Faculty Syllabus

WLDG-1434 Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc (GTAW) Welding

Kristin Burke


Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

WLDG-1434-001 (18805)
LEC MW 4:45pm - 6:05pm RRC RRC5 5131.00

LAB MW 6:05pm - 7:20pm RRC RRC5 5131.00

WLDG-1434-008 (18810)
LEC MW 8:00am - 9:20am RRC RRC5 5133.00

LAB MW 9:20am - 10:35am RRC RRC5 5133.00

Course Requirements

Examinations/ OSHA 10/ Other Assignments

This course consists of three exams (Safety Exam, Mid-term, Final Exam), and a requirement to complete OSHA 10 by the withdrawal deadline. It may also include quizzes and other assignments, at the discretion of your instructor.  These assignments account for 40% of your overall course grade.

Safety examination: Chapter 2- must score an 80 or higher to remain in the course.

Mid-term examination: Chapters16 and 17

Final examination: Chapter 18

It is the student’s responsibility to confirm exam content, format, and dates with your instructor.

 

OSHA 10 Requirement

Students taking WLDG 1428, WLDG 1430, or WLDG 1434 are required to complete OSHA 10 training.  This training is available online.  A recommended site for this training is www.careersafeonline.com.  The training must be completed by the withdrawal deadline or per your professor’s instructions.  Failure to meet this requirement may result in you being dropped from the course.  If you have already completed the training, you may show your professor proof of completion to satisfy this requirement.

 

 

PROJECT LIST

 

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)                    

Project Number                  Skill                    Grade (0,1,2,3,4)                                             Instructor’s Initials

 

Aluminum

Surfacing

  1. Flat……………………………………………………………………………………….
  2. Horizontal………………………………………………………………………………
  3. Vertical – up…………………………………………………………………………….
  4. Overhead……………………………………………………………………………….

 

 

Lap Joints & T-Joints- *Instructor will assign each student either lap or T-joint. 

  1. Horizontal (2F)………………………………………………………………………….
  2. Vertical – up (3F)……………………………………………………………………….
  3. Overhead (4F)…………………………………………………………………………..

Outside Corner Joints

  1. Flat (1F)
  2. Horizontal (2F)………………………………………………………………………….
  3. Vertical – up (3F)……………………………………………………………………….
  4. Overhead (4F)…………………………………………………………………………..

 

Square-Groove Butt Joints

  1. Flat (1G)………………………………………………………………………………….
  2. Horizontal (2G)………………………………………………………………………….
  3. Vertical – up (3G)……………………………………………………………………….
  4. Overhead (4G)…………………………………………………………………………..

 

Carbon Steel

Surfacing

  1. Flat………………………………………………………………………………………..
  2. Horizontal………………………………………………………………………………..
  3. Vertical – up………………………………………………………………………………
  4. Overhead…………………………………………………………………………………

*Must be complete in 6 classes. 

Lap Joints & T Joints- *Instructor will assign each student either lap or t-joint. 

  1. Horizontal (2F)…………………………………………………………………………..
  2. Vertical – up (3F)………………………………………………………………………..
  3. Overhead (4F)……………………………………………………………………………

Outside Corner Joints

  1. Flat (1F)
  2. Horizontal (2F)………………………………………………………………………….
  3. Vertical – up (3F)……………………………………………………………………….
  4. Overhead (4F)…………………………………………………………………………..

Square-Groove Butt Joints

  1. Flat (1G)……………………………………………………………………………….
  2. Horizontal (2G)……………………………………………………………………….
  3. Vertical – up (3G)…………………………………………………………………….
  4.  Overhead (4G)…………………………………………………………………………

 

 

 

 

STAINLESS STEEL

 

Project Number                    Skill               Grade (0,1,2,3,4)                                               Instructor’s Initials

 

Surfacing

  1. Flat………………………………………………………………………………………………
  2. Horizontal……………………………………………………………………………………..
  3. Vertical – up……………………………………………………………………………
  4.  Overhead………………………………………………………………………………………

 

 

Lap Joints & T joints- *Instructor will assign each student either lap or t-joint. 

