NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE - COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Title:       Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Codes

Course Prefix & Number:    HART 2301    Section Number:     0310    Semester/Year:    S2/26

Semester Credit Hours:    3    Lecture Hours:    48    Lab Hours:    0

Semester start and end dates:  March 16, 2026 – May 9, 2026

Course Type: Online

Course Schedule:  Online, weekly progression

Location:   Online
Course Description (NCTC Catalog):
HVAC standards and concepts with emphasis on the understanding, and documentation of the codes and regulations required for the state mechanical contractors license and local codes.  
Prerequisite(s): Refrigeration Principles, Residential Air Conditioning

REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED COURSE MATERIALS:

•    Texas Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors License Law (Article 8861, Administrative Rules, Chapters 51 & 1302)
•    Texas Boiler Law, Health and Safety Code (Chapter 755 and Rules)
•    High Pressure Boilers (Frederick Stiengress & Harold J. Frost)
•    Uniform Mechanical Code, 2021 Edition, 
•    International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.  
•    International Mechanical Code, 2021 Edition, International Code Council, Inc. 
•    International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 Edition, 
•    International Code Council, Inc TECHNICAL REFERENCE LIST
•    Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd Edition, 2025 By: Andrew D. Althouse, Carl H. Turnquist, A.F. Bracciano, D.C. Bracciano, and G.M. Bracciano
•    Air Conditioning Contractors Association (ACCA) Manual J, D, and S (Load Calculation and Duct Design)
•    ADI Duct Size Calculator, Air Distribution Institute
TEXAS BUSINESS AND LAW REFERENCE LIST
•    Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors License Law, 
•    Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1302
•    Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors License Rules, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 75
•    OSHA CFR 29 Part 1904 Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, OSHA Washington, DC

Instructor: Adam Schniederjan

Office Location: 

Telephone Number: 940-736-3093 

E-mail Address: aschniederjan@nctc.edu          

OFFICE HOURS: Mon. and Wed. 5:00 - 6:00 pm and by appointment
 
SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments:

Topic    General Description of Subject Matter for each lecture/discussion.
    
The Refrigeration Cycle    A thorough review of the refrigeration cycle. 
    
Refrigerants and Their Properties    A review of commonly used refrigerants, 
and introduction to flammable refrigerants.
      
Duct Codes    Review the building codes that apply to duct design
    
Furnaces    The Texas Fuel Gas Code
    
Texas Mechanical Code       Introduction to the Texas Mechanical Codes
    
Residential Building Code    Introduction to the Texas Residential Building Codes

Final grade scale:                                                       
A    90 – 100%
B    80 – 89%
C    70 -79%
D    60 – 69%
F    below 60%
Late work policy: 
•    You are required to submit online assignments on time regardless of whether or not you attend class that day.
•    Late assignments will not be accepted.
•    Incomplete assignments will not be accepted.
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy: Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 
Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:
•    First offense – All participants involved will receive a grade of 0 on the assignment
•    Second offense – The student(s) will be reported to the appropriate NCTC authorities who will then take action that may result in the student’s removal from the course and/or the college.
Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved school sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a school official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination or lab assignment missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test or lab assignment is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam/assignment.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. 

Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.
Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is:  April 21, 2022
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to: 
Demonstrate the ability to locate and identify information in code books and reference materials applicable to installation procedures governed by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

Core Objectives:                                                                                                                                                              The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has identified six (6) Core Objectives for the Texas core curriculum. They are as follows:
•    Critical Thinking Skills (CT) - creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
•    Communication Skills (COM) - effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication
•    Empirical and Quantitative Skills (EQS) - manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
•    Teamwork (TW) - ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal
•    Social Responsibility (SR) - intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
•    Personal Responsibility (PR) - ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making

COLLEGE POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK - Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

ADA STATEMENT - NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum. 

STUDENT SERVICES - NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

DISABILITY SERVICES - (Office for Students with Disabilities)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).
Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.
If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-4321.  Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.
Important Program Note – All certificate and degree programs have a capstone exam and lab practical. This capstone process must be completed and passed before NCTC will award the certificate or associates.  The exam has to be scheduled with the Division Chair and/or Faculty.  If you are completing your final core program course, consider scheduling your capstone.  If you have any questions, please contact your instructor for more information
If you have any questions, please contact your instructor for more information.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
Name of Chair/Coordinator:    Richard Marten
Office Location:    Gainesville CTC 2100
Telephone Number:    940-668-7301 EXT 4415
E-mail Address:    rmarten@nctc.edu
      
Name of Instructional Dean:    Darrell Smith
Office Location:    Champion Circle Campus
Telephone Number:    817-464-1001
E-mail Address:    ddsmith@nctc.edu
E-mail Address:    
NCTC Student Services and Resources