ATL Program Guide

Welcome to Advanced Transportation And Logistics (ATL).  For the Fall of 2024 we have completely updated and changed the core process to the ATL program.  

Question: What are your goals and interests?

Answer and Directions: (Unit and ASE coverage area)

Program fundamentals (and Tier Guide)

The new ATL program is designed to start students off with foundation skills, safety and electricity, that will then help to expand with each secondary and beyond course.  This is a shift from the previous Auto and Diesel programs which were more open to start at any point.  Vehicle technology has advanced significantly over the years and our incoming and future students have higher technical skill set needed to succeed in their studies.

Course numbers are based on the following design:

  • 100 are Light Duty courses (formerly AUTO)
  • 200 are Medium-Heavy Truck courses (formerly DET)
  • Second digit is aligned with ASE certification test series
    • Example: ATL 110 is Internal Combustion Engines and aligns with ASE A1 test series.
  • Areas that are combined for Light and MHT are labeled "Mobile" courses and use the 100 series numbering
    • Examples are ATL 161,162,163 and 170
  • Third digit course numbers designate sequencing.  A "2" course needs "1" to be completed.
    • Example: ATL 162 is the prerequisite for ATL 163.
  • Course content is aligned with tasks identified by Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Educational Foundation.

Priority should be Electrical courses

ATL 161 and ATL 101 - First Semester

ATL 162 - Second Semester

ATL 111 -Third Semester

ATL 163 - Forth Semester

First Tier Courses (First Semester)

The following courses are the core foundation for the ATL program and are needed to start the second tier ATL courses (ATL101/161).  The AMT and Welding courses are needed for some of the certificates and degrees, and are good first semester courses.  If additional units are needed, GE courses are recommended.

ATL 101 - Transportation Information Systems and Shop Practices

  • Students will explore Transportation Information Systems and mobile networks, specialized internal communications network (BUS), diagnostic tools, service information lookup and application, use of basic tools and safety procedures relating to advanced transportation and the advanced transportation repair technician. Topics include careers, employability skills, workplace practices, safety, personal protection, BUS and Data systems for the entry level transportation maintenance technician.

ATL 161 - Mobile Electrical Systems 1

  • Students will explore automotive electrical and electronic fundamentals including Ohm's Law, basic electrical circuits, components, battery, starting, charging, basic wiring systems, electrical components, the use of basic wiring diagrams for trouble shooting systems, repair of wiring circuits and correct use of diagnostic equipment.

Mach 51.1A - Beginning Machine Tool Technology

  • Students will learn the theory and practices of machining and advanced manufacturing processes, including the history and role of machining in today's society. Students will use and maintain the lathe, mill, drill press, and common hand tools. Students will learn precision measurement and layout of metal for producing a machined part to print specifications and determining speed and feed calculations, drill-press operations, lathe operations (turning and threading), and mill setup and operation.

Weld 170 - Beginning Welding: Fundamentals of Arc and Gas Welding

  • The student will learn the fundamentals of arc and oxy-acetylene welding, and oxy-acetylene flame cutting. Topics will include safety, shop practices, and preparation for American Welding Society (AWS) welding certifications.

ATL First Semester Course Sequence Guide

Second Tier Courses

All of the following courses require ATL 101/161 to start the course.  The course content is based of have the prerequisites and safety training completed.

ATL 105 - Service Writing and Shop Management (Does not require 161)

  • Students will study automotive service advising, ethics, and shop management. Topics include communications, customer service, legal documents (California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR)), business interactions, billing, parts and labor guides, shop management applications, shop operations, sales, vehicle identification, and systems operations.

ATL 110 - Internal Combustion Engine Theory and Repair

  • Students will learn internal combustion, fuel-agnostic engine fundamentals including configurations and designs, operation, diagnostic tests, disassembly, inspection, assembly, timing chains and belts, valve adjustments, cooling systems, introduction to engine machining, proper use of shop related tools and equipment, and safety practices. Fuel-agnostic refers specifically to low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels: hydrogen, natural gas, propane, clean diesel, etc.

ATL 120 - Automotive Automatic Transmission and Transaxle Systems

  • Students will explore theory and operation, diagnosis, service, and repair of automotive automatic transmissions and transaxles.

ATL 130 - Automotive Manual Transmissions and Drive Train Systems

  • Students will learn theory and operation, diagnosis, service, and repair of automotive manual transmissions and drive trains.

ATL 140 - Automotive Suspension and Steering Systems

  • Students will learn automotive suspension and steering fundamentals including diagnosis, inspection, repair, and adjustment of automotive steering, suspension, supplemental restraint, tire pressure monitoring, and alignment systems, and theory of operation.

ATL 150 - Automotive Braking Systems

  • Students will learn automotive braking systems including diagnosis, inspection, repair, and adjustment of modern automotive brakes and anti-lock braking systems, traction control, and dynamic stability control systems, theory of operation, the study of basic laws of hydraulics, and brake service equipment.

