Machinist I (CERT1)
Level 1 Certificate (CERT1)
LSC-CyFair
Apply for an upcoming Start Date
Machinist I (CERT1) is a Level 1 Certificate (CERT1) program offered by Lone Star College in Cypress, TX. The program takes 21 credit hours to complete, with a total tuition of $2,331.
Program Overview
- Men and women working as machinists, create precise mechanical parts and tools for engines and other automated products using power-operated machines. In addition to operating technical machinery, machinists are also responsible for reviewing product blueprints and specifications, planning and troubleshooting the production process, and ensuring the accuracy of the finished product they create.
- Program Highlights
- The Machine Technology operator/programmer certificate and degree programs are designed to prepare graduates for careers in the manufacturing industries. Topics within the programs include blueprint reading, computer-aided manufacturing (CAD CAM), machine shop math, extensive hands-on set up, and operating manual lathes and mills, as well as operating, and programming CNC machine tools.
- Machine Tool Technology is classified as an evolving occupation and the demand in careers for machinists is projected to remain steady and provide future employment growth and economic competitiveness within Texas.
- Credentials and Careers
- The Machinist I Certificate Level I is often referred to as manual machining, as in the operator manually controls the machine as opposed to a computer. The manual Machinist student will be taught material properties, blueprint reading, and precision measuring tool use, precision layout and set up, machine shop mathematics, the safe operation of manual lathes, mills and drills to manufacture precision parts. Manual machinists are skilled, dexterous individuals who drill, cut and shape items with precision machine tools. Working in industrial shops or plants with blueprints and specifications, machinists produce anything from springs to aerospace parts. This is the required foundational set of skills to move into the Machine tool technology career and it stacks (builds) onto the other machining certificates to eventually yield the student if desired the AAS degree in Machining Technology.
- Computer Numeric Control Operator/Programmer I Certificate also referred to as CNC 1 is a continuation of the skills learned in the Machinist I Certificate. In this certificate the machinist student is taught computer numeric control (CNC) programming and operational skills to successfully operate/program 3 axis machining and 2 axis turning centers. These are the same basic type of machines (lathe, mill and drill) as in the manual program except they are more precise, faster, student programmed, and computer controlled. The student in this certificate is taught the industry standard in design and programming through CAD/CAM (computer aided design / computer aided manufacturing) software. This is the next step, the next set of skills to move into the machine tool technology and manufacturing career and it stacks (builds) onto the next machining certificate to eventually yield the student if desired the AAS degree in Machining Technology.
- Computer Numeric Control Operator/Programmer II Certificate also referred to as CNC 2 is the final machining technology certificate and is an advanced continuation of the skills learned in the Computer Numeric Control Operator/Programmer I Certificate (CNC). In this certificate the student machinist is taught advanced computer numeric control (CNC) programming and operational skills adding 2 more axes of rotation therefore the student learns to successfully program/operate 5 axis machining and multi axis turning centers. The student in this certificate is taught advanced levels of design and programming through industry standard CAD/CAM (computer aided design / computer aided manufacturing) software. This is the final set of machining skills which has built upon the previous two certificates (Manual and CNC 1) to prepare the student to enter a machine tool technology and manufacturing career. After this certificate the student can obtain the AAS if desired by taking 9 credit hours of academic courses and an additional 3 credit hour machining course.
- The Machining Technology, AAS degree is the final set of instruction in the machining technology program. The Machining Technology, AAS degree contains all the skills, training and knowledge gained in the stackable machining certificates (Manual, CNC 1 and CNC 2) which includes material properties, blueprint reading, precision measuring tool use, precision layout and set up, machine shop mathematics, the safe operation of manual and CNC lathes, mills and drills, (CNC) programming and operational skills to successfully program operate and manufacture multi axis parts. The remaining coursework required for the AAS after earning the previous machining certificates is 5 courses (4 academic and 1 machining). Although the Machining Technology, AAS is the final, terminal machining degree offered it is not a terminal degree for the student. The AAS can be applied towards a 4-year BAAS (Bachelor of Applied Science) at several Texas State Universities.
- Transferability
- Program graduates may further their education at Lone Star College by applying to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy, Manufacturing, and Trades Management.
- General education courses (Core) are designated for easy transfer to Texas public institutions and applicable to requirements at private and out-of-state institutions.
- Technical coursework may be transferable to other institutions.
- Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.
Program Schedule
- This award requires 21 credit hours in total.
- Lone Star College reports 464 contact hours for this award.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
- Tuition shown is the in-district rate of $111.00 per credit hour for 21 credit hours.
- Out-of-district Texas residents pay $249.00 per credit hour ($5,229.00); international and out-of-state students pay $313.00 per credit hour ($6,573.00).
- Lab fees vary by course and liability insurance, uniforms and supplies vary by program, so Lone Star College publishes no all-in total for this award. Tuition above excludes them.
- Financial aid and payment plans are available to most students.
- Application fee: none. Lone Star College applications are free.
Program Notes
- Students who are classified as First Time in College (FTIC) will complete EDUC 1300 - Learning Framework: First Year Experience.
- Students who are not classified as First Time in College (FTIC) and have not yet demonstrated college-level readiness in reading and writing, will complete EDUC 1300 - Learning Framework: First Year Experience.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| MCHN1302 | Print Reading for Machine Trades | 3 |
| MCHN1338 | Basic Machine Shop I | 3 |
| MCHN1343 | Machine Shop Mathematics | 3 |
| MCHN1319 | Manufacturing Materials and Processes | 3 |
| EDUC1300 | Learning Framework: 1st Year Experience | 3 |
| BCIS1305 | Business Computer Applications | 3 |
| COSC1301 | Introduction to Computers | 3 |
| ITSC1301 | Introduction to Computers | 3 |
| Subtotal | 24 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MCHN1352 | Intermediate Machining I | 3 |
| MCHN2341 | Advanced Machining I | 3 |
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Program Total | 30 | |