The Automotive Technology curriculum is designed to prepare students for employment as apprentice auto mechanics or to allow students to continue toward a Baccalaureate degree in other advanced schools of technology in preparation for future management and teaching careers in the automotive industry.<br>The College of Alameda ATECH program is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and was recognized as the Best Auto Mechanics Training Program in California in 1999 and again in 2002 by the Industry Planning Council of the Motor Vehicle<br>Manufacturers Association. Instruction covers safety, trade ethics, use of hand and power tools, as well as the theory, repair and testing of<br>automobiles and their components. Special emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and repair of electronic and computer control systems in late model automobiles.<br>The AS degree will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the major course requirements listed below for each option and the General Education requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree listed in the Degrees, Programs & Transfer Requirements section of this Catalog.<br>Career Opportunities<br>The Automotive Technology curriculum is designed to prepare students for employment as apprentice auto mechanics. Upon registering for a class in the automotive major area, a student will receive a list of required basic tools. The student will be expected to purchase tools that<br>relate to the course in which he/she has enrolled. The purpose of this requirement is to assure that all students graduating from the program possess tools in a quantity sufficient for trade entry as an apprentice. Upon graduating with an Associate in Science (AS) degree, the beginning apprentice will have the union four-year night school requirement waived. The graduate with only a Certificate of Completion will have two of the required four years of night school waived. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) will give one year experience credit for our two-year program towards the ASE certification program in Auto Mechanics.