College of Technology

Department of Applied Arts and Sciences

Karen Hill, Chair

The Department of Applied Arts and Sciences provides instruction in communication, mathematics, social science, and science. A core of these related subjects must be completed prior to graduation and is included with each program's scope and sequence. The department also provides developmental course work in writing and mathematics to aid students in obtaining the prerequisite skills necessary for success in required course work.

The department oversees the Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree. For additional information regarding admission and complete degree requirements, see the Admissions and Academic Policies and Procedures sections of this catalog.

Associate of Arts-A.A. Degree

To receive an Associate of Arts degree all students must successfully complete all the general education requirements for a baccalaureate degree, except for the Upper-Division Writing Proficiency Assessment and the Upper-Division Writing Expectations of a major. The minimum grade average for the 60 credits required for graduation is 2.00 in all courses taken on the traditional letter grade (A-F) basis. Courses in required general education areas must have a C- minimum. Students’ course selection, in consultation with an advisor, is guided by their planned majors.

Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester. Following is a suggested first year course of study. Courses numbered below 100 and courses with a T suffix on the course number do not count toward the 60-credit requirement or general education course requirements.

Suggested Course of Study

First Semester
AASC 100 Introduction to the University Experience2
AASC 101 Study and Learning Strategies2
COM 150S Interpersonal Communications or COM 160A Oral Communications3
WTS 101 English Composition (with appropriate placement score or WTS 100 or 090T) 2-3
CRT 100 Computer Literacy2
Math course based on placement test score (or MAT 002T)3
Total credits toward degree requirements: 14-16

Additional semester’s courseloads are based on mathematical literacy and English writing skills sequencing from the first semester plus general education courses and electives taken on either the College of Technology campus and/or Mountain campus. See General Education Requirements in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.

Paramedical Arts Focus

The paramedical arts include areas of practice that support physicians and other medical professionals in providing quality health care. Some of these areas of practice are found in Health Professions programs at UM-M’s College of Technology, but others are found in specialist programs in a wide variety of settings, some academic and some not, across the U.S.A. Taking university courses prior to these programs may be required or may increase opportunities for admission.

Students with SAT or ACT scores which indicate academic readiness may take science oriented courses within an A.A. degree that allows the student to meet the basic general education requirements of The University of Montana- Missoula as well as preparation for further scientific education or transfer to a speciality medical program. Students less prepared should make a plan to develop academic readiness with their advisor’s assistance. Student who plan to transfer should bring the catalog from their desired program to their advisor in order to make course choices for transfer.

Suggested Course of Study

Preparation for Paramedical Arts

First YearAS
BIOL 106N-107N Elementary Medical Microbiology and Laboratory - 4
BIOL 221 Cellular and Molecular Biology- 4
CHEM 151N-152N, 154N General Chemistry and Laboratory3 5
WTS 101 Composition3 -
COM 150S Interpersonal Communication - 3
CRT 100 Computer Literacy 2 -
MAT 117 Probability and Linear Math 3 -
PSY 100S Introduction to Psychology 4 -
General Education3 -
 18 16
Second Year
ANTH 101H Introduction to Anthropology3 -
WTS 115 Technical Writing3 -
COM 160A Oral Communication3 -
WTS 240E Ethics and Rhetoric- 3
MATH 241 Statistics- 4
SCN 201n-202N Anatomy and Physiology4 4
SCN 220 Human Physiology - 4
General Education3 3
 16 18

Courses

U = for undergraduate credit only. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.

Applied Arts and Sciences (AASC)

U 100 Introduction to the University Experience 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Introduction to academic life: exposure to campus resources (e.g., library, computer labs, career and student services); exploration of personal goals and motivation; introduction to various academic disciplines; introduction to ASUM and other student groups; exploration of diversity issues, ethical issues, and student accountability; and extensive advising.

U 101 Study and Learning Strategies 2 cr. Development of skills needed by the student to be competitive in higher education. Topics include management of classroom behavior, time, money; personal health and safety; listening, memory; critical thinking; note-taking; ethics; and testing.

U 195T Special Topics 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 196T Independent Study 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently.

U 295T Special Topics 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

Communications (COM)

U 150S Interpersonal Communication 3 cr. Offered every term. Focus on communicating and listening more clearly to improve personal and professional relationships. Topics include forms of communication, communication and identity, emotion, conflict, climates, gender, and cultural diversity. Credit not allowed for both COM 150S and COMM 110S.

U 160A Oral Communications 3 cr. Offered every term. Introduction to oral communication skills, including public speaking, and small group communications. Focus is on the organization, delivery, and retention of oral messages, listening skill development, and nonverbal communication. Credit not allowed for both COM 160A and COMM 111A.

U 195T Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 196T Independent Study 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently.