ATL 162 - Mobile Electrical Systems 2

  • Students will learn mobile equipment body electronics, vehicle lighting, instrumentation, Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) audio, navigation, communication systems, supplemental restraint systems, starter interlock systems, vehicle security systems, and computer-controlled charging systems.

ATL 170 - Mobile Heating and Air Conditioning Systems

  • Students will study the theory, service, and repair of many types of mobile heating and air conditioning systems. This course includes environmental and safety concerns using R-12, R-134a, and R-1234yf refrigerants. Engine heating and cooling, manual and automatic system controls will also be introduced.

ATL 230 - Medium Heavy Truck Drivetrain

  • Students will learn the theory, operation, diagnosis, service and overhaul of clutches, manual transmissions, and rear axle assemblies.

ATL 240 - Medium Heavy Truck Brakes and Suspension

  • Students will learn about heavy-duty chassis and undercarriage systems including steering, braking, and suspension systems utilized on trucks, agricultural equipment, and construction equipment.

ATL 290 - Mobile Hydraulic Systems

  • Students will study the theory, application, and component parts of hydraulic systems. This course emphasizes fundamentals in inspection, troubleshooting, and repair of hydraulic components commonly used in agricultural and construction equipment.

Third Tier Courses

These three courses require knowledge and skills from the second tier, and build on those concepts, in either Gasoline, Diesel or Electric vehicles.  

ATL 111 - Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Powertrain Systems

  • Students will explore the use of hybrid and electric battery power for vehicle transportation. Topics include safety when using high voltage, maintenance, drivability, inverter, DC/DC power transfer, and battery technology. Physics of battery storage, hybrid generation systems, electric vehicle applications and their integrated systems will be discussed. Hybrid and high-voltage service and maintenance procedures will be covered.
  • Prerequisites: Course Completion of ATL 162

ATL 180 - Internal Combustion Engine Performance

  • Students will explore the operation, troubleshooting and repair of the ignition, fuel, and emission control systems of late model automobiles through lecture, demonstration, and practical lab. This course emphasizes safety and the proper use of tools and diagnostic equipment.
  • Prerequisites: Course Completion of ATL 110 and ATL 162

ATL 220 - Diesel Fuel Systems

  • An in-depth study of heavy-duty diesel engine fuel and electronic control systems. Students will perform service, maintenance, and diagnosis of diesel engine fuel systems. Topics include Common Rail Fuel Injection, Heavy Duty Onboard Diagnostic (HD-OBD) emissions systems, and electronic signal processing and sensor technology.
  • Prerequisites: Course Completion of ATL 110 and ATL 162

Final Tier Courses

The final tier courses combine the knowledge and skills from the previous tiers and are capstone courses for either Electric vehicles or Medium Heavy Trucks. 

ATL 163 - Mobile Electrical Systems 3

  • This course introduces students to hybrid and electric vehicle diagnosis and repair processes, and Advanced Drivers Assistance Systems (ADAS). These technologies are also the foundation for autonomous vehicles.
  • Prerequisites: Course Completion of ATL 111 and ATL 140

TL 280 - Medium Heavy Truck Preventive Maintenance Inspection

  • Students will study preventive maintenance and inspection practices as related to diesel powered medium heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. 
  • This is a practical course that applies the knowledge gained from courses ATL 220, 230, 240 and 290.
  • For the ATL Medium Heavy Trucks (MHT) certificate programs, WEOC 99 can be substituted for this course.

Stand Alone Courses

The following courses do not have prerequisites:

ATL 100 - Introduction to Transportation Technology

  • Students will explore the theory of operation, routine maintenance, technical vocabulary, components, systems, and basic safety procedures relating to Advanced Transportation and the Advanced Transportation repair technician.
  • Topics include careers, employability skills, workplace practices, safety, personal protection, the basic maintenance and repair of transportation equipment and its systems for the entry-level transportation maintenance technician.
  • Students will be introduced to internal combustion engines: gasoline, diesel, and hydrogen; electric power and alternative fuels; automotive technology; medium and heavy duty trucks; public transportation; agricultural and construction equipment.

ATL 188 - Clean Air Car Course: BAR Levels 1 & 2

  • This course is designed for automotive professionals who wish to obtain or renew a State of California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) smog license.
  • This is a BAR approved training class, which includes both Level 1 and Level 2 training.
  • This course fulfills the training portion of BAR qualifications to take the Smog Technician licensing examination.
  • A minimum of nine units completed in Auto Electric and Engine Performance education, OR one year of verifiable trade experience in auto electrical, engine performance and emission control diagnosis and repair, is strongly recommended in order to be successful in this course.

ATL 189 - BAR Repair Technician Update Training

  • Students will complete the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) smog check Repair Technician update training.
  • The course includes current training materials as recommended by BAR as well as the required examination.
  • A passing exam score qualifies student to renew a valid smog technician license, or apply to take the California BAR.