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Process Technology Program

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Overview

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Median Salary

$90,358

Annual Job Openings

384

Currently Employed

2,981

Occupational Description

Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.

 

Salary by Experience

Entry Level - $46,526

Mid Level - $90,358

Senior Level - $112,941

 

Employment Projection

 

General Skills

  • Science
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
 

Job Tasks

    Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.

    Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.

 

Wage and projection data is sourced using: Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) data from the Bureau of Labor (BLS) for state level wage data Employment Projection Tables (EP) from Bureau of Labor (BLS) for the projections data Data may vary based on experience, education and geographical area.

Program Pathway

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Process Technology, Level 2 Certificate

Process Technology, Level 2 Certificate Total48
First Semester15
PTAC 1302Introduction To Process Technology3
PTAC 1410Process Technology I-Equipment4
PTAC 1432Process Instrumentation I4
ELECTIVE Elective - Chemistry

Course options listed in the catalog.

4
Second Semester13
PTAC 2420Process Technology II - Systems4
SCIT 1318Applied Physics3
PTAC 2314Principles of Quality3
PTAC 1308Safety, Health,and Environment I3
Third Semester16
PTAC 2438Process Technology III - Operations4
PTAC 2446Process Troubleshooting4
ENER 1240Employee Success in Energy Industry2
PTRT 2343Refining Methods3
HYDR 1345Hydraulics and Pneumatics3
Fourth Semester4
PROGRAM CAPSTONE Program Capstone

Course options listed in the catalog.

4

Certificate received upon completion!
Credits can be invested into next level.

Process Technology, AAS

Program Admission Prerequisites
Prerequisite: Completion of Process Technology, Level 2 Certificate (48 Credit Hours)
Process Technology, AAS Total12
Fourth Semester12
ENGL 1301Composition & Rhetoric I3
MATH 1314College Algebra3
CORE Core - Language, Philosophy, & Culture [40]

Course options listed in the catalog.

Core - Creative Arts [50] (as of Fall 2024)

Course options listed in the catalog.

3
CORE Core - American History [60] (as of Fall 2021)

Course options listed in the catalog.

Core - Government [70]

Course options listed in the catalog.

Core - Social/Behavioral Sciences [80] (as of Fall 2022)

Course options listed in the catalog.

3

Diploma received upon completion!

As of: Fall 2024

60Total Credit Hours

 
Footnotes
  • The Student Success Course Requirement is satisfied through successful completion of PTAC 1302 - Introduction to Process Technology.

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Program Details

 
  • The Process Technology Associate of Applied Science degree program prepares graduates for entry-level careers as Process Technicians/Operators. Courses within the program include Introduction to Process Technology, Process Equipment, Process Instrumentation, Safety, Health & Environment, Process Systems, Quality, Process Operations, and Process Troubleshooting.

Program Highlights

  • Through the use of state-of-the-art simulation equipment, as well as hands-on applied technology training and general academic coursework, the student will develop the skills required to be a successful process technician/operator. All Process Technology courses are taught at the Process Technology Center located at 14001 Lockwood Rd, Houston, TX 77044. Gainful employment can be found at www.PetroChemWorks.com.

Credentials and Careers

  • The Process Technology Level 2 Certificate leads to the Associate of Applied Science degree. The duties of a process technician vary depending upon the industry with the primary responsibility of the process technician being to operate and maintain specialized equipment to ensure the process is running efficiently and safely.
  • The Process Technology AAS graduates possess the technical skills and knowledge to perform essential processes in petrochemical plants, refineries, power generation facilities, pharmaceutical plants, cement and mortar manufacturing, and food & beverage industries.

Transferability

  • Program graduates may further their education at Lone Star College by applying to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy, Manufacturing, and Trades Management.
  • General Education courses (Core) are designated for easy transfer to Texas public institutions and applicable to requirements at private and out-of-state institutions.
  • Technical coursework may be transferable to other institutions.

Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.

  • The Student Success Course Requirement is satisfied through successful completion of PTAC 1302 - Introduction to Process Technology.
 

 

 

For careers and median salaries, visit Career Star for more information.

 

 

  • The Process Technology Associate of Applied Science degree program prepares graduates for entry-level careers as Process Technicians/Operators. Courses within the program include Introduction to Process Technology, Process Equipment, Process Instrumentation, Safety, Health & Environment, Process Systems, Quality, Process Operations, and Process Troubleshooting.

Program Highlights

  • Through the use of state-of-the-art simulation equipment, as well as hands-on applied technology training and general academic coursework, the student will develop the skills required to be a successful process technician/operator. All Process Technology courses are taught at the Process Technology Center located at 14001 Lockwood Rd, Houston, TX 77044. Gainful employment can be found at www.PetroChemWorks.com.

Credentials and Careers

  • The Process Technology Level 2 Certificate leads to the Associate of Applied Science degree. The duties of a process technician vary depending upon the industry with the primary responsibility of the process technician being to operate and maintain specialized equipment to ensure the process is running efficiently and safely.
  • The Process Technology AAS graduates possess the technical skills and knowledge to perform essential processes in petrochemical plants, refineries, power generation facilities, pharmaceutical plants, cement and mortar manufacturing, and food & beverage industries.

Transferability

  • Program graduates may further their education at Lone Star College by applying to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy, Manufacturing, and Trades Management.
  • General Education courses (Core) are designated for easy transfer to Texas public institutions and applicable to requirements at private and out-of-state institutions.
  • Technical coursework may be transferable to other institutions.

Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.

  1. Apply critical thinking to research, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information to solve problems related to process equipment, instrumentation, systems, and operations within the petrochemical, refining, power generation, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, and related manufacturing industries.
  2. Demonstrate excellent communication skills (oral and written) to ensure optimal communication with shift co-workers, first line supervisors, maintenance personnel, safety personnel, contractors, and other members of the process site team.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of process technology and apply the technical skills necessary to operate complex process equipment and systems such as distillation, boiler, refrigeration, cooling tower, reactor, and similar unit operations.
  4. Describe the typical hazards found in process plants, basic PPE, and the requirements of regulating bodies regarding safety, health, and environmental issues (OSHA, DOT, EPA, etc.)

The program is affiliated with the North American Process Technology Alliance (NAPTA).

  • The criminal background check is not required for admission to the program. Students must complete a background check, at the student's expense, at the end of the second semester of the program and is required for enrollment inn PTAC 2438 - Process Technology III - Operations. Please consult with the program director for more information about the background check requirement.
  • In addition to the tuition and textbooks for the process technology courses, there are additional fees and expenses.
  • Student must complete all PTAC courses with a "C" grade or better in order to progress in the program and will be reviewed prior to enrollment in PTAC 2438 - Process Technology III - Operations and PTAC 2486 (Industry Based Internship) or PTAC 2487 (Campus Based Internship).

Students are required to purchase:

  • Hard Hat
  • Safety Glasses
  • Work Gloves (Nylon- or Latex-coated)
  • Steel-toed or Composite-toed boots with a ¼ inch defined heel.
  • Students must complete a satisfactory drug test before approved to enroll in PTAC 2438 - Process Technology III - Operations.

Testimony

"I love this school. They have given me a new outlook on my career and I would not change anything for the world."

STACEY B.

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