Associate in Science - Sports Medicine

at Foothill College USA

Economics is the study of how society allocates scarce resources (land, labor, capital) in an attempt to satisfy unlimited wants. It is broadly divided into two branches: Macroeconomics and Microeconomics. Macroeconomics is concerned with the workings of the economy as a whole. It is the study of broad measures of economic performance: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), unemployment, and inflation. Given these measures, it considers the role of the government in guiding the macroeconomy. Microeconomics focuses on the role of individual decision-makers--consumers and firms--and analyzes the efficiencies and failures of a market system. The potential role of government to wholly or partially correct market failures is then considered. The two branches approach the fundamental questions of resource allocation from opposite sides: one from the perspective of the economy as a whole (macroeconomics) and one from the perspective of the individual agents in the economy (microeconomics).

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Have a working understanding of the role of prices in a market economy, trade, economic growth, competition, market failures and the economic role of government.
• Employ economic reasoning and logic to explain the world and make better decisions.

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 mission of the Photography department is to provide superior instruction in the use of photographic techniques for vocational, general education and transfer students. A photography major will provide the student with a strong foundation in aesthetic principles as well as an extensive range of practical photographic techniques needed for college transfer, entry into the photographic workplace or for artistic expression. Course work includes traditional processing and printing, digital photography, color photography, studio lighting, experimental processes, photo criticism and portfolio preparation. Students are encouraged to develop a personal, expressive style, achieve technical excellence and examine photography's role in society.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to produce images that demonstrate knowledge of photography's visual and expressive elements (light, color, and composition), using standard professional equipment and production processes.
• Students will be able to analyze how images reflect and shape our culture and assess the contributions made in the field by people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

The Child Development Program is an academic and vocational training program that prepares students for future work as early childhood educators in diverse early childhood settings. Courses and certificates are designed to meet entry-level requirements for the level of work chosen and/or meet the requirements needed to obtain a California Child Development Permit to become an Assistant Teacher, Associate Teacher, Teacher, Master Teacher and/or Site Supervisor in state-licensed, publicly funded, center-based child care and development programs. Students planning to transfer to a four-year university as a child development or related major may be able to apply some child development units toward the lower division major preparation requirements or qualify for the AS-T in Early Childhood Education. Please see a Foothill counselor for more information.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the needs and characteristics of children from birth through middle childhood, and the multiple influences on their development as related to the high-quality care and education of young children.
• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of ethical standards and professional behaviors that deepen knowledge and commitment to the field of early care and education as related to National Association for the Education of Young Children Code of Ethical Conduct.

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.

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.

Computer programming, algorithms, data structures, and languages play an increasingly important role in academic, science and business careers. The Associate in Science degree satisfies the transfer requirements of many disparate 4-year colleges and universities. Our up-to-date curriculum is also valuable for enhancing the career opportunities of working professionals.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to use standard software engineering tools to create reusable code.
• Students will be able to design a large program that takes advantage of existing code libraries.
• Students will be able to organize a complex program in a logical way, enabling the extension of the program.
• Students will be able to comprehend user requirements and produce code and documentation in an industry-accepted style that satisfies those requirements.
• Students will be able to develop software that solves problems in a variety of fields, including math, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, business, and the Internet.

Accounting is the language of business. Accountants measure business activities, process that data into reports and communicate the results to decision-makers. The accounting curriculum focuses on preparing students to transfer to four-year institutions, sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and seek employment. Areas of study include accounting for decision making, accounting for internal and external use, financial statement analysis, review of financial accounting standards, payroll and business taxes, individual and advanced taxation, computerized accounting software, auditing and forensic accounting, governmental and not-for-profit accounting and ethics in accounting.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to explain accounting terminology, concepts, principles, and frameworks.
• Students will be able to perform accounting-related calculations and demonstrate the ability to use methods and/or procedures to solve accounting problems.

Respiratory Therapy is a dynamic and challenging healthcare profession. Therapists work with physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals in intensive care units and hospital floor care areas. They are involved in the treatment, management, and rehabilitation of patients with lung and heart problems. Respiratory Therapists manage the ventilation of critically ill patients, as well as provide care to patients with acute and chronic pulmonary disease. The Respiratory Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Graduates will have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills and values for the practice of respiratory therapy.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate appropriate critical thinking skills, time management skills, communication skills and technical skills necessary to provide competent respiratory care in multidisciplinary care settings.

The Anthropology Program educates students to understand and value the cultural and social diversity on a global scale, both past and present. By studying cultural, physical and linguistic anthropology and archaeology, students gain valuable skills and knowledge to prepare them for transferring to a four-year university and for careers and success in the workplace. Through innovative learning experiences, the anthropology program connects students to the community, and heightens their awareness of today's critical human problems. Through these activities the program introduces more educated citizens into our community who seek to solve problems and improve our world.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to understand and apply cultural relativism; they will be able to convey an understanding of multiple cultural perspectives.
• Students will demonstrate a core knowledge base in anthropology appreciating and reflecting on human diversity in the past and present.
• Students will integrate their knowledge and understanding of anthropological concepts and methods to creatively and ethically solve real-world human problems at the local, regional, and global scales.
• Students will be able to articulate key concepts and events in the process of human evolution and demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities toward that end.
• Students will be able to critically assess the important role that the past plays on the present, and conversely, the important role that the present has on the past from both local, regional, national and worldwide perspectives.