U 210E Critical Thinking, Analysis, and Problem Solving 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., WTS 101 or consent of instr. Introduction to critical thinking, conflict analysis, and problem solving with examination of fundamentals of each process and evaluation of ethical considerations for each projected result. Provides a framework for determining decision making scope as well as basic formula for conscious resolution strategies.

U 220T Training Techniques 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., COM 115, COM 160A or consent of instr. The practical application of adult learning theory to documenting procedures, creating user guides, writing instructions, developing courses, using tutorials, evaluating and using training materials, and giving effective oral presentations. Students prepare and deliver mini-courses to develop these skills.

U COM 242 Argumentation 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., COM 160A, COMM 111A, or consent of instr. Focus on developing, presenting, evaluating, and responding to written and spoken arguments with an emphasis on critical decision-making. Credit not allowed for both COM 242 and COMM 242.

U 260S Survey of Children’s Communication 3 cr. Offered spring. Focus on communication processes and contemporary communication environments of children and adolescents. Topics include language development and the brain, nonverbal communication development, media, contracting, bullying, and gender.

U 295T Special Topics 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 296T Independent Study 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Mathematics (MAT)

U 002 Prealgebra 4 cr. Offered every term. Arithmetic and basic algebra skills needed for Introductory Algebra. Topics include integers and rational numbers, decimals and percentages with applications, ratios and proportions with applications, single variable linear equations with applications, exponents, factoring, and an introduction to polynomials. Credit does not count toward a certificate or degree.

U 005 Introductory Algebra 4 cr. Offered every term. Review of arithmetic principles of integers and rational numbers, linear equations in one or two unknowns, and operations with polynomials and rational expressions. Credit does not count toward an associate of arts or baccalaureate degree.

U 100 Intermediate Algebra 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., MAT 005 or appropriate placement score. Topics include linear equations and systems of linear equations, inequalities, applications and graphing; polynomials; rational expressions and equations; radicals, rational exponents and complex numbers; quadratic equations; introduction to exponential and logarithmic functions. Credit not allowed for both MAT 100 and MATH 100.

U 110T Industrial Math 3 cr. Offered autumn. Designed to provide the mathematical background necessary for success in the industrial areas. Topics covered include percent, ratio proportion, formula evaluation, basic algebra and geometry concepts, trigonometry, measurement, statistics, and graphing. markdowns, inventory turnover, and other basic formulas.

U 114T Food Production Math 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Basic mathematical processes including fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, proportions, and measures relative to menus, portions, and production costs.

U 117 Probability and Linear Math 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., MAT 100 or appropriate placement score. Systems of linear equations and matrix algebra. Introduction to probability with emphasis on models and probabilistic reasoning. Examples of applications of the material in many fields. Credit not allowed for both MAT 117 and MATH 117.

U 120 Elementary Functions 4 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., MAT 100 or appropriate score on the ASSET placement test. Algebraic, trigonometric, exponential/ logarithmic functions of one real variable and their graphs. Inverse functions, complex numbers and polar coordinates. Conic sections. Credit not allowed for both MAT 120 and MATH 121.

U 145 Calculus with Applications 4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MAT 120 or appropriate score on placement exam. Introduction to differentiation and integration of elementary function. Introduction to ordinary differential equations. Emphasis is on applications in technical fields including electronics technology. Graphing calculators used. Credit not allowed for both MAT 145 and MATH 150.

U 196T Independent Study Variable cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently.

Psychology (PSY)

U 100S Introduction to Psychology 4 cr. Offered every term. Introduction to the scientific study of behavior in humans and other animals. Credit not allowed for both PSYC 100S and PSY 100S.

U 105T Work Attitudes 1 cr. Offered spring. Introduction to the working environment and the individual's responsibility to working relationships.

U 110S Organizational Psychology 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Foundation in the psychological processes that influence behavior of people in work settings.

U 201 Human Development Through the Life Span 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., PSY 100S. The study of human physical, cognitive and psychosocial development throughout the life span. Content covers major theories, the influence of genetics, and the environment from a chronological aspect.

U 195T Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 196T Independent Study 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently.

Science (SCN)

U 095T Special Topics 1-6 cr. Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 115N Anatomy 3 cr. Offered spring. Structures of the human body and their basic functions.

U 120T Technical Physics I 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., Mat100 or MATH 100. Introduction to models, measurements, vectors, motion in a straight line, motion in a plane, Newton's laws of motion, application of Newton's laws, and circular motion and gravitation.

U 121T Technical Physics II 4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., SCN 120T. Introduction to work and energy, impulse and momentum, rotational motion, equilibrium of a rigid body, elasticity, heat, and thermodynamics.

