menu

Smart Manufacturing Technology 65–66 Credit Associate Degree

The Smart Manufacturing Technology Associate Degree combines foundational coursework in the areas of electromechanical and automation systems with advanced coursework in Industry 4.0 concepts and quality manufacturing. If you are interested in the latest technology in industrial automation and robotics, as well as, the implementation of these technologies in order to optimize manufacturing processes this may be of interest to you. Some of the innovative topics will include Industry 4.0 Fundamentals, Vision Guided Robotics, Industrial Internet of Things, Simulation, Artificial Intelligence, and Designing Products in a Smart Factory.

Starting Salary

$33,278–$40,207
Average, according to Economic Modeling Specialists International

Financial Aid

Available
A student prepares and manually adjusts the position of a smart manufacturing robot.
A student stands to operate a large, ceiling-mounted industrial robot.
Two men huddle together, operating the interface of a manufacturing robot.
A low-angle view shows NTC's Smart Manufacturing Lab, with natural light flooding the area through high windows and exterior shutter doors.
A student presses a touchscreen device to operate a robotic arm.
Profile view of a student wearing a black hat and hoodie, watching the operations of an industrial robot.
An over-the-shoulder view shows the touch screen interface that a student is manipulating to operate a robot.
A man raises the position of a FANUC smart manufacturing robot.
A wide-view shows NTC's Smart Manufacturing Lab, where three students are each configuring their own manufacturing robot.
Get Started

The application takes just a few minutes to complete.

Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
Wausau
60-70%
Antigo
50-60%
Medford
60-70%
Phillips
50-60%
Spencer
50-60%
Wittenberg
50-60%
Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Set up, adjust, operate and optimize computer-controlled manufacturing equipment
  • Utilize networking capabilities and smart sensor technology to gather data
  • Integrate automation, electrical and mechanical systems and devices
  • Troubleshoot and diagnose problems in manufacturing to improve quality and efficiency
  • Implement the appropriate automation and smart technology into manufacturing processes

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Automation Technician
  • Robotic Integrator
  • System Technologist
  • Electromechanical Technician
  • Quality Technician

Courses

The Smart Manufacturing Technology Associate Degree is a 65–66 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

MACHINE CONTROL 1: LADDER LOGIC FUNDAMENTALS 1.00
MACHINE CONTROL 2: MOTOR AND ACTUATOR CONTROL 1.00
MACHINE CONTROL 3: SENSORS AND MACHINE SAFETY 1.00
INDUSTRY WORKPLACE SAFETY 1.00
QUALITY ASSURANCE 1.00
PRECISION MEASURING 2.00
INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY 1 - DIRECT CURRENT ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS 1.00
INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY 2 - ALTERNATING CURRENT ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS 1.00
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 4.00
COLLEGE 101 1.00
COLLEGE ALGEBRA W/APPS 3.00
INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA W/APPS 4.00

Second Term

FLUID POWER SYSTEMS 1: FUNDAMENTALS 1.00
SERVO SYSTEMS 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEMS 1.00
PLC 1: PLC FUNDAMENTALS AND BIT BASED INSTRUCTIONS 1.00
PLC 2: TIMERS, COUNTERS AND PROGRAM CONTROL 1.00
PLC 3: DATA, MATH, SEQUENCER AND SHIFT INSTRUCTIONS 1.00
LEAN MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS 2.00
INTRODUCTION TO SIX SIGMA 3.00
INTERPRETING ENGINEERING DRAWINGS 1.00
INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY 3 - ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS AND DEVICES 1.00
INDUSTRY 4.0 FUNDAMENTALS 1.00
ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 3.00

Third Term

ROBOTIC APPLICATIONS 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF ROBOTIC CONTROL 1.00
ROBOTIC APPLICATIONS 2: ROBOTIC SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND SOFTWARE 1.00
SERVO SYSTEMS 3: ADVANCED POSITION CONTROL AND INTEGRATION 1.00
PLC 4: ADVANCED INSTRUCTIONS AND PROGRAMMING 1.00
PLC 5: INDUSTRIAL NETWORKING 1.00
PLC 6: PLC, PAC AND PC AUTOMATION INTEGRATION 1.00
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES 3.00
INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS 1.00
DESIGNING A SOLUTION IN A SMART FACTORY 1.00
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION 3.00
ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 3.00
INTRODUCTION TO DIVERSITY STUDIES 3.00
INTRO TO SOCIOLOGY 3.00

Fourth Term

TEAM BUILDING AND PROBLEM SOLVING 3.00
MATERIALS OF INDUSTRY 2.00
STATISTICAL PROCESS CONTROL 2.00
COLLABORATIVE ROBOTS AND VISION 1.00
SIMULATION AND AI 1.00
PRODUCING PRODUCTS IN AN INTELLIGENT FACTORY 3.00
PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS 3.00
INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY 3.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Pathways

Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.

If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this Smart Manufacturing Technology Associate Degree:

Transfer Information

All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.

View all transfer guides

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

Fill out our application

The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.

Apply Now

Then, submit one of the following

Documentation can be sent via email to admissions@ntc.edu, via mail, addressed to: Northcentral Technical College, ATTN: Admissions, 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401, or delivered in person to any NTC campus.

  • High school transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above. Contact the high school you attended if you do not have a copy of your transcript.
  • ACT composite score of 18 or above. Request an ACT College Report from ACT or contact the high school you graduated from if you do not have a copy on hand.
  • Accuplacer scores. Score requirements vary by program and version of the Accuplacer test that was taken. For more details, please contact Admissions. If you did not take the Accuplacer at NTC, contact the college at which you took it to obtain a copy of your scores.
  • College transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 over a minimum of 12 credits, earned at a single college.

If you do not meet any one of the above criteria, don’t worry, complete the application anyway and we will contact you to discuss your options.

What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be mailed to you.