Catalog Description

Formerly known as WELD 80
Prerequisite: Completion of WELD 5B and WELD 2A with grades of "C" or better
Advisory: Students must be competent in vertical and overhead position welding using certification welding processes of MMAW, FCAW-G and FCAW-S
Hours: 72 (18 lecture, 54 laboratory)
Description: Designed to certify the welder within the guidelines of American Welding Society (AWS) Structural Steel Code D1.1. Focus on manipulative skill development with MMAW E-7018 in 3G and 4G, MMAW E-6010 in 3G and 4G open root. Students will earn industry recognized certifications in Manual Metal Arc Welding. (not transferable)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Apply safety standards and explain expectations of standards used in both learning and work site environments of structural steel construction of buildings, bridges, and miscellaneous iron work of stair and elevators.
  • CSLO #2: Define and apply the following essential variables to welding applications this course: Maximum Electrode Diameter, Maximum Current, Maximum Root Pass Thickness, Maximum Fill Pass Thickness, Maximum Single Pass Fillet Weld Size, Maximum Single Pass Layer Width (see AWS D1.1 3.7.1 for limitations), Change in welding process, Change in base metal, Change in process parameters, Change in shielding gas, Change in weld details, Change in pre/post heat treatment
  • CSLO #3: Demonstrate manipulative welding skills to test to American Welding Society structural welding code D1.1 and use code standards to evaluate qualification to become certified to weld structural steel welding applications.
  • CSLO #4: Explain the importance of the responsibilities of structural welding performed to code quality levels.

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

72

Outside of Class Hours

36

Total Student Learning Hours

108

Course Objectives

Lecture Objectives

  1. Advanced Safety Topics
    1. Enumerate current and/or potential safety hazards in the weld shop
    2. Prescribe appropriate corrective measures for stated safety hazards and prioritize from most to least dangerous to personal safety
    3. Industrial workplace safety
  2. Explain the certification process & hold points
  3. Correctly prepare the metal for welder qualification tests
  4. List and analyze the following Essential Variables According to Applicable Welding Codes (see AWS D1.1 T 3.6)
    1. Maximum Electrode Diameter
    2. Maximum Current
    3. Maximum Root Pass Thickness
    4. Maximum Fill Pass Thickness
    5. Maximum Single Pass Fillet Weld Size
    6. Maximum Single Pass Layer Width (see AWS D1.1 3.7.1 for limitations)
    7. Change in welding process
    8. Change in base metal
    9. Change in process parameters
    10. Change in shielding gas
    11. Change in weld details
    12. Change in pre/post heat treatment
  5. Demonstrate basic inspection techniques for quality weldments
    1. Correctly use a V-WAC & Fillet Gauge on weldments
    2. Identify discontinuities
    3. Prescribe corrective action for discontinuities
    4. Determine which discontinuities are defects
    5. Apply the code requirements of dimensional discontinuities for welding production
  6. Discuss tips and tricks for passing welder qualification tests
  7. Discuss intermediate welding techniques for proper weld puddle control
  8. Discuss advanced manipulative techniques for difficult welding applications
  9. Draw or explain how Plug/Slot welds are applied to the Basic Welding Joints
  10. Draw various Plug & Slot Weld/Welding Symbols and their corresponding joints
  11. Itemize the applications of process weld heat treatment
    1. Describe the process of quenching and tempering of carbon steel
    2. Explain where to locate interpass and post heat treatment values for various material specifications of steel
    3. Identify key colors and their corresponding temperature ranges on the color scale for carbon and stainless steels
    4. Demonstrate the normalizing process
  12. Practice writing Welding Procedure Specifications
    1. Use essential variables & instructor provided Procedure Qualification Record to write a Welding Procedure Specification
    2. Analyze and correct a faulty Welding Procedure Specification
  13. Discuss the significance of Material Specifications for AWS and ASME
    1. Perform spark test on various unknown steels and determine material type
    2. Describe where to locate various material specifications
    3. Demonstrate knowledge of and practice matching filler metal and material specifications
  14. Learn to interpret Welder Qualification Test Records and convey that information to a potential employer in written and/or oral format
  15. Employment Readiness
    1. Update Resume with welding experience and all welding certifications earned
    2. Update Cover Letter
    3. Develop and perform 1 minute Elevator Pitch on personal qualifications for one researched job opening