U 125T Medical Physics 3 cr. Offered autumn. A presentation of physical principles that apply to respiratory care equipment and cardiopulmonary physiology.

U 150N Nutrition 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Nutritional needs throughout the life cycle and measures to assist in the meeting of those needs in health or stress/disease.

U 175T Introduction to Physical Science 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., or coreq., MAT 005. Introduction to science as a way of knowing and how specific areas of science affect living systems, Earth systems, and the wider universe.

U 195T Special Topics 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 196T Independent Study Variable cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently.

U 201N Anatomy and Physiology I 4 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., SCN 175T or introductory science course recommended. Basic knowledge necessary for students in health-related programs. Emphasis on normal anatomy and physiology with presentation of basic concepts in chemistry and microbiology as they relate to human anatomy and physiology. Covers tissues through nervous system. A cadaver lab is included.

U 202N Anatomy and Physiology II 4 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., SCN 201N. Continuation of 201N. Basic knowledge necessary for students in health-related programs. Emphasis on normal anatomy and physiology with presentation of basic concepts in chemistry and microbiology as they relate to human anatomy and physiology. Covers endocrine through reproductive systems. A cadaver lab is included.

U 220 Human Physiology 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., SCN 201N, 202N. In-depth exploration of principles and clinical consequences of the physiology of selected human organ systems. Building upon basic concepts covered in SCN 201N and 202N, students study muscular function, musculoskeletal integration, neural physiology, nervous system integration, endocrine and central nervous system function and coordination, circulatory, respiratory, renal, and reproductive physiology.

U 295T Special Topics 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

Writing Studies (WTS)

U 090T Critical Writing Skills 3 cr. Offered every term. For students with major difficulties in expository prose. Emphasis on forming, structuring, and development of ideas. Sentence level faults discussed. Traditional letter grade only. Credit does not count toward a certificate or degree.

U 100 Introduction to College Writing 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., placement or referral by WTS 101 instructor. Designed for students who need instruction and practice integrating critical thinking, reading and writing before entering the required first-year writing course. Credit not allowed for both WTS 100 and ENEX 100. Grading A-F or NC (no credit).

U 101 English Composition 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., WTS 090T or passing score on placement test. Instruction and practice in both the expository writing and research process. Emphasis on the use of specific techniques of writing to develop style, unity, clarity, and force of ideas, and structure. Students are expected to write without major errors in sentence structure or mechanics. Credit not allowed for both COM 101 and ENEX 101. Grading A-F, or NC.`

U 115 Technical Writing 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq. or coreq., CRT 101 or CRT 103T; passing score on placement test or consent of instr. An introduction to technical writing with emphasis on clarity and conciseness. Sentence, paragraph, and document organization are stressed; grammar and mechanics are reviewed. Short writing assignments and technical documents are critiqued for application of technical style, organization, and correct grammar and mechanics.

U 120L Introduction to Critical Interpretation 3 cr. Offered each term. Study of how readers make meaning of texts and how texts influence readers. Emphasis on interpreting literary texts: close reading, critical analysis, and effective writing. Credit not allowed for both ENLT 120L and WTS 120l.

U 121L Introduction to Poetry 3 cr. Offered every term. An introduction to the techniques of reading and writing about poetry with emphasis on the lyric and other shorter forms. Credit not allowed for both ENLT 121L and WTS 121L.

U 184A Beginning Creative Writing: Multiple Genre 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., WTS 101 or ENEX 101 or consent of instr. A beginning writing workshop to explore various types of creative writing with opportunities for students to write, revise and discuss writing techniques that students may wish to explore further in specialized classes

U 185A Beginning Creative Writing: Fiction 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., WTS 101 or ENEX 101 or consent of instr. A beginning writing workshop focused on the reading, discussion, and revision of students’ short fiction. Students also will be introduced to models of fiction techniques. No prior experience in writing short fiction required.

U 186A Beginning Creative Writing: Poetry 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., WTS 101 or ENEX 101 or consent of instr. A beginning writing workshop focused on the reading, discussion, and revision of students’ poems. Students also will be introduced to models of poetic techniques. No prior experience in writing poetry required.

U 195T Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 196T Independent Study 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently.

U 215 Advanced Technical Writing 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., WTS 115 or consent of instr. Continuation of technical writing with emphasis on technical text including editing for technical content, graphic placement, and document design as seen through the eye of the audience. Current critical issues in technical writing are discussed.

U 240E Ethics and Rhetoric: Writing Arguments on Contemporary Issues 3 cr. Offered every autumn and spring. Prereq., WTS 101. Writing-intensive course which examines perspectives on contemporary issues. Emphasis on analysis, evaluation, and synthesis; students construct arguments in response to issues raised in class.

U 295T Special Topics 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 296T Independent Study 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently.