This program will prepare you for a career as an instrumentation and control technician for high-tech industries such as power generation plants, water treatment facilities, chemical manufacturing plants, canneries, aerospace plants, bio-pharmaceutical plants, semi conductor manufacturing plants, and pulp and paper mills.
You will learn how to maintain, repair, and troubleshoot instrumentation and control systems in industries that increasingly rely on automation. Instrumentation & Control is a great program choice if you’re looking for a high-wage career with employment potential across the nation and beyond.
Data are provided on a program (not credential) level
62% BTC graduate placement rate1
$74,177 starting annual wage2
$90,859 average annual wage2
$107,395 potential annual wage2
This program admits students in the Fall, one time per year.
Students are encouraged to have their high school diploma or GED by graduation, because many employers require this credential as a condition of employment.
Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.
Completion of Intermediate Algebra (MATH 099) or placement into Pre-Calculus (MATH&141) is a required prerequisite for enrollment in this Program.
AM 100 | Advanced Manufacturing Pathways | 3 CR |
AM 105 | Direct Current | 4 CR |
PTEC 102 | Process Technology I (Equipment) | 5 CR |
MATH& 141 | Precalculus I | 5 CR |
OR higher |
INST 102 | Advanced Electrical Fundamentals | 10 CR |
INST 103 | Practical Advanced Electrical Fundamentals | 6 CR |
ENGL& 101 | English Composition I | 5 CR |
OR higher |
INST 107 | Digital Automation Fundamentals | 8 CR |
INST 108 | Practical Digital Automation Fundamentals | 8 CR |
CMST& 210 | Interpersonal Communications | 5 CR |
INST 240 | Pressure and Level Measurement | 6 CR |
INST 250 | Final Control Elements | 5 CR |
INST 251 | PID Control | 5 CR |
INST 205 | Job Preparation I | 1 CR |
INST 241 | Temperature & Flow Measurement | 6 CR |
INST 260 | Data Acquisition Systems | 4 CR |
INST 262 | Digital Control Systems | 5 CR |
PSYC& 100 | General Psychology | 5 CR |
INST 206 | Job Preparation II | 1 CR |
INST 242 | Analytical Measurement | 5 CR |
INST 252 | Loop Tuning | 4 CR |
INST 263 | Control Strategies | 5 CR |
The average annual wage in this field is $65,510 with an earning potential of about $77,012 per year.* The need for industry to reduce operating expenses requires continual investment in automation, which means more jobs for instrumentation technicians.
Most program graduates work as instrumentation and process control technicians in bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, oil refineries, food processing, pulp/paper mills, power plants, metal smelters, systems integrators, research and development or water/sewage treatment facilities. Opportunities also exist in medical instrumentation, chemical plants, canneries, aerospace, sales and communications.
If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu.
Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email AdvancedManufacturingNav@btc.edu