- Dates: October 12 – December 4, 2026
- Meeting: Mondays
- Time: 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
- Location: V110 — Vocational-Technical
- Format: Hybrid Lecture/Discussion
- Lab: V122 — Vocational-Technical
Explanation of Course Alignment
AUTO 2343 Electrified Vehicle Theory builds on the foundational knowledge developed in Electrified Vehicle Safety and prepares students for continued study in electrified vehicle diagnosis and service. The course develops an understanding of electrified vehicle architecture, battery systems, electrical energy flow, electric drive systems, power electronics, thermal management, charging systems, and different types of electrified vehicles.
Students will use service information, diagnostic concepts, and hands-on activities to connect theoretical principles to modern vehicle systems. The course emphasizes understanding how electrified vehicle systems operate and how the systems interact, providing the foundation necessary for advanced diagnosis and repair.
The course supports the Electrified Vehicle I certificate and the Automotive Technology program by providing the theoretical knowledge necessary for students to progress into advanced electrified vehicle diagnostic and service coursework.
Faculty Contact Information
Half hour after class ends or as needed when scheduled via email.
James Stafford
JStafford@kcc.edu
Tutor
Mr. Melvin
PKing@kcc.edu
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze the principles and components of advanced internal combustion engine (ICE) technology, compare the efficiency and environmental impacts of various innovations, and evaluate their applications in modern automotive design.
- Describe the fundamental principles of battery chemistry, explore different types of battery chemistries used in electric vehicles, and assess their advantages, limitations, and environmental impacts.
- Analyze the function of power inverters and converters in electric and hybrid vehicles, explain how regenerative braking systems recover energy, and evaluate the efficiency and impact of these technologies on vehicle performance and energy management.
- Demonstrate an understanding of various electric vehicle drive types, including front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive, and explain their impact on vehicle performance, efficiency, and overall design.
- Evaluate the function of electric vehicle thermal management systems, explaining how they regulate temperature to optimize battery performance, and assess their impact on vehicle efficiency and longevity.
- Examine the modes and drive types of electrified vehicles, analyzing how each mode affects performance, energy efficiency, and driving experience, and evaluating the advantages and limitations of different drive types in diverse driving conditions.
- Explain extended range and fuel cell technologies in electrified vehicles.
- Introduction to Advanced Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology
- Understanding Battery Chemistry
- Power Inverters, Converters, and Regenerative Braking Systems
- Electric Vehicle Drive Types
- Thermal Management Systems in Electric Vehicles
- Modes and Drive Types of Electrified Vehicles
- Extended Range and Fuel Cell Technologies
Required Materials
Electude online training subscription
Access to Canvas and KCC email
Instructor-provided course materials and learning resources
Course Materials
Students will utilize Electude online learning modules, instructor-developed course materials, service information, and hands-on learning activities throughout the course. All course assignments, announcements, grades, assessments, and supplemental materials will be distributed through Canvas.
Final course grades will be determined using the following grading categories:
- Electude Learning Modules – 35%
- Hands-On Learning Activities and Workbook Assignments – 35%
- Quizzes, Tests, and Final Assessment – 30%
Letter grades will be assigned as follows:
- A = 94–100%
- B = 84–93%
- C = 77–83%
- D = 70–76%
- F = Below 70%
Electude modules, hands-on activities, workbook assignments, quizzes, tests, and final assessments will evaluate student understanding of electrified vehicle systems, system operation, diagnostic concepts, and related course competencies.
Business, Technology & Human Services
Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650
Attendance, Punctuality & Participation
This is an accelerated 8-week course that meets for five hours each week. Attendance is essential because a significant amount of course instruction, laboratory activity, and hands-on learning occurs during the scheduled class meeting.
Students are expected to attend every scheduled class meeting, arrive on time, remain for the entire class period, and participate in required classroom and laboratory activities.
Because of the accelerated course format, missing one class represents five hours of missed instruction and laboratory activity. Students who miss two scheduled class meetings will have missed 10 hours of instruction and laboratory activity and may be required to drop the course and retake it during a future term, consistent with college attendance and withdrawal policies.
Students who miss class are responsible for contacting the instructor as soon as possible regarding missed material and required make-up work.
Make-Up Work and Missed Instruction
Students are responsible for all instruction, assignments, laboratory activities, and assessments missed due to an absence. Students should contact the instructor as soon as possible to determine how missed course material and activities will be addressed.
When appropriate, students may be required to meet with the instructor to review missed material and demonstrate completion or understanding of required learning activities.
Make-up work is intended to help students recover missed learning and does not replace required class attendance or missed hands-on instructional time. Make-up laboratory activities are subject to equipment, vehicle, facility, and instructional availability.
