Embedded Systems Technician
Certificate of Achievement Electronics · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
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
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will acquire skills necessary to program common microcontrollers using C.
- Students will gain familiarity with different communication protocols to interface between electronic systems.
- Students will be proficient at using multimeters, oscilloscopes, and spectrum analyzers to analyze circuits.
- Students will acquire the skills necessary to methodically identify problems in circuits and propose solutions.
Requirements
Review Graduation Requirements and General Education.
Required Prerequisite
Robotics Technician Certificate of Achievement (12-13 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ELEC A100 | Electronic Problem Solving | 3-4 |
| orMATH A115 | College Algebra | |
| orMATH A120 | Trigonometry | |
| ELEC A111 | D.C. Circuits | 3 |
| ELEC A121 | Robotics 1- Mechanics & Design | 3 |
| ELEC A122 | Robotics 2- Sensors, Control Theory, and Programming | 3 |
| Total Units | 12-13 | |
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ELEC A102 | Safety, Maintenance, and Calibration | 1 |
| ELEC A103 | Computer Hardware Configuration & Diagnostics | 3 |
| orELEC A290 | Electronic Troubleshooting | |
| ELEC A223 | Embedded Control Systems | 4 |
| ELEC A224 | Digital Communication Systems | 3 |
| Total Units | 11 | |
Program Sequence
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.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| ELEC A100or MATH A115or MATH A120 | Electronic Problem Solvingor College Algebraor Trigonometry |
| ELEC A111 | D.C. Circuits |
| ELEC A121 | Robotics 1- Mechanics & Design |
| ELEC A122 | Robotics 2- Sensors, Control Theory, and Programming |
| Units |
| 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 |
| ELEC A224 |
| ELEC A102 |
| ELEC A103or ELEC A290 |