While the majority of these technicians receive their training through on-the-job, entry-level positions, ongoing developments in instrumentation and control technology have created a need for post-secondary education. Many technical schools and community colleges now offer associate's degree or certificate programs for those wanting to pursue these positions, and some schools also offer bachelor's degree programs. Potential students should have an interest in learning about hydraulic systems, drafting, and process measurement and control theories. Relevant internship and certification programs are available to qualified candidates.

What is an educational program in Instrumentation?

The Instrumentation program provides a core of electrical and electronic courses which must precede any specialized work in instrumentation. About one fourth of this curriculum is composed of general education courses; one fourth, of supporting and related technical work; and one half, of specialized courses.The rapid rate of change in current technologies requires that course content in technical areas reflect this change. Therefore, courses completed and submitted for acceptance toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in this program should have been completed no longer than seven years prior to graduation. Courses completed more than seven years prior to graduation must be evaluated by the department for content agreeable to current academic and technological standards.

What does an educational program in Instrumentation cover?

Instrumentation courses will teach you how to install, maintain, test, and calibrate highly complex devices that are used in the automation of industrial processes. The devices that you will work on are used in automated production and manufacturing and measure and control the following:

• Temperature

• Pressure

• Level

• Flow

With this education and training, you may have a chance to work with the following technologies:

• Piping

• Process

• Chemical

• Pneumatic

• Hydraulic

• Electrical

• Medical equipment

• Electronic

• Computer and Networking

This program will prepare you for repairing, maintaining, and installing control equipment used in the above industries. When you graduate, you may be able to design and test new equipment or you may be employed to ensure the systems run safely. We can give you the hands-on training and education that you deserve so that you can find the job that you want!

The curriculum for both two-year and four-year degree programs in instrumentation engineering consists mainly of engineering, mathematics and science courses. Program coursework in instrumentation might include:

• Instrumentation

• Instrumentation electronics

• Electrical instrumentation

• Process instrumentation

• Industrial networks

• Hydraulics and pneumatics

What types of jobs are available for Instrumentation graduates?

A variety of employment options are available to prospective instrumentation graduates, and the titles may vary from industry to industry. Instrumentation graduates may find work in oil refineries, power processing plants, metal smelting facilities and biopharmaceutical manufacturing companies. Skills learned in this field may also apply to aerospace engineering and medical instrumentation fields. Job titles may include:

• Plant technician

• Electrical & automation technician

• Reactor technician