Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) Program Course Sequence Guide

For new students to SRJC, please visit the following departments:

Certificate or Degree options

HVACR Fundamentals Certificate - Summer 2025 - 18 Units

HVACR Fundamentals (AS) - Fall 2024 - 18 Units plus General Education requirements

HVACR Fundamentals overview

This program is starting in Fall of 2025 and will have the four HVACR courses offered online. The first semester will only offer HVACR 101.  Spring 2026 will offer both HVACR 101 and 102 courses.  Fall 2026 will offer all four HVACR courses, and following semesters.

Long term plan is to have in-person courses HVACR 105-108(?) offered by Spring 2027 or Fall 2027 on the Petaluma Campus and those courses will be a part of a HVACR Technician Certificate (in process of approvals). 

First Semester Guide for all HVACR students:

HVACR 101 Introduction to HVACR - 3 Units (Online)

  • This course introduces students to the residential Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) industry. Topics such as HVACR mechanical and electrical systems, equipment, diagnostic tools, HVACR formulas and math, jobsite safety, and basic thermodynamics will be covered. Students will also learn about career opportunities, codes and regulations, and industry certification requirements for HVACR technicians.
Electives - See Below

Second semester:

HVACR 102 Residential HVACR System Components 3.00 (Online) (perquisite of HVACR 101)

  • In this course, students will study the electrical and mechanical components of residential heating and air-conditioning systems, including system controls, motors, compressors, refrigerants, and sensors. This course prepares students for the Environmental Protection Agency's EPA 608 examination for safe refrigerant handling.
  • Students with previous experience in the HVACR industry may be prepared for the more advanced HVACR courses. Contact the Instructor or Department Chair for more information.
Electives - See Below

Third Semester:

HVACR 103 Residential Heating, Airflow and Ventilation 3.00 (Online) (perquisite of HVACR 101 and HVACR 102)

  • In this course, students will learn about common residential heating systems, including heat pumps, furnaces, and boilers. Students also learn about airflow, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) system load calculations and combustion analysis.
  • Students with previous experience in the HVACR industry may be prepared to enroll directly in HVACR 103. Contact the instructor or Department Chair for more information.

HVACR 104 Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems 3.00 (Online) (perquisite of HVACR 101 and HVACR 102) 

  • In this course, students will learn about installation, commissioning, maintenance of residential air-conditioning systems, and maintenance and repair of foodservice refrigeration. Students will also be introduced to commercial air-conditioning equipment as a means of reinforcing topics related to refrigeration and to preview more advanced careers in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) industry.
  • Students with previous experience in the HVACR industry may be prepared to enroll directly in HVACR 104. Contact the instructor or Department Chair for more information.
Electives if not already completed from below list

Electives List

Complete any combination totaling at least 6.00 units from the following:


WEE 99I    Internship Work Experience Education    0.50-8.00 (Online)


Construction Emphasis

CONS 101    Introduction to the Construction Industry    3.00 (Santa Rosa Campus)
CONS 102    Construction Practice and Technologies    3.00 (Santa Rosa Campus)
ELEC 51A    Fundamentals of Electricity    3.00 (Santa Rosa Campus)
MACH 162    Blueprint Reading for Machine and Related Industries    3.00 (Online)
WELD 170    Beginning Welding: Fundamentals of Arc and Gas Welding    2.00 (Santa Rosa Campus)

Business and Entrepreneurship Emphasis

BMK 50    Marketing    3.00 (Online)
BMG 52    Business Communication    3.00 (Online)
BMG 66.4    Project Management    1.50 (Online)
BGN 81    Practical Business Math Skills    3.00 (Online)
ESHIP 115    Financial Basics and Cash Flow    1.50 (Online)

Computer Emphasis

CS 5    Computer Literacy    3.00 (Online, Petaluma Campus)
CS 61.11A    Microsoft Excel, Part 1    1.50 (Online)
CS 61.11B    Microsoft Excel, Part 2    1.50 (Online, Course Completion of CS 61.1A)