Course Descriptions

Meets MnTC Goal Area 6. This course will build on the skills developed in Introduction to Ceramics, ART1142, with emphasis on wheel throwing, glazing and firing techniques.

This course introduces the language and culture of the Deaf and provides a general introduction to the lives of Deaf people. It covers key concepts within Deaf Studies, the diversity of Deaf community members, technology used by the Deaf and professions involving American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf people. Students will analyze existing stereotypes related to Deaf and hard-of-hearing people and the cultural impacts of being Deaf.

This is the first in a series of courses designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL). This course introduces information about the Deaf community and Deaf culture. It will familiarize students with basic ASL vocabulary and grammar, including hand shapes, body movements and facial expressions to convey meaning. The course includes interactive activities, cultural awareness education and individual feedback, with emphasis on appropriate language use in common communication settings.

This is the second in a series of courses designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL). ASL 1102 will focus on vocabulary development, fingerspelling, numbers and grammatical structure. This course includes further practice with both expressive and receptive ASL, along with additional information about the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture.

This is the third in a series of courses designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL). The course will focus on speed, fluency, vocabulary expansion and conversational skills, along with reinforcement of appropriate grammar usage. It also will examine attitudes, values and cultural norms of the Deaf Community.

This course, the fourth in a series of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture courses, focuses upon the grammatical features of ASL and vocabulary expansion. Content of this course will focus on sentence construction, inflecting verbs and classifiers. Fluency and accuracy of fingerspelling will continue to be developed, along with the use of lexicalized signs and numbering.

This course focuses on enhancing expressive and receptive fingerspelling and numbers in American Sign Language (ASL). ASL1105 will expand the emphasis on using fingerspelling, lexicalized and abbreviated words, and ASL numbers, along with continued study of the complex rules and patterns of ASL number systems.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 2 and 3. This course explores issues related to human biology with reference to genetics, nutrition, health, disease or other contemporary issues. Elements of molecular, cell and organismal biology are introduced as needed to understand the topics studied. This course is intended for non-science majors and consists of lecture and laboratory components.

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 Area 3. This course is designed to acquaint students with the field of biotechnology including historical development, current technologies and future trends. An overview of the molecular and genetic principles and processes used to manipulate living organisms and their products will be presented, as well as forensic, medical, agricultural and industrial applications. The course will also examine the ethical implications of biotechnology and genetic engineering. Laboratory simulations and other lab-like experiences provide opportunities for students to perform techniques common in the field, gather and analyze experimental data and troubleshoot procedures.

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 3 and 10. This course is an introduction to living organisms, emphasizing evolution, biological diversity and ecology. Topics will include mechanisms of evolution, classification and diversity of life, structure and function of organisms, and interaction of organisms at all levels of an ecosystem. This course includes a laboratory component incorporating field activities, microscopic work, dissection and plant systems. Along with BIOL1122, this course is part of a two-semester sequence of general biology that can be taken in any order.

Meets MnTC Goal Area 3. This course introduces students to the structure and function of the human body using an organ system approach. Beginning with the levels of biological organization, study will proceed through the following organ systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. This course is open to all students desiring a greater understanding of human anatomy and physiology; however, it is specifically designed for students pursuing health care-related programs such as Pharmacy Technology and Massage Therapy. This course contains a lab-like component.

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 3 and 10. This course provides a study of the structure and function of ecological systems, including an application of ecological principles to local and global environmental issues. Topics covered include energy flow, nutrient cycling, organization, ecological succession, population dynamics (including the ecology of species interactions and factors that influence and regulate population numbers) and linkages among species and ecosystem functions. Lecture is accompanied by laboratory and field exercises.