General Studies program curriculum

This course offers an introduction to basic writing skills that are especially relevant to academic assignments. The course focuses on APA paragraph development and organization in conjunction with a review of basic grammar and mechanics. The course also covers basic techniques for critically editing and revising one's work.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to do the following:

• Use appropriate style, grammar, and mechanics in writing assignments.
• Compose a strong paragraph with attention to the following: topic sentences; and effective use of transitions.
• Identify and use a variety of essay structures, including expository, descriptive, narrative, comparison and contrast, and persuasion/argumentative.
• Organize, develop, and produce a fully developed five-paragraph essay.
• Differentiate and apply correct techniques for prewriting, writing, and proofreading using a variety of styles.
• Correctly apply the rules of APA for use in direct or indirect quotations and reference citations.

Credit Hours: 3

College Mathematics focuses on the fundamental math concepts through the use of real-world scenarios and step-by-step instruction. You'll perform operations and problem-solving with whole numbers, fractions, percentages, and decimals. Units of time, weight, capacity, length, and mass are applied to mathematical calculations, and basic geometric shapes are categorized. Statistical values for mean, median, mode, and standard deviation are determined, and basic statistical graphs are created. Other topics include ratios, proportions, US standard and metric units of measure, algebraic expressions, and equations.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to do the following:

• Solve problems with whole numbers.
• Solve fractions.
• Solve problems using decimals.
• Solve problems using ratios, proportions, and percent.
• Solve problems using measurement and geometry.
• Solve problems using statistics and probability.
• Solve problems with integers.
• Solve linear equations.

Credit Hours: 3

College Algebra This course is a graphical and numerical approach to algebra that incorporates the use of technology. Emphasis is placed on solving algebraic application problems, and results are solutions-oriented. The concept of a function as a tool to model real-world data will play a central role. Emphasis will also be placed on the study of equations and inequalities, graphs, matrices and determinants, quadratics, sequences, inductive reasoning, and probability.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to do the following:

• Solve equations using the addition principle.
• Solve equations using the multiplication principle.
• Solve problems using applications of percentages.
• Solve inequalities.
• Identify functions.
• Graph linear functions.
• Find the domain & range of a graph or equation.
• Find equations of lines.
• Use and simplify integers as exponents.
• Evaluate exponents and scientific notation.
• Add and subtract polynomials.
• Multiply polynomials.
• Factor and expand differences of squares.
• Evaluate and simplify exponential functions.
• Recognize, create, and simplify composite functions.
• Create and simplify inverse functions.
• Evaluate and simplify logarithmic functions.
• Apply properties of logarithms to expand or simplify logarithmic expressions.
• Recognize mathematical modeling.
• Complete matrix arithmetic operations.
• Solve systems of equations with Cramer's Rule.
• Solve systems of equations with Inverses.
• Identify and apply sequence notation.
• Identify and apply formulas to arithmetic sequences and series.
• Identify and apply formulas to geometric sequences and series.
• Use the counting principle to determine the number of possible outcomes.
• Calculate and interpret probability.
• Solve quadratic equations using the quadratic formula or factoring.
• Graph quadratics.
• Solve mathematic modeling problems using quadratics.

Credit Hours: 3

Chemistry exists in all parts of our modern world. From the polymers in our technological devices to the pharmaceuticals that fight against diseases such as AIDS and cancer, chemical elements and processes are involved in all aspects of human life. This course explains how chemical principles are reflected in everyday living. It also offers a contextual framework of significant social, political, economic, and ethical issues. You should leave this course with a thorough understanding of chemistry fundamentals. Important emphasis is placed on the environment and human energy sources.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to do the following:

• Describe the chemical nature of the ozone layer.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the periodic table.
• Explain the factors involved in global warming.
• Explain the chemical bonding of elements.
• Distinguish between heat and energy.
• Describe properties of drinking water.
• Demonstrate comprehension of acids and bases.
• Describe the risks and benefits of the use of nuclear power.
• Explain the nature of plastics and polymers.
• Describe some of the benefits and risks of herbal medicine.
• Discuss various methods of food preservation.
• Explain DNA's role in cell division, fingerprinting, and cloning.

Credit Hours: 3

Basic Biology introduces you to a world of exciting biological discoveries. Included in these discoveries are biological organization; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and ecosystems; chemistry; Darwin's theory of natural selection; and fungi, plant, and animal phyla and kingdoms. In addition, you'll discover how biology impacts your life, its relationship with technology, and how it's differentiated from other disciplines. This course also covers the evolution of animals, vertebrates, and invertebrates.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to do the following:

• Describe the relationship of biological organization and the fields of biology and chemistry.
• Explain the structure and functions of cells.
• Describe Darwin's theory of natural selection views and differentiate the domains and kingdoms of eukaryotic life.
• Discuss DNA and its relationship with inheritance.
• Extend the DNA discussion to include technology and related fields and issues of concern.
• Describe biological diversity, its evolution, and the discovery of microbial life.
• Develop knowledge extension about parts of speech.
• Describe colonization and diversification of plants and fungi.

