School spotlight:

Study biorenewable fuels in Iowa community colleges

by Stewart McCoy

Iowa Lakes Community College and Indian Hills Community College both offer programs related to biorenewable fuels technology.

Iowa Lakes Community College

Are you interested in becoming part of a profession that’s developing cleaner fuels to power tomorrow’s transportation systems? Students in the Biorenewable Fuels Technology AAS degree program at ILCC will study the latest known techniques for producing alternative fuels such as ethanol and soy diesel. Classes focusing on biogas and hydrogen fuels are also being added to the curriculum.

The 77-credit program is offered at ILCC’s Emmetsburg, Iowa, campus. Students can expect courses like intro to biomass, plant process and design, water treatment, alternating current electrical theory, and industrial technical welding.

For those wishing only to supplement their education, a certificate is available. The certificate curriculum is 18 credits and includes courses such as intro to bioscience technology, plant and process design, and technical communications.

For more information contact Dave Peterson, program coordinator, 712-852-5295, dnpeterson@iowalakes.edu or visit www.iowalakes.edu/programs_study/agriculture/biorenewable_fuels/.

Indian Hills Community College

An Associate of Applied Science degree in IHCC’s Ethanol Plant Technician program in Ottumwa, Iowa, will get you out of school in less than 2 years and on your way to a job in the fast-growing biofuels industry.

Students will learn the scientific principles and the technical skills necessary to support ethanol fermentation processes. Curriculum focuses on safety and compliance, and includes coursework in electrical and electronics theory, high level equipment maintenance analysis, and bioprocess laboratory techniques.

An internship is offered as a capstone class. Students complete a 240-hour internship, either working 40 hours per week in 6 weeks or 20 hours per week in 12 weeks.

During an average term, there are about 12 students enrolled, ensuring students get plenty of one-on-one and small group instruction.

The program boasts a 100% placement rate after graduation, with students taking jobs at Big River Resources, Cargill, and Plymouth Energy. And because the curriculum provides a broad overview of energy plant technology, students are also finding placement in power and chemical plants.
 
For more information contact program coordinator Greg Kepner, 641-683-5284, gkepner@indianhills.edu, instructor Eric Olson, 641-969-4167, eolson@indianhills.edu or visit http://www.ihcc.cc.ia.us/ihcc/Learn/advtech/ethanol.asp.