Course Syllabus p. 1 Course # 735 Auto Mechanics (1 Year) Course Description This course will provide students an opportunity to develop the knowledge base and skills necessary for advanced study or entry into a variety of automotive related careers. Trouble shooting and diagnosis will be emphasized throughout the course. The topics studied will include the theory and repair of electronic controls, emission control systems, ignition systems, lubrication systems, cooling systems, fuel systems, drive trains and brake systems. Course Objectives By the end of this course students will understand: 1. how to work accurately and safely with mechanical devices. 2. how to diagnose problems common in today s automobiles. 3. how to demonstrate the skillful use of automotive related tools and diagnostic equipment. 4. how to properly document repairs that have been done, and facilitate communication with the client. 5. that proper preventive care is key to maintaining a well tuned and conditioned vehicle. 6. that there are many instructional maintenance services that can be accessed online. Gradebook Classes may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. Students wishing to partake of this option must fill out the necessary paperwork and have it submitted to the registrar of the building in which they are in attendance. Pass/Fail requests may be obtained from the local PPS office. Taking a class Pass/Fail does not impact a student s GPA unless the grade earned is a Fail. All passing grades provide no calculation into a student s overall GPA. During senior year students may be exempt from final exams. Exemption is earned by achieving proficiency on the state PSAE exams during the student s Junior year. In the case of an exemption, a student s overall semester grade is determined by the average of the two 9 week quarters comprising the semester. Bremen High School District 228 Grading Scale Letter Grade Percentage Grade Point
Course Syllabus p. 2 A 90-100% 4.0 B 80-89% 3.0 C 70-79% 2.0 D 60-69% 1.0 F 0-59% 0.0 I Incomplete N/A P/F Pass/Fail N/A for Pass Safety Within the confines of any Industrial/Construction environment SAFETY is the first and foremost consideration. For this reason the following expectations are made of all students: 1. Safety Glasses will be worn at ALL Times. 2. Inappropriate clothing is not permitted in work areas (this includes but is not limited to, baggy pants, hooded sweatshirts, untied shoes, open faced shoes, hats, scarves, bandannas, chained piercings, loose fitting shirts and sweaters, chains of any sort, or any other clothing that may pose a threat to student safety by becoming entangled in machinery). 3. Students who do not comply with safety mandates will be excluded from participating in shop activities (this may severely impact student performance and thus the ability to pass the class). 4. Horseplay and unnecessary physical contact will be grounds for disciplinary action. This, again, is a necessity to maintain a safe and injury free environment. 5. Students will not operate machinery for which they have not been certified. (Certification is done through passing of safety tests, and by instructor verification of student knowledge of safe operation). 6. Additional safety devices will be worn as needed based upon the equipment and material being used. Examples are: Ear Protection around loud equipment, leather aprons and gloves around welding and hot materials and safety visors around welding instruments. Additional safety material may be deemed necessary by the individual instructor at the appropriate time. 7. Failure to follow the directions of the teacher may result in disciplinary action being taken. Your Reading Material The primary texts and resources for this course are: Auto Fundamentals http://www.g-w.com/selectedbook.aspx?catid=0&bookid=88 AllData Automotive Diagnostic Service Teacher supplied instructional materials.
