Welding Technology (A.A.S.)

The mission of the Welding Technology Program is to provide the regional workforce with credentialed, skilled, and competent welders and to be responsive to emerging workforce needs. The Welding Technology Program prepares students to operate and troubleshoot a variety of welding power sources and related equipment. The program prepares students to solve problems using computational skills and other problem-solving  techniques essential to welding and steel fabrication. It also encourages the development of the teamwork and interpersonal skills required on the job. 

Welding students develop skills in six different welding processes: oxyacetylene (OAW), shielded metal arc (SMAW), gas metal arc (GMAW), flux core arc, (FCAW), submerged arc (SAW), and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Students also develop additional skills, such as blueprint reading and layout, metallurgy, and gain an understanding of how heating and cooling cycles affect the properties of metals. Students also study the design of jigs and fixtures and how to incorporate these into an automated welding system.

Courses such as Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD), OSHA Rules and Compliance, and Related Metals Processes provide for a solid background in the metals industry. Fabrication basics and Metal Design and Construction utilize all of the gained knowledge in an instructor-approved/student-designed project.

Welding technology students have the opportunity to become certified to American Welding Society Standards and receive documentation stating qualifications.

Students are awarded the Certificate of Applied Science upon successful completion of the first year of the Welding Technology program. Students are awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree upon successfully completing the two-year program.

The program often has a waiting list. For more detailed information, visit our web site or contact Zach Reddig, Program Director, at 406-243-7644 or by email. 

Associate of Applied Science - Welding Technology

Missoula College

Catalog Year: 2016-2017

Degree Specific Credits: 67

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

First Year Welding Program

Rule: All Courses Required for Certification in Welding

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description CAPP 120 - Introduction to Computers
Offered autumn and spring. Introduction to computer terminology, hardware, and software, including wire/wireless communications and multimedia devices. Students utilize word processing, spread sheet, database, and presentation applications to create projects common to business and industry in a networked computing environment. Internet research, email usage, and keyboarding proficiency are integrated.
 3 Credits
Show Description COMX 102 - Interprsnl Skills in Workplace
This course will introduce students to interpersonal communication theory which can be applied to a workplace environment. Students will learn effective communication strategies that promote success in professional and personal relationships.
 1 Credits
Show Description M 111 - Technical Mathematics
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ALEKS placement >= 2 or M 065. Designed to provide the mathematical background necessary for success in the industrial areas. Topics covered include percent, ratio proportion, formula evaluation, basic algebra and geometry concepts, trigonometry, measurement, statistics, and graphing. Markdowns, inventory turnover, and other basic formulas. Credit does not count toward Associate of Arts or Baccalaureate degrees. MC
 3 Credits
Show Description MCH 114 - Related Metals Processes II
Offered autumn. Instruction and use of drills, files, threads and threading processes, basic lathe, drill press, and band saw operation, including precision measuring instruments. Fasteners, layout procedures, and basic hand tools are covered.
 3 Credits
Show Description WLDG 117 - Blueprint Rdng & Weldng Symbls
Offered spring.  Prereq., WLDG 150 (Practical experience in reading and drawing orthographic projections, interpreting dimensions, notes, scales, and welding symbols. Isometric projection (pictorial), sections, and auxiliary views with practical experience using conventional drafting tools and computer aided drafting (CAD).
 3 Credits
Show Description WLDG 145 - Fabrication Basics
Offered spring. Prereq., MPR 114T; WLDG 180; coreq., WLDG 117, 187. Conception, design, and construction of a metal structure to industry standards using shears, presses, and other machine tools common to the welding industry. Skills are developed in the areas of shielded metal arc welding and flux core arc welding, oxyacetylene cutting, plasma arc cutting, and air carbon arc cutting.
 4 Credits
Show Description WLDG 150 - Welding Layout Techniques
Using practical layout techniques students develop basics for blueprint construction, layout on pipe and structural steel, and use of tools common to material layout.
 2 Credits
Show Description WLDG 180 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Offered autumn. Theory and safe operation of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) of carbon steel on plate and structural components in all positions to industry standards. Visual inspection and destructive testing used to determine acceptability based upon industry standards (American Welding Society Structural Welding Code-Steel). Power sources and electrodes are covered in depth. Materials are prepared using mechanical plate shears and thermal cutting techniques. Thermal cutting techniques are examined relative to theory of operation and safe practices. Processes used are oxy-fuel cutting, plasma arc cutting, and air carbon arc cutting. Theory and operation of oxyacetylene welding examined.
 4 Credits
Show Description WLDG 184 - OSHA Rules & Regulations Wldng
Offered spring. Study of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules and regulations that affect the welding and construction industries.
 1 Credits
Show Description WLDG 187 - Flux Core Arc Welding
Offered spring. Prereq., WLDG 180 (Theory, practice, and safe operation of flux core arc welding equipment. Coupons are welded in the flat, horizontal, and vertical positions to industry standards using a variety of welding electrodes, diameters, and power sources, which prepare students for welding qualification to the American Welding Society Structural Welding Code specifications.
 4 Credits
Show Description WLDG 205 - Applied Metallurgy
Offered autumn. Covers the manufacturing of iron and steel. Examination of physical and mechanical properties. Phase changes with the application of heating and cooling cycles. Ferrous crystal types and properties. Suggested welding procedures for low, medium, and high carbon steels, alloy steels, and cast iron.
 4 Credits
Show Description WRIT 121 - Intro to Technical Writing
Offered every term. Introduction to technical writing situations that integrate text, design, and graphics. Emphasis is on evidence-based, informative writing that uses design and graphics to visually represent logic and organization. Course focuses on writing as a process and includes student self-assessment. Major assignments include a pure technical document, exploration of credibility, and public science writing. Students are expected to write without major faults in grammar or usage and to have basic computer literacy.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 37 Total Credits Required

