Illinois Central College
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The Environmental Science program is designed to prepare the student for a wide range of career opportunities. In addition to the positions traditionally available in laboratories that engage in environmental testing, professional careers exist within governmental agencies, including: (1) state and national departments of the EPA; (2) local and state planning departments; (3) state geological and natural history surveys; (4) the National Park Service; (5) soil and water conservation districts; (6) local and state health departments; (7) U.S. Geological Survey; (8) Departments of Natural Resources; and (9) OSHA.

The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology (HVAC/R) program trains technicians to install, maintain, and repair residential, commercial, and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems. They follow blueprints, design specifications, and manufacturers instructions to install motors, compressors, condensing units, and evaporators, connect equipment to duct work, refrigerant lines and electrical power sources, charge the system with refrigerant, and check for proper operation. Technicians also diagnose problems, test and overhaul compressors, relays, and thermostats, and do required chlorofluor-carbon refrigerants and all the new refrigerants used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

The mission of the Green Building Environment Associate in Applied Science degree program is to provide the student with the knowledge to work in the energy areas, the built environment, building management, and other jobs yet to be defined. The student will learn about the evolving and developing sustainability and green areas and how to become better stewards of the environment.  After completing this program, graduates will be able to work as entry-level weatherization technicians, energy auditors, and indoor air quality technicians in residential and commercial buildings.

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The mission of the Deconstruction Certificate is to prepare students for employment in the deconstruction and building material salvage, reuse and recycling industries. The sequence of courses combined with an internship serves to educate them in knowledge, skills, and behaviors to entry level positions in construction, deconstruction, or material salvage crews.

The mission of the Commercial Refrigeration Technician Certificate program is to provide students with the knowledge and skills pertaining to the maintenance and repairing of ice machines as well as both medium and low temperature walk-ins, reach-ins, and supermarket refrigeration. After completing the program coursework consisting of both lecture and lab experiences, the graduates will be prepared to seek employment as entry-level technicians as refrigeration mechanics or general facilities repair persons.

The mission of the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Residential Installer certificate program is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to understand and follow the manufacturer's specifications when installing basic residential heating and air conditioning equipment as well as the skills to complete the installation. Students will learn the theory of residential heating and cooling through extensive laboratory experience as well as lectures. After completing this program, the graduates will be able to work as entry-level residential furnace and air conditioner installers.

HVAC Technician (The mission of the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technician certificate program is to provide students with the knowledge and skills pertaining to the maintenance and repairing of air conditioning systems as well as the following heating systems: natural gas, propane, electric, air source heat pumps, geothermal, and hydronic heating systems. After completing the program coursework consisting of both lecture and extensive laboratory experiences, the graduates will be able to work as entry-level HVAC technicians or general facilities repair persons), Solar Thermal Heating (The mission of the Solar Thermal Heating Systems certificate program is to provide the students with knowledge and skills pertaining to solar thermal heating systems. After completing this program, the graduate will be able to work as an entry-level repair/maintenance worker, solar domestic water/space heating technician, solar thermal systems designer, or a solar thermal salesperson), Green Building Environment (The mission of the Green Building Environment Certificate program is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the energy areas with the primary focus on residential construction. The student will learn about the continuously evolving sustainability and green industries and how to become better stewards of the environment. After completing this program, graduates will be able to work as an entry-level weatherization technicians and residential energy auditors), Photovoltaic Installer (The mission of the Photovoltaic Installer certificate program is to use lecture and hands-on laboratory experience to prepare students for employment in the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) field by educating them in the knowledge, skills, and behaviors as an entry-level solar PV installer)