Faculty Syllabus
WLDG-1428 Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
Bob Gilde
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
WLDG-1428-013 (19144)
LEC MW 10:45am - 12:00pm RRC RRC5 5131.00
LAB MW 12:00pm - 1:20pm RRC RRC5 5131.00
Course Requirements
Instructional Methodology
You will receive four hours of college credit when you successfully complete this course. Dur-
ing the fall and spring semesters, the course will meet for sixteen weeks scheduled in one of the
following formats: (1) twice weekly for 2:35 hours per class, or (2) once weekly for 5:20 hours
per class. During the summer, the course will meet 16 times: (1) twice weekly for 5:10 hours per
class. Regardless of format, the total class time for this course is eighty clock hours.
Tuition is charged at the rate posted in the current Course Schedule, depending upon whether
you live in-district, out-of-district, or out-of-state. In addition, there is a $50.00 course fee to
cover welding electrodes, gases, practice metal and incidental consumables, plus a $3.00 annual
fee which provides you with an accident insurance policy ($25.00 deductible).
Grading Policy
Your final grade will be based on your progress throughout the semester in the areas of
applied skills (projects) and theory (examinations), weighted as follows:
1. Projects.................................60%
2. Exams/ OSHA 10/ Other Assignments....40%
Your applied skills will develop as you progress through the Project List given later in this sylla-
bus. The Project List contains important accumulative projects, so your final applied skills grade
will be based on the percentage of projects you complete.
Theory is also an important part of this course. While applied skills are invaluable for learning
what to do, a welding technician must also know the theory behind why things happen. Your in-
structor will provide appropriate written exams to measure your understanding of welding
theory.
When calculating the above percentages, the following grading system is used at Austin Commu-
nity College:
A—Excellent..................90% - 100%...............Grade Points 4
B—Good..........................80% - 89%.....................................3
C—Satisfactory................70% - 79%.....................................2
D—Minimum Pass...........60% - 69%.....................................1
F—Fail .............................59% - 00%.....................................0
NOTE: A grade of D or below may not be applied toward any Welding Technology award.
WLDG 1428: Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding Page 4
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Attendance/ Class Participation
Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance
or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students
from the class. If you accumulate unexcused absences exceeding 10% of the total eighty clock-
hours required for this course by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, you will be
dropped from class. You will receive the grade of W. If the final semester withdrawal date has
passed, you will receive the grade of F.
Your absences will be recorded on the last page of your Projects List presented at the back of
this syllabus. It is your responsibility—not your instructor’s—to keep track of your absences.
Excessive absences result in (1) your failure to progress towards the objectives of the course, (2)
unfair demands on your instructor's time by taking him/her away from responsible students in or-
der to catch you up on missed assignments, and most important (3) you become an increased
safety risk due to your diminished familiarity with hazardous equipment and safety protocols.
In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe
weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor
during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their
professor as a result of class sessions being missed.
Withdrawal from Classes
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll
should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the
right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he
or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The
student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.
Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have
on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status. Per state law, students
enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not
withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college
education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course
without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an
advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.
Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be
charged a higher tuition rate, for that course.
Makeup Work
If you must make up work at a class time other than that for which you are scheduled, you must
comply with the following rules:
1. You must sign in using the sheet found in the tool room at Round Rock, or in the
white notebook posted on the wall next to the hall door leading into Welding Labo-
ratory 3122 at Riverside. This is a liability insurance requirement.
2. You must have the approval and supervision of a faculty member at all times while
you are working. You must notify that person when you arrive and leave. You must
not work unattended.
WLDG 1428: Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding Page 5
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3. When you have finished working, you must clean up your work area, sign out, and in-
form the faculty member on duty that you are leaving.
Incomplete Grades
An incomplete (grade of "I") will only be given for extenuating circumstances. What
constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion. If a grade
of I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student
and professor. This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the
following semester. A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the
Incomplete Grade form, to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible)
and submitted to the department chair.
Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe
circumstances warrant. The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is
appropriate to award or not. The following processes must be followed when awarding
a student an I grade.
1. Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must
meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be
completed prior to the deadline date. This meeting can occur virtually or in person.
The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.
2. The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete
the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the
student. The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name),
and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement. A
copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the
student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty
member submits at the end of the semester.
3. The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form
above. This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student,
but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long
semester.
4. Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent
semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to
log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments,
and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.
5. When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the
instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s
performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F.
If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an
“F.” Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session
deadline is not frequently granted.
WLDG 1428: Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding Page 6
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Health & Safety Protocols
Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible through all public
entrances. While some health & safety protocols are no longer mandatory, the college
encourages its staff, faculty, and students to be mindful of the well-being of all individuals on
campus. If you feel sick, feverish, or unwell, please do not come to campus.
