Academic Catalogs

Embedded Systems Technician, Certificate of Achievement

Banner Code: 1_CN_ELES

Control Number: 41436

Not Financial Aid Eligible


The Embedded Systems Technician Certificate is geared towards students who want to take their programming and circuit building skills to the next level. Students will become proficient in programming a variety of microcontrollers to perform tasks in an embedded application in C-based programming languages. Students who have obtained this certificate will be proficient at the use of multimeters and oscilloscopes to analyze circuit design and troubleshoot problems. Students will gain familiarity with digital communication protocols. This certificate is designed to teach students the skills necessary to build a career working with embedded electronics commonly found in consumer devices, IoT-connected devices, and autonomous vehicles.

Students earning this certificate are encouraged to continue their education by completing the additional requirements for the Associate of Science degree. They are also encouraged to pursue a bachelor's degree in an Electrical Engineering or Computer Science discipline. Students must complete the Robotics Technician Certificate of Achievement (12-13 units) as a prerequisite to entry into the Embedded Systems Technician program. 

Program Outcomes

  1. Students will acquire skills necessary to program common microcontrollers using C. 
  2. Students will gain familiarity with different communication protocols to interface between electronic systems. 
  3. Students will be proficient at using multimeters, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers to analyze circuits. 
  4. Students will acquire the skills necessary to methodically identify problems in circuits and propose solutions. 

Review Graduation Requirements.

Required Prerequisite

Robotics Technician Certificate of Achievement (12-13 Units)

Course Title Units
Required Courses
ELEC A100Electronic Problem Solving3-4
or MATH A115 College Algebra
or MATH A120 Trigonometry
ELEC A111D.C. Circuits3
ELEC A121Robotics 1- Mechanics & Design3
ELEC A122Robotics 2- Sensors, Control Theory, and Programming3
Total Units12-13

Required Courses 

Course Title Units
ELEC A102Safety, Maintenance, and Calibration1
ELEC A103Computer Hardware Configuration & Diagnostics3
or ELEC A290 Electronic Troubleshooting
ELEC A223Embedded Control Systems4
ELEC A224Digital Communication Systems3
Required Course Units11
Requirement Units
Required Prerequisites 12-13
Required Courses 11
Total Units 23-24

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are curriculum maps for students to finish all requirements for the certificate. There may be advisories, prerequisites, or time requirements that students need to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor for alternate sequencing.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
ELEC A100
Electronic Problem Solving
or College Algebra
or Trigonometry
3-4
ELEC A111 D.C. Circuits 3
ELEC A121 Robotics 1- Mechanics & Design 3
ELEC A122 Robotics 2- Sensors, Control Theory, and Programming 3
 Units12-13
Semester 2
Spring Semester: Students must complete the Robotics Technition Certificate of Achievement (12-13 units) as a prerequisite to entry into the Embedded Systems Program.  
ELEC A223 Embedded Control Systems 4
ELEC A224 Digital Communication Systems 3
ELEC A102 Safety, Maintenance, and Calibration 1
ELEC A103
Computer Hardware Configuration & Diagnostics
or Electronic Troubleshooting
3
 Units11
 Total Units23-24