School spotlight:
Des Moines Area Community College

by Rebekah Bovenmyer

Whether you want to get things running again, travel the country, or work with computers without a four-year degree, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) has a program for you.

DMACC offers the following programs related to transportation:

• Civil engineering technology
• Land surveying
• Diesel equipment mechanics
• Auto mechanics technology
• Transportation Institute (truck driver program)

Civil engineering technology and land surveying

Be part of the design and construction of new roads in civil engineering technology. Or chart out new territories in land surveying.

Both programs include a paid internship (called a co-op) with an employer in the summer between the first and second year of school and lead to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. A full-time student could complete either program in four semesters (18 months).

Students in both the civil engineering technology and land surveying degree programs take the same classes during their first year: fundamentals of civil engineering, surveying, highway materials testing, construction inspection, automated design and some general electives.

During the second year, students specialize in their area of choice—either civil engineering technology or land surveying.

Civil engineering technology students go on to have more specialized courses in all four areas of the program; surveying, materials testing, design, and construction.

Land surveying students take classes in boundary law, boundary surveying, GPS systems, and ethics.

“After graduation civil engineering technicians can be a ‘jack of all trades’ in an engineering office or specialize in their favorite part of the program, such as CADD drafting,” says Renee White, group leader for the programs.

“With more than 40 credit hours, students prepare themselves to become highly qualified professional surveyors,” says instructor Bob Stumbo, a licensed land surveyor.

If you like working with your hands, being part of the building process, and having a variety of indoor-outdoor experiences, these career fields may be for you.

Learn more about the

• Civil engineering technology program
• Land surveying program

Or contact the group leader for both of these programs, Renee White, crwhite@dmacc.edu.

Mechanic programs

Diesel technology

Get the heavy equipment, farm tractors, and big rigs road-ready in the diesel technology program. Students learn how to maintain and repair diesel engines, power trains, hydraulics, brakes, and electrical systems on equipment in the lab.

Students have three options in the department: one-year diploma, two-year AAS degree in diesel technology, or a two-year AAS degree specializing in CAT equipment.
The CAT Technology program is supported by Ziegler, Inc.

Students in the CAT Technology program can work for Ziegler as an intern part-time while in school.

All students take courses together the first year and branch out into different programs the second year for the AAS options.

With class sizes limited to 20, students get to know their instructors and fellow students well.

“Most classes have at least 50 percent hands-on work, like in our diesel engines class where each student disassembles an engine and puts it back together,” says Bill Gorman, chair of the department. “I don’t think there’s any program in the state that has more or better facilities than we have.”

Learn more about the diesel technology program.

Auto mechanics technology

Be part of getting cars back on the road in the auto mechanics technology program. This department has a lot of options.

One-year diplomas

• Auto engines and tune-up
• Auto chassis and power train
• Auto maintenance and light repair technology

Two-year AAS degrees

• Auto mechanics technology (learn about a variety of makes and models)
• General Motors specialization
• Chrysler specialization
• Ford specialization

In the company-specific programs, students are paid to work in a dealership and are almost guaranteed jobs after they graduate.

No matter what students choose, they get small class sizes and lots of hands-on experience on modern equipment. Students also learn about pollution prevention and alternative fuels.

“We have the most up-to-date technology, with the latest models and equipment,” says Jeff Calkin, department chair.

Learn more about the auto mechanics technology program (pdf).

Transportation Institute

Experience life on the road through DMACC’s Transportation Institute. Students work with an experienced driver for six weeks with the daytime classes or 12 weeks with evening classes.

After a few weeks of in-class learning, students pair up with another student and instructor and learn to drive a big rig.

Students learn tricky maneuvers like backing up to a loading dock on a 14-acre campus area. But students spend most of their time driving on the road with another student and instructor.

“Truckers can come from all walks of life, but they need to be strong individuals who can plan and think on their own without a lot of supervision. Drivers need to schedule their time so they’re on schedule and safe, which involves a lot of factors,” says Dave Pfiffner, director of DMACC’s Transportation Institute.

Learn more about truck driver training.