Associate in Applied Science - Small Farm Production

at MSM Group - Spokane Community College USA

The CAD Design and Drafting program prepares students with the skills necessary for drafting and design using both CAD drafting and solid modeling techniques. The course of study prepares students to work in a wide range of engineering disciplines, including engineering teams for large and small manufacturing firms, consulting engineering firms, testing, and research companies to gain employment as computer-aided drafters and engineering designers.

Students not only learn to draft using CAD and solid modeling techniques, but also get “hands-on” practical experience in 3D printing, engineering design projects, and by learning fabrication processes used in industry. Coursework includes a balance of basic skills in math and communications, as well as a practical application of relevant computer-assisted drafting skills in several engineering disciplines, including mechanical, civil and structural engineering; mechanical design in building systems; electrical and fluid power schematics; and fabrication/piping drafting.

Learning Outcomes

• Use the systems, symbols, language and mechanics of the drafting field.
• Skillfully apply computers and engineering office software for documentation, communication, design, and drafting.
• Identify, solve, and apply engineering calculations relevant to a full drafting and design project.
• Work productively in a team environment and/or as an independent drafter/designer when required.
• Work with the sense of responsibility and accuracy required in the field of engineering design and drafting.
• Develop individual and full sets of drafting projects including shop drawings, assembly drawings, schematics, and construction plans using 2-D CAD and 3-D CAD solid modeling.
• Create accurate solid model computer files to transfer to rapid prototypes, CNC use, shop drawings, or engineering designs.
• Identify and select appropriate materials and processing of materials used in industry for a design project.
• Demonstrate basic shop practices in woods, metals, plastics, and composites, including machining, fabrication/welding, assembly and testing for design prototypes.
• Demonstrate global awareness of the impact of efficiency, effectiveness, cost, and sustainability in design.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is an allied Health Profession where non-physician professionals perform a diagnostic procedure using high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body.  Sonography is used to examine many parts of the body:  abdomen, breasts, OB/GYN, thyroid, scrotum, and blood vessels.  It is also used to guide needles for tissue biopsy or drain an abnormal fluid collection from a body cavity.  Sonography is a radiation-free imaging modality and procedures are performed at the request of a physician.

A diagnostic medical sonographer is a highly-skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body that are used by physicians to make a medical diagnosis.  Prior to starting a procedure, the sonographer must obtain an appropriate history, assess physical findings and review pertinent laboratory data.  This information is used to tailor the procedure to ensure comprehensive and diagnostic images are acquired.

Learning Outcomes

• Communicate effectively and in a professional manner with physicians, patients and other members of the healthcare team.
• Competently perform sonographic examinations of the abdomen, superficial structures and obstetrics & gynecology disciplines on patients, while tailoring the examinations to enhance the presence of abnormalities.
• Comprehend a clinical understanding of the anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of the major adult and fetal diseases and deformities.
• Establish the ability to quantify, subjectively evaluate and interpret the data collected to assist the physician in arriving at a diagnosis.
• Strive to meet the health care needs of the community.

This regionally respected American Bar Association (ABA) approved program consists of basic and specialty legal courses designed to prepare students for employment in the legal services field. The program offers an Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS) in Paralegal Studies, and Paralegal Certificate.

The AAS in Paralegal Studies is awarded after completion of 90-98 credits of required coursework. If full class loads are taken each quarter, the program requires 6-7 quarters to complete. The supervised legal work experience required for graduation or the internship must be approved by the program director. A grade of 2.0 or higher in each class (including prerequisites) is required for both the AAS degree and the certificate.

Students may enroll in the certificate program instead of the AAS program if the student is in the process of or has completed an Associate in Arts degree (AA), a bachelor's degree, or advanced degree from an accredited college and/or university.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply knowledge of law and legal procedures through legal research, writing, document drafting, analysis of facts, interviewing and investigation.
• Develop skills in civil and criminal pretrial and trial practice, real estate, business, family law, commercial transactions and litigation, bankruptcy proceedings, intellectual property, estate planning, probate and other specialty areas.
• Develop technological and organizational skills, including categorizing and organizing documents, calendaring, assessing and prioritizing work; managing time; creating and maintaining databases; and using standard forms and checklists.
• Develop understanding of rules of professional and ethical conduct, competence, professionalism and client service.

The invasive cardiovascular technologist is a health care professional who, through the use of specific high-technology equipment and at the direction of a qualified physician, performs procedures on patients leading to the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease.

As a member of the cardiac catheterization team, the cardiovascular technologist is a surgical scrub assistant, monitors the patient's condition and operates other "CATH Lab." equipment.

