Associate of Science

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The Associate of Science is a transfer degree with completion indicating the student has completed a course of study equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. The Associate of Science does not include a major or minor, however, students do complete a 20-24 credit program of study option leading in most instances to transfer to a STEM related Bachelor Degree.

Objectives

1. The primary goal of the Associate of Science is to facilitate transfer from Highlands College to related degree programs at Montana Tech or other Baccalaureate granting institutions across Montana.
2. A secondary goal is preparing students for entry into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Healthcare, other non-STEM related fields or appropriate Applied Science degrees through completion of all developmental, and prerequisite coursework leading to early transfer.
3. A third goal is to provide 60 credits of rigorous 100 & 200 level coursework combining general education and a discipline specific pathways to allow seamless transition from the Associate of Science to Baccalaureate degree STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Healthcare and other Non-STEM related programs while maximizing credits awarded.
4. A fourth goal is to minimize time to completion through the utilization of blocked scheduling of developmental coursework required before entry into four-year level math, writing and science courses.

Outcomes

Outcome 1: Development of higher-level thinking, information literacy, emotional self-awareness and coping skills and an appreciation for human diversity.

Outcome 2: Recognize the interdisciplinary nature of the physical and social sciences and use appropriate scientific inquiry to critically evaluate a proposal, claim, process or theory.

Outcome 3: Identify and understand the meaning of quantitative and mathematical symbols and apply appropriate logic, tools, and processes to make meaningful decisions and solve problems.

Outcome 4: Use appropriate communication means to exchange spoken, written, and visual information in order to communicate effectively and to participate as an effective team member in appropriate settings.

Outcome 5: Apply theoretical approaches from the social sciences and humanities to issues and problems found in individuals’ lives and work, in their local, national, and global communities, and to find effective and ethical solutions to society’s problems and challenges.

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