Course Syllabus p. 3 Course Outline Below is an outline (timeframe and major content areas) that will be covered in this course. The course is designed around two 18 week semesters. It is primarily a hands on course with supplemental classroom instruction to explain theory and instructional approaches to maintenance and repair. The following content areas are not all inclusive. Students may present additional areas for instruction by bringing their own vehicles in for repair. However, the listed items below are officially the areas of instruction that will be included and tested. First Semester: Basic Shop Operation (Ongoing Throughout School Year) 1. Shop Safety 2. Hand Tools 3. Electric Power Tools 4. Teamwork 5. Problem solving Engine Fundamentals (3 weeks +/-) The fundamentals of Internal Combustion engines will be presented. The major components, their function and relationship to other automotive systems will be discussed. Additionally, different engine configurations and types will be presented. Cooling Systems (3 weeks +/-) The importance of the automotive cooling system, its main parts and the necessary components for optimal vehicle performance will be presented. Types of coolant and additives will round out the information presented. Lubrication (3 weeks +/-) The importance of lubrication, necessary areas for lubrication, types and uses of lubricants as well as application intervals will be presented. Additionally, optimal pressurization and ramifications of improper lubrication will be discussed. Suspensions (3 weeks +/-) The function of the suspension system as well as the dangers of an improperly maintained suspension will be presented. Discussion will include, but is not limited to: Shocks, struts, tie rods, motor mounts, idler arms, pinions springs and beams. Tires (3 weeks +/-) The proper maintenance and repairs of tires will be presented. Students will be expected to understand and interpret markings on tires as well as explain the uses for different tire types. Additionally, the repair procedures for plugging and patching a tire will be taught to students. Lastly, students will be expected to mount and dismount tires in a safe and efficient manner using the mounting and balancing machines.
Course Syllabus p. 4 Performance Assessment(s) (Ongoing throughout Semester) CRT Review & Preparation (1 Week +/-) (18 Weeks Semester 2) Tires (3 weeks +/- Ongoing) The proper maintenance and repairs of tires will be presented. Students will be expected to understand and interpret markings on tires as well as explain the uses for different tire types. Additionally, the repair procedures for plugging and patching a tire will be taught to students. Lastly, students will be expected to mount and dismount tires in a safe and efficient manner using the mounting and balancing machines. Electrical/Charging Systems (4 weeks +/-) The understanding of the automobiles electrical and charging systems will be presented, as will techniques for isolating electrical malfunctions within the system. The use of proper diagnostics tools will be demonstrated, as will safety procedures for working with the electrical components. Diagnostics (4 weeks +/- & Ongoing) Students will use computer diagnostic tools as well as online subscription services to pinpoint and troubleshoot problems that are diagnosed by onboard electronics. Students will be expected to be able to interpret codes that are read, and suggest acceptable avenues of repair and replacement to correct diagnosed errors. Braking Systems (4 weeks +/-) The parts and function of the braking system will be demonstrated to the students. Additionally the types of braking systems, as well as proper disassembly and assembly will be stressed. Students will demonstrate proficiency by performing a basic brake job which includes replacement of pads, turning of rotors, and bleeding of brake lines. Performance Assessment (Ongoing Throughout the Semester) CRT Review & Preparation (1 Week +/-) BHSD 228 Policies The Different Kinds of Assignments Assignments are intended to help you master the content, so you should attempt to complete them all. Bremen HS District 228 courses employ a variety of assignments, including:
Course Syllabus p. 5 Online Readings-- Online reading assignments are included in some courses. They may provide an introduction to a unit, provide information, or be articles or papers that have been authored by experts in the field. Readings from Books Text-books are supplied in class, and generally are not checked out for student use at home. In the case of prolonged absences and needed home study arrangements will be made between student-teacher and possibly counselor. Web Quests-- Web Quests teach you in-depth content area knowledge as well as how to use the Internet as a resource tool. You may be given links to websites that either enhance the content of readings or show you where information and resources can be found. Some provide online stories or articles. Most also have Discussion Questions relating to the content of the Internet resource. Exercises-- Exercises may consist of answering questions in a text chapter, writing a paper, or completing some other assignment. Exercises are usually performed offline. You should evaluate your results by comparing them to the results or criteria posted by the Instructor at the end of the unit. Projects-- Projects are assignments that require you to submit coursework to the instructor (generally electronically). Projects are graded assignments. Reviews-- Any Reviews in this course are used to help check your understanding of the content. Review results may be included in your final course grade. Discussion Questions-- Discussion Questions are answered in the class discussion areas and form the core of class communication. Discussion Questions may ask you to apply course concepts to your own circumstances, provide your opinion about course content, or share your experiences completing course Exercises. Participation in discussions is required. Reflective Activities-- Reflective activities such as