Associate in Science - Diagnostic Medical Sonography

at Foothill College USA

The major in Biological Sciences is primarily intended for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor's degree. This major prepares students for careers in the health professions, teaching, forestry, agriculture, environmental protection and conservation, wildlife biology, biotechnology, basic research and many other fields.

Students with an interest in biology who do not intend to transfer to a four-year institution and earn a bachelor's degree are encouraged to look into some of the other programs offered by the Biological and Health Sciences Division, which are: dental assisting, dental hygiene, diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound), environmental horticulture, paramedic, pharmacy technician, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, veterinary technology and/or veterinary assistant.

The department also offers a Certificate of Achievement in Bio-Health Diversity and Inclusion Leadership. Medical schools, healthcare employers, and biological research organizations specifically seek out candidates with an understanding of how issues of diversity impact their work. These organizations and employers understand that attending to diversity is critical for patient health and for excellence in research. This certificate provides a pathway for biology and health science students to gain certification in diversity, equity, inclusion, and service in their fields, such that students are more competitive for transfer and job applications. In earning the certificate, students will complete their major biology courses for their field alongside at least one service-learning course focusing on service in bio/health fields.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• The biology majors sequence prepares students to use the scientific method to formulate questions, design experiments to test hypotheses, interpret experimental results to draw conclusions, communicate results both orally and in writing, and critically evaluate the use of the scientific method from published sources.
• The biology majors sequence prepares students to apply evolutionary theory at the molecular, cellular, organismal and population levels to explain the unity and diversity of living things.

Philosophy is the oldest academic subject in the world and its concerns have given rise to nearly all other specialized academic disciplines. The primary motivation of philosophy is the same as the underlying motivation of all academic thought; the desire for knowledge and understanding. Philosophy is an attempt to understand our reality, our attempts at knowledge, our quest for a good and meaningful lives and most ambitiously, our construction of a society that might make these good lives possible.

Course work in philosophy will explore the major areas of the discipline. Logic and critical thinking courses will explore the methodology of philosophic discourse and academic discourse in general. The other core courses will explore the epistemological, metaphysical, ethical and political dimensions of philosophy. The philosophy program also offers courses exploring the history of philosophy from its beginnings in the ancient world through contemporary philosophy. The program also offers a collection of courses which explore the philosophic concerns manifested in the world's religions. If you have a curious mind and seek understanding, then philosophy may be the major for you.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to critically analyze and evaluate arguments regarding issues of metaphysics and epistemology.
• Students will be able to critically analyze and evaluate arguments regarding issues of ethics and political philosophy.

Because of the increasingly technological nature of our society, science majors will find an impressive array of options and exciting opportunities. A science major can provide preparation for a career in fields related to biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, astronomy or engineering.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to integrate the various fields of science in order to critically evaluate and interpret scientific information.
• Students will be able to assess how relevant scientific information could be used to inform their own personal economic, political and social decisions.

The Art program offers an Associate in Arts degree and a Certificate of Achievement and provides beginning through intermediate level studio art and art history classes with an emphasis in practical techniques, artistic expression and art theory. This guided program assists students in developing specialized artistic techniques and skills necessary to apply and transfer to art programs at local universities. The program offers a range of ceramics, drawing, painting, color theory, digital arts and art history classes. We offer art classes on weekdays, weeknights, weekends, on-campus, hybrid or online to fit students' needs.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to create two- and three-dimensional artwork and designs using appropriate tools, materials, methods and techniques.
• Students will be able to analyze and critically evaluate two- and three-dimensional creative projects using the current principles and language of art and design.

Political Science as a social science discipline is the systematic analysis of political power. Informed by theory and the scientific method, political scientists examine a variety of social and political phenomena including but not limited to social and political behavior, public policy, and institutions. Major areas of specialization in the discipline include American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public policy and political economy.

