Air Conditioning/HVACR

The Air Conditioning/HVACR program is a well established curriculum and has long served the desert community by providing highly trained individuals to work in various businesses throughout the Coachella Valley. The program offers a Certificate and Associate of Science degree for employment preparation that is designed to provide a wide range of courses in order to best serve student needs. In addition, required courses listed in the program are derived from the collaboration and dedicated efforts of members of a Technical Advisory Committee and other individuals’ experiences in the specific occupational areas.

Advisors: 

George Brown
gjbrown@collegeofthedesert.edu
760.568.3238 

Ramiro Galicia
rgalicia@collegeofthedesert.edu
760.674.7833

ACR 060  Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I   Units: 3

This course is a basic study of the theory of thermodynamics and heat transfer as applied to mechanical vapor compression refrigeration cycle and system components. Classes include lectures with practical demonstrations and hands-on experience including laboratory projects demonstrate heat transfer theories and vapor compression mechanical system cycle components and accessories. A lab uniform is required for this course.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: RDG 061 & ESYS 004
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 061  Air Conditioning & Refrigeration II   Units: 3

Basic types of compressors are introduced. This course covers operation of condensers within the refrigeration system. Basic evaporation process is studied. Metering devices are included with an emphasis on the specifics of modulating and fixed orifice controls. Laboratory experience provides the student an opportunity to practice the methods and techniques presented in the classroom.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: ACR 060
Advisory: RDG 061 & ESYS 004
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 064  Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Electricity I   Units: 3

This course introduces basic theory of electricity and electronics, skills needed to install and service electrical circuits of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Also, components and symbols, wiring diagrams and wiring diagram exercises are included. A lab uniform is required for this course.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: RDG 061 & ESYS 004
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 065  Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Electricity II   Units: 3

This course introduces the procedures, techniques and instruments utilized for troubleshooting the motors, circuitry and control elements for air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Variations in control systems, including solid state, are described and analyzed.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: ACR 064
Advisory: RDG 061 & ESYS 004
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 075  HVACR Systems Design   Units: 3

Presents current industry practices for quality installation and design of residential air distribution systems as well as calculating heating and cooling loads to properly select air conditioning and heating systems.
Lecture Hours: 45         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ACR 060
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 076  Facilities Maintenance - Chillers   Units: 3

Presents current industry practices in maintaining chilled water, hot water, steam, cooling towers, pumps and energy management for central station systems. A lab uniform is required for this course.
Lecture Hours: 45         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ACR 060 or concurrent enrollment
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 077  Energy Conservation Methods for HVACR   Units: 3

Presents current industry practices for auditing energy losses in residential and light commercial buildings. Methods of conserving energy and sustaining natural resources are presented. Blower door diagnostics are featured. A lab uniform is required for this course.
Lecture Hours: 45         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ACR 060
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 078  Safe Refrigerant Handling & Management   Units: 3

Presents current industry practices for recovery, reclamation, recycling and retrofitting. Emphasis is on safe use and management of common refrigerants as well as efficient use of pressure and temperature measurement to determine system operating parameters.
Lecture Hours: 45         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 080  Gas Heating   Units: 3

This course presents the basic principles of gas-fired furnaces. Students are introduced to gas heating, gas combustion, gas burners, gas ignition systems, safety and operating controls, installation practices, ventilation, venting, combustion air and gas troubleshooting. Emphasis is on service and maintenance of residential gas furnaces.
Lecture Hours: 45         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ACR-064 or concurrent enrollment
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 083  All Weather Heating & Cooling Systems   Units: 3

Presents current industry practices for year-round conditioned air including air to air heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, water source heat pumps, electric heat and fuel oil heating.
Lecture Hours: 45         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ACR-060 and/or ACR-064
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 084  Boiler & Hydronic Heating   Units: 3

This course includes lectures and laboratory projects involving the design, assembly, and operation of hot water boilers, hot water piping distribution (hydronic), and associated controls and control valves. Included in the course content is the proper use of the related tools and safety. A lab uniform is required for this course.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ESYS 004
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 090  Building Automation Fundamentals   Units: 3

Basics of commercial HVAC control theory as it applies to electric, pneumatic, and digital control systems. Principles of chiller plant operation, air distribution, variable air volume(VAV), constant air systems, and multizone systems are discussed. A lab uniform is required for this course.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: RDG 061 & ESYS 004
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 091  Advanced Building Control Networks   Units: 3

Building Control Network implementations and protocol standards including web-based applications, Building Automation and Control Networks (BACnet), local operating network(LonTalk), and proprietary Zero Net Energy (ZNE) monitoring systems will be introduced. BACnet is a communications protocol for building automation and control networks. It is an ASHRAE, ANSI, and ISO 16484-5 standard [1] protocol. LonTalk is a networking platform specifically created to address the needs of control applications. Routers, installation, and troubleshooting will also be studied.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ACR 090, ESYS 004 & RDG 061
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 092  Advanced Building Automation Networks and Programming   Units: 3

Programming methods used in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) direct digital controllers including line (text) programming, icon-based programming, and template programming. Stresses good programming practices including complete program documentation.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: 54          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: ACR 090, ESYS 004 & RDG 061
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 378A  Introduction to Refrigerants Management   Units: 0

This course is module 1 of 3. This course is designed for both the novice and existing workforce to understand the basic terms as they apply to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laws. This course also covers the basic refrigeration process and how to apply these principles to a refrigeration system.
Noncredit Hours: 18                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 378B  Recovery and Evacuation Practices in Refrigerant Management   Units: 0

This course is module 2 of 3. This course is designed for both the novice and existing workforce to understand the proper recovery and evacuation processes necessary to meet EPA 608 standards.
Noncredit Hours: 18                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 378C  EPA-608 Preparation for Refrigerant Management   Units: 0

This course is the final module (3 of 3) Completion and for the proper system preparation and system charging Certificate of Completion. The course is designed for both the novice and existing workforce to prepare for the EPA-608 refrigerant handling license, which is a proctored exam. EPA-608 exam and materials fees are required of each student that successfully completes this course for the EPA-608 industry certification.
Noncredit Hours: 18                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: ACR 378A & ACR 378B
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 378D  System Performance and Charging Procedures   Units: 0

This course is designed for to teach students how to properly prepare and charge an air conditioning system to meet or exceed industry standards and Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) laws.
Noncredit Hours: 18                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: ACR 378B & ACR-378C or EPA-608 Universal License
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 378E  Study of Air Properties & Human Comfort   Units: 0

The course is designed to teach students how to understand air properties and how they affect human comfort. Students will learn how to work with and understand the process of plotting a psychrometric diagram and use it in system charging and economizer setup.
Noncredit Hours: 18                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: ACR 378A
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

ACR 378F  Indoor Air Quality & Economizers   Units: 0

The course is designed to teach students how to properly diagnose and repair economizers. This course will also cover replacement, installation, and setup of economizers.
Noncredit Hours: 18                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: ACR 378A & ACR 378E
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None