Overview

Overview

CEI provides the first year of a two-year program at the Idaho Falls CEI campus. After completion of the first year, students will then be qualified to enter the second-year program at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho (or a planned second year in Idaho Falls). Students will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in many facets of the instrumentation, control, and manufacturing field. Students will be prepared to enter into the energy controls and manufacturing workplace.

Why choose the energy technician career path?

By choosing Energy Systems Technology, you will take the first step towards an exciting career in the energy industry with hands-on work and earnings ranging from $45,000 to $70,000 or more per year right out of school.

Demand for trained energy systems maintenance technicians with mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and control skills is increasing dramatically as existing employees retire. This growing need for technicians has been well documented in workforce studies conducted by the U. S. Department of Labor, American Public Power Association, Nuclear Energy Institute, and others.

What will I learn in the program?

  • Basic electronics. DC and AC, solid state and digital.
  • Motor control
  • Process control
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
  • Variable frequency drives (VFD)
  • Use of hand tools and power equipment
  • Introduction to robotics
  • Set up, operate, and maintain the electrical and mechanical systems of industrial equipment and other machinery
  • Use test equipment to configure, troubleshoot, and replace electrical, electronic, and instrumentation-related circuits
  • Safe work practices following NEC, OHSA, NFPA, Lock-Out/Tag-Out, and other required guidelines
  • Teamwork

Where are graduates working?

There are many varied careers in the energy sector. Some include

  • Government research facilities
  • Oil and gas companies
  • Power companies
  • Chemical companies
  • Mining companies
  • Food processing companies
  • Manufacturing companies
  • Aerospace

How Long will it take to graduate?

  • Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC):
    38 Credits | 2 full-time semesters (12 months) in the professional program

Why choose the Energy Systems Technology Program at CEI?

  • Affordable
  • Prepares for transfer to ISU's ESTEC program
  • Practice in live hands-on labs
  • Low student-to-teacher ratio
  • Courses and resources developed by Idaho National Laboratory and ISU
  • Close to home
  • 98.46% - Average placement for graduates over the past five years

This program might be right for you if you

  • Are hands-on
  • Enjoy troubleshooting
  • Have a desire to learn
  • Are interested in electronic equipment
  • Are self-motivated
  • Are looking for a challenge
  • Are wanting opportunities to lead

According to the LaborInsight website, the expected demand for Electrical and Electronics Technicians is expected to rise by 18% in Eastern Idaho in the next ten years.

Requirements

Application

Students wanting to apply for a degree seeking program at the College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) must submit all of the following application materials for review:

  • Application for admission
  • Official High School/GED transcript
  • Official transcripts from ALL colleges attended
  • Minimum math placement score:
    ALEKS 30+; ACT 20+; or SAT 510+

Once all the application materials are received, admissions will evaluate the student’s application to ensure it is correct and complete.

Program Requirements

Complete Classes in Sequence: classes in the ESTEC program are progressive and designed to be completed in a specific sequence and order. Students must complete all semester 1 classes before taking semester 2 classes, etc.

Pass Classes: Once accepted into a program, students must pass their program-specific courses with a minimum grade of C (75%) or higher AND in the sequence outlined, BEFORE continuing to the next. After students finish the program at CEI with sufficient courses and grades they can then transfer to ISU.

Course Curriculum

Energy Systems Technology (ITC)

35-36 Credits | Financial Aid Eligible | Includes General Education Courses

Semester 1

Course PrefixCourse TitleCredits
COMM 101Fundamentals of Oral Communication3
ESE 100Engineering Technology Orientation1
ESE 100LEngineering Technology Lab1
ELT 140Applied Technical Intermediate
Algebra
5
ELT 143Electronic Theory4
ELT 145Electronics Lab4

Semester 2

Course PrefixCourse TitleCredits
BOT 150Employment Strategies1
ELT 154Electronic Control Devices Theory5
ELT 156Electronic Control Devices Lab5
Phys 101Introduction to Physics/Lab*3/1
Choose One of the following (see note):
MATH 143 College Algebra*3
MATH 153Statistical Reasoning*3
ESE 110 & 110LIntroduction to Process Control & Lab1/1

Notes:

  • * - Bold courses indicate they are general education courses and may be taken during any semester.
  • Students wanting to transfer to the ESTEC Instrumentation program at ISU or continue on to AAS at CEI should take ESE 110/L.
  • Students wanting to transfer into the Electrical Engineering program at ISU should take Math 143 or 153.