Associate in Applied Science - Diagnostic Medical Sonography

at MSM Group - Spokane Community College USA

The Landscape Management program provides a study of ornamental plant materials and turf and how they relate to landscape design, construction, installation, maintenance, bidding & estimating, irrigation and arboriculture. The curriculum is built around landscape certified competencies. This program is accredited by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).  At the successful completion of the second year, passing all required coursework, the student will receive the associate in applied sciences degree.

The following is a typical student schedule. Individual student schedules may differ slightly depending on course availability. Courses may only be offered in the quarter indicated.  Outlined curriculum assumes students begin the program fall quarter and continue winter and spring quarters, with summer quarter off. It is recommended that students work closely with the program advisor when planning classes.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply planting and maintenance practices to lawns, trees and shrubs during the course of a year.
• Apply concepts of landscape design, construction, and installation of residential and small commercial projects.
• Understand and apply the concepts of residential irrigation.
• Diagnose causes of plant problems (i.e. insect, disease, and abiotic problems) and suggest appropriate remedies.
• Understand and apply the principles of weed science to landscape weed management.
• Understand and apply the principles of business management and human relations to agribusiness management.

The Fire Science Technology program is designed to prepare students for entry-level careers as firefighters for municipal, industrial, state, and federal fire departments. The primary mission of the Fire Science Technology program is the identification and mitigation of emergencies in order to preserve life and property.

Program Requirements: admittance to the Fire Science Lab classes requires the student's age to be at least 18 or with the instructor's permission. All students are required to carry student accident insurance throughout their enrollment in the Fire Science program.  A 2.0 grade or better must be maintained in all courses required for a degree.

Learning Outcomes

• Have a well–rounded technical background for entry into fire service or rescue related fields.
• Apply knowledge and skill to a successful entrance into the fire service.   

Handle basic Fire, Rescue, and EMS duties.
The duties of the firefighter include, but are not limited to, extinguishing and controlling fires, performing rescue and evacuation work incidental to fire control, accidents, natural disasters, and other incidents where human life is threatened. Firefighters also render emergency aid to those in need. The responsibilities of fire prevention, inspection, and public relation programs aimed at reducing death and property loss are also undertaken.

The associate in applied science degree in Natural Resource Management prepares students to work in the forestry area. This program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Two additional options are available: Parks and Recreation or Wildlife Fisheries. The Parks and Recreation option prepares students for park maintenance and/or interpretive positions.  The Wildlife/Fisheries option prepares students to perform field sampling as well as habitat restoration work.

All students must complete an internship of at least 400 hours to complete the degree.  Second year: Student may remain in the main program which is forestry based, or they may select one of the two options for an AAS degree which requires a total of 105 credits.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify selected forest trees, shrubs, and forbs native to the Pacific Northwest.
• Use various instruments to measure the height, diameter and age of trees and apply this data to volume, site and growth determinations.
• Identify species and habitat needs of common northwest freshwater fish, birds and wildlife.
• Operate hand compasses, level, global positioning systems, and electronic instruments in determining slopes, turning angles, running traverses, locating ownership boundaries, and determining locations.
• Utilize maps and aerial photographs in the management of natural resources, including through the use of geographic information systems.
• Recognize common diseases and insect pests of forest trees and assess their damage.
• Use the computer as a tool for solving natural resources problems.
• Apply field techniques to sample, measure, and monitor wildlife, birds and fish species and their habitat.
• Demonstrate human relationship skills and professional behavior needed for successful job performance.
• Parks maintenance and equipment.
• Recognize and apply the various silvicultural systems and techniques used in ecosystem management.
• Understand concepts of ecology, conservation and management for fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
• Understand concepts involved in soil science including soil management, conservation, and use of soils in forestry and agriculture.
• Maintain and safely operate a chainsaw.
• Write technical reports and give presentations.

The Criminal Justice curriculum is made up of courses and a carefully selected group of general education requirements designed to prepare each student for a career in the field of criminal justice. These courses prepare students with theory and practical skills in the areas of criminal law, investigations, interview, communications, human relations, and other criminal justice topics.

Students in this field are encouraged to seek academic counseling. Only a portion of this two-year AAS degree is transferable to four-year institutions. Students interested in four-year degrees should inquire at the college to which they plan to transfer for specific information.

Credits from the police academy training can apply toward meeting the course requirements of this program.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply their knowledge and skill toward successful completion of any criminal justice related job screening process.
• Apply their knowledge and skill toward successful completion of basic training in the criminal justice service industry.
• Apply their knowledge and skill to efficiently and effectively complete criminal justice field work.

Electrical maintenance and automation technicians are responsible for the maintenance, testing, repair, and/or replacement of the electrical systems and controls found in modern industrial plants and large commercial buildings.

