About the Program

Railway transportation continues to develop rapidly worldwide due to its safety, speed, and important role in industrialization. With the emergence of new applications and the increasing complexity of railway traffic compared to previous years, ensuring safe railway operations has become even more important. This development has also increased the need for qualified personnel who can work effectively in this field.

The Rail Systems Mechanical Technology Program, offered under the Department of Transportation Services at Yozgat Bozok University Sorgun Vocational School, aims to train responsible and professionally competent personnel for employment in the railway transportation sector.

In line with these objectives, the program aims to educate graduates who attach importance to occupational safety, can use computers effectively in their profession, read and interpret technical drawings and schematics, operate relevant equipment, perform maintenance and repair activities, understand instructions received from senior units and communicate them accurately to subordinate units, assume responsibility, work effectively as part of a team, maintain records, and prepare technical reports.

Employment Areas and Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Rail Systems Mechanical Technology Program may be employed, in accordance with the competencies they acquire, by the Turkish State Railways (TCDD) and its affiliated companies, urban rail transportation enterprises operated by municipalities, and numerous private-sector companies operating in the rail systems industry.

Graduates may work in various positions, including maintenance and repair technician, operator, train driver, tram driver, switch operator, conductor, technician, and elevator technical staff, particularly within TCDD and its affiliated organizations, municipalities operating rail transportation networks, and private companies in the rail systems sector.

They perform routine maintenance on rail system vehicles, identify the source of existing faults, and carry out the necessary repairs. If they do not have the authorization or technical competence required to resolve a particular fault, they report the issue to the relevant personnel or units.

Graduates of rail systems programs may also pursue careers as train drivers. After completing the relevant train-driving courses and training programs, they may work as train drivers within TCDD, as tram or urban rail vehicle drivers in municipal transportation systems, or as operators and drivers of rail vehicles used by private-sector companies engaged in railway construction, maintenance, and repair activities. Graduates who also hold a bachelor's degree may become eligible to work as high-speed train drivers, subject to the relevant requirements and training.

Qualification Awarded and Further Education

Students who successfully complete the program are awarded an associate degree diploma with the professional title of “Rail Systems Mechanical Technician.”

Graduates of the Rail Systems Mechanical Technology Associate Degree Program may apply to related bachelor's degree programs or distance education bachelor's completion programs, provided that they obtain the required score in the Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS) administered by the Assessment, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM).

Graduates may continue their education in the following bachelor's degree programs:

• Industrial Engineering
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Automotive Engineering
• Rail Systems Engineering

Admission and Registration Requirements

Within the framework of the regulations determined by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), admission to the program is carried out through the university entrance examination administered by the Assessment, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM).

After candidates submit their higher education program preferences to ÖSYM, placement in the relevant program is carried out according to the scores obtained in the university entrance examination and the applicable placement procedures.

Program Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

• Acquire knowledge and skills in a field supported by practical applications, building upon the vocational competencies gained during secondary education.
• Apply theoretical knowledge related to Rail Systems Mechanical Technology.
• Apply practical knowledge related to Rail Systems Mechanical Technology.
• Collect and use data for the solution of well-defined problems related to Rail Systems Mechanical Technology.
• Apply the theoretical knowledge, manual skills, and/or cognitive skills required in practical applications related to Rail Systems Mechanical Technology.
• Use computer software and information and communication technologies at the level required by Rail Systems Mechanical Technology.
• Acquire foreign language skills at a level sufficient for professional activities in Rail Systems Mechanical Technology.
• Assume responsibility both individually and as a team member in order to solve unforeseen problems encountered in practice.
• Learn independently in the field of Rail Systems Mechanical Technology and apply acquired knowledge.
• Identify unforeseen problems encountered in activities related to Rail Systems Mechanical Technology and develop appropriate solutions.
• Objectively evaluate and supervise the performance of personnel working under their responsibility.
• Critically evaluate their acquired knowledge and skills.
• Recognize the importance of lifelong learning and demonstrate the ability to pursue continuous professional development.
• Communicate ideas effectively in written and oral form in order to inform individuals and institutions about subjects related to Rail Systems Mechanical Technology.
• Present and share ideas and recommendations with both specialist and non-specialist audiences by supporting them with qualitative and quantitative data.
• Observe social, scientific, and ethical principles in the collection, interpretation, dissemination, and application of data related to Rail Systems Mechanical Technology.
• Appreciate the universality of social rights, develop an awareness of social justice, and demonstrate sufficient awareness of quality management, environmental protection, and occupational health and safety.
• Plan processes related to Rail Systems Mechanical Technology in accordance with the expectations and requirements of the sector.
• Use the technical and modern tools required for applications in Rail Systems Mechanical Technology.
• Develop professional self-confidence.
• Follow developments in Rail Systems Mechanical Technology and apply relevant innovations in professional practice.
• Work effectively and harmoniously as part of a team.
• Clearly and accurately introduce and present different designs and applications related to Rail Systems Mechanical Technology.

Qualification Requirements

In order to graduate from the Rail Systems Mechanical Technology Associate Degree Program and obtain the relevant qualification, students must:

• Successfully complete all courses in the curriculum corresponding to a total of 120 ECTS credits.
• Achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 out of 4.00.
• Complete a 20-working-day summer internship, as well as the practice-oriented Workplace Training and Workplace Practice courses conducted in an industrial environment.