Course Descriptions

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2, 3 and 10. This courses involves the discussion and study of ecosystems, biodiversity, human adaptations to and modifications of those ecosystems, and current environmental problems and their possible solutions. This course includes lab-like experiences including an ecosystem observation and data analysis. This course is for non-science majors.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2, 3 and 10. This course includes laboratory work completed in conjunction with BIOL 1107 Environmental Science Issues. Laboratory experiences may include lab and field exercises, computer simulations and collection and analysis of data related to current environmental issues and their possible solutions. This optional lab must be taken concurrently with BIOL 1107.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2 and 3. This course is an introduction to the structure and function of living systems with an emphasis on cellular and molecular biology. Fundamental concepts include the chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, cell division, metabolism, classical and molecular genetics, and biotechnology. This course includes a laboratory component incorporating experimental design, microscopic work, and cellular and molecular biology techniques. Along with BIOL1123, this course is part of a two-semester sequence of general biology that can be taken in any order.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2 and 3. This course is a study of the fundamental principles of nutrition. This course will cover food composition, diet planning, utilization of food nutrients in the body and the requirements for nutrients in infancy, childhood, teen years, athletes, adults and the elderly. Also included are discussions about current trends in nutrition, the relationship of diet and disease, and cultural differences in dietary practices. Using the basic principles of nutrition, students will have a lab-like experience tracking, measuring, calculating and analyzing their diet and presenting the results in a written analytical report.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2 and 3. Course deals with substances, their structures and properties, the changes they undergo and the laws that govern those changes. Intended for prospective elementary teachers, non-science majors and those who need background for General Chemistry. This course includes a lab.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2 and 3. This course is the first of a two-course series (CHEM1111 and CHEM1112) intended for science majors. Students will learn the general chemistry principles: problem solving, nomenclature, atomic structure, electronic structure, stoichiometry, titration, reaction types, molecular structure, thermochemistry, electronic structure, and properties and laws of gases. The course includes a lab. Students completing the two-semester sequence will be competent in all areas listed in General Chemistry I & II of the Minnesota State Chemistry Transfer Pathway.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2 and 3. This course is the second of a two-course series (CHEM1111 and CHEM1112) intended for science majors. Students will learn the general chemistry principles: intermolecular forces, properties of solids and liquids, solution chemistry, kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base equilibrium, solubility equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and possibly coordination chemistry and an introduction to environmental chemistry. The course includes a lab. Students completing the two-semester sequence will be competent in all the areas listed in General Chemistry I & II of the Minnesota State Chemistry Transfer Pathway.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2 and 3. This course is the first course of a two-course series (CHEM2224 and CHEM2225). Students will learn organic chemistry principles including introduction to the classification, structure, nomenclature, reactions and reaction mechanisms of carbon compounds. The following topics will be included: structure and properties of organic compounds, nomenclature, structural representation and interpretation, isomerism, acid base properties of organic molecules, reaction representation and interpretation, reactions of organic molecules (mechanistic representations, proton transfer, nucleophilic substitution, elimination, electrophilic addition and free radical), reaction considerations and basic principles of spectroscopy. The course includes a lab, which will include techniques for the purification, synthesis and characterization of organic compounds and the study of organic reactions. Green chemistry techniques will be practiced whenever possible.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2 and 3. This course is the second of a two-course series (CHEM2224 and CHEM2225). Students will learn the reactions and characteristics of various organic chemistry groups. The following topics will be included: functional groups, nomenclature and preparation, structure and reactivity, reaction representation and interpretation, reaction considerations and spectroscopy. The course includes a lab which will include purification, synthesis and characterization of organic compounds and the study of organic reactions. Green chemistry techniques will be practiced whenever possible.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 1 and 2. This course is designed to provide individuals with basic communication principles for positive relationships in career settings. This is accomplished through oral, written and intra/interpersonal communication skills which are valued for life and work experiences. Changes in the life/work environment are characterized by greater cultural diversity, the performance of more work by teams and the need for greater ability to cope effectively with life/work issues and problems that require extensive knowledge of human relationships.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 1 and 2. This course focuses on communication issues in small groups and the importance of small group work in business today. An emphasis will be placed on improving communication skills for successful teamwork, group cohesiveness and the responsibility to group goals and tasks. Students will be provided with opportunities to build their group communication skills through practice.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2 and 5. This course is an introductory study of economics and exposes the student to a variety of economic concepts. In order to enjoy a successful career, people need to understand how economics impacts the environment in which they live and work. This course helps satisfy those needs by exploring the principles of microeconomics, macroeconomics and international economics. At the microeconomic level, students will learn how the choices they make affect particular markets. They will examine resource allocation and pricing structure by analyzing demand and supply applications. Students will survey the competitive environment by exploring the market structures of perfect competition, monopolistic competition, monopoly and oligopoly. At the macroeconomic level, students will learn about the business cycle by analyzing the gross domestic product (GDP), the inflation rate, the unemployment rate, deficit spending, the national debt and other economic indicators. They will also investigate the debate over activism and non-activism in monetary and fiscal policies. Finally, the student will examine international issues including tariffs/quotas, foreign exchange, the concept of comparative advantage and trends in globalization. This course is not intended for business or economics majors.

This course provides the student with a means to study economic principles as they relate to determinants of national income, national income accounting, business cycles, unemployment, inflation and aggregate expenditures. The course also examines macroeconomic policy and provides information to gain further understanding in the areas of fiscal policy, financial markets, money and banking, monetary policy, international policy and the varying viewpoints that have evolved throughout history, including the Keynesian and Monetarist schools of thought.

Microeconomics stresses the concepts of scarcity, production possibilities, supply and demand curves, elastic and inelastic goods and services, competition, monopolies, oligopolies, poverty and income distribution in the United States. In general, microeconomics examines the functioning of individual industries and the behavior of the individual.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2, 6 and 10. This course will focus on responding to texts that inspire greater awareness of and appreciation for the environment and that explore environmental challenges. Students will gain experience with critical thinking and reading as they examine perspectives, explore attitudes and analyze current problems/solutions through discussions, writings and other activities.