Welding
Gain hands-on welding experience while earning a diploma in Welding Technology. Today’s welders are expected to plan, supervise and perform tasks necessary for making, installing and repairing all types of equipment and structures. You will receive hands-on training in welding techniques, skills and use of equipment in our state-of-the-art lab.
Become familiar with welding processes such as Oxy Fuel Welding and Cutting, Brazing and Soldering, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding and Pipe Welding. You will be trained on special processes such as Robotics and Flux-Cored Arc Welding. Our competency-based program allows you to move at your own pace. Once you reach competency in one area of welding, you’ll move on to the next.
As an AWS Accredited Training Facility (ATF), our program provides you the opportunity to obtain welding certification while attending school. Upon graduation, you’ll enter into the national registry and receive a certificate for your participation.
Whether you choose to pursue a career in manufacturing, pipeline welding or fabrication, you’ll establish the foundational skills and experience needed to thrive right here at Iowa Lakes.
Faculty Contact
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Emily Gottsche Welding Technology Program Coordinator & Assistant Professor 712-852-5272 | egottsche@iowalakes.educreate new email |
Program Details
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Curriculum
Term 1
COM 723 – Workplace Communications†
Developing skills in reading, writing and listening as they apply to students’ vocational needs.
WEL 121 – Oxy Fuel Welding & Cutting
Oxy-acetylene welding in correlation with identification of metals; care and use of welding equipment; selection of rods and fluxes; and safety. Lecture and laboratory. (Formerly WE-111C)
WEL 228 – Introduction to Welding, Safety and Health of Welders
This course will provide students with orientation to the welding profession and will cover the basics of safety & health within the welding profession. This course aligns to SENSE Level 1, Module 1 and Module 2 – Key Indicators 1-6.
WEL 233 – Print Reading and Welding Symbol Interpretation
Provides instruction in interpreting elements of welding prints (drawings or sketches), focusing on measurement, American Welding Society welding symbols, and fabrication requirements. Students will understand how to prepare, assemble and tack welding parts according to drawings or sketches, using proper materials and tools. This course aligns to SENSE Level 1 Module 3: Drawing and Welding Symbol Interpretation, Key Indicators 1 and 2.
WEL 254 – Welding Inspection and Testing Principles
Students will visually examine test weldments and thermally cut surfaces per multiple welding codes, standards, and specifications. This course aligns to SENSE Level I, Module 9: Welding Inspection and Testing Principles.
WEL 274 – Shielded Metal Arc Welding I
Focuses on safety, amperage settings, polarity and the proper selection of electrodes for the shielded metal arc welding process. Students will perform American Welding Society compliant welds on carbon steel, using visual and destructive methods for determining weld quality. This course aligns to SENSE Level 1 Module 4 – Key Indicators 1-7 for the flat and horizontal positions, as well as Module 2 – Key Indicator 7, Module 3 – Key Indicator 3, and Module 9 – Key Indicator 2.
WEL 275 – Shielded Metal Arc Welding II
Focuses on safety, amperage settings, polarity and the proper selection of electrodes for the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (informally known as stick welding) process. Students perform American Welding Society complaint welds on carbon steel, in vertical up and overhead configurations, using visual and destructive methods for determining weld quality. This course aligns to SENSE Level 1 Module 4: Shielded Metal Arc Welding Key Indicators 1-7 for the flat and horizontal positions, as well as Module 2 – Key Indicator 7, Module 3- Key Indicator 3, and Module 9 – Key Indicator 2.
Term 2
MAT 772 – Applied Math
A course in elementary mathematical skills for technicians. Topics covered include fundamental operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and signed numbers; percents; geometric figures and basic constructions; area and volume formulas; English/Metric systems; measurements; and basic algebraic equations and applications.
Prerequisites: Appropriate placement score
WEL 179 – Special Processes/Procedures
Ferrous to ferrous, nonferrous to nonferrous hard surfacing used in the welding field today. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: WEL 121 – Oxy Fuel Welding & Cutting
WEL 244 – Gas Metal Arc Welding Short Circuit Transfer
Focuses on proper weld safety, machine setup and welding techniques of Gas Metal Arc Welding Short-Circuiting Transfer. Students perform American Welding Society compliant welds on carbon steel, in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. This course will prepare students to take an AWS welder certification test, which is recommended. This course aligns with SENSE Level 1 Module 5 Key Indicators 1-7.
WEL 245 – Gas Metal Arc Welding Spray Transfer
Focuses on proper weld safety, machine setup and welding techniques of Gas Metal Arc Welding Spray Transfer. Students perform American Welding Society compliant welds on carbon steel in flat and horizontal positions. This course will prepare students to take an AWS welder certification test, which is recommended for its successful completion. It aligns with SENSE Level 1 Module 5 Key Indicators 1, 2 and 8-12, as well as Module 2 – Indicator 7, Module 3- Key Indicator 3, and Module 9 – Key Indicator 2.
WEL 251 – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding for Carbon Steel
Focuses on proper weld safety, machine setup and welding techniques for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. Students perform American Welding Society compliant welds on carbon steel in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. This course will prepare students to take an AWS welder certification test, which is recommended for successful completion of this course. This course aligns to SENSE Level 1, Module 7 – Key Indicators 1-7, as well as Module 2 – Key Indicator 7, Module 3- Key Indicator 3, and Module 9 – Key Indicator 2.
WEL 252 – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding for Aluminum
Focuses on proper weld safety, machine setup and welding techniques for gas tungsten arc welding. Students perform American Welding Society compliant welds on aluminum in flat and horizontal positions. This course will prepare students to take an AWS welder certification test, which is recommended for successful completion of this course. This course aligns to SENSE Level I, Module 7 Key Indicators 1, 2 and 13 – 17, as well as Module 2 – Key Indicator 7, Module 3- Key Indicator 3, and Module 9 – Key Indicator 2.
WEL 253 – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding for Austenitic Stainless Steel
Focuses on proper weld safety, machine setup and welding techniques for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. Students perform American Welding Society compliant welds on austenitic stainless steel in flat, horizontal, and vertical positions. This course will prepare students to take an AWS welder certification test, which is recommended for successful completion of this course. This course aligns to SENSE Level I, Module 7 Key Indicators 1, 2 and 8-12 as well as Module 2 – Key Indicator 7, Module 3- Key Indicator 3, and Module 9 – Key Indicator 2.
WEL 315 – Pipe Welding-SMAW/Gas Pipe
This is an advanced welding course designed to give students theory and application of pipe welding according to the API 1104 welding code. Students will use shielded metal arc welding and oxyfuel welding processes in the horizontal fixed position. Students will complete qualified welding procedures for welding natural gas pipes.
Prerequisites: WEL 228 – Intro to Welding, Safety & Health, WEL 121 – Oxy Fuel Welding & Cutting & WEL 274 – SMAW I
Additional Information
Iowa Lakes Welding Program has been designated as an Educational Institution Member of the American Welding Society (AWS) as an AWS Level 1 and Level 2 SENSE School (Schools Excelling through National Standards Education). All graduating students will be entered into the national registry and will receive a certificate for their participation. Students take both a written test as well as a performance test.
As an AWS Accredited Training Facility (ATF), the college is listed on the national registry as a certified participating organization.
As an Accredited Testing Facility, Iowa Lakes plays a vital role in certifying welders through the AWS Certified welding program. Iowa Lakes welding students have the opportunity to take a Welder performance Qualification Exam and obtain a Certified Welder Certification Document.