Credit Hours: 3

Introduction to Ecology exposes you to the many interdependencies that exist within and among various ecosystems. You'll begin to understand how the climate, species, ecosystems, landscape, and sustainability factors all participate in diversity of plant and animal life. The goal of this course is to take the fundamental principles and biological concepts of the science of ecology and provide clear evidence of research approaches used in various areas of ecology.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to do the following:

• Outline the principles of ecological science, explaining how those principles help to understand the nature of Earth's physical environment and including variations in climate and the characteristics of aquatic versus terrestrial environments.
• Explain the processes by which organisms adapt to their environment and, in that context, the dynamics of natural selection in producing the great diversity of plant and animal adaptations.
• Describe the properties of populations, including population density; sex ratios; and other aspects of population growth, such as birth and death rates, life history patterns, mode of reproduction (asexual or sexual), mate selection patterns, and the interaction of phenotypes and environments.
• Describe the varying modes of species interaction, including population dynamics in respect to natural selection, interspecies competition, predation, parasitism, and mutualism.
• Explain the nature of an ecological community with respect to the varieties of community structures, factors influencing the structure of any community, the nature of community dynamics, and the significance of landscape dynamics.
• Define ecosystem ecology as it relates to ecosystem energy inputs and outputs in the context of decomposition and nutrient cycling and the various biogeochemical cycles, such as the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, the phosphorus cycle, and other salient cycles.
• Explain the nature of ecological biogeography with respect to terrestrial ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, and coastal and wetland ecosystems.
• Identify large-scale patterns of biological diversity, such as how biological diversity has changed over geologic time, and how patterns of species diversity vary geographically. With such ideas as background, describe numerous indices consistent with evidence of accelerating global warming and climate change resulting from human activity.

Credit Hours: 3

This course covers the psychology of biology and behavior, consciousness, memory, thought and language, intelligence, personality and gender, stress, and community influences.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to do the following:

• Demonstrate a high level of inquiry, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the liberal arts, natural sciences, and social sciences.
• Describe the science of psychology and the basic structures and functions of the human nervous and sensory systems.
• Explain various states of consciousness, learning theories, and thought processes and development.
• Summarize the nature of human motivation and development, the human development cycle, and approaches to understanding and assessing personality.
• Prepare an essay on the topic of conditioning, memory, or motivation and emotion.
• Recognize psychological disorders and available treatments.
• Explain social psychology as it relates to attitudes, influences, behaviors, and stress.
• Use critical thinking skills to determine the likely causes of behaviors of individuals and groups discussed in case studies.

Credit Hours: 3

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union . . ." These are the first words of the United States Constitution, the country's most important government document. What did the framers of this document envision as a "more perfect union"? In this course, you'll explore the result of their vision: the American government. You'll discover how the founders created a democracy based upon the ideals of liberty, equality, and self-government. You'll explore how the government is structured and how it operates, and you'll examine the three branches of government that make up the system of checks and balances: legislative, executive, and judicial. You'll find that although the Constitution, in principle, grants certain rights and liberties to the people, many groups haven't been allowed those rights in practice and have had to fight for them. But, as you'll discover, the very nature of the United States government means that the people have a voice and that the Constitution is a living document because it can be adapted and amended to change with the times.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to do the following:

• Analyze political thinking in America and the historical basis for the eventual structure of the United States government.
• Describe the factors and events that led to the creation of and the parts of the United States Constitution.
• Describe the role of federalism and civil liberties in American politics over time.
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of the executive branch and how it functions through the federal bureaucracy.
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of the legislative branch of government.
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of the judicial branch of government.
• Explain political parties and interest groups and the role that they play in campaigns, elections, and government policy.

Credit Hours: 3

Macroeconomics looks at the big picture of the performance of the national economy and its links to the global economy, as opposed to microeconomics, which focuses on the economic behavior of individual consumers and businesses. This course is designed to examine many aspects of the economy from this aggregate perspective. You'll discover some of the basic tools that economists use, such as the economic perspective, fundamental concepts, graphing skills, and an overview of the interrelated components of the United States economy. This course explains the importance of supply and demand, economic measures, growth, employment and inflation, and how these relate to the business cycle and the health of the economy. You'll also develop your knowledge of aggregate expenditures and aggregate supply and demand, which have a specific macroeconomic point of reference. This course will demonstrate the roles of fiscal policy, money, banks, and monetary policy in the economy, and how politics and the Federal Reserve can influence economic outcomes. You'll also learn about the interplay of deficits, surplus, and national debt, and have the chance to analyze the US Social Security system. Throughout the course, you'll have the opportunity to examine various international issues of particular importance in today's global economy.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to do the following:

• Explain the economic way of thinking.
• Explain the effect of supply and demand on free and competitive markets.
• Describe the key indicators and significant relationships of an economy.
• Explain the factors that impact growth and interest rates.
• Describe the key components of the US monetary system and the factors that affect the supply of and demand for money.
• Describe the impacts of aggregate supply, aggregate demand, and economic policy.
• Analyze the relationship between inflation and unemployment in the short run.
• Describe the goals of US monetary and fiscal policy and the methods used to achieve those goals.

Credit Hours: 3