Nov 25, 2024  
2015-2016 Gaston College Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Gaston College Catalog [THIS CATALOG IS OUT-OF-DATE. USE THE CURRENT CATALOG TO FIND CURRENT PROGRAMS.]

Associate in Arts (A10100)


The Associate in Arts degree shall be granted for planned programs of study consisting of a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 61 semester hours of approved college transfer courses with a grade of C or better in each course.

Within the degree programs, the college shall include opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communications, fundamental mathematical skills, and the basic use of computers.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

  1. Use computers and other educational technologies to achieve academic and work-related goals. Students will meet this outcome by doing at least one of the following:
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems.
    2. Integrate the use of a calculator or Excel to construct, analyze, solve, and graph solutions to problems.
  2. Communicate effectively through writing, reading, and speaking. Students will meet this outcome by completing both of the following requirements:
    1. Demonstrate the ability to organize, plan, and execute the college- level expository essay.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to prepare and deliver an oral presentation.
  3. Analyze problems and make logical decisions. Students will meet this outcome by doing at least one of the following:
    1. Synthesize mathematical criteria to determine an appropriate solution to satisfy the given conditions of a problem.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of the empirical nature of science and the scientific method and use this knowledge to analyze problems and make rational decisions.
    3. Identify and analyze arguments.
    4. Develop a logically-structured expository essay for an academic audience.
    5. Synthesize given information and use this knowledge to make rational decisions.
  4. Examine the arts/humanities and social behavioral sciences from cultural and historic perspectives. Students will meet this outcome by doing at least one of the following:
    1. Evaluate and explain patterns in human political, cultural, and economic life and their impact on human societies.
    2. Differentiate and discuss how cultural groups express themselves through the humanities/arts.
    3. Explain patterns of human development throughout the lifespan and discuss contextual factors that may influence the developmental patterns.
    4. Evaluate and explain patterns in various human social groups and their interrelatedness.
  5. Analyze, manipulate, and interpret quantitative data. Students will meet this outcome by doing at least one of the following:
    1. Demonstrate the ability to perform fundamental algebraic concepts and skills to analyze and interpret quantitative data.
    2. Given relevant information and practicing math skills necessary for the sciences, analyze, manipulate, and interpret quantitative data.

General Education Courses (45 SHC)*


Additional General Education Hours (13-14 SHC)


An additional 13-14 SHC of courses should be selected from courses classified as general education courses within the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement. Students should select these courses based on their intended major and transfer university.

Other Required Hours (15 SHC)


Total Program Hours: 60


Note(s):


*Students must meet the receiving university’s foreign language and/or health and physical education requirements, if applicable, prior to or after transfer to the senior institution.