The most important "CATH Lab" studies are coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention (where stents, balloons, plaque removal devices, and other treatments to restore blood flow are deployed), right heart catheterization (where blood flow measurements are made), electrophysiology (where irregular heartbeats are created, studied and treated) and pacemaker implantations.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate collaboration and effective communication among all health care team members in the delivery of cardiac care in all patient settings.
• Analyze information and research and apply it in the health care setting.
• Apply the principles of cultural awareness formulating appropriate modifications to health care plans to accommodate cultural differences.
• Design and implement appropriate treatment plans in all healthcare settings where cardiac care is delivered.
• Apply advanced cardiac care competencies in all health care settings.

As a paraprofessional in the accounting field, the accounting assistant analyzes and interprets the essential information about the operations of a business and contributes vitally to important policies and decisions.

An accounting assistant should have an above-average aptitude for working with numbers and the ability to concentrate and communicate. Accounting affords a continuing challenge to creative, alert minds.

In addition to earning and AAS at the completion of the six-quarter program, students will earn an Accounting Clerk Certificate after completing the first three-quarters of the AAS degree, and an Accounting Assistant AAS after completing the full six quarters of the program. All students graduating from this program must have a minimum grade of 2.0 in each of the accounting, business, economics, and management courses. Students must also have a 2.0 cumulative minimum grade point average in all required courses in this program.

This degree is non-transferable to a four-year university. Students working toward the associate in arts degree for transfer to a four-year institution should consult individually with an advisor or counselor for planning the Business DTA or AA degree program. For information on Business DTA and AA degree requirements, refer to the Degree and Certificate Requirements section of the CCS catalog. More information on specific transfer programs can be found in the Academic Programs section of the CCS catalog.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyze financial data and prepare statistical comparisons for use in the budgeting process.
• Assist in determination of inventory order quantities, cash requirements, capital investment decisions, and break-even analysis.
• Use various types of office machines.
• Post and/or supervise the posting of accounts receivable and payable.
• Help maintain data processing applications of routine accounting systems.
• Have a basic comprehension of business operations, a knowledge of business vocabulary, and an understanding of economic systems.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly or annual business and payroll tax reports.
• Process payroll related transactions.

The challenge of management!  It takes a special kind of person with a special knack to be a good business manager.  Over 70 percent of the workforce in Spokane is employed in the fields of business, health care and marketing. This creates a big demand for entry-level managers and supervisors.

The management program at SCC is designed to prepare students for these positions.  The curriculum incorporates individual hands-on experiences while learning the basic principles of business management.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand organizational behavior and leadership, management, business operation, finances, location and layout, record keeping, merchandising and business promotion.
• Understand the planning, organizing, leading and controlling functions of running a business on a day-to-day basis.
• Incorporate information technology and computer applications, including Internet, to the business environment.
• Understand human relations and the importance of ethics, possess an awareness of cultural diversity, the role of international business, the fundamental principles of business law, credit and collections, problem solving, and group decision processes as used in today's business world.
• Understand and possibly accept the challenging entrepreneurial role of owning their own business.
• Communicate effectively.
• Utilize management skills and knowledge by participating in cooperative education and/or supervised volunteer experience.

The Automotive Technology program prepares students for employment in many areas of the automotive field including dealerships, independent garages, fleet shops, service stations, and specialty shops which cover areas such as tune-ups and brakes. Students may enter the program only in the first quarter. The one-year certificate requires completion of any three quarters of the Automotive Technology program and the four related classes identified in footnote 1. This flexible schedule also enables students to receive short-term certificates while pursuing their degree. Students must complete all courses with a 2.0 grade or better before advancing to subsequent quarters.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe how an automotive heating, ventilation, and air-conditions system works.
• Discuss the refrigerants used and their impact on the environment.
• Explain airflow management and sensors and actuators used.
• Comprehend the refrigerant recycle importance and effects on the environment.
• Discuss engine constructions, energy and power of an engine.
• Discuss compression ratio, torque and horsepower.
• Discuss synthetic engine oils and their advantages.
• Discuss hybrids engine precautions.
• Learn theory and principles of computerized engine controls, automotive exhaust emissions, and fuel injection and ignition systems.
• Working knowledge of the brake system and component identification.
• Basic knowledge of the diagnostic process of the brak system.
• Working knowledge of the suspension system and component identification.
• Working knowledge of the alignment equipment and basic adjustments.
• Principles of late model automatic transmissions, transaxles and sub-assemblies.
• Operation of automotive manual transmissions and transaxles, differential, transfer case, drive line, and constant velocity joints.

The Water Science program is designed to prepare students for employment in water resources, including water and wastewater operations, hydrology, and water quality for local, state and federal agencies, and private industry.

