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Petroleum Technology & Automation

Williston State College offers three different degree types in the Petroleum Technology & Automation Program.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Program Certificate (PC)
Certificate of Completion (COC)

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Minimum required credits: 62
AAS Student Education Plan (SEP)

Program Description
Degrees and Certificates in Petroleum Technology & Automation are designed to provide students with the necessary curriculum for jobs in the industry. Training and coursework provide a diversity of knowledge that can be applied to many areas of the petroleum industry. The prescribed coursework will be a combination of core academic courses and highly specialized technical classes. Safety practices and training are an important part of the program. Communication, leadership, and teamwork concepts are fundamental to the hands on laboratory experimentation and skill building.
All course work in either COC option is directly applicable to the PC for that option. Also all the work completed in either PC option applies directly to the Petroleum Production Technology AAS degree. A full time student can complete the COC in one semester, the PC in an additional semester or two total semesters, and the AAS degree in four total semesters (2 years).

Program Outcomes
The student will be able to:

Demonstrate effective oral and written communication.
Demonstrate knowledge of concepts and terminology pertaining to petroleum production technology and automation & controls.
Develop skill sets essential to oil field and automation technician roles in the industry.

Program Certificate (PC)

OPTION: LEASE OPERATOR
Minimum required credits for the PC: 31
Lease Operator PC Student Education Plan (SEP)

Program Requirements
In addition to the program-specific requirements, please see the general graduation requirements for CTE programs.

COOP 197 | Cooperative Education/Internship | 1 credit
CIS 164 | Networks Fundamentals I | 3 credits
PTLO 121 | Petroleum Geology & Production | 3 credits
PTLO 135 | Hydraulics & Pneumatics | 3 credits
PTLO 240 | Well Completions & Workovers | 3 credits
TECH 103 | DC Circuits | 3 credits
TECH 105 | Electronics & Instrumentation | 3 credits
TECH 130 | Electric Motor Control | 3 credits
TECH 143 | ProgrammableControllers | 3 credits

View course descriptions.

OPTION: AUTOMATION & CONTROL
Minimum required credits for the PC: 31
Automation & Control PC Student Education Plan (SEP)

Program Description
The Automation and Control Technician path is composed of two different certificates: Certificate of Completion (COC) and the Program Certificate (PC). Sixteen additional credit hours of coursework beyond the COC are required. All the courses completed in the COC are part of the PC. Coursework will be completed in SCADA fundamentals, networks and wiring, process control, control system installation, and troubleshooting. CO-OP field experience is a big part of the curricula activities for students. In the CO-OP course students go to sponsoring company facilities in the area and “shadow” experienced field technicians observing first-hand the job responsibilities and duties. Students can also gain actual on-the-job skill training and experience through internships. The internships are usually done in the summer following the CO-OP.

Program Requirements
In addition to the program-specific requirements, please see the general graduation requirements for CTE programs.

CIS 128 | Microcomputer Hardware I | 3 credits
CIS 164 | Networks Fundamentals I | 3 credits
COOP 197 | Cooperative Education/Internship | 1 credit
TECH 103 | DC Circuits | 3 credits
TECH 105 | Electronics & Instrumentations | 3 credits
TECH 143 | Programmable Controllers | 3 credits
TECH 200 | Field Device Networks | 3 credits
TECH 210 | Process Control I | 3 credits
TECH 220 | Control System Instal. & Troubleshooting | 3 credits

View course descriptions.

Certificate of Completion (COC)

OPTION: LEASE OPERATOR
Required credits for the COC: 15 or less
Lease Operator COC Student Education Plan (SEP)

Program Description
The Lease Operator COC path can be completed in one semester. All the courses completed in the COC are part of the PC.

Program Requirements
In addition to the program-specific requirements, please see the general graduation requirements for CTE programs.

PTLO 121 | Petroleum Geology & Production | 3 credits
PTLO 135 | Hydraulics & Pneumatics | 3 credits
PTLO 240 | Well Completions & Workovers | 3 credits
TECH 103 | DC Circuits | 3 credits
TECH 130 | Electric Motor Control | 3 credits

View course descriptions.

OPTION: AUTOMATION & CONTROL
Required credits for the COC: 15 or less
Automation & Control COC Student Education Plan (SEP)

Program Description
The Automation & Control COC path can be completed in one semester. All the courses completed in the COC are part of the PC.

Program Requirements
In addition to the program-specific requirements, please see the general graduation requirements for CTE programs.

CIS 164 | Networks Fundamentals I | 3 credits
TECH 103 | DC Circuits | 3 credits
TECH 105 | Electronics & Instrumentation | 3 credits
TECH 143 | Programmable Controllers I | 3 credits
TECH 210 | Process Control I | 3 credits

View course descriptions.