Philosophy of General Education. The college aims to prepare students to perform effectively in highly specialized and advanced technical occupations and
respond effectively to the inevitable technical and societal changes that will occur throughout their careers. To respond to change, students will need to engage in a lifelong process of inquiry, decision-making, and acquisition of new knowledge. General education, which has as its fundamental purpose the development and integration of every student’s knowledge, skills, attitudes and experiences, is one of the best means for achieving the ability to engage effectively in critical thinking and problem solving needed in the work place and beyond.
The required General Education courses assure that students have a sound base in oral and written English, mathematics, the sciences, and computing skills.
A key characteristic of the curriculum for each program is the integration of academic and technical education into a balanced program of study designed to develop broad-based, highly-skilled technicians. This requires that the student develop a foundation of communication, mathematics, science, and social knowledge and skills, as well as developing appropriate attitudes associated with successful technicians. This foundation is provided by completion of the required general education courses. The knowledge and skills developed are then integrated into technical education courses for purposes of reinforcement and for purposes of connecting the material learned to specific applications in the student’s field of study.
The Associate of Applied Science General Education Core.
Students seeking an Associate of Applied Science Degree are required to take a general education core including a minimum of 19 semester credit hours.
Associate of Applied Science General Education Core Requirements
Area 1. Oral & Written Communication 6 Credit Hours
Course
Course Title
Credits
COM 101
English Composition
3
Or
COM 110
Honors Composition*
3
And
COM 111
Oral Communications
3
Or
COM 121
Public Speaking
3
Area 2. Mathematics 3 Credit Hours
Course
Course Title
Credits
MAT 115
College Algebra
3
Or
MAT 118
Survey of College Mathematics
3
Or
MAT 120
Pre-Calculus
5
Or
MAT 122
Elements of Calculus
3
Or
MAT 123
Calculus I
5
Area 3. Science 4 Credit Hours
Course
Course Title
Credits
PHY 100
Physical Science with a laboratory
4
Or
PHY 101/102
College Physics with a laboratory
4
Or
PHY 103/104
Environmental Science with a laboratory
4
Or
PHY 201
General Physics with a laboratory
5
Or
A science course with a laboratory*
4
Area 4. Social Science 3 Credit Hours
Course
Course Title
Credits
PSC 101
American Government1,2
3
or
HST 105
American History to 18771,2
3
or
HST 110
American History from 1877 to the Present1,2
3
Area 5 Technical Literacy 3 Credit Hours
Course
Course Title
Credits
CPP 101
Introduction to Microcomputer Usage
3
Or
CPP 102
Advanced Microcomputer Usage
3
*Requires Department Approval
¹ PSC 101 American Government, HST 105 American History to 1877, and HST 110 American History from 1877 to the Present fulfill both the general education requirement and the Missouri constitution requirement.
² Transfer students must also meet Missouri's constitution requirement through an approved method.
The Certificate General Education Core Students seeking a certificate will follow the specific general education core requirements below for the certificate being sought.
CERTICIATE GENERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTS
Certificate - One Year Students are required to complete a basic general education core of at least six semester credit hours.
Certificate - Less than One-Year Certificates of Less than One-Year may or may not include a requirement for students to complete a basic general education core of at least six semester credit hours.
Certificate - One Semester Certificates of One Semester may or may not include a requirement for students to complete a basic general decimation core of at least six semester credit hours.
