Catalog 2010-2012 - Miami Dade College

GRADUATION
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eign language. A student taking course
work to fulfill the foreign language
requirement must earn at least a C or
better in at least 2 courses (8-10 credit
hours) of sequential foreign language at
the secondary level or the equivalent
of such instruction at the postsecondary
level. Native speakers of another
language and other students who wish
to demonstrate proficiency by means
other than course work should consult
the ESL/Foreign Language Department
for testing. Miami Dade College will
accept American Sign Language
(ASL) through SPA 2614C and SPA
2615C (American Sign Language 3
and 4) for the foreign language
requirement.
Associate in Science/ Associate
of Applied Science Degrees
The Associate in Science degree is
awarded to students who successfully
complete one of the occupational, education
or allied health programs. These
areas of study are designed primarily
to prepare students for immediate
employment. However, credits earned
for many courses in these programs are
acceptable to upper-division colleges
should the student decide to continue
toward a four-year degree. To be granted
upper-division standing at a Florida
public institution, the student must
meet the admissions criteria, including
successful completion of the College
Level Academic Skills (CLAS) or stateapproved
alternative criteria.
Requirements for Associate
in Science/Associate of
Applied Science Degrees
1. Complete an approved program
with 60 or more credits specified in
courses numbered 1000-2999, including
the general education core courses.
2. Earn a minimum 2.0 GPA in the 60
or more program credits presented for
graduation.
3. Complete the general education
courses with a minimum of a C grade.
General Education and
Miami Dade College Student
Learning Outcomes
General Education:
Student Learning
Outcome Foundation
Academic study has its foundation
in the required courses and designated
elective areas of general education.
Through this coursework, the student
begins the acquisition of fundamental
knowledge, skills and attitudes. What
begins in specified general education
coursework is reinforced and expanded
through the general and intentional
presence of Student Learning Outcomes
throughout each student’s degree program
and cocurricular learning.
Student Learning Outcomes:
A Promise between
Students and Faculty
All students who graduate from MDC
– regardless of major or degree type –
have 10 things in common: the collegewide
student learning outcomes summarized
below. Developed after many
conversations with students, faculty,
alumni and members of the business
community, the outcomes are part of all
programs regardless of major or degree
type. They will assist you to succeed
in your chosen field, to strengthen the
life skills critical to your future, and to
become a lifelong learner.
1. Communications – Knowing what
you’ve learned doesn’t mean much
if you can’t express it. All students
should be able to communicate
well.
2. Quantitative Analysis – Numbers
are everywhere – from the calories
in your favorite soda to political
polls. All students should be able to
process, understand and accurately
analyze numerical data.
3. Critical/Creative Thinking and
Scientific Reasoning – There’s no
guarantee that you’ll know all the
answers by the time you graduate,
but you will develop the skills to
W W W . M D C . E D U
think through a situation and arrive
at a logical conclusion.
4. Information Literacy – Why are
there concerns about Wikipedia
as an acceptable research tool? By
the time you graduate, you’ll know
the pros and cons of using Internet
resources and be able to locate relevant
and accurate information
resources.
5. Global, Cultural and Historical
Perspectives – Thanks to the World
Wide Web and telecommunication,
we are aware of many ways of life
across the world. In order to succeed
in this global society, students
need to develop an appreciation of
various cultures and an understanding
of different points of view.
6. Personal, Civic and Social
Responsibility – While at MDC,
you’ll develop skills to fulfill not
only your personal responsibilities,
but also your roles as citizens and
members of a global community.
For example, John Donne said, “No
man is an island.” Everything you
do and say has an impact on those
around you.
7. Ethical Thinking – Prevalent
among newspaper headlines from
the past ten years are terms like
“Stem Cell Research,” “Cheating
in High School,” and “Euthanasia.”
Your course of study will help you
develop strategies and values in ethical
thinking to help you understand
these and other controversial issues.
8. Computer and Technology
Usage – You can probably surf the
net and send e-mails already, but
there are many other powerful tools
at your fingertips. Before you graduate,
you will learn how to use word
processing, spreadsheets, databases
and presentation programs as well.
9. A e s t h e t i c A p p r e c i a t i o n –
Appreciating the creative process
is an essential part of being a wellrounded
individual.
10. N a t u r a l S y s t e m s a n d t h e
Environment – What exactly is
trans fat? Is tap water a pure substance
or a mixture? How does carbon
dioxide affect our atmosphere?
An understanding of natural systems
is important in caring for your
health and the world around you.