As the electrical systems become more sophisticated, so must the skills of the electrical maintenance and automation technician. By mixing the theoretical with practical hands-on lab experiences using modern up-to-date industrial equipment and techniques, the student will be prepared for a challenging career in electrical maintenance.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the inherent dangers of and be able to work safely around electricity.
• Be familiar with electrical theory, electrical terms and electrical circuits (AC & DC).
• Able to identify common electrical materials, parts, and components.
• Understand the theory, operation, and maintenance of AC & DC generators and motors.
• Know basic electronic theory and components.
• Able to design, wire, and troubleshoot conventional motor control circuits.
• Demonstrate proper transformer connections and understand the operation of industrial lighting.
• Able to perform electrical conduit bending using trigonometric calculations.
• Understand and apply the fundamentals of the National Electrical Code.
• Understand pneumatic system theory, math, symbols, and circuits.
• Understand hydraulic theory, components, symbols, and circuits.
• Demonstrated ability to work in the electrical power industry through the documented work experience approved bby the cooperative education supervisor and/or the Bonneville Power Administration.

The Machinist/CNC Technology program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to gain employment in the manufacturing industry. The first year of the program will focus on skills used in a modern machine shop: machine shop math, blueprint reading, and conventional machine tool theory and lab. The last year offers advanced conventional machining and specialized training in CNC theory with introduction to CAD/CAM and procedures in quality control.

Each required course for graduation must be completed with a grade of 2.0 or higher before proceeding to the next quarter.

Learning Outcomes

• Operate a variety of CNC machines.
• Set up tooling for CNC machining operations.
• Perform quality control functions to ensure part compliance with required specification.
• Interpret blueprints.
• Possess knowledge of their role as an employee and factors that are critical to the company’s success.

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 Marketing program is designed for students who want to specialize in fields involved with the distribution of goods and services from producer to consumer. Students take core business courses followed by marketing specialty courses such as marketing, retailing, advertising and international business. Students are also required to gain work experience as part of the program. There is opportunity for teamwork and leadership experience through participation in college DECA, international management and marketing organization.

All students graduating from this program must have a minimum grade of 2.0 on each of the management; accounting; economics; and general business required courses. Students must also have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average on all required courses in the program.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the position of contemporary marketing within the economy and recognize how it fits into the global economy and the world of e-commerce.
• Analyze strategies and tactics to develop a balanced marketing mix to reach targeted market groups in both the consumer and business to business sectors in order to create satisfied customers.
• Analyze and understand the elements of the marketing mix, which includes having the right products/services in the right place at the right price with proper promotion to position a product/service to reach the targeted groups.
• Understand how the functions of marketing (buying, selling, transporting, storing, standardization and grading, financing, risk taking, marketing research) support the marketing mix.
• Understand and appreciate how outside environmental forces (technology, political legal, competition, social cultural, economic) influence changes in a firm’s marketing mix.
• Understand the need for market information systems, understand consumer/buyer behavior and market segmentation.
• Understand the need to support marketing goals with management skills, communication skills, human relation skills, and ethical behavior.

The Administrative Office Management program is an associate degree program that prepares students to assume positions as office managers, supervisors, or as assistants to top executives.  Students will develop administrative skills necessary to participate as part of the management team; assist in planning, organizing, and controlling information related activities; and in leading or directing people to attain the objectives of the organization.  They may handle a wide range of daily responsibilities including the supervision of support services.

This program is recommended to experienced office staff as well as entry-level office workers who are looking to increase their potential for promotion.  Graduates with this degree receive training in a variety of office management functions including those in communications, information resources, and management.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the principles of human resources supervision and administration including the recruiting and hiring process, training and development, motivating the workforce, completing an appraisal, and improving productivity.
• Organize and plan office work and exercise leadership skills that encourage successful teamwork.
• Demonstrate organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Appreciate the scope of business operations and economic systems.
• Handle multiple deadlines and priorities in an office setting.
• Think critically and act logically to evaluate situations, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Understand the tools used to make business decisions using quantitative data.
• Compile and analyze data, prepare concise reports and presentations, and use information processing technology and software.
• Compose drafts and final responses to inquiries, letters, and questionnaires.
• Handle a variety of internal and external business forms and understand their purpose.
• Acquire comprehensive knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook software.
• Operate a variety of business machines, including computer equipment, copy machines and scanners, transcribing equipment, facsimiles, printers, telephones, and calculating machines.

From smart phones to autonomous cars, electronic technology is an integral and constantly changing part of our world. An Electronics Engineering Technician degree provides the foundation necessary to pursue a career in this exciting field.

This lab intensive program provides practical, hands-on experience with a variety of equipment used in the industry. Classes are designed to develop the skills necessary to help engineers develop new electronic products and to evaluate, test, troubleshoot, and repair existing products. Graduates find employment with a wide variety of companies including electronic equipment manufacturers, medical equipment manufacturers, service companies, and hospitals.

To qualify for an associate in applied science degree, students must successfully complete seven quarters of study. The first five quarters are common to all the electronics programs. Students then choose to specialize in Avionics, Applications, or Mechatronics.

Learning Outcomes

• State the characteristics of electronic components and circuits.
• Calculate circuit parameters.
• Demonstrate proper safety procedures.
• Construct electronic parameters.
• Use electronic test equipment to evaluate and troubleshoot electronic circuits.
• Explain career related regulatory requirements.