ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

SPECIALIZATION IN ELECTRONICS INSTRUMENTATION

According to a recent employment outlook guide, the need for industry to modernize, install laborsaving equipment and replace old systems with those featuring the latest technologies assures a continuing need for Electronic Instrumentation Technicians.

Electronic Instrumentation Technicians test, certify, install, repair, inspect, maintain and assist in developing complex instruments that measure and record changes in industrial environments. The process-controlled systems operated by these technicians are central to the operation of such facilities as chemical plants, canneries, food processing plants, air and pollution control agencies, petroleum refineries and power plants.

Other job responsibilities include recording and analyzing the effects of varying conditions, whether actual or simulated. These include vibration, temperature, humidity, pressure, differential pressure, liquid flow and level, altitude, acceleration, pH, conductivity, stress and chemical makeup. Good communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to prepare graphs and written reports will be necessary to accomplish these tasks.

Electronic Instrumentation Technicians select, install, calibrate and check out telemetering and recording instruments and circuits. Using engineering data and considering the limitations of the equipment being tested, they develop specifications for nonstandard apparatus and equipment. They may also make sketches and build or modify jibs, fixtures, instruments and related apparatus as well as verify the acceptability of devices that have been fabricated by craft workers or other technical personnel. In addition, technicians troubleshoot, repair and perform preventive maintenance on test apparatus and peripheral equipment.

It is easy to see why Electronic Instrumentation Technicians must understand and be able to apply electronics theory in their daily work activities; therefore, high school students interested in the field should take courses in mathematics and general physics.

OCtech is the only technical college in South Carolina that offers an associate degree in this field of engineering technology. The EIT curriculum has a co-op program established with South Carolina Electric & Gas and BP-Amoco in Charleston, SC. Students who co-op during Spring II will register for course EIT 240, Supervised Work Experience, and will receive credit for EGR 120, EIT 120, and EIT 242.

Students planning to attend a four-year institution after graduation should consult with their advisors early in the program concerning transfer courses.

Career opportunities are available as technicians, engineering assistants and industrial sales.
 

Associate in Engineering technology
major in Electronics engineering technology
Specialization in Electronic instrumentation
SEMESTER CURRICULUM MODEL
 

A minimum grade of “C” is required on all EET and EIT courses for graduation.
Students who choose to take ENG 101 and ENG 102 must also take ENG 165 or SPC 205.