Process Technology, Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Locations: Gonzales, Reserve, St. Charles, Westside
The Process Technology (PTEC) program at RPCC is a 60-credit hour program that prepares individuals to become refinery, chemical, and other industry related operators. The curriculum leading to the Process Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) was developed in collaboration with local industry. It is a rigorous study of the common operating processes found in industrial plants that will prepare students for high skill, high wage jobs needed in the manufacturing industry.
Upon graduation from the program, students are prepared to enter the employment market as entry-level process operators. Certificates and Diplomas are also available as the student progresses through the program. All courses applied to the degree must be passed with a “C” or better. Developmental courses will not be applied to the degree.
Specialized Accreditation
The Instrumentation and Electrical Technology Program is accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). This prestigious accreditation affirms that the program meets rigorous academic and industry standards, ensuring students are well-prepared for successful careers in the field.
Curriculum
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CPTR 1013 | Intro to Computer Technology | 3 |
| General Education, Natural Science - MATH 1203 | 3 | |
| PTEC 1013 | Intro to Process Technology | 3 |
| PTEC 2033 | Plant Health, Safety, & Enviro | 3 |
| SPCH 2013 | Techniques of Speech | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PTEC 1312 | Process Instrumentation | 2 |
| PTEC 1322 | Process Instrumentation Lab | 2 |
| PTEC 1612 | Plant Equipment | 2 |
| PTEC 1622 | Plant Equipment Lab | 2 |
| ENGL 1013 | English Composition I Fulfills General Education English requirement | 3 |
| General Education, Natural Science Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Physical Science I | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Choose lab according to General Education Natural Science course chosen | 1 | |
| Physical Science Lab I | ||
| General Physics Lab I | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| PTEC 2073 | Process Quality Control | 3 |
| PTEC 2323 | Process Systems | 3 |
| PTEC 2321 | Process Systems Lab | 1 |
| PTEC 2633 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| CHEM 1123 | Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 1121 | Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| General Education, Humanities - Select three hours from HIST, PHIL (except PHIL 2113), or RELS | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| General Education, Social Science Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Macroeconomics | ||
| Microeconomics | ||
| PTEC 2443 | Process Troubleshooting | 3 |
| PTEC 2412 | Unit Operations | 2 |
| PTEC 2422 | Unit Operations Lab | 2 |
| PTEC 2993 or PTEC 2913 |
External Capstone or Internal Capstone |
3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Additional Academic Awards in Process Technology
Process Technology Plant Safety, Career and Technical Certificate (CTC)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PTEC 1013 | Intro to Process Technology | 3 |
| PTEC 2033 | Plant Health, Safety, & Enviro 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
- 1
Students are eligible for the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety Industry-Based Certification upon completion of this course.
Process Technology Support Technician, Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CPTR 1013 | Intro to Computer Technology | 3 |
| PTEC 1013 | Intro to Process Technology | 3 |
| PTEC 2033 | Plant Health, Safety, & Enviro | 3 |
| PTEC 1312 | Process Instrumentation | 2 |
| PTEC 1322 | Process Instrumentation Lab | 2 |
| PTEC 1612 | Plant Equipment | 2 |
| PTEC 1622 | Plant Equipment Lab | 2 |
| PTEC 2073 | Process Quality Control | 3 |
| Total Hours | 20 | |
Process Technology, Technical Diploma (TD)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CPTR 1013 | Intro to Computer Technology | 3 |
| MATH 1203 | Applied Algebra Fulfills General Education, Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning Requirement | 3 |
| PTEC 1013 | Intro to Process Technology | 3 |
| PTEC 2033 | Plant Health, Safety, & Enviro | 3 |
| PTEC 1312 | Process Instrumentation | 2 |
| PTEC 1322 | Process Instrumentation Lab | 2 |
| PTEC 1612 | Plant Equipment | 2 |
| PTEC 1622 | Plant Equipment Lab | 2 |
| PHSC 1023 | Physical Science I | 3 |
| or PHYS 2113 | General Physics I | |
| PHSC 1031 | Physical Science Lab II Choose lab according to General Education Natural Science course chosen | 1 |
| or PHYS 2111 | General Physics Lab I | |
| PTEC 2073 | Process Quality Control | 3 |
| PTEC 2323 | Process Systems | 3 |
| PTEC 2321 | Process Systems Lab | 1 |
| PTEC 2633 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| CHEM 1123 | Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 1121 | Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| PTEC 2443 | Process Troubleshooting | 3 |
| PTEC 2412 | Unit Operations | 2 |
| PTEC 2422 | Unit Operations Lab | 2 |
| PTEC 2993 | External Capstone | 3 |
| or PTEC 2913 | Internal Capstone | |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:
- Describe the importance of adherence to standards for plant safety, health, and environment, and preventative measures for hazard avoidance.
- Describe the instruments, equipment, systems, and units operated by process technicians/operators and the significance of quality and consistency in their operation.
- Perform assigned analyses, troubleshooting, and processing operations to industry specifications independently and collaboratively, when applicable.
- Demonstrate professionalism, communications skills, ethical standards, and teamwork appropriate to entry- level process technicians.
- Operate process technology instruments, equipment, units, and systems as a process technician/operator.