Course Syllabus

HVACR 101- INTRO TO HVACR
Section 2455 - Course Syllabus

Course Description

In this course, students will be introduced to career opportunities within the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC), and refrigeration industry. Discussion to include the employment working conditions, social aspects, educational and experience requirements, customer relations, professional ethics, and potential income opportunities.

Course Flow

This course was designed to have information flow and grow as the weeks progress. Assignments are grouped by week numbers. It is strongly advised that participants work through the weeks in order.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Describe skills and education needed and jobs available in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry.

2. Explain the basics of thermodynamics as related to HVAC/R installations and systems.

3. Identify and explain the function of basic residential air-distribution and furnace components.

Topics and Scope

I. HVAC/R Overview

A. Thermodynamics

B. Airflow and distribution

C. Residential and commercial systems

D. Basic industry safety practices

II. Associations, Agencies, and Regulations

A. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)

B. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

C. California Energy Commission (CEC)

D. California Mechanical Code (CMC)

E. California Green Building Code (CGBC)

F. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

III. HVAC/R Companies

A. Structure and organization

B. Area of expertise

IV. HVAC/R Industry Careers

A. Contracting

B. Sales and marketing

C. Distribution

D. Installation

E. Manufacturing

F. Education

G. Operations and maintenance

H. Mechanical engineering

I. Trade unions

J. Energy compliance

K. Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater/auditor

L. Building automation and controls

The Topics and Scope above will be covered in an integrated lecture and lab environment.

Interplay Modules

1. Skills demonstrations

2. Lab activities

3. Knowledge checks

4. Final Exam

Discussions

1. Weekly Discussion Topics

Class Meetings

All material and activities are offered asynchronously, meaning students can access them anytime online through Canvas. No in-person nor live lectures.

Instructor Contact

Kevin Walters

Email: kwalters2@santarosa.edu

Office Hours: Online, by appointment.

I respond to emails with 24 hours, however, usually much sooner and often within minutes.

Course Web Site

Students will use the Canvas course web site for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmate's work, sharing resources, and viewing grades.

Textbook

No textbook purchase required, all content is online.

Important Dates

Day Class Begins: 8/18/2025

Day Class Ends: 12/12/2025

Last day to drop and receive refund 8/31/2025

Last Day to Add without instructor's approval: 8/24/2025

Last Day to Add with instructor's approval: 9/7/2025

Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: 9/7/2025

Last Day to Opt for Pass/No Pass: 12/12/2025

Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol: 11/16/2025

Dropping the Class

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund (after 10% of course length), a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%). Also, for several consecutive, unexplained absences, the instructor may drop a student.

Pass‐NoPass (P/NP)

You may take this class P/NP. You must decide before the deadline, and add the option online with TLC or file the P/NP form with Admissions and Records. With a grade of C or better, you will get P.

You must file for the P/NP option by [date]. Once you decide to go for P/NP, you cannot change back to a letter grade. If you are taking this course as part of a certificate program, you can probably still take the class P/NP. Check with a counselor to be sure.

Instructor Announcements and Q&A Forum

The instructor will post announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement. A “Q&A Forum” is also on Canvas to ask for assistance of your classmates or of instructor.

Attendance

Students who fail to attend the first class (face-to-face courses) or do not log-in to an online class after the second day of the semester will be dropped from the class. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one class/homework deadline in a row that you contact me to avoid being dropped from the class.

Late Policy

All assignments are due at 11pm on the due date. A late submission may receive a 20% penalty. Submissions more than one week late are not accepted without prior arrangement.

Exams

There will be online midterm and final exams. The material comes from the textbook, class lectures and supplemental materials. If any exam is missed, a zero will be recorded as the score. It is your responsibility to take the online exams by the due date.

Grading Policy

Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I grade regularly and post grades and comments on the online Canvas gradebook.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

Grading Scale
A	90%	total points or more
B	80%	of total points
C	70%	of total points
D	60%	of total points

If taking Pass/No Pass you need at least 70% of the total class points and complete the midterm exam and the final exam to pass the class.

Standards of Conduct

Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:
SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism
SRJC's policy on Academic Integrity

Other Important Policies and Practices

Avoid Plagiarism Like the, er, Plague

Although most students have likely heard about plagiarism during their years of schooling, it still is prevalent-even in higher education.

The video below reviews what plagiarism is and how not to do it.

Plagiarism: How to avoid it

Netiquette, or Why Is It Harder to Be Polite Online?

Netiquette refers to using common courtesy in online communication. All members of the class are expected to follow netiquette in all course communications. Use these guidelines:

Use capital letters sparingly. THEY LOOK LIKE SHOUTING.
Forward emails only with a writer's permission.
Be considerate of others' feelings and use language carefully.
Cite all quotations, references, and sources (otherwise, it is plagiarism).
Use humor carefully. It is hard to "read" tone; sometimes humor can be misread as criticism or personal attack. Feel free to use emoticons like :) for a smiley face to let others know you are being humorous.
Use complete sentences and standard English grammar to compose posts. Write in proper paragraphs. Review work before submitting it.
Text speak, such as "ur" for "your" or "ru" for "are you" etc., is only acceptable when texting.

Special Needs

Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (527-4278), as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.