Vacuum Technology Fundamentals

Micro-credential — Online Asynchronous with Facilitated Sync Sessions
6 Modules 36 Lessons Online Asynchronous + Facilitated Sessions Selkirk College 2026

Welcome to Vacuum Technology Fundamentals

This micro-credential builds the conceptual foundation for working with vacuum systems — whether you come from a trades background, a design role, or engineering. Over six modules, you'll develop the fluency to read schematics, interpret gauge readings, identify system states, and communicate with precision on the shop floor or at the design stage.

How This Course Works

The course is organised into six modules, each building on the last. Within each module you'll find:

  • Lessons — core content with embedded visuals, callouts, and knowledge checks
  • Formative quizzes — low-stakes practice to test your understanding (not graded)
  • Graded quizzes — submitted to your facilitator for assessment
  • Workbooks — extended written responses that deepen your thinking
  • Scenario cards — real-world situations to apply what you've learned
  • Assessment tasks — structured evidence-based assignments

Everything is grounded in the R1-A training rig — a simplified vacuum system that makes abstract concepts concrete. Later modules introduce the R2-A and R3-A rigs to extend your thinking to industrial-scale systems.

Work at your own pace through the asynchronous content. Your facilitator will run periodic sync sessions for discussion and Q&A.

How to Submit Your Work

Graded Quizzes — Answer all questions, then click Submit Quiz. Your responses are sent automatically to your facilitator. You will receive a confirmation code.

Workbooks — Complete your responses in each field, then click Submit Workbook at the bottom of the page. Your work is sent to your facilitator.

Assessments — Complete the assessment tasks, then click Submit Assessment. Your work is sent to your facilitator.

All submissions include a confirmation code. Keep this code as your receipt.

If you see "Saved locally" instead of "Submitted" — your internet connection may have dropped. Use the Copy to Clipboard or Email to Self buttons to save your responses and send them to your facilitator manually.

Interactive Tools & Resources

R1-A Side Elevation

2D assembly drawing of the R1-A training rig — SVG schematic with labeled components.

Open Tool →

R1-A Component Schematic

Interactive labeled diagram — click components to see details.

Open Tool →

R1-A Interactive States

Toggle between system states — see how valve positions and pressures change.

Open Tool →

R1-A Scenario Animator

Step through operational scenarios with animated state transitions.

Open Tool →

P&ID Diagram (ISO 14617)

Process & instrumentation diagram using international standard symbols.

Open Tool →

Conductance Animator

Visualise mean free path and flow regime transitions as pressure changes.

Open Tool →

Pumpdown Curve Simulator

Interactive pressure-over-time graph — adjust parameters and see effects.

Open Tool →

Troubleshooting Decision Trees

Diagnostic flowcharts for common vacuum system problems.

Open Tool →

R2-A Component Schematic

Extended rig variant — thin-film coating sector configuration.

Open Tool →

R3-A Component Schematic

Advanced rig variant — research/semiconductor sector configuration.

Open Tool →

Give Us Your Feedback

This is a prototype course and your feedback is genuinely valuable. On every page you'll find a feedback overlay (look for the tab on the right side of the screen). Use it to:

  • Flag anything confusing, incorrect, or unclear
  • Suggest improvements to lessons, quizzes, or tools
  • Report technical issues (broken links, display problems)
  • Tell us what's working well

Your comments go directly to the course development team. Don't hold back — honest feedback makes the course better for everyone.