Some important things to remember:
• If you have not done so, ACC encourages all students, faculty, and staff to get
vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available throughout the community.
Visit www.vaccines.gov/ to find a vaccine location near you.
• Campuses are open to faculty, staff, and students. The college and its departments and
offices may invite internal and external guests to their events and activities, though access
is still restricted for external parties seeking to host activities at ACC. The college’s
Appian Health Screening App remains available to everyone who visits campus. This
continues to be a good way to check your own health before coming to class or work.
• If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, please get a COVID-19 test as
soon as possible before returning to an ACC facility. Testing is now widely available. To
find testing locations near you, click this link
(https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccinations).
• If you test positive, please report it on the ACC self-reporting tool located here.
• ACC continues to welcome face masks on campus. Per CDC guidelines, face masks
remain a good way to protect yourself from COVID-19
• The college asks that we all continue to respect the personal space of others. We are
encouraging 3 feet of social distancing.
• Please be sure to carry your student, faculty, or staff ID badge at all times while on
campus.
Because of the ever-changing situation, please go to ACC’s Covid website at
https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus?ref=audiencemenu for the latest updates and guidance.
Laboratory Policy
1. You must attend class at the time for which you are enrolled.
2. When you complete a project, request approval from your instructor. You will not be cred
ited for unproved projects.
3. Cleanup time is ten minutes before the end of class. Sweep your immediate work area and
return equipment to the tool room. Surrounding work areas must be cleaned with the com-
bined efforts of all students.
4. Do not waste metal. Cut away practice welds and consolidate pieces. Do not remove metal
from the shop. This will help keep lab fees reasonable in the face of rising costs for steel.
5. If there is an equipment malfunction, inform your instructor immediately so that it can be re-
paired and returned to service.
6. Smoking is not permitted on campus.
NOTE: Persistent violation of these procedures as well as specific procedures outlined
by your instructor may cause you to be considered a safety risk and be removed from
the class or withdrawn for the semester.
Safety Regulations
Welding can become very dangerous—even fatal—if you are careless and neglect safety
precautions. Most accidents occur when people get in a hurry, so learn to pace yourself and
move cautiously and deliberately. The College endeavors to provide you with proper training
and a safe environment, but you must also do your part by abiding by the following rules. If you
WLDG 1428: Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding Page 14
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persistently violate these rules, you will be considered a safety risk and will be withdrawn from
class:
1. Wear your safety glasses at all times.
2. Wear your ear plugs in areas of high noise levels.
3. Wearing earbuds or headphones is prohibited while in the laboratories.
4. Know the locations and proper use of fire extinguishers. They are located at the exit to every
classroom and laboratory.
5. Do not weld or grind near oxy-fuel tanks, manifold connections, or other potential sources
for gas leaks.
6. Beware of the signs of dehydration, especially during warm months: disorientation,
confusion, light-headedness, flushed appearance, headache, exhaustion. Do not wait until
these signs appear—drink fluids and take breaks regularly.
7. Be mindful of proper ventilation in your work area.
8. When using portable grinders, be sure that you direct sparks away from others.
9. When using stationary pedestal grinders, be sure that the tool rest is adjusted as close to the
grinding wheel as possible without touching it (1/16”). Always wear safety glasses when
grinding and wire brushing. Do not wear gloves when using pedestal grinders.
10. Do not handle oxy-fuel equipment with oil or grease on your hands or clothing.
11. Do not wear loose or dangling clothing, jewelry, or hair when welding or handling materials.
12. Be sure that you have the proper shade of filter lens in your welding helmet or face shield.
13. Do not attach your ground lead to water pipes or electrical conduit.
14. When welding in a booth, keep your door closed. When welding in an open area, shield your
arc with welding curtains. Always consider the line-of-sight between your arc and the eyes
of bystanders.
15. To avoid burns to others, do not discard hot metal without first quenching it. Write “HOT”
on objects too large to bring to the quench tank.
16. Read Chapter 2: “Safety in Welding” in your textbook by Larry Jeffus, Welding Principles
and Applications, mentioned later in this syllabus.
17. Report all accidents to your instructor without delay. If you suspect an unsafe condition or
an equipment malfunction, bring it to you instructor’s attention IMMEDIATELY.
Readings
Required Texts/ Materials/ Software
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: There are a number of required tools for this course. Please see the supply
list in this syllabus.
