HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration)

Objectives

The HVACR program consists of 1200 hours of instruction (75 quarter credit hours) and is available in two schedules. Both the Day and Evening sessions require twelve months for completion on the basis of approximately 25 hours of instruction per week. All terms of the program are independent, thus the sequence in which they are offered to students may vary. The Institute employs a grading system based on one hundred percent. In the HVACR program these percentages are 90 to 100 (3.5-4.0) - Excellent; 80 to 89 (2.75-3.45) – Good; 75 to 79 (2.0-2.7) - Satisfactory; Below 75 (0) - Failure.

This program is currently taught in a Blended format (lecture material on-line and hands-on skills on-campus) and is also offered residentially (all classes and labs on campus) at selected campuses, as conditions permit. As part of their program materials, students receive a device which is fully compatible with the Learning Management System (LMS) used in both delivery methods. Veterans’ Benefits are only available for the residential version of this program.

Student from either delivery method could be assigned to the same on campus lab shifts. Campus lab hours are 7-2 and 6-10. Students taking day labs in the program need to plan on 2-3 lab sessions per week, based on course needs. Students taking evening labs in the blended program need to plan on 3 lab sessions per week and an occasional Saturday lab from 8-2. Lab schedules will be distributed to blended students prior to the start of each term. Residential students attend M-Th 7-2.

Students will need approximately 25 hours per week for instruction (whether online or on campus), activities and simulations and for on-campus lab work, with an additional six hours per week for reading assignments and other homework activities. For Blended classes, course materials, assignments, and homework are accessible in an asynchronous format 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week through the Learning Management System (LMS).

This program intensively covers the service, installation and repair of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Students will develop an understanding of the electrical and mechanical principles related to gas and oil heating units, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Emphasis is placed on acquiring proficiency in the use of analytical instruments as well as the mastery of heating and cooling principles under which these systems function.

The HVACR classrooms are equipped with the same kinds of gas and oil heating, cooling and refrigeration units currently in use in residential and commercial buildings. In addition to this, students use a variety of analytical equipment, meters, and gauges, refrigerant recovery units, piping and ventilation tools, and different kinds of specialized hand tools needed for this occupation.

The maximum number of students being taught in an online class is fifty and the maximum in an on campus classroom or lab is twenty-five.

Graduates from this program will have sufficient knowledge and skill for entry-level employment in the HVACR field. Graduates entering the field of HVACR technology might specialize in either the installation or maintenance of HVACR systems. Some technicians further specialize in one type of equipment or manufacturer. Most technicians do both the installation and the servicing and work with most types of heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment.

HVACR technicians work in homes, office buildings, factories - anywhere there is climate control equipment in use. Career opportunities are diverse. Typically, these positions are found in businesses in the following commercial or industrial areas:

Technology Requirements

For students who, under unusual circumstances, need to access the LMS using something other than their school issued device, the technology requirements are:

Microsoft: Windows 10 (Need to use Chrome Browser or Firefox - current versions as released only)
iOS Devices: Current iOS release as issued by Apple
ChromeOS: Current version of ChromeOS as released by Google
Required Software: PDF viewing software - Adobe Acrobat Reader recommended
Bandwidth: recommend minimum of 5Mbps download and 1Mbps upload as tested on www.speedtest.net

Required Instruments, Tools, Books & Supplies

There are certain tools, books and supplies that students will need to successfully master the skills and information taught in their program. For the most part, this equipment consists of items that will also be used when the student graduates and begins work in the occupation for which he or she has been prepared.

The Materials Fee covers all books, devices, tools, instruments, uniforms, supplies, and other materials that the students will receive from PCI during the course of their attendance in their program. (Any E-books issued are usually permanent once the student downloads them to their device. On-line access is usually limited to one year commencing with the day the Ebook is activated. E-book access limits are based on publisher requirements and not within PCI’s control. E-book license limits are subject to change by the publisher without notice.) The amount of this fee is specified at the time the student submits his or her application. Even if costs increase, students will never pay more than the fee specified in their Enrollment Agreement.