Laboratory Objectives

  1. Lab Assignments and/or Lab Projects
    1. Recall common terminology and concepts used in the application of welding operations and apply to the lab setting
    2. Employ pre-weld metal preparation techniques to ensure weld quality
    3. Demonstrate pre-weld procedures and apply correct welding parameter adjustment tasks.
    4. Apply foundational skills to weld various projects with various types of metals to industry-based-acceptance criteria
    5. Apply demonstrated techniques to weld beads with each welding process used in this course on the assigned student projects
  2. Complete the following weld tests to industry standards:
    1. AWS D1.1 TC-F12 welding test 1/4" MMAW in 2F with 7018 (Tee)
    2. AWS D1.1 TC-F12 welding test 1/4" MMAW in 3F with 7018 (Tee)
    3. AWS D1.1 TC-F12 welding test 1/4" MMAW in 4F with 7018 (Tee)
    4. AWS D1.1 B-U4a welding test 1/2" MMAW in 2G with E-7018 (Bevel)
    5. AWS D1.1 B-U2a welding test 1/2" MMAW in 3G with E-7018 (Vee with backing)
    6. AWS D1.1 B-U2a welding test 1/2" MMAW in 4G with E-7018 (Vee with backing)
    7. AWS D1.1 B-U2 welding test 1/2" MMAW in 3G with E-7018 (Vee open root)
    8. AWS D1.1 B-U2 welding test 1/2" MMAW in 4G with E-7018 (Vee open root)

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

            Methods of Evaluation

            • Classroom Discussions
              • Example: As a class, discuss tips and tricks for passing welder qualification tests OBJ 6
            • Objective Examinations
              • Example: Students will be asked to analyze why the essential variables are considered essential to the welding process. OBJ 4 a-l
            • Problem Solving Examinations
              • Example: Practice writing Welding Procedure Specifications Use essential variables & instructor provided Procedure Qualification Record to write a Welding Procedure Specification Analyze and correct a faulty Welding Procedure Specification OBJ 13 a & b
            • Skill Demonstrations
              • Example: Students will perform following weld tests to industry standards: AWS D1.1 TC-F12 welding test 1/4" MMAW in 2F with 7018 (Tee) AWS D1.1 TC-F12 welding test 1/4" MMAW in 3F with 7018 (Tee) AWS D1.1 TC-F12 welding test 1/4" MMAW in 4F with 7018 (Tee) AWS D1.1 B-U4a welding test 1/2" MMAW in 2G with E-7018 (Bevel) AWS D1.1 B-U2a welding test 1/2" MMAW in 3G with E-7018 (Vee with backing) AWS D1.1 B-U2a welding test 1/2" MMAW in 4G with E-7018 (Vee with backing) AWS D1.1 B-U2 welding test 1/2" MMAW in 3G with E-7018 (Vee open root) AWS D1.1 B-U2 welding test 1/2" MMAW in 4G with E-7018 (Vee open root) Each test will be graded pass or fail. Lab OBJ 2 a-h

            Repeatable

            No

            Methods of Instruction

            • Laboratory
            • Lecture/Discussion
            • Distance Learning

            Lab:

            1. Following instructor demonstration, students will apply PAC skills process to cut weld samples for testing.

            Lecture:

            1. Traditional lecture and handouts used to present formats of welding procedures. Students are expected to actively participate in the lecture.
            2. Interactive discussions in the development of welding parameters for temperature, amperes, voltage and electrode movement to be applied during the laboratory period.
            3. Instructor guided study group and then on an individual student basis, welding procedures and parameters are developed for WPS (Weld Procedure Specifications) and PQR (Procedure Qualification Records).

            Distance Learning

            1. Instructor will use slide show presentation, instructor created video, or lecture presentation on a learning platform to teach about best safety practices in the for personal protective equipment, the weld lab environment, and/or tools & equipment. Students will be given a scenario and expected to list the best safety practices that should be employed and explain why they should be used. Students will submit the assignment via text entry, file upload, video or audio recording.

            Typical Out of Class Assignments

            Reading Assignments

            Research AWS structural code in reference area of library for selection of: 1. Pre-qualified processes 2. Weld joints Following the manufactures specifications; set machine to correct parameter's. 3. Testing criteria and related materials.

            Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

            Write the following Welding documents: 1. (WPS)/Procedure Qualification Record 2. (PQR) and Welder Qualification Record 3. (WQR) Performance test and evaluation.

            Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

            1. Welding performance test required for the successful completion of the course. On site welding inspector to evaluate/observe weld tests and evaluate completed weld specimens.

            Required Materials

            • Shielded Metal Arc Welding
              • Author: Walker, Polanin
              • Publisher: Goodheart-Willcox
              • Publication Date: 2023
              • Text Edition: 10th
              • Classic Textbook?: No
              • OER Link:
              • OER:
            • Pipe Welding Procedures
              • Author: Hoobasar Rampaul
              • Publisher: Industrial Press
              • Publication Date: 2003
              • Text Edition: 2nd
              • Classic Textbook?: No
              • OER Link:
              • OER:

            Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

            Personal set of small picks is recommended.