Welding Technology Program Policies & Procedures

Welding is the most economical and efficient way of joining metals.

The shortage of welders in the next 10-20 years has been a constant  discussion in industry, so if a person would like a skill that will give them security, take you anywhere, and the ability to fabricate, then welding is for you.

Non-Discrimination Statement

To view the full Non-Discrimination Statement, please visit the College Catalog & Student Handbook or the college website.

Disability Services/Accommodations

Individuals with disabilities who require accommodations for special services should contact the IHCC Disability Services office for assistance. Services are available to students who need classroom accommodations, interpreters and/or specialized equipment.

Students who are requesting accommodations must document their disability by providing a written statement signed by a school counselor, physician, psychologist or other health care professional. Statements must include: (a) a description of the disability, (b) a statement of how the disability prohibits one or more major life activities and is a barrier to the student’s full participation in the program, and (c) a description of the specific accommodations to be provided. (Requested accommodations must be related to the individual’s specific disability.)

All requests for accommodations should be made prior to enrollment.

Students should make their requests for accommodations to the Disability Services office at the time they are applying for admission and, preferably, no later than six weeks prior to the beginning of each academic term. All student requests are dealt with in a confidential manner. Students should contact Disability Services by calling (641) 683-5749 (Ottumwa) or (641) 856-2143, ext. 2214 (Centerville) or by email at [email protected].

Accreditation

Indian Hills Community College is a public post-secondary institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the Higher Learning Commission, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, and (800)621-7440.

Indian Hills Community College is also accredited by the State of Iowa, Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319-0146, (515)281-8260.

IHCC welding program is an American Welding Society Accredited Testing Facility.  We acquired the ATF accreditation in 2014. 

Program Learning Outcomes

The following list of program learning outcomes describes the knowledge and skills the student should be able to demonstrate upon completion of the program.

• Apply the practices of industrial safety including OSHA, RIA, SDS, and PPE.
• Understand Lean Manufacturing.
• Use fixtures properly.
• Determine proper weld size.
• Understand common weld defects.
• Read and understand blueprints.
• Operate GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, FCAW in all positions.
• Perform basic maintenance and set-up of welding machine.
• Understand the responsibilities of inspection and quality control.
• Understand codes and specifications.
• Use common weld terminology and designs.
• Demonstrate basic metallurgy knowledge.
• Identify common/non-destructive testing methods.
• Perform non-destructive testing.
• Identify common destructive testing methods.
• Perform destructive testing.
• Identify weld procedures and welder qualifications.
• Interpret pendant menus and displays for welding.

Required Tools

• Welding helmet
• Safety glasses
• Leather boots
• Welding gloves
• 4” Grinder
• Chipping hammer
• Wire brush
• Vice grips
• 6” C clamp
• Sleeves or cape

Staff

For a full listing of Faculty members please visit the faculty directory in the College Catalog & Student Handbook or search the Online Faculty/Staff Directory.

Advisory Members

Mission Statement

Welding Technology is a program that prepares students to weld in a variety of industrial settings, giving them the best opportunity for employment.

Do’s and Dont’s

Before You go to Lab

Students must:

• Watch the safety video
• Sign safety rules sheet
• Understand proper operation of shear
• Understand proper operation of band saw
• Understand proper operation of bench grinder
• Understand proper operation of hand grinder
• Read and understand syllabus for each class
• Read and understand project timelines and book work completion dates

Lab Rules

Students must wear:

• Safety glasses
• Leather boots
• Long sleeves (leather or canvas)
• Pants (no holes or strings)

Students cannot:

• Wear headphones or ear buds
• Horse play
• Swear
• Use cell phones
• Use tobacco of any kind

At the end of lab students must:

• Grind tables of spatter
• Wrap up leads
• Turn off welding machine
• Sweep booth

Certification Rules

• Weld test must be witnessed by an instructor.
• Students can only grind twice throughout the weld test.
• Students can use a wire wheel as much as needed.
• A cover pass can only be redone once.
• A cover pass must be visually inspected by instructor before grinding.
• Student test must be ground and bent within 48hrs of the attempt.
• Student needs to provide information for AWS application.
• Weld test for SMAW and FCAW need to be completed in 3rd term.
• Weld test for GMAW and GTAW need to be completed in 4th term.
• Only 2 attempts are allowed per student, per process.
• Student must pass a 1G, 3G, and 4G test on GMAW to be eligible for an internship.
• Student must receive a 4.0 grade on 3/8” 3G and 4G projects before attempting  to test.

Student can also refer to the IHCC Student Handbook, Student Policy Manual, and Student Code of Conduct on the IHCC website for additional rules and policies.

If student has questions or concerns about any of these rules, contact John Hopwood at 641-683-4268 or [email protected] or Rick Guffey at 641-683-4272 or [email protected].  

Schedule

Check your registration receipt for your section schedule.  Start times may change may occasionally change due to faculty meetings and other requirements, check your IHCC e-mail and updates on Facebook.

Cancellations

Indian Hills Alert is the emergency notification system of Indian Hills Community College. Indian Hills Alert allows the college to communicate timely emergency information quickly to students, faculty, staff and interested members of the community.  To sign up to receive alerts, go to http://www.indianhills.edu/about/alert.php and create an account to receive information via phone, email, and/or text message about college–related emergencies, college closings or delayed openings due to inclement weather, or other urgent campus communications.  Indian Hills Alert will only be used to send you messages related to college emergencies or safety issues, never to send you advertisements.

Mandatory Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance is mandatory in this program.  Attendance is recorded each day the class meets.  Student need to contact the instructor before the end of your scheduled class time if not attending. 

A student missing 16% of the scheduled classes without an excuse will be withdrawn from the class.  The student will receive the first warning after 3rd absence, second warning after 4th absence, and after the 6th day of unexcused absence, the student will be withdrawn.

Placement

Companies from southern Iowa and the Midwest hire students from the program.  We have internships with some local companies and can set up internships with any company that does production welding. Companies will come in and talk to students.  IHCC has a career fair at the main campus for students to interact with local companies.  

Grievance Policy & Procedures

To view the full Grievance Policy, please visit the College Catalog & Student Handbook.

Grading

Indian Hills uses a 4-point system for determining grades per course. 

• A = 4.0
• B = 3.0
• C = 2.0
• D = 1.0
• F = 0.0

Schedule Changes

A student can add classes during the first 5 days of the term.  A student can drop a class during the first 8 days of the term. 

Withdrawal from a class can be done after the 8th day until 2 weeks before the term ends with no refund.

Graduation Requirements

• Student must achieve a least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average.
• Student must complete required classes.
• Student must complete an “Intent to Graduate” form.