Second Year Welding Program

Rule: All Courses Required for Certification in Welding

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description BMGT 242 - Front Line Supervision
Offered spring. Introduces basic employee development with emphasis on the responsibilities of a newly-appointed supervisor.  Emphasizes organizational structure, motivation, delegation of authority, the hiring process, employee development, employee performance, evaluations, and dealing with employee conflict.
 3 Credits
Show Description DDSN 114 - Introduction to CAD
Offered autumn. M 090 or ALEKS score >2 recommended prior to taking course. An introduction to computer aided design and drafting software for production of drawings and plans for architecture and engineering systems. Fundamentals of two dimensional drafting and drawing management for professional design.
 3 Credits
Show Description MCH 214 - Advanced Related Metals Proc
Offered autumn. Prereq., MPR 114T or 115T. Advanced skill development using machine tools such as milling machines, lathes, surface grinders, and drill presses, emphasizing safety and providing greater complexity than provided in MPR 114T. Welding and machining are used together demonstrating how sequencing work improves quality and productivity.
 3 Credits
Show Description WLDG 210 - Pipe Welding - Integrated Lab
Offered autumn. Prereq., WLDG 180; coreq., WLDG 215. Emphasis on skill development in the welding of pipe sections to extremely high quality levels as required by national codes and standards. Pipe welding using GTAW for the root pass and SMAW for the remaining passes in all positions. Visual inspection and destructive testing used to evaluate work according to industry standards. Students will be able to attempt welding qualification test as to code procedure set from American Welding Society –D1.1 Structural Welding Code-Steel. This test will certify them to a determined process on carbon steel from prequalified variables.
 4 Credits
Show Description WLDG 215 - GTAW (integrated lab)
Offered autumn. Prereq., WLDG 180, 187, 210 The theory and safe operation of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). Examination of power source controls and operation along with associated consumables such as gasses, electrode filler materials for carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Welding skill development according to industry standards using these materials in the flat, horizontal, and vertical positions.
 4 Credits
Show Description WLDG 245 - Metal Fab Design/Construction
Offered spring. Prereq., MPR 114T, MPR 214T; WLDG 117, 180, 187, 215, 275.  Students combine all knowledge and skills developed in the welding program to design and draw a full set of plans (blueprints) for an instructor-approved project using extensive welding, metal fabrication equipment, machining processes and automation. High quality performance, consistent with business and industry required.
 4 Credits
Show Description WLDG 275 - Gas Metal Arc Welding
Offered spring. Prereq., WLDG 187. Theory and safe operation of Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). Theory of flux core arc welding applied to GMAW. Primary focus on application, practical skill development, and producing welds that meet industry standards. Metals welded are low carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Short circuit arc and spray arc transfer used. Examination of gas and electrode selection.
 4 Credits
Show Description WLDG 280 - Weld Testing Certification
Offered spring. Prereq., WLDG 180, 187, 215, 275. Fundamental concepts and requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and American Welding Society (AWS) are examined. Through laboratory experience students are provided the opportunity to qualify (certify) under the two codes mentioned above.
 2 Credits
Show Description WLDG 285 - Automation in Welding
Offered spring. Prereq., WLDG 117, 150, 187, 215, CADX 110 Application of the welding process to automation. Examination of simple automation techniques such as tools, clamping, and fixturing to aid in the rapid joining of production runs. Increasing complexity is examined leading into equipment that carries the welding gun, tractors, and carriages by fully automated systems with the student performing set-up and troubleshooting (Submerged Arc Welding) and automated parts processing (optical tracer torch). Programmable controllers are investigated and used. Programming and use of a PUMA 650 Industrial Robot.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 30 Total Credits Required