Computer Information Systems (CIS) is a program for students interested in the application of computer hardware, and software to business. CIS courses prepare students for entry-level positions in information technology, networking, web and application development, networking, or database administration. These courses may be used for job advancement, an associate degree or certificate of achievement, or transfer to a four-year institution. CIS courses cover major programming languages (Visual BASIC, C++, Java) as well as software used in business for database management, spreadsheets, and networking. Students intending to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems should consult the major requirements for upper-division standing listed under the Business Administration major at the school of their choice.

Learning Outcome(s):

✓ Describe ethical, professional, and legal challenges that confront computer information systems and information technology.
✓ Design, implement, manage and administer secure computer information systems and information technology operations.
✓ Evaluate best practices in implementing hardware, software, networking, information technology management and security to enhance business processes and competitive advantages.
✓ Develop written documentation and presentations, individually and in collaborative environments, that provide solutions to computer information systems and information technology challenges.

The Associate in Science in Computer Science for Transfer (A.S.-T Computer Science) prepares students to transfer into the CSU system. Please consult a counselor regarding specific course requirements for your transfer institution. Completion of the Associate in Science in Computer Science for Transfer (A.S.-T Computer Science) also provides guaranteed admission with junior status to the CSU system, although does not guarantee acceptance to a specific campus or major. See Associate Degrees for Transfer for a list of additional requirements for all Associate in Arts for Transfer (A.A.-T) and Associate in Science for Transfer (A.S.-T) degrees.

Upon completion of the A.S.-T in Computer Science (A.S.-T Computer Science), students will be well- versed in the use of standard computer control structures to solve problems and develop algorithms. They will have developed skills in writing programs that utilize functions as a method of program organization and control. Additional areas of emphasis will include objects, object-oriented programming, data structures, and abstract data types. Computer science students will also obtain knowledge of computer architecture and organization. The Computer Science curriculum also requires the student to have significant skills in mathematics and the applications of those skills to real world problem solving.

NOTE: Completion of IGETC is recommended for the general education portion of this degree. For those planning to meet the CSU admission requirement an Oral Communication course, IGETC 1C, must be included.

Learning Outcome(s):

1. Students will know how to use computer science software.

The major course requirements for the associate degree in Community Social Services enable students to move into a transfer curriculum at a four-year university that can lead to a baccalaureate degree in Human Services. The baccalaureate degree in Human Services prepares students for graduate programs in Counseling, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapy. Please see a counselor for specific course requirements for your transfer university.

Learning Outcome(s):

✓ Students will think critically and communicate effectively about community social service issues using written and oral communication.
✓ Students will demonstrate the effective use of empathic listening and interviewing skills.
✓ Students will evaluate and integrate information to draw reasonable conclusions based on evidence

The Environmental Sciences Associate in Science Degree program emphasizes the development of skills in natural history and ecology. Specified coursework trains students to identify, describe, and analyze natural environments in terms of native species and ecological processes. The program’s many field-oriented lecture and laboratory courses investigate a variety of natural settings including chaparral, woodland, estuary, coastal ocean, island, desert, and mountain environments. Accompanying lecture courses provide the theoretical foundation to support comprehensive field studies. The Environmental Sciences Associate in Science Degree is designed to provide students with a breadth and depth of both conceptual and field-oriented knowledge. This degree requires a total of 22-26 units in the major in addition to other graduation requirements.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

🗸 Employ ecological and evolutionary theory to analyze and interpret the structure and operations of a diversity of natural systems in order to design scientific studies, complete research reports, and/or inform decision makers and the public.

🗸 Distinguish, classify, and assess species and ecological processes within a diversity of natural systems in order to increase personal and societal appreciation of the beauty, elegance, and value of the natural world.

🗸 Assess the causes, and predict the consequences, of human population growth and industrialization, as they relate to human quality of life and global habitability, in order to inform decision makers and the public and/or design individual and collective remedies for positive change.

