Process Technology
Your education
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in process technology is a two-year program designed to prepare you for employment as an operations technician in the process industry, which includes oil and gas production, mining and milling, transportation and refining, chemical manufacturing, power generation, utilities, wastewater treatment facilities maintenance, and food processing.
Program coursework combines the technical courses needed to become well versed in the process industry with the academic courses needed to prepare for a successful career. Courses cover topics from pumps and turbines, to instrumentation, safety and quality control. Summer internships give students valuable practical experience and exposure to the true nature of process technology careers.
The instrumentation technology certificate is a one-year program designed to develop entry-level skills in industrial instrumentation, maintenance and calibration.
Courses combine the technical know-how, the use of state-of-the-art equipment, and hands-on experience necessary for work in a variety of industrial instrumentation fields to include all automated industries such as upstream and downstream oil and gas, mineral technology, power generation, water and wastewater treatment and HVAC.
The mining mill operations occupational endorsement (OE) prepares you for a career operating mill equipment and systems used in the large-scale mining industry. The mill is where the mined ore is crushed and sent through various systems to extract minerals and metals.
This program was developed with advice from the Alaskan mining industry. The program is offered as a hybrid online program: Ten weeks of online work and a one-week in-person session in Fairbanks. Participation in the in-person week is required.
Your career
Process industries include oil and gas production, chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, mining and milling, power generation and utilities, waste and wastewater treatment, and seafood and other food processing. As these industries expand and automate, the need for technicians with additional specialization increase.
Process technology graduates will develop the knowledge and skills required to monitor, control and troubleshoot the process technologies used in these industries. They will be prepared to handle job responsibilities that include monitoring and controlling process systems, maintaining safe work areas and regulatory compliance, troubleshooting operations and testing product for quality. They possess knowledge in monitoring instrumentation and controls and supervising computer or analog automatic control equipment. Technicians may work both indoors and outdoors with process equipment, piping, and material transfers.
Instrumentation technology graduates will develop specialized knowledge sought-after by industry partners to fill instrumentation technician positions worldwide. They will also qualify to take an entry-level Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society (ISA) certification examination, which is a nationally recognized certification by industry partners.
Mining mill operations O.E. graduates will receive an MSHA Surface New Miner Certification certificate and will be prepared for mill operator positions in the mining industry. Currently, qualified mill operators are in high demand. The mill operator occupation is projected to grow substantially between 2014 and 2022. Alaska employers have committed to reviewing graduates to fill their open mill operator positions.
Program delivery
Delivery:
Scheduling:
When to Start:
Location:
The program is located in the Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center, 3600 Cartwright Court, off of Van Horn Road in Fairbanks.
Students will work in a fully-equipped specialized space containing a working well head, pumps and an instrumentation control room that models current industry standards.
Program highlights
Process technology students train and practice on equipment and models that are current with industry standards. The instructors bring with them years of experience from various fields within the processing industry. Class sizes are small to ensure students receive valuable one-on-one interaction with the instructors as well as ample time to work on the equipment.
The process technology program is endorsed by the . The program is also an active member of the .
Other details
To be prepared for the process technology program, students must have minimum placement in Writing 111X and Math 105. The program is designed to begin each fall semester. Students can begin early in the summer with core class requirements—see a process technology advisor about this option.
Contact Us
Have questions? Would you like more information? Let us help connect you to an expert who can answer your questions and/or help you with pre-admission, academic assessment, financial aid or choosing a major.
Get connected to an expert