  1. Flat (1F)……………………………………………………………………………………..
  2. Horizontal (2F)……………………………………………………………………………...
  3. Vertical – up (3F)…………………………………………………………………………..
  4.  Overhead (4F)………………………………………………………………………………

Outside Corner Joints

  1. Flat (1F)
  2. Horizontal (2F)………………………………………………………………………….
  3. Vertical – up (3F)……………………………………………………………………….
  4. Overhead (4F)…………………………………………………………………………..

 

Square-Groove Butt Joints- *Student will need to use purge box for these projects

  1. Flat (1G)……………………………………………………………………………………….
  2. Horizontal (2G)……………………………………………………………………………….
  3. Vertical – up (3G)…………………………………………………………………………….

  33. Overhead (4G)………………………………………………………………………………..

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF FINAL GRADE

 

To more accurately grade each student on their progress, each project will get a grade of 0, (not completed), 1 (poor weld quality), 2 (medium weld quality), 3 (good weld quality), 4 (exceptional weld quality). Total possible points available is the number of projects multiplied by 4. The Percentage Completed will be determined by dividing student’s total points earned by total points possible.

Projects............................................. Percent Completed                  % x 60% = .......................................................... Points

Exams/ OSHA 10/ Assignments....... Average of Grades                  % x 40% = .......................................................... Points

Total Points              Final Course Grade               

Readings

Jeffus, Larry, Welding: Principles and Applications, Delmar Publishers, Inc., current edition.

This excellent textbook provides a great deal of specific instruction and reference mate­rial on theory and applied welding skills.  It can be purchased at the campus book­store.

Required Supplies: 

Supplies – All are required.  Not having these required tools will affect your grade for this course.

You are required to purchase the following items for your classes. You are preparing to enter the profession of welding, and like other technical crafts, it requires specialized tools and equipment.  Higher quality tools cost more initially, but they tend to last longer and usually result in savings over time.

Most tools are needed on the first day of class, some are needed by week 2.  All other tools are required by mid-term.

 

  1. Safety glasses*
  2. Welding hood with replacement cover lenses *
  3. Welding cap
  4. Leather Boots*
  5. Tig gloves*
  6. Long sleeve heavy cotton work shirt*
  7. Hand wire brush*
  8. Vice Grip™  10R, or 10WR, or 10CR, or 12LC  (at least one vice grip)*
  9. Soapstone*
  10. needle-nose pliers with side cutter, if taking a GMAW course (Welder’s Plier such as Welpers™ recommended)*
  11. 12” combination square with steel blade, or 6”speed square*
  12. 4½” diameter angle grinder** – must have by end of week 2
  13. Flapper disks (4 ½”)** - must have by end of week 2
  14. Extra wire wheels (4 ½”) **- must have by end of week 2
  15. retractable tape measure **- must have by end of week 2
  16. Ear plugs **- must have by end of week 2
  17. 10” crescent wrench
  18. Tool box or bucket or tool bag
  19. Face shield with clear lenses
  20. Vice Grips™, two 11R each

 

*Indicates needed on first day of class            

**Must have by end of week 2

 

Course Subjects

Course Description

WLDG 1434: Introduction to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding.  An introduction to the principles of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), setup/ use of GTAW equipment, and safe use of tools and equipment.  Welding instruction in various positions and joint designs. 

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Course Learning Outcomes

Describe various joint designs; describe safety rules and equipment; and describe the effects of welding parameters in GTAW; weld various structural materials.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate welding skills sufficient to meet industry certified welder standards.
  • Interpret codes and safety standards that pertain to the welding industry.
  • Use proper hand, measuring, and layout tools, to fabricate welded projects or certification coupons.
  • Demonstrate work attributes and ethics that contribute to personal success and towards employment goals.

Office Hours

T Th 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Round Rock 5135.05

NOTE Meetings outside of office hours can be requested by email.

M W 1:40 PM - 4:40 PM Round Rock 5135.05

NOTE Meetings outside of office hours can be requested by email.

Office Hours

T Th 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Round Rock 5135.05

NOTE Meetings outside of office hours can be requested by email.

M W 1:40 PM - 4:40 PM Round Rock 5135.05

NOTE Meetings outside of office hours can be requested by email.

Published: 01/12/2026 08:39:34