The associate degree curriculum in communication studies provides training for communicating and dealing with people. Completion of the associate in arts degree prepares students to move into a curriculum at a four-year institution leading to a baccalaureate degree, and then into careers in the field of business, industry, government, or education in such areas as teaching, public speaking, announcing, and public relations.

Learning Outcome(s):

✓ Recognize and explain characteristics of competent communication.
✓ Construct messages that demonstrate communication competency

The Entrepreneurship Associate in Science Degree is designed to prepare students with key considerations for starting and managing a business. Everyone can be an Entrepreneur. We will guide students step-by-step through solid business planning. Upon program completion, students will have a business plan and the operational skills necessary to start or expand a business. This degree requires 22-25 units.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

🗸 Define, identify and/or apply the principles of entrepreneurial management and growth through strategic plans, consulting projects and/or implementing their own businesses.

🗸 Utilize a working vocabulary of business terminology..

🗸 Define, identify and/or apply the principles of viability of businesses, new business proposals, and/or find opportunities within new/existing businesses.

The Associate in Arts Degree in Communication Studies 2.0 for Transfer prepares students to move into a curriculum at a four-year institution, leading to a baccalaureate degree in communication studies. Please consult a counselor regarding specific course requirements for your transfer institution. Completion of the Associate in Arts Degree in Communication Studies 2.0 for Transfer also provides guaranteed admission with junior status to the CSU system, although it does not guarantee admission to a specific major or campus. Upon completion of the Associate in Arts Degree in Communication Studies 2.0 for Transfer, students will have a general understanding of the main communication studies theories. Students will have the capacity to write and think in a critically analytical way about issues pertaining to the process of human communication.

Requirements

Student completion requirements for the associate degree for transfer:

✓ Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
✓ Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0
✓ Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
✓ Completion of IGETC and/or CSU GE-Breadth.

Learning Outcome(s):

✓ Use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts.
✓ Employ communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts.
✓ Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
✓ Demonstrate the ability to accomplish communicative goals.
✓ Apply ethical communication principles and practices.

The English Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer, also called the English AA-T Degree, prepares students to transfer to CSU campuses that offer bachelor's degrees in English. Ed Code Section 66746-66749 states students earning the English AA-T degree will be granted priority for admission as an English major to a local CSU, as determined by the CSU campus to which the student applies. This degree is designed to prepare students to read and write about literature critically and to understand key historical and generic influences in the production and reception of literature and other cultural texts. While a baccalaureate degree is recommended preparation for those considering careers in fields such as writing, journalism, education, training and development, sales, community relations, the ministry, law, business, entertainment, nonprofit organizations and government, completion of this curriculum will demonstrate commitment to the field and provide comprehensive preparation for upper-division work. This degree requires a total of 19 units. The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees, and there are no additional graduation requirements: (1) Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following: (a) The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education – Breadth Requirements. (b) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district. (2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0. (3) A “P” (Pass) grade is an acceptable grade for courses in the major only if the P is defined to be equivalent to a C or better.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

🗸 Explain how context contributes to a text’s meaning.

🗸 Analyze the rhetorical and stylistic elements of a text

🗸 Write ethically and clearly in a variety of situations.

The English Associate in Arts Degree is designed to prepare students to read and write about literature critically and to understand key historical and generic influences in the production and reception of literature and other cultural texts. This degree requires a total of 19 units, in addition to other graduation requirements.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

🗸 Explain how context contributes to a text’s meaning

🗸 Analyze the rhetorical and stylistic elements of a text.

🗸 Write ethically and clearly in a variety of rhetorical situations.

The Engineering Associate in Science Degree is designed to prepare students for transfer to a university for a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree. Students with a bachelor’s degree in engineering may pursue careers in a variety of industries depending on their specialization in the engineering field. In order to be well prepared for the upper division engineering curriculum at a university after transfer, students should complete as many courses as possible from both the core engineering course list and the restricted electives list. This degree requires a total of 24-28 units.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

🗸 Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

🗸 Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.