Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies

Curriculum

This program consists of 180 credits.

Course Descriptions

ENGL 101 – Expository Writing and Reading

Develops students' abilities to read and write expository academic discourse. Teaches students how to read with understanding; how to access print and technological sources; how to research, plan, draft, revise, and edit academic essays and reports. Requires students to write expository essay and to keep a journal to express their responses to material read and study in the course.

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ENGL 102 - Persuasive Writing and Reading
(Pre-Requisite: ENGL 101)

Develops students' abilities to read and write persuasive academic discourse. Teaches students to think and read critically, to evaluate and use print and technological sources effectively, and to present a written argument effectively. Requires students to write persuasive essays and research papers and to keep a journal to express their responses to material read and studied in the course.

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ENGL 103 - Analytical Writing and Reading
(Pre-Requisite: ENGL 102)

Develops students' skills in critical and analytical reading and writing through a study of literature. Teaches students techniques to help them understand and appreciate literature. Requires students to read, analyze, and write essays and research papers about selected works of poetry, drama, and fiction and to keep a journal to express their responses to the literature studied.

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COM 111 - Principles of Communication

Explores the importance of communication in organizational settings. Includes assessment of appropriate modes of communication, including written, spoken, and electronic.

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COM 230 – Techniques of Speaking
(Pre-Requisite: ENGL 102)

A workshop course in improving public speaking skills. Provides experience in speeches of explanation, persuasion, and argument .

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COM 270 – Business Communications
(Pre-Requisite: ENGL 103)

Covers the writing of business letters, resumes, memos, proposals, and reports. This is a writing intensive course.

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COM 345 - Intercultural Communication

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of intercultural communication. Drawing from traditions in anthropology and communication, intercultural communication is the study of the effect of differing cultural norms and beliefs upon communication between speakers. Through a wide range of readings, journal writing assignments, and participative and experiential activities, students will develop both their understanding of and skills in inter-cultural communication. A final project and presentation draws together participatiive experiences and the readings and class discussions.

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MATH 181 - Mathematical Analysis I

Covers set theory, coordinate systems and graphs, functions, linear programming (geometric approach), matrices and linear systems, and linear programming (algebraic approach). Required for architecture, business administration, and construction management students. Non- credit for engineering and science students.

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MATH 182 - Mathematical Analysis II
(Pre-Requisite: MATH 181)

Covers counting techniques, probability, statistics, and probability applications. Non-credit for engineering and science students.

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MATH 183 - Mathematical Analysis III
(Pre-Requisite: MATH 182)

Covers limits, rates of change, derivatives, applications of differentiation, exponential and logarithmic functions, integrals, techniques of integration, applications of integration.

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BIO 161 - General Biology I*

Covers structure and function of the cell and the organ-system plan of organization of the human body.

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BIO 162 - General Biology II*
(Pre-Requisite: BIO 161)

Continues BIO 161. Covers the mechanics of heredity, including growth, differentiation, and development.

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CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I**
(Pre-Requisite: Two years of high school algebra)

Covers atomic structure, stoichiometry, gases, valence theory, and thermochemistry.

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CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II**
(Pre-Requisite: CHEM 161)

Covers solutions, colligative properties, chemical equilibrium, and electrochemistry. Introduces organic chemistry.

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PHYS 182 - Applied Physics I**
(Pre-Requisite: MATH 183)

Covers vectors; statics, kinematics, and classical dynamics, including Newton's laws, torque, projectile motion, and circular motion; work; power and energy; impulse and momentum; and rotation, in a non-calculus-based course.

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PHYS 183 - Applied Physics II**
(Pre-Requisite: PHYS 182)

Covers fluids; elasticity; vibration, including simple harmonic motion; sound waves and acoustics; thermodynamics of temperature; heat; thermal-expansion; phase change; and heat transfer, in a non-calculus-based course.

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ANTH 101 - Introduction to Cultural Diversity

Examines the diversity that exists in human culture. Uses lectures, films, and discussions to examine and illustrate the relationship between humans and their social/cultural systems.

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PHIL 105 - Critical Reasoning
(Pre-Requisite: ENGL 103)

An introductory course. Designed to impart the skills of sound reasoning and argumentation useful in most fields.

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PSY 101 - General Psychology I

Reviews the fundamental principles, concepts, and methods of psychology, with emphasis on the concepts of motivation, learning, and perception, and their psychological foundations

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SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology

Examines principles underlying human interaction in simple technological societies, including learning and development of social roles; development and meaning of culture and social organizations; and special institutions in the society, such as the family, class structure, and power structure.

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SOC 110 - Sociology of the Future

Examines ideas, values, and methods of the world's leading futurists (e.g., Bell, Henderson, Kahn, and Tofler). Focuses particularly on the energy challenge, the information revolution, and postindustrial scenarios.

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SOC 210 - Race and Ethnic Relations

Examines practical ongoing or proposed reforms for local, national, and global problems. Assesses realistic techniques for countering prejudice, tension, discrimination, and backlash.

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SOC 230 - Women & Men-Changing Society

Explores the status and roles of modern women and men, with emphasis on changes in family relationships, career options, and lifestyle alternatives.

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SOC 340 - Globalization

This course investigates the causal factors for the emergence of what is known as globalization, global economy, global village, etc. It covers the effects of global changes on national political systems, on ecology and on local cultures. The role of the US and reactions to the new world order will also be considered.

