Career Description

This program prepares students for careers working for systems integrators, original equipment manufacturers, and robot manufacturers. Career opportunities may also be found in the automotive, aerospace, medical, machine tool, packaging, welding, and nuclear power industries. Career titles include Robotic Automated Systems Technician, Field Servicing Technician, and Electrical Controls Technician with responsibilities in building, repairing, installing, maintaining, and programming robotics and automated systems. The A.A.S. degree also prepares students for employment advancement or other opportunities including design, engineering, or management.

Program Information

Robotic Automated Systems Technicians are an integral part of modern manufacturing companies. Technologies such as new-generation robot controllers, sensors, and electrical control systems have created a need for highly specialized training. The Robotics Automated Systems Technology Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree prepares students for careers in the industrial robotic and automated manufacturing industry. The program has multiple robot and automation labs utilizing current technology with popular industrial robot models. The program is aligned with advisory board members, industrial partners, and industrial associations to deliver relevant content and instruction. Students are trained on the same robots, controllers, and programming languages used by manufacturing companies. The curriculum was created and is maintained by experienced technical faculty, advisory board members, and past graduates to best prepare students for employment in the industrial robotics industry. The A.A.S. Degree includes the Minnesota State Transfer Curriculum to prepare students for career advancement and articulates to other universities for additional educational awards.

Program Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Identify and apply appropriate safety procedures;
• Apply knowledge and skills in electrical systems;
• Apply knowledge and skills in mechanical systems;
• Apply knowledge and skills in creating program code;
• Analyze and apply specific troubleshooting knowledge and technology in the areas of electrical, mechanical, software and program code;
• Apply effective communication and interpersonal skills as an individual and as a team member.

Special Program Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
2. College Technical Core GPA Requirement: cumulative GPA of credits attempted and completed towards the technical core of the diploma or degree must be at least 2.0;
3. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.

Transfer Opportunities

Courses in this program transfer to Minnesota State Universities (including Bemidji State University and St. Cloud State University) and North Dakota State University. This program directly articulates with programs at Minnesota State University Moorhead.