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. Boots or high-top shoes*
5. Gauntlets or gloves, according to your class*
6. Leather sleeves or jacket – (Not required if only taking WLDG 1434 - Intro to GTAW)*
7. Long sleeve heavy cotton work shirt*
8. Cutting glasses, shade 3 or 5*
9. Hand wire brush*
10. Chipping hammer*
11. Vice GripTM 10R, or 10WR, or 10CR, or 12LC (at least one vice grip)*
12. Striker with flint replacements*
13. Soapstone*
14. needle-nose pliers with side cutter, if taking a GMAW course (Welder’s Plier such as
WelpersTM recommended)*
15. 12” combination square with steel blade, or 6”speed square*
16. 41⁄2” diameter angle grinder** – must have by end of week 2
17. Extra grinding disks (1/4”x4 1⁄2”)** - must have by end of week 2
18. Extra wire wheels (4 1⁄2”) **- must have by end of week 2
19. retractable tape measure **- must have by end of week 2
20. Ear plugs **- must have by end of week 2
21. 2-lb ball or cross peen hammer
22. 10” crescent wrench
23. Tool box or bucket or tool bag
24. Face shield with clear lenses
25. Oxy/Fuel tip cleaner
26. 1⁄4” center punch
27. 1⁄2” cold chisel
28. Vice GripsTM, two 11R each
29. Pipe wrap: medium size
*Indicates needed on first day of class
**Must have by end of week 2
Course Subjects
PROJECT LIST
Surfacing
Project Number Skill Completion Date Course Completion
1. Flat ..........................E-6010 ............................................................................................ 2%
2. Horizontal ...............E-6010 ............................................................................................ 4%
3. Vertical ....................E-6010 ............................................................................................ 6%
4. Overhead .................E-6010 ............................................................................................ 8%
5. Flat ..........................E-7018 .......................................................................................... 10%
6. Horizontal ...............E-7018 .......................................................................................... 12%
7. Vertical ....................E-7018 .......................................................................................... 14%
8. Overhead .................E-7018 .......................................................................................... 16%
Oxy-Fuel Cutting (OFC)
Project Number Skill Completion Date Course Completion
Cutting
9. Manual Torch ................................................................................................................ 18%
10. Track Torch ................................................................................................................... 20%
WLDG 1428: Introduction to Shielded Metal Arc Welding Page 19
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Tee-Joints
Project Number Skill Completion Date Course Completion
11. Flat (1F) ..................E-6010 .......................................................................................... 22%
12. Horizontal (2F)........E-6010 .......................................................................................... 24%
13. Vertical (3F) ............E-6010 .......................................................................................... 26%
14. Overhead (4F) .........E-6010 .......................................................................................... 28%
15. Flat (1F) ..................E-7018 .......................................................................................... 30%
16. Horizontal (2F)........E-7018 .......................................................................................... 32%
17. Vertical (3F) ............E-7018 .......................................................................................... 34%
18. Overhead (4F) .........E-7018 .......................................................................................... 36%
Lap-Joints
Project Number Skill Completion Date Course Completion
19. Flat (1F) ..................E-6010 .......................................................................................... 38%
20. Horizontal (2F)........E-6010 .......................................................................................... 40%
21. Vertical (3F) ............E-6010 .......................................................................................... 42%
22. Overhead (4F) .........E-6010 .......................................................................................... 44%
23. Flat (1F) ..................E-7018 .......................................................................................... 46%
24. Horizontal (2F)........E-7018 .......................................................................................... 48%
25. Vertical (3F) ............E-7018 .......................................................................................... 50%
26. Overhead (4F) .........E-7018 .......................................................................................... 52%
Edge-Joints
Project Number Skill Completion Date Course Completion
27. Flat (1F) ..................E-6010 .......................................................................................... 53%
28. Horizontal (2F)........E-6010 .......................................................................................... 54%
29. Vertical (3F) ............E-6010 .......................................................................................... 55%
30. Overhead (4F) .........E-6010 .......................................................................................... 56%
31. Flat (1F) ..................E-7018 .......................................................................................... 58%
32. Horizontal (2F)........E-7018 .......................................................................................... 60%
33. Vertical (3F) ............E-7018 .......................................................................................... 62%
34. Overhead (4F) .........E-7018 .......................................................................................... 64%
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
Mid-term examination: 3 and 28
Final examination: Chapters 4 and 7
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.
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Course Rationale
Students take this course typically to satisfy one of the following objectives:
You are pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology offered
by Austin Community College, and this course is one of your degree requirements.
You have no experience in welding technology, but would like to learn about Shielded
Metal Arc Welding as an introduction to the profession.
This course is the prerequisite for WLDG 1457 Intermediate Shielded Metal Arc
Welding.
Course Learning Outcomes
Select electrodes and amperage settings for various thicknesses of materials and welding
positions; define principles of arc welding; explain electrode classifications; perform SMAW
operations utilizing various positions, electrodes, and joint designs.
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
M W 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM Round Rock
NOTE By appointment only.Published: 02/01/2026 15:18:33