Basic skills and exposure to core concepts for entry level welding jobs.
Get your foot in the door with local facilities with these basic skills.
The Basic Welding Processes certificate is awarded after successful completion of WEL-111, WEL-160, WEL-186 and WEL-192.
Program location
Skills you'll learn
- Drafting fundamentals
- Interpreting blueprints
- Shielded metal arc welding, weld hazards and weld safety
- Ability to produce and bend-test groove welds in all positions according to American Welding Society code requirements
Where this program can take you
- Welder
- Solderer
- Cutter
- Brazing Machine Setter/Operator
- Tender
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Learn advanced skills and grow your career faster. Check out our 2-year degree programs and unlock even better opportunities and higher-paying jobs.
Last-Dollar Scholarship
If you're an Iowan, you may be eligible to earn this degree tuition-free.
Contact Us
West Burlington Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 208-5155
Text: (319) 250-7144
Email: admissionswb@scciowa.edu
Keokuk Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 313-1923
Text: (319) 220-3266
Email: admissionskeo@scciowa.edu
The Welding program is designed to give students a solid foundation in the principles, practices and usage of both gas and electric welding in the industrial setting. Students get ample practice in welding skills, brazing and flame cutting. Instruction emphasizes production fabrication techniques, maintenance and repair procedures, blueprint reading, properties of metals and inspection methods, among other aspects of the welding trade.
SCC is an accredited American Welding Society (AWS) testing facility. Students will have the opportunity to obtain AWS Certifications.
There are several levels of welding certificates, a diploma and an associates of applied science degree. See the links below for details.
The Basic Welding Processes certificate is awarded after successful completion of WEL-111, WEL-160, WEL-186 and WEL-192.
The Advanced Welding Processes certificate is awarded after earning the Basic Welding Processes certificate and successful completion of WEL-130, WEL-164, WEL-172, WEL-197 and MAT-702.
The Welding diploma is awarded after successful completion of the first two semesters. (This is equivalent to the Advanced Welding Processes certificate and successful completion of ENG-110.)
The Advanced Manufacturing Welding Processes certificate is awarded after earning both Welding Processes certificates and successful completion of WEL-182, WEL-198, WEL-292, WEL-235 and WEL-720.
The Welding AAS degree is awarded after successful completion of all five semesters.
*Certificates and diploma can be earned one time.
Please view the technical standards for this course.
Summary Sheet
The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.
Curriculum Sequence
| Fall Semester I | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| WEL-111 | Welding Blueprint Reading | 3 |
| WEL-160 | Arc Welding I (SMAW) | 5 |
| WEL-186 | Gas Metal Arc Welding | 4 |
| WEL-192 | Gas Tungsten Arc Welding | 4 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 16 |
WEL-111 - Welding Blueprint Reading
|
Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 3 |
A course concerned with basic fundamentals of interpreting drafting as applied in the welding trade. Emphasis is placed on developing the ability to interpret blueprints from which the welder must work. A thorough coverage of welding symbols is integrated within the course.
WEL-160 - Arc Welding I (SMAW)
|
Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 6 |
Credit: 5 |
Provides a thorough technical understanding of shielded metal arc welding fundamentals, weld hazards and weld safety, power sources and electrode selection. Provides ample time and direction to develop skills necessary to make high quality welds on 16 gauge to ¼" mild steel in all positions.
WEL-186 - Gas Metal Arc Welding
|
Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 4 |
Credit: 4 |
Provides a technical understanding of the gas metal arc welding process, power sources and adjustment, metal transfer, shielding gases and weld safety. Develops skills necessary to produce high quality welds of 1/16"at 3/8" mild steel in all positions. Students will develop skills necessary to produce and bend-test single vee groove welds on 3/8" carbon steel in all positions according to American Welding Society code requirements.
WEL-192 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
|
Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 4 |
Credit: 4 |
Provides a thorough technical understanding of the TIG (Heliarc) process including metal characteristics, electrode, filler metals and shielding gases with emphasis on weld safety and procedures.
Mike Kaczinski - Assistant Professor - Welding
Email: mkaczinski@scciowa.edu
AWS Certification of Welding Educators (CWE)
AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors (CWI)
William White - Assistant Professor - Welding
Email: bwhite@scciowa.edu
AWS Certification of Associate Welding Inspectors (CAWI)