant topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the science of psychology. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) course that satisfies Social/Behavioral Sciences. View course details for General Psychology ‌‌
WLD-151		4
This course introduces the basic principles of fabrication. Emphasis is placed on safety, measurement, layout techniques, and the use of fabrication tools and equipment. Upon completion, students should be able to perform layout activities and operate various fabrication and material handling equipment. View course details for Fabrication I ‌‌
WLD-215		4
This course covers the knowledge and skills that apply to welding pipe. Topics include pipe positions, joint geometry, and preparation with emphasis placed on bead application, profile, and discontinuities. Upon completion, students should be able to perform SMAW welds to applicable codes on carbon steel pipe with prescribed electrodes in various positions. View course details for SMAW (Stick) Pipe ‌‌
WLD-261		2
This course covers certification requirements for industrial welding processes. Topics include techniques and certification requirements for pre-qualified joint geometry. Upon completion, students should be able to perform welds on a carbon steel plate and/or pipe according to applicable codes. View course details for Certification Practices ‌‌

Total Credit Hours Required:

See advisor for General Education substitutions.

Curriculum is based on the 2024-2025 catalog.

Why General Education?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to take (course name) when it is not directly related to my major?”

General Education courses will help you develop skills necessary to be successful in your major and in life. General Education can teach you how to talk to your employer, write a paper in a major course, understand interest rates on your car, and much more. General Education can also give you the skills to be a better member of society and a more informed citizen. Critical thinking, global understanding, and appreciation for the human experience are hallmarks of a well-rounded education.

How many hours of General Education do I have to take?

If you are enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Degree program, a minimum of 15 general education hours are required in the following categories:

Six hours from Communication
Three hours from Humanities & Fine Arts
Three hours from Social & Behavioral Science
Three hours from Natural Science & Mathematics

General Education courses have been pre-selected for you by your faculty from the following list:

Communication	Humanities & Fine Arts	Social & Behavioral Science	Natural Science & Mathematics
COM-110	ART-111	ECO-251	BIO-161
COM-120	ART-114	ECO-252	BIO-163
COM-231	ART-115	HIS-111	BIO-168
ENG-110	HUM-110	HIS-112	MAT-110
ENG-111	HUM-115	HIS-131	MAT-121
ENG-112	MUS-110	HIS-132	MAT-143
ENG-114	MUS-112	POL-120	MAT-152
	PHI-215	PSY-150	MAT-171
	PHI-240	SOC-210	PHY-110/110A
		SOC-225	PHY-121

Degrees designed to transfer to universities require more general education hours. If you are enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science, you are required to take 45 hours of General Education from the following categories:

Six hours in English Composition
Six to nine hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
Six to nine hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Three to eight hours in Mathematics
Four to eight hours in Natural Sciences
11 to 14 additional General Education hours

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Engineering, you are required to take 42 general education hours from the following:

Six hours in English Composition
Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
Six work hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
12 hours in Mathematics
12 hours in Natural Sciences

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, you are required to take 25 general education hours from the following:

Six hours in English Composition
Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
Six hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Three to four hours in Mathematics
Four hours in Natural Sciences

Additional information about General Education for transfer degrees, including courses that satisfy each category, may be found in the current College Catalog.

What will I learn in General Education?

At A-B Tech, our faculty have designed a general education core so that A-B Tech graduates will learn the following:

Students will critically evaluate information:

Students will demonstrate information literacy.
Students will critique works of human expression.
Students will analyze scientific literature.

Students will solve problems:

Students will identify processes.
Students will analyze problems.
Students will interpret the results.
Students will recommend appropriate strategies or solutions.

Students will effectively communicate.

Students will communicate appropriately about the subject.
Students will communicate appropriately with the audience.
Students will communicate appropriately for the medium.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.