An automotive technologist degree prepares a student for automobile systems design problems.
If you enjoy mathematics, engineering and automobiles, a career in automotive technology might be right for you. Automotive technologists design the mechanical, electrical and computer systems that are found in virtually any vehicle. Bachelor's degree programs teach students the mathematics, mechanics and engineering principles they need to succeed in the automotive technology industry.
Prerequisites
The prerequisites for a Bachelor of Science in automotive technology vary from school to school, but only slightly. You must have at least a high school diploma that meets the school's minimum grade point average before applying; some schools may ask that you have an associate degree in a related field before submitting your application. SAT or ACT scores are sometimes required, but your previous coursework should show a strong aptitude for mathematics.
Program Goals
An automotive technologist's job usually involves a great deal of communication and problem-solving, so degree programs in this field should teach you do both successfully. Before you can converse properly and solve complex automotive problems though, you must have basic technical knowledge in math and electronics, which you will receive very early in one of these degree programs. In the senior years of your program, you will learn more specialized skills, such as automobile diagnostics.
Curriculum
The coursework in an automotive technology degree program involves a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning at the institution's automotive facilities and/or in a professional setting. These programs typically take you four years to complete. In your first couple of years, you take basic courses, such as physics, chemistry and calculus. In your senior years, however, your coursework becomes more specialized and includes such topics as automotive electronics, emission testing and fuel systems. It's also in your senior years that you'll see most of your hands-on learning in the form of group projects, field trip visits and demonstrations.
Career Options
Once you've obtained a degree in automotive technology, you will be qualified to work with a wide range of organizations, including service and parts management companies, advanced vehicle systems research facilities and automotive insurance service companies. Some of the positions you might hold with these organizations include field product development engineer, insurance claims adjuster and automotive technical writer. Competition for some of these positions can be quite competitive, but you can beat the odds by successfully completing a degree in automotive technology.
Tags: automotive technology, degree programs, senior years, your senior years, automotive technologist, automotive technology
