Course Descriptions

HVA 101 - Basic Refrigeration Theory

3 Credits

Covers the physical principles of refrigeration and the refrigeration cycle. Students will be introduced to the components of the refrigeration system including compressors, condensers, expansion devices, evaporators, coolers, freezers, and refrigerants.

MCC General Education: MCC-TL - Technological Literacy (MTL)

HVA 102 - Air Conditioning Theory

3 Credits

Covers the physical principles of air conditioning, psychometrics and air movement. Components found in today's air conditioning systems will be examined. Students will learn how to charge and evacuate systems. Other topics included are: pressure, regulating and bypass controls, diffusers, piping procedures, traps and high velocity systems.

Prerequisite: HVA 101 (may be taken concurrently or previously completed)

HVA 103 - Heating Systems

3 Credits

Servicing modern heating systems, whether they are gas, electric or oil, requires a thorough understanding of basic heating concepts. This course provides the student with the technical knowledge as well as the laboratory skills to begin their career in heating service.

HVA 104 - Commercial Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps

3 Credits

Deals with the basic principles of air conditioning as they are applied to large commercial systems. The principles of heat pumps will be included. Topics covered include: gas and electric heating/cooling of top units, economizers and large air distribution systems.

Prerequisite(s): HVA 101 and HVA 102; both may be taken concurrently or previously completed.

HVA 105 - Electric and Motor Controls

3 Credits

Covers basic principles of electricity and electric motor theory as it is found in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning industry. Topics covered are: series and parallel circuits, Ohm's law, amperage, voltage, watts, transformers, relays, contactors, wire sizing, distribution, and capacitors.

HVA 106 - HVAC Workplace Training

3 Credits

This course is designed to prepare the HVAC technician for the legal and safety issues related to the industry. Employee, employer, and customer relations will be explored. The student will learn to self-evaluate their personal and technical skills and prepare a professional plan for growth.

MCC General Education: MCC-VE - Values and Ethics (MVE)

HVA 201 - Electronic Controls and Troubleshooting

3 Credits

A review of AC and DC theory and wiring diagrams. Use of multimeters, watt/hour meters, amprobes, oscilloscopes and power sources. Students will devote considerable time to learning how to troubleshoot electrical problems through the use of load simulators such as the Ranco system and printed circuit boards.

Prerequisite(s): HVA 105

HVA 202 - Boiler Systems

3 Credits

Covers the principles and theory of hot water and steam boilers. Topics covered are: design, controls, pumps and valves of boilers, New York State boiler codes, and the servicing of hot water and steam boiler systems.

Prerequisites: HVA 103

HVA 203 - Commercial Load Calculation

3 Credits

Covers all the elements related to calculating loads in commercial applications. Topics covered will include: reading building blueprints, evaluating building conditions, heating and cooling load calculation, equipment selection, duct distribution systems, and use of fire dampers, access doors, detectors, diffusers, control systems.

Prerequisite(s): HVA 101, HVA 102 and MTH 135 or higher.

HVA 204 - Energy Management

3 Credits

Covers the design and service of the appropriate energy management system for a given facility. Topics to be covered are: evaluation of mechanical systems, building structure, needs of occupant, duty cycling, microprocessor controls, preventative maintenance and cost analysis.

Prerequisite(s): HVA 105 or permission of department.

HVA 205 - New Products

3 Credits

An overview of all types of equipment currently on the market and in use in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning installations, both incidental and commercial. It is designed to keep the student up to date with information on state-of-the-art developments in the field.

HVA 206 - Advanced Heating Systems

3 Credits

An advanced level course in heating systems focusing on fossil fuel technology and venting. There will also be discussions in calculating fuel economies and greenhouse effects.

Prerequisite(s): HVA 103

HVA 207 - Computers in HVAC

3 Credits

A course demonstrating the role of the computer in the HVAC technologies. The student will receive an overview of the operation of six current computer programs in the HVAC specialties.

Prerequisites: HVA 102, HVA 103 and HVA 104.

HVA 209 - Refrigerant Technology

1 Credit

A thorough understanding of the various refrigerant types are necessary for the heating, ventilating and air conditioning service technician. This short course will explore CFC's, HFC's, HCFC's and the refrigerant retrofit procedures necessary in today's changing energy field.

Prerequisites: HVA 101, HVA 102, HVA 104 or permission of department.

HVA 210 - Mechanical Estimating

4 Credits

As many heating, ventilating and air conditioning personnel advance in their careers, the aspiration for many is to enter the area of estimating. This course will explore the fundamentals of blueprint reading, mechanical takeoff, reading mechanical specifications, equipment and labor estimating, both manually and by computer. This course is applicable to both residential and commercial contractors.

Prerequisites: HVA 101 and HVA 103 and MTH 135 or higher; or permission of department.

HVA 211 - Commercial Refrigeration

3 Credits

Commercial refrigeration service is a specialization within the heating, ventilating and air conditioning industry. This course will provide the student with the understanding of ice machines, reach-in coolers and freezers, as well as walk-in coolers and freezers. Emphasis will be placed on repair of restaurant type equipment.

Prerequisite(s): HVA 101 and HVA 102

HVA 212 - Industrial Mechanical Systems

3 Credits

In response to continued emphasis on energy conservation, the heating, ventilating and air conditioning industry has seen a resurgence in applications utilizing chillers, variable air volume and heat recovery systems. This course will provide the student with an understanding of these complex systems.

Prerequisite(s): HVA 101 and HVA 103, and HVA 105 or permission of department.

HVA 220 - Sheet Metal Fabrication

3 Credits

This course will provide students with the theory and application of sheet metal fabrication for use in the field of residential and light commercial HVAC installation. Students will gain a working knowledge of floor and hand tools used in the trade and relevant safety issues. Geometry and math associated with fabrication are an integral part of this course.

HVA 271 - Cooperative Education-Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning

4 Credits

Students in the Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning certificate and degree programs may participate in a cooperative educational experience as a program elective. Students enrolled in this co-op must be able to work and document a minimum of 200 hours per semester. Both paid and unpaid work experience is acceptable. Seminar will be done on-line with course instructor. The Department Chair and/or the instructor must approve the HVAC/R sponsor/employer. Present jobs may qualify. Students must have at least a 2.0 GPA to qualify for this opportunity.

Prerequisite(s): HVA 101 and HVA 103 and HVA 105 or permission of department.

HVA 275 - Modern Welding Techniques

3 Credits

This course is an introduction to MIG and TIG welding and plasma cutting. These skills are practical and often essential for various craftspersons. Students will work with aluminum, stainless steel, and other common metals in this course. This course is offered off-site at Mahaney Welding. In addition to tuition, part-time students must purchase student insurance. Students should also expect to purchase a pre-packaged kit of course materials including their safety equipment and book.

HVA 290 - Independent Study

Variable Credit

See the Department Chairperson.