Process Technology

Process Technology

Process Technology - AAS

At Bellingham Technical College, the Process Technology Program will prepare you for a position as a process technician or operator for employers in power generation, refining, manufacturing, and many other industries. Process technicians work to ensure the safety standards of production and assembly lines, and oversee quality for an employer’s processes. Currently, our primary employers in Washington State are the four refineries in Whatcom and Skagit counties. Graduates have also gone to work in other water treatment, power generation, and manufacturing facilities in our region, across Washington State, and beyond.

Manufacturing is the most diverse sector of the U.S. economy, from the immense variety of goods produced to the technology used to create them. Turning ideas and materials into valuable products requires highly skilled employees who are trained in advanced manufacturing. BTC’s programs in advanced manufacturing are ideal for students with mechanical aptitude or a strong foundation in math, science, and technology. You’ll learn skills needed for a career in high demand, dynamic industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, and energy.

Employment Information

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

88% BTC graduate placement rate1

$73,030 starting annual wage2
$88,309 average annual wage2
$99,274 potential annual wage2
Wages for graduates of the Process Technology program are often heavily impacted by shift differentials and overtime, and for this reason BTC’s wage estimates can vary greatly compared to what graduates report making in the field. Since 2013-14, graduates of BTC’s Process Technology program have reported working between 35 and 69 hours per week, on average, with a median of 50 hours per week. Accounting for this schedule, students working in the Petroleum industry may expect to earn the following wages:
HoursStartingAveragePotential
Low45 hours/wk$82,159$99,347$111,683
Typical50 hours/wk$91,287$110,386$124,093
High55 hours/wk$100,416$121,425$136,502

  • Estimated Program Costs

Tuition Fees and Rates overview page

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

This program admits students once a year, in the Fall quarter.

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

A completed college admissions application and placement in English and math. BTC uses a Guided Self-Placement process to help you choose the best starting point for your English and math courses. Your selections will determine whether you begin with program coursework or complete prerequisites classes first.

To get started or for help determining your English and math placement, contact the Outreach department at Outreach@btc.edu.

What are My Next Steps?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

 

Classes

Total Program Credits: 101

  • Current Students: Learn how to use this page to register for classes

  • Quarter 1

  • AM 100Advanced Manufacturing Pathways3 CR
  • PTEC 101Introduction to Process Technology4 CR
  • PTEC 102Process Technology I (Equipment)5 CR
  • AMATH 111Applied Technical Math5 CR

  • Quarter 2

  • CTE 108Job Skills1 CR
  • PTEC 103Safety, Health & Environment I5 CR
  • PTEC 104Process Drawings2 CR
  • PTEC 105Process Technology II (Systems)5 CR
  • CMST& 210Interpersonal Communications5 CR
  • OR
  • PSYC& 100General Psychology5 CR
  • OR
  • SOC& 101Introduction to Sociology5 CR

  • Quarter 3

  • PTEC 110Process Instrumentation I5 CR
  • AENGL 100Applied English5 CR
  • or higher
  • CHEM& 110Chemical Concepts w/Lab5 CR
  • Program Elective (PTEC 190 Series, PTEC 109, or PTEC 224)3 CR

  • Quarter 4

  • PTEC 203Safety, Health & Environment II5 CR
  • PTEC 211Troubleshooting5 CR
  • PHYS& 110Physics for Non-Science Majors w/Lab5 CR
  • Program Elective (PTEC 190 Series, PTEC 109, or PTEC 224)3 CR

  • Quarter 5

  • PTEC 205Dynamic Process Control (Simulators)5 CR
  • PTEC 212Industrial Processes & Equipment5 CR
  • PTEC 270Project I5 CR
  • OR
  • PTEC 290Internship I (in summer quarter)5 CR

  • Quarter 6

  • PTEC 207Process Quality Control5 CR
  • PTEC 215Process Technology III (Operations)5 CR
  • PTEC 272Project II5 CR
  • OR
  • PTEC 291Internship II (in summer quarter)5 CR

  • Electives

  • Requires six credits of Program Electives in PTEC 109, PTEC 190-199 series, or PTEC 224
  • PTEC 109Intro to WWT5 CR
  • PTEC 190Food Processing3 CR
  • PTEC 191Non-Refining Processes3 CR
  • PTEC 192Pulp & Paper Processing3 CR
  • PTEC 193Upstream Process3 CR
  • PTEC 195Biodiesel Fundamentals3 CR
  • PTEC 196Green Energy3 CR
  • PTEC 197Cooperative Education3 CR
  • PTEC 198Basic Mechanical Skills3 CR
  • PTEC 199Power Generation3 CR
  • PTEC 224WWT Test Preparation3 CR

Program Outcomes

After successfully completing the AAS degree, students will be able to:

  • Appraise the typical hazards found in process plants, basic PPE, and know the requirements of regulating bodies regarding safety, health, and environmental issues (OSHA, DPT, EPA).
  • Combine mathematics, chemistry, and physics theory to apply to process applications such as fluid flow, the nature of heat, chemical reaction, boiling points, vapor pressure and electrical currents.
  • Recognize typical organizational structures, economics, and quality control systems of the process technology industry.
  • Appraise fundamentals of refining and power generation processes; identify core functions and principles of operation of typical process equipment such as pumps, compressors, filters and dryers, lubrication systems, valves, piping systems, and draw from memory process flow diagrams.
  • Integrate the principles of process automatic control and data control systems (DSC) to manage simulated DCS scenarios.

Employment Outlook

Over the next 10 years, according to future retirement data, there will be a great need for trained process operators in the industry, both locally and nationally. Process Technology Program students can expect to earn excellent wages and continue to have job opportunities. Employers across a range of industries want to hire people with strong problem-solving and hands-on skills, who are trained and ready to go.

Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry.

Our processing technology graduates are readily employable and actively recruited by local, regional, national, and international industries. BTC collaborates with local industry, employers, and our state and local governments to determine the skills our workforce requires to keep the economy strong.

Process technicians may find career opportunities in a variety of industries including: chemical, petrochemical, refining, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, power generation, utilities, food and beverage, and water treatment. In many instances, process operators will interface with other technical personnel, such as maintenance electricians, instrument technicians, chemical laboratory technicians, plant engineers, industrial trainers and managers.

Faculty & Support

Photo of Brian Aries
Brian Aries
Process Technology
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    Certificate, Teaching Essentials: Skills for the 21st Century, Renton Technical College

    AAS, Process Technology, Bellingham Technical College

    BAS, Operations Management, Bellingham Technical College

Contacts

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