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CRTV 301 - Foundations in Creativity

This course provides a foundation in creativity including leading creativity theorists and their ideas, and introduction to creativity in many fields. Students will explore basic creative characteristics including originality, fluency, flexibility, elaboration, resistance to premature closure, and tolerance of ambiguity. Sets the foundation for acquiring tools and applying creativity.

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CRTV 302 - Tools & Techniques in Creativity
(Prerequisite: CRTV 301)

This hands-on course provides tools for enhancing creative strengths including role-play, simulation, brainstorming together with synectics, and creative problem solving. A second focus is the role of inspiration in how creativity, personal maturity, and spirituality inter-relate and how this interaction expands our repertoire of tools and techniques in creativity.

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CRTV 303 - Creativity in the Workplace
(Prerequisite: CRTV 302)

This course focuses on how creative ideas happen and how they become innovations to reveal a set of principles for infusing creativity into every aspect of an organization. Examples from a wide range of settings demonstrate how to build systemic creativity at the individual, team, and leadership levels.

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EDUC 436 – Distance Learning

This course is intended to address issues surrounding distance learning and pedagogy, and help teachers become more intelligent creators of, more informed participants in, and all-around better users of distance education tools.

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BLAW 201 - Business Law I

Covers scope and classification of business law and the field of contracts.

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BUSN 301 - Accounting & Finance for Nonfinancial Professionals

A study of the accounting process and financial evaluation to enable nonfinancial professionals to work effectively with accountants and financial specialists in order to understand financial responsibilities within their profession and to make sound financial decisions. Basic accounting principles, financial statements, and financial analysis techniques will be emphasized.

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MGMT 260 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship

The course focuses on entrepreneurship as a generic activity, including start-ups and corporate entrepreneurship. It explores the opportunities and challenges faced by individuals starting up new ventures and the probable paths of career development for the students pursuing entrepreneurship.

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MKTG 301 - Introduction to Marketing Management

Provides a conceptual and applications-oriented framework for marketing decision-making in a dynamic environment. Emphasizes satisfying target customers and achieving organizational objectives through skillful blending of strategies in product development, pricing, promotion, and distribution. This is a writing intensive course.

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ORGB 300 - Organizational Behavior

Provides conceptual understanding of various principles of management and organizational processes and the opportunity for skill-building in the areas of individual, interpersonal, and intergroup organizational behaviors. This is a writing intensive course.

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HRMT 323 - Principles of Human Resource Administration
(Pre-Requisite: ORGB 300)

Covers the underlying principles of personnel administration used in organizations by personnel departments and often by line managers. Uses case studies and exercises to illustrate the practical implications of various principles.

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PHIL 323 - Organizational Ethics

This course focuses on the application of ethical theories and principles to organizational systems and decision-making. Emphasis will be placed on how ethical principles affect and are applied to organizational policy-making, leadership behavior, systems of communication, technology use, and other systems of organization.

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CAT 200 - Strategies: Lifelong Learning

Strategies for Lifelong Learning. This course introduces students to the skills necessary for successful lifelong learning. Theoretical and practical aspects of learning are explored. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, study skills, analytical reading, effective writing, reasoning, problem-solving, time management and strategies for management necessary to support learning in a college environment.

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CAT 201 - Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal Communication. Interpersonal communication will be studies from the perspective of emotional intelligence. Particular emphasis will be placed on emotional intelligence in the workplace and in leadership. The main objective is to make students aware that intelligence and technological expertise are not enough to be successful in the workplace.

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CAT 301 - Project Management
(Pre-Requisites: STAT 201 or STAT 211 or STAT 261 and POM 300 or OPM 300)

Project Management. This course offers instruction on design, appraisal, planning, and implementation of a project. It provides in-depth discussion and analysis of approaches to managing projects in both the public and private sectors.

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CAT 302 - Customer Service Theory & Practice

Customer Service Theory and Practice. This course focuses on the theory of customer service and the practices that "best in class" companies apply to differentiate themselves from the competition. The course includes practical information and activities designed to teach students how to respond to customers, resolve problems, and provide quality customer service.

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CAT 360 - Applied Organizational Research
(Pre-Requisites: STAT 211)

Applied Organizational Research. This course presents a systematic approach to managerial methods of conducting organizational research and analysis. Students will undergo the managerial research process of specifying the problem; translating the problem into specific research questions; designing the data collection and methodology; collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; and reporting research results and recommendations.

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PRST 211 - Computer Applications for Professionals

Through lecture-demonstrations, hands-on labs, independent study assignments, and case study analysis, students are challenged to use critical-thinking, data analysis and problem-solving techniques to develop cost-efficient and effective solutions to realistic professional problems using computer-based business application software. Students should possess a basic level of computer proficiency before taking this course.

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PRST 212 - Creative Studies in the World Wide Web

This course prepares professionals with an understanding of the process of developing creative, functional Web sites. Concentrating on the creative flow if the design process, the course uses Adobe Dreamweaver as the medium for development. Students should possess a basic level of computer proficiency before taking this course.

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PRST 330 - Career & Professional Development

This course explores the literature of careers including preparation, organizational entry, orientation, nontraditional careers, and early, mid, and later career issues. The course provides students with opportunities for assessment of interests and capabilities, initiation and implementation of a personal development plan (PDP), and feedback on personal and career development.

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PRST 440 - Policy Analysis

The course analyzes the entire process of policy agenda-setting, initiation, decision-making