Electude Learning
Students are responsible for completing assigned Electude learning modules by the published deadlines. Electude modules are designed to prepare students for classroom instruction, discussion, hands-on application, and assessments.
Electude modules completed by the assigned deadline with a score of 60% or higher receive full credit. Modules completed below 60% may require review and demonstration of understanding before credit is awarded. Late Electude work is subject to the course late-work policy.
All assigned homework must be completed before the final class meeting or final assessment. No regular homework assignments will be due after the final class meeting or final assessment.
Laboratory Safety
Students must follow all automotive laboratory safety procedures and instructor directions. Safety glasses and appropriate clothing are required during laboratory activities.
Students must properly use tools, equipment, vehicles, training devices, and batteries and immediately report unsafe conditions or damaged equipment and batteries.
Unsafe behavior, horseplay, or disregard for safety procedures may result in removal from the laboratory and additional disciplinary action.
Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior
Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully in all classroom, laboratory, Canvas, and online activities. Students must arrive prepared and on time, participate appropriately, follow instructor directions and safety procedures, communicate respectfully, and respect classmates, instructors, vehicles, equipment, facilities, and college property.
Unsafe, disruptive, disrespectful, or inappropriate behavior may result in removal from the classroom or laboratory and may be addressed under applicable college policies.
Professional Technician Expectations
Students are preparing for careers as professional automotive technicians and are expected to conduct themselves accordingly. Professionalism includes being punctual, prepared, accountable, respectful, productive, and responsible for the quality of their work.
Students are expected to take ownership of their work, use tools and equipment properly, follow procedures, protect vehicles and customer property, maintain a clean and organized work area, and complete assignments and laboratory activities to a professional standard.
The expectations of this course are intended to reflect the standards students will encounter in the automotive industry. Students should develop the skills, habits, and professionalism that justify the level of compensation they expect to earn as professional technicians.
Work Quality and Accountability
Students are responsible for the quality and completeness of their work. Assignments, laboratory activities, documentation, measurements, and diagnostic procedures should be completed accurately and professionally.
Students are expected to identify and correct errors when directed and to ask questions when they do not understand a procedure or concept.
Service Information and Technical Accuracy
Students are expected to use appropriate manufacturer service information and other reliable technical resources when completing vehicle research and laboratory activities. Vehicle-specific information must be verified using the applicable service information.
Students are responsible for the accuracy of measurements, observations, research, and documentation submitted for evaluation.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
AI tools may be used as a supplemental learning resource but may not replace student learning, critical thinking, hands-on practice, or required research and service information.
Students may use AI to:
- Review course concepts and terminology.
- Create study guides or practice questions.
- Brainstorm ideas or organize their work.
- Assist with grammar, spelling, and formatting.
Students may not use AI to:
- Submit AI-generated work as their own without appropriate revision and acknowledgment.
- Fabricate measurements, test results, diagnostic findings, or other technical information.
- Complete Electude assignments, quizzes, tests, or hands-on activities in place of the student.
- Use AI during closed-book exams, quizzes, or practical assessments unless specifically authorized by the instructor.
- Substitute AI-generated vehicle-specific information for manufacturer service information or other required technical resources.
Students are responsible for verifying the accuracy of any information obtained through AI. AI-generated information does not replace manufacturer service information, instructor instruction, or required hands-on learning. Misuse of AI may result in loss of credit, additional competency demonstration, or referral under applicable college academic integrity policies.
| Week | Date | Stafford Workbook / Class Focus | Electude |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct. 12 | Chapter 1 – Why Now? EV technology progression; RC propulsion trainer; battery, motor, controller, voltage, and thermal concepts | Introduction |
| 2 | Oct. 19 | Chapter 2 – Service Information & Battery Chemistry; service information; battery construction, chemistry, energy density, and degradation | Working on Hybrid Vehicles |
| 3 | Oct. 26 | Chapter 3 – High-Voltage Safety & Distribution; contactors, precharge, HVIL, isolation, BMS, and DC-DC | Electric Drive Categories |
| 4 | Nov. 2 | Chapter 4 – Power Electronics, Motors & Drive; inverters, converters, electric motors, regeneration, and drive configurations | Components |
| 5 | Nov. 9 | Chapter 5 – Thermal Management Systems; battery, motor, inverter, HVAC, heat pumps, and preconditioning | Electric Motors |
| 6 | Nov. 16 | Chapter 6 – EV Charging; EVSE, charge ports, onboard chargers, Level 1/2, and DC fast charging | Hybrid Systems; Charging System |
| 7 | Nov. 23 | Chapter 7 – Electrified Vehicle Types; HEV, PHEV, BEV, EREV, and fuel cell | Safety Systems |
| 8 | Nov. 30 | Chapter 8 – The Conversation With Dale; course review, final presentation, and final assessment | Battery Management System |
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.