Academic Programs

Automation Specialist I (CRT.AS1)

Introduction to theory and operation of electrical, mechanical and digital control systems. This certificate leads to mechanic-level skills for entry-level employment or apprenticeship training in the maintenance and repair of automated systems used in manufacturing and industrial settings. Coursework covers basic electrical, hydraulic, mechanical and automation knowledge and skills. This certificate is stackable with Automation Systems Specialist II and is part of the Applied Engineering Technology (AAS) curriculum. Completers also can be awarded Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) certification Level II.

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Catalog Term Year: 2026 Spring

First Year
First Semester

COREAET-040

Credit Hours: 1.50

CORETEC-043

Credit Hours: 1.00

COREAET-041

Credit Hours: 0.50

COREAPT-045

Credit Hours: 0.50

COREAET-042

Credit Hours: 1.00

CORECAD-056

Credit Hours: 2.00

COREAPT-046

Credit Hours: 1.00

COREAPT-047

Credit Hours: 1.00

COREAPT-048

Credit Hours: 0.50

First Year
Second Semester

COREPLC-051

Credit Hours: 1.00

COREAPT-052

Credit Hours: 1.00

COREEET-086

Credit Hours: 2.00

COREAPT-053

Credit Hours: 1.00

CORETEC-040

Credit Hours: 2.00

COREAPT-054

Credit Hours: 1.50

COREEET-087

Credit Hours: 2.00

COREAPT-055

Credit Hours: 1.00

COREAPT-056

Credit Hours: 1.00

FIRST YEAR
First Semester			Hours
CORE	AET-040	Electrical Systems I AET-040 Electrical Systems I How to read schematics; connect and operate electrical circuits; use a digital multimeter; use resistors, capacitors and inductors in series and parallel circuits as well as electrical safety are covered. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-201 Electrical Systems 1 credential.) Course Outline	1.5
CORE	TEC-043	Industrial Safety TEC-043 Industrial Safety Designed to give the student basic information and procedures concerning industrial safety awareness and accident prevention. Course Outline	1.0
CORE	AET-041	Pneumatic Systems I AET-041 Pneumatic Systems I Topics covered are pneumatic safety, connection and adjustment of supply lines and pneumatic circuits, air compressor starting, pneumatic schematics, adjusted flow, monitoring performance and system operations and basic servicing. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-209 Pneumatic Systems 1 credential.) Course Outline	.5
CORE	APT-045	Total Productive Maintenance APT-045 Total Productive Maintenance In this class, students will learn what Total Productive Maintenance is, how to calculate and optimize overall equipment effectiveness and types of predictive maintenance operations as well as root cause troubleshooting techniques. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-211 Industry 4.0 Total Productive Maintenance Management credential.) Course Outline	.5
CORE	AET-042	Mechanical Power Systems I AET-042 Mechanical Power Systems I Students will identify mechanical power transmission types; safely install motors, shaft keys and hubs; install and align pillow blocks, bearings, V belts chain drives and gear drive systems; perform maintenance and lubricate mechanical components. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-210 Mechanical Power Systems I credential.) Course Outline	1.0
CORE	CAD-056	CAD I CAD-056 CAD I Basic theory of CAD. Students will learn to use a computer aided drafting system to create simple to moderately complex technical drawings. (Repeatable 1 Time) Course Outline	2.0
CORE	APT-046	Motor Control Systems I APT-046 Motor Control Systems I Students will understand of industrial electrical and electronic power systems. Topics covered include electrical safety, three phase circuits, motors wiring, ladder logic, transformers and electronic motor controllers. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-202 Electric Motor Control Systems 1 credential.) Course Outline	1.0
CORE	APT-047	Electrical System Install I APT-047 Electrical System Install I Students will learn to connect and wire electrical panels safely, control devices and electric motors. Proper grounding, wire sizing and circuit protection are also covered. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-206 Electrical System Installation 1 credential.) Course Outline	1.0
CORE	APT-048	Electrical Sensors I APT-048 Electrical Sensors I Students will learn the characteristics of various electric sensors used in automation and industrial processes. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-205 Sensor Logic Systems 1 credential.) Course Outline	.5
CORE	APT-049	Ethernet Communications I APT-049 Ethernet Communications I Students will connect, test, configure, monitor and use an Ethernet network used for industrial equipment. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-212 Ethernet Communications 1 credential.) Course Outline	.5
