Nov 23, 2024  
2013-14 Gaston College Catalog 
    
2013-14 Gaston College Catalog [THIS CATALOG IS OUT-OF-DATE. USE THE CURRENT CATALOG TO FIND CURRENT PROGRAMS.]

Associate in Arts (A10100)


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The Associate in Arts degree shall be granted for planned programs of study consisting of a minimum of 64 and a maximum of 65 semester hours of approved college transfer courses. Within the degree program, 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.
  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 (44SHC)*


English Composition (6 SHC)


ENG 111 is required. Students will only receive credit for one of the following: ENG 112, ENG 113, or ENG 114.

Humanities/Fine Arts (12 SHC)


Select four courses from at least three of the following discipline areas. At least one course must be a literature course. Only one course may be taken in the communication discipline.

Social/Behavioral Sciences (12 SHC)


Select four courses from at least three of the following discipline areas. At least one course must be a history course.

Natural Sciences/Mathematics (14 SHC)


Natural Sciences (8 SHC): Select two courses, including accompanying laboratory work, from among the biological and physical science disciplines. Students will not receive credit for both BIO 110 and BIO 111. Students will not receive credit for both CHM 131 and CHM 151. Students will not receive credit for both MAT 161 and MAT 171.

Mathematics (6 SHC): MAT 171 and MAT 171A are required. The other unit may be selected from among other quantitative subjects, such as computer science and statistics. Select at least one course from each series:

Other Required Hours (20-21 SHC)*


Must include additional general education and professional courses that have been approved for transfer. ACA 122  is a required elective.

Total Semester Hour Credits: 64-65


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.

Example of a Two-Year Schedule For the Associate in Arts Degree:


For Students Taking Developmental Courses

Total Credit Hours: 13


Total Credit Hours: 16


1st Summer


Total Credit Hours: 10


Fall, Sophomore Year


Total Credit Hours: 16


Spring, Sophomore Year


  • Humanities/Fine Arts core course (3 Credit Hours)
  • Social/Behavioral Science core (3 Credit Hours)
  • Natural Science core course (4 Credit Hours)
  • Transferable elective (3 Credit Hours)
  • Transferable elective (3 Credit Hours)
  • Transferable elective (3 Credit Hours)

Total Credit Hours: 19


2nd Summer


Total Credit Hours: 7


Total Semester Hour Credits: 64-65


Note(s):


*Two (2) Math Lab hours would add into elective hours

Example of a Two-Year Schedule for the Associate in Arts Degree:


Fall, Freshman Year


Total Credit Hours: 16


Spring, Freshman Year


Total Credit Hours: 16-17


Fall, Sophomore Year


  • Literature Core Course (3 Credit Hours)
  • Social/Behavioral Science Course (3 Credit Hours)
  • Natural Science Core Course (4 Credit Hours)
  • Transferable Elective (3 Credit Hours)
  • Transferable Elective (3 Credit Hours)

Total Credit Hours: 17


Spring, Sophomore Year


  • Humanities/Fine Arts core course (3 Credit Hours)
  • Social/Behavioral Science course (3 Credit Hours)
  • Natural Science core course (4 Credit Hours)
  • Transferable elective (3 Credit Hours)
  • Transferable elective (3-4 Credit Hours)

Total Credit Hours: 16-17


Total Semester Hour Credits: 64-66


Note(s):


*Two (2) Math Lab hours would add into elective hours

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