writing up a case study, designing a project, or critiquing an assignment may be used as a method for you to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate course content. Collaborative Projects-- Collaborative projects can involve teams of students working together to participate in study groups, write research papers, make presentations, create case studies, and take part in simulation activities. The projects allow interactions with fellow students and build on facilitation and planning skills. Final Projects and Final Exams Exams: Per District 228 policy; final exams (CRT s) account for 20% of a student s overall grade. Absences for final exams generally will require an appointment to sit for administration of the exam. Appointments should be made through each school s PPS office. Performance Assessments: Performance assessments are generally a culminating project that are used to garner the depth of student understanding via an application of the content learned in class. The value of the performance assessment(s) in each class are at the discretion of the individual teacher. Students and Parents should refer to the individual teacher s course syllabus to obtain this value
Course Syllabus p. 6 Late Work Policy In order to move quickly and successfully, specific deadlines for all assignments are clearly stated either in the course syllabus, or on the assignment criteria sheet given by the instructor. Should a student be unable to meet a deadline, it is expected the student will make arrangements in advance with the instructor to turn work in late. A penalty may or may not be assigned, at the discretion of the faculty member. Per District 228 Policy, late work for periods of disciplinary suspension or unexcused absences will not be accepted for credit. Plagiarism Policy Bremen HS District 228 considers academic honesty to be one of its highest values. Students are expected to be the sole authors of their work. Use of another person's work or ideas must be accompanied by specific citations and references. Though not a comprehensive or exhaustive list, the following are some examples of dishonesty or unethical and unprofessional behavior: Plagiarism: Using another person's words, ideas, or results without giving proper credit to that person; giving the impression that it is the student's own work. Any form of cheating on examinations. Altering academic or clinical records. Falsifying information for any assignments. Submitting an assignment(s) that was partially or wholly completed by another student. Copying work or written text from a student, the Internet, or any document without giving due credit to the source of the information. Submitting an assignment(s) for more than one class without enhancing and refining the assignment, and without first receiving instructor permission. In cases where previous assignments are allowed to be submitted for another class, it is the responsibility of the student to enhance the assignment with additional research and to also submit the original assignment for comparison purposes. Assisting another student with reasonable knowledge that the other student intends to commit any act of academic dishonesty. This offense would include, but would not be limited to providing an assignment to another student to submit as his/her own work or allowing another student to copy answers to any test, examination or assignment. In essence, plagiarism is the theft of someone else's ideas and work. Whether a student copies verbatim or simply rephrases the ideas of another without properly acknowledging the source, it is still plagiarism. In the preparation of work submitted to meet course requirements, whether a draft or a final version of a paper or project, students must take great care to distinguish their own ideas and language from information derived from
Course Syllabus p. 7 other sources. Sources include published primary and secondary materials, electronic media, and information and opinions gathered directly from other people. A discussion thread, computer program, marketing plan, PowerPoint presentation, and other similar work produced to satisfy a course requirement are, like a paper, expected to be the original work of the student submitting it. Copying documentation from another student or from any other source without proper citation is a form of academic dishonesty, as is producing work substantially from the work of another. Students must assume that collaboration in the completion of written assignments is prohibited unless explicitly permitted by the instructor. Students must acknowledge any collaboration and its extent in all submitted coursework. Students are subject to disciplinary action if they submit as their own work a paper purchased from a term paper company or downloaded from the Internet. Procedures for Processing Plagiarism Offenses As is outlined in the student handbook academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating etc.) are subject to disciplinary measures. Parents and students should familiarize themselves with the consequences of these regrettable actions. Tutoring & Academic Assistance Tutoring is available to all students via a variety of methods: Connection Period: District 228 makes use of a Connection Period that is built into each schools weekly schedule. Every Wednesday (with the exception of School Improvement Days), a shortened daily schedule is employed so that students may utilize the last 35 minutes of the school day to seek help in whatever content are they deem necessary. No appointment is necessary to meet with a teacher. Students simply show up to the room of the teacher they need to see. Help, and use of the computer labs is fully available to every student. Peer Tutoring: Each school in Bremen HS District 228 has a cadre of peer tutors that are available for the benefit of every student. To enlist the help of a peer tutor, students simply request help for the subject area, and time of day (period) they need assistance. Peer tutoring requests can be made in each building s PPS offices.