Courses
Auto Body Repair Techniques-2025/2026
| Year 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| ATBR-1019 | Auto Body Work Practices | 2.5 | ||
| This course will introduce students to the everyday work practices of the auto body industry. Upon completion, the student will be able to practice safe workplace procedures, apply WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), identify causes of accidents and develop preventive measures. Students will be familiar with the acts and laws pertaining to auto body and collision damage repair. Students will also gain a working knowledge of the hand tools and equipment, including different fastening hardware and materials, used within the auto body industry. | ||||
| WELD-1059 | Automotive Welding | 3.5 | ||
| This course will prepare students to use welding equipment common to auto body and collision damage repair. Students will learn safe handling and set-up procedures and identify common workplace welding and cutting hazards. Students will weld automotive steel in a variety of joint setups, including overlap and butt joints. Students will become familiar with common auto body procedures of welding and cutting using plasma cutters, oxy-acetylene torches, aluminum and steel MIG (MAG) welders, and TIG welders. | ||||
| ATBR-1029 | Auto Body Frame & Structure | 5.5 | ||
| An understanding of auto body frame and structure design is foundational knowledge for auto body repairers. This course will enable students to identify various cosmetic and structural vehicle design concepts and manufacturing processes. The students will learn the logic behind various styles of body and frame design and use this knowledge to fabricate and replicate auto body designs. Students will also apply non-structural repair principles and procedures to common collision damage. Students will use various types of corrosion protection to maintain vehicle structural integrity and will work with vehicle safety systems. | ||||
| ATBR-1030 | Painting Fundamentals | 3.5 | ||
| This course will enable students to perform basic refinishing procedures on automotive panels. Students will spray using a 3D virtual reality painting simulator. The students will service and use equipment required in refinishing, including spray guns, airlines, paint dryers, computerized paint mixing systems, sanders, fresh-air-supplied respirators and associated safety equipment. Students will work with various substrates in preparing the panel surface for different types of primers, colour coats and clear coats and refinish to industry standards. Students will learn industry techniques to block sand, dry sand, wet sand, and refine surfaces for various painting scenarios. | ||||
| ATBR-1022 | Auto Body Basic Mechanical | 1.5 | ||
| In this course students will learn the fundamentals of automotive electrical systems and mechanical systems. Students will work with electrical systems and gain an understanding of power sources and components as well as various testing devices. Students will service basic mechanical devices such as batteries and tires and rims, and identify various air conditioning system components and their functions. | ||||
| ATBR-1023 | Trade Calculations | 2 | ||
| This course provides students with the trade-related math skills used in common auto body shop operations. Students will learn basic formulas, calculations, and units of measuring used for autobody accounting, mixing paints, measuring vehicles, welder calibrations, and metal fabrication.The students will also apply these basic math skills to typical office tasks such as job costing, calculating overhead costs, and processing payroll. | ||||
| ATBR-3007 | Auto Body Mechanical | 1.5 | ||
| This course will prepare the learners to service individual mechanical systems common to vehicles. Students will use diagnostic equipment and basic repair techniques to service automotive power train, tires and rims, and fuel, air conditioning and heating systems. Students will work with various electrical circuits (e.g., series, parallel and series parallel circuits), and identify and service the systems protection devices. | ||||
| ATBR-3008 | Automotive Plastic Repair | 3 | ||
| This course will enable the students to identify the various types of plastics used in the automotive industry and use appropriate repair equipment and procedures. Students will repair both flexible and rigid plastics using common epoxy repairs. Students will perform various types of plastic welding in a variety of repair scenarios. Students will identify which types of plastics and what type of damage would require replacement versus repair. | ||||
| ATBR-3009 | Non-Structural Panel Repairs | 3 | ||
| This course will enable students to identify and perform non-structural replacement and repair of automotive panels. Students will assess panel damage and use appropriate procedures and tools to repair and replace panels. Students will be exposed to pneumatic, hydraulic and electric equipment used to repair various types of cosmetic damage on vehicles. Students will also fit and adjust removable panels back to OEM (original equipment manufacturer) standards of fit and finish. | ||||
| ATBR-3010 | Collision Repair Estimating | 1.5 | ||
| This course will enable students to identify various types of damage and assess the extent of damage for the purpose of estimating repair costs. Students will locate and diagnose damage patterns using common blueprinting processes. Students will apply repair estimate logic to prepare hand written estimates, and use auto body estimating software to prepare computerized estimates. | ||||
| ATBR-3011 | Painting Techniques | 2 | ||
| This course will provide students with enhanced skills related to paint technology and application. In this course students will tint and mix complicated colours, prepare vehicles for multi-layered paint jobs, and use advanced blending and spot repair techniques. Students will apply custom painting techniques to automotive panels and will troubleshoot and correct common paint problems in a variety of painting projects. | ||||
| ATBR-3012 | Trade Techniques | 2.5 | ||
| In this course students learn about new auto body repair techniques and associated procedures and equipment. Examples include repair of aluminum vehicles and paintless dent removal (PDR). Students will conduct research on emerging repair technologies and learn how to access the resources required to stay current with vehicle repair trends. | ||||
| COMM-3081 | Communications for the Auto Body Trade | 2 | ||
| This course will provide students with the trade-related communication skills used to foster customer relations as well as the communication skills using tofind, obtain and retain a job. Students will learn basic job search strategies and skills such as networking, resume writing and interviewing. The curriculum will also address essential employability skills (e.g., time management, workplace ethics, professionalism) to ensure graduates meet employer expectations. | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 9 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||