TSTC’s Industrial Systems program prepares for fall semester

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s statewide Industrial Systems – Mechanical Specialization program will have an enhanced curriculum beginning in the fall semester starting Monday, Aug. 28.

The program has added classes in industrial electricity, print reading, welding and a second class focusing on programmable logic controllers (PLCs) for students to take.

“The additional courses coming this fall were meant to give a more complete degree offering in line with what is needed by technicians in the industrial maintenance field,” said Jeffrey Williams, lead instructor in TSTC’s Industrial Systems program at the Waco campus. “This was decided based on industry advisor and faculty input.”

Students already take a class in programmable logic controllers in the third semester of the program. But Williams said many processes have become automated, calling for students to learn more about the concepts of basic PLC ladder logic.

Students in the program in Waco will have a new lab to learn in this fall. The lab space on the first floor of the Industrial Technology Center will be home to the Machinery Installation and the Pumps, Compressors and Mechanical Drives classes.

“The movement of equipment into the lab will allow the Industrial Systems and Precision Machining Technology programs to create a centralized area for metal stock materials that are to be used with the lathes and milling machines,” Williams said.

Ricky Martinez, of Waco, will be in his fourth semester in the Industrial Systems program when the fall semester starts. He began work as a student worker in the program earlier this summer and has spent the last few days helping instructors prepare for the new semester.

Martinez said he enjoys the program because he gets to learn how engines work along with gears, hydraulics and pneumatics. He said learning the terminology, especially in the electrical classes, was a challenge.

“Once you get straight with everything, it goes hand in hand with each other,” Martinez said.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems – Electrical Specialization at the Marshall and North Texas campuses, an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems – Mechanical Specialization at the Abilene, East Williamson County, Fort Bend County and Waco campuses, and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems – Advanced Manufacturing Technology in New Braunfels. The program also offers certificates of completion. 

“For a student to be successful in the Industrial Systems program, all a student needs is a true desire to grow and attain a great-paying job,” said Edward Chaney, chair of TSTC’s statewide Industrial Systems department. “For those students that like to work with their brains and hands, the program is a great fit for students to achieve their life goals.”

Registration continues for the fall semester at TSTC. For more information, go to tstc.edu.