The value of a political science degree is recognized in both the public and private sectors as it demonstrates development of critical, analytical and research skills demanded by higher education institutions and the labor market.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to demonstrate critical, analytical, research and writing skills in political science and its sub-fields using basic scientific tools underlying modern social science.
• Students will be able to analyze the major theoretical formulations and concepts of political science and its sub-fields and the philosophical basis of those formulations.

The Humanities degree provides students with interdisciplinary perspectives on the existential questions of who we are as human beings, where we come from and where we are headed. This degree emphasizes the principles and concepts in interdisciplinary thinking and problem solving that will transfer across disciplines and enrich professional careers in areas as varied as lawyers, Public Relations managers, journalists, educators, systems analysts and Foreign Service employees. A Humanities degree enables students to better see the interconnectedness of all areas of knowledge, develop a global perspective as a result of having studied the ideas and cultural products of cultures throughout the world, clarify one's values by comparing and contrasting them to what others have thought and deepen one's sources of wisdom by learning how others have dealt with failures, success, adversities and triumphs.

Program Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to synthesize their critical thinking, imaginative, cooperative and emphatic abilities as whole persons in order to:

• Contextualize knowledge
• Interpret and communicate meaning in both written and oral form
• Cultivate their capacity for personal as well as social change.

Physics, the fundamental science, conceptualizes the basic principles of the universe and establishes the foundation for astronomy, chemistry and geology. The beauty of physics lies in a small number of powerful concepts which expand our view of the world around us and which lead to many engineering applications from which we derive many benefits.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will know basic physics principles.
• Students will be able to apply their knowledge to practical, theoretical and experimental problems.
• Students will be prepared to advance to the next step in careers in science, industry and education.

The Business Administration program has a dual mission (transfer and workforce) in providing students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to prepare for transfer to four-year institutions and to pursue a career or to develop their own businesses.

Students are provided the courses necessary to pursue studies in specialized business fields such as accounting, finance, advertising, marketing, management, banking, and business information systems. All students expecting to work in private or profit organizations or government are strongly urged to include business principles and other business specialized courses as electives.

Additionally, the department offers coursework and activities for increased professional proficiency, career changes, or new employment challenges, as well as for small business development. The Business department's small business entrepreneurship program is currently in redesign mode and will be refocused on the development of curriculum, activities, and community partnerships with the objective to address the "skills gap." Our initial emphasis will be on skill areas in leadership, communication, collaboration, project management, and innovation.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate appropriate use of business terms and concepts across a standard breadth of business functions (R&D, Mfg, Sales, Mktg, Ops, IT, Acctg, Finance, etc.).
• Students will demonstrate appropriate use of analytical frameworks, methods, and skills in response to business questions, cases, and projects.

Sociology is the scientific or systematic study of human groups and societies and patterns of interaction in real life settings. It uses a variety of research and theoretical perspectives to analyze and explain human social behavior and social change. As all human behavior is essentially social, sociology students examine a wide range of human interactions.

This program includes a range of courses that analyze sociological topics and enable students to develop and apply a Sociological Imagination or the ability to examine the broader connections between personal life, public issues and the social structure.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the core concepts of sociology: social structure, culture, social stratification and inequality, race, ethnicity, and gender and globalization.
• Students will be able to apply their understanding of sociology to their professional, personal and civic lives.

The Theatre Arts department is an important center for theatre training encompassing acting, performance, literature, design and technical studies. Branches of the department include theatre technology, actor training and the general studies program for both majors and non-majors.

The Theatre Arts department operates a theatre program for both non-theatre major and theatre majors, consisting of theatre appreciation, multi-cultural theatre studies, studio-acting classes, production-related classes, musical theatre, technical theatre studies, industry preparation and electives in theatre specialization.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to proceed to further educational opportunities or entry-level workforce employment in their prescribed area of the performing arts with a minimal adjustment period.
• Students will be able to employ skill sets of collaboration relevant to multiple arenas of alliance or teamwork within the performing arts arena.