CORE	CAD-062	Introduction to Solidworks CAD-062 Introduction to Solidworks This course is a study of three-dimensional solid modeling using the Solidworks system. The student will learn to create, view, render and plot 3D models and assemblies. (Repeatable 3 Times) Course Outline	2.0
	Semester Totals		11.5
Second Semester
CORE	PLC-051	Variable Frequency Drive Sys. PLC-051 Variable Frequency Drive Sys. Students will gain skills in Variable Speed Drive operation, parameter editing, error handling, multi-speed programming, acceleration/deceleration control as well a basic VFD wiring and safety. Course Outline	1.0
CORE	APT-052	Motor Ctrl Troubleshooting I APT-052 Motor Ctrl Troubleshooting I Students learn skills in troubleshooting motor control components, using a clamp-on ammeter and VOM and troubleshooting motor control circuits including VFDs. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-204 Motor Control Troubleshooting 1 credential.) Course Outline	1.0
CORE	EET-086	Prog Logic Controllers I EET-086 Prog Logic Controllers I This course covers basic PLC operation and programming, using Rslogix software and Allen Bradley PLCs. Topics include: basic ladder design, input-output, timers, counters, batch processes, shift registers, word compare and math. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-207 and C-208 credentials.) Course Outline	2.0
CORE	APT-053	Robot System Operations I APT-053 Robot System Operations I Students will learn to identify robot type, applications and components, robot safety and safely operating the robot in manual and automatic modes. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-215 Robot System Operations 1 credential.) Course Outline	1.0
CORE	TEC-040	Print Reading for Industry TEC-040 Print Reading for Industry Print Reading for Industry is a training course designed to assist the beginning to intermediate students, as well as workers in the industry, to understand the fundamentals, principles and practices involved in producing and reading industrial blueprints. Course Outline	2.0
CORE	APT-054	Hydraulic Systems I APT-054 Hydraulic Systems I This class is a hands-on introduction to basic hydraulic systems, including schematics, symbols, basic components, servicing and adjustments. (Meets Certified Industry 4.0 Automation Specialist I C-255 Hydraulic Systems 1 credential.) Course Outline	1.5
CORE	EET-087	Prog Logic Controllers II EET-087 Prog Logic Controllers II This course covers advanced topics of PLC operation and programming, using Rslogix software and Allen Bradley PLCs. Topics include project creation analog I/O, math and data handling instruction, program flow and communication protocols. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-207, C-208 and II C-309 credentials.) Course Outline	2.0
CORE	APT-055	Smart Sensor and ID Systems I APT-055 Smart Sensor and ID Systems I Students will understand, operate and interface smart sensors (RFID readers, ethernet serial, barcode readers and smart stack lights) as well as IO-link photo, pressure and ultrasonic sensors. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-213 Smart Sensor and Identification Systems 1 credential.) Course Outline	1.0
CORE	APT-056	Smart Factory Systems I APT-056 Smart Factory Systems I Students will learn to operate a smart factory program safely, adjust and operate PLC-controlled automated pick and place system, gauging system, PLC-controlled indexing system and PLC-controlled sorting and queuing. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-214 Smart Factory Systems 1 credential.) Course Outline	1.0
CORE	APT-057	Robot Systems Integration I APT-057 Robot Systems Integration I This course covers basic communication and advanced topics of PLC operation and programming. Topics include project creation analog I/O, math and data handling instruction, program flow and communication protocols. (Meets SACA Automation Specialist I C-216 credential.) Course Outline	1.0
CORE	APT-061	Hydraulic Maintenance I APT-061 Hydraulic Maintenance I This course covers all aspects of basic Hydraulic maintenance and servicing. (Meets Certified Industry 4.0 Automation Specialist I C-256 Hydraulic Maintenance 1 credential.) Course Outline	1.5
	Semester Totals		15.0

Total Program Hours

26.5

Call Counseling Services: 217-234-5232
Email: counsel@lakelandcollege.edu

Faculty Contact: Michael D. Beavers234-5341

* There are prerequisites, corequisites, or minimum placement test scores for this course.
** Consult Academic Advisor for appropriate course
FA Course only offered fall semester
SP Course only offered spring semester
SU Course offered in summer term only

Automation Specialist I (CRT.AS1)

Extra Resources

Catalog Term Year: 2026 Spring

First YearFirst Semester

First YearSecond Semester

Semester Totals

Semester Totals

Total Program Hours

First Year
First Semester

First Year
Second Semester