Learning Outcomes

• Install, operate and maintain instruments used in stream gaging and discharge measurement.
• Collect samples, complete field surveys, analyze, and report water quality parameters in the field and laboratory using standard chemical, biological, physical, and field survey techniques commonly utilized in water resource studies.
• Collect, recognize and identify aquatic organisms from invertebrate insects to fish species, relating what is found to the habitat and aquatic ecosystem conditions.
• Install, operate, and maintain instruments used in collecting hydro-meteorological measurements.
• Set up monitoring plans and schedules to collect, measure, analyze and report ground water levels and water quality parameters.
• Be familiar with restoration practices used to improve fish habitat and water quality, including techniques to stabilize slopes, recover degraded lakes and stream courses.
• Utilize, interpret and analyze maps and aerial photographs in the characterization and management of water resources, including through the use of geographic information systems (GIS).
• Operate a hand compass, level, global positioning systems (GPS) and electronic instruments in determining slopes, running traverses, locating ownership boundaries, and determining locations.
• Work safely in a variety of adverse conditions and environments, including obtaining 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification according to the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.120.
• Have knowledge and understanding of Federal and State laws that pertain to water and the aquatic environment including a good working knowledge of water rights laws.
• Use the computer as a tool for solving water resources problems.
• Record, report, analyze and store data gathered according to established protocol.
• Write technical reports and give presentations.
• Demonstrate human relationship skills and professional behavior needed for successful job performance.

The Architectural Technology program prepares students to become CAD drafters for the building design industry. Students focus on gaining proficiency with Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), 3–D modeling and Building Information Modeling (BIM) applications utilizing principles of design, the design process, building codes and building materials as they relate to building projects. This program prepares the drafter to translate ideas, rough sketches, specifications, calculations and existing drawings into drawings used within each phase of the design and construction process.

The first year consists of developing residential building design drawings and documents used by architects and building design engineers. Students use the most commonly used software utilized in the building design industry to gain proficiency in 2–D and 3–D Computer Aided Drafting (CAD). In addition, the first year consists of manual drafting, orthographic projections, freehand sketching, presentation graphics (isometric and perspective pictorial drawing), light construction principles (materials and methods), use of drafting expressions, international residential codes and sustainability issues. Emphasis is placed on architectural construction documents, which include site plans, floor plans, roof plans, footing and foundation plans, framing plans, exterior elevations, building and wall sections, window and door schedules, stair design, interior elevations, details and plumbing, HVAC, electrical and lighting plans. Graphic representation using computer software is used in the production of documents of the common phrases of architectural design including programming, schematic design, design development and construction documents. Utilization of the above is finalized in the development of residential working drawings.

The second year consists of developing architectural working drawings using Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) related to commercial building design. Class projects will be developed from a preliminary design utilizing drafting techniques, standards and practices of the profession, including office procedure knowledge, use of building materials; structural framing systems as used in the building industry and study of the International Building Code.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand fundamental architectural drafting concepts and methods.
• Describe and identify residential construction materials and methods of assembly.
• Demonstrate competencies in the development and output of residential construction documents.
• Investigate relevant components of the International Residential Code and apply.
• Distinguish the sequential steps of the design process and project delivery methods.
• Demonstrate competencies in the development and output of commercial construction documents.
• Recognize and classify commercial construction materials, structural systems and methods of assembly.
• Explore sustainable design systems and methods and determine possible integrations with architectural design concepts.

The Business Software Specialist degree is a two-year program with classes offered online or on-campus. This program combines training in information processing systems and office administration to give students the diversified training and background needed to hold positions of responsibility in business offices. Upon completion students will be prepared for administrative positions that require advanced spreadsheet, database, presentation, and project management software. This program provides students with one or more of the following additional areas: basic computer hardware troubleshooting, online collaboration, MOS certification, or basic network administration.

Learning Outcomes

• Acquire comprehensive knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook software.
• Handle multiple deadlines and priorities in an office setting.
• Think critically and act logically to evaluate situations, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Handle a variety of internal and external business forms and understand their purpose.
• Compile and analyze data, prepare concise reports and presentations, use information processing technology and software.
• Demonstrate organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Exhibit management initiative, dependability, and flexibility; follow directions; and take pride in quality work.
• Appreciate the scope of business operations and economics systems.
• Organize and plan office work and exercise leadership skills that make the employee a successful member of a dynamic team.
• Operate a variety of business machines, including computers, copy machines and scanners, transcribing equipment, facsimiles, printers, telephones, and calculating machines.
• Acquire a technical overview of office information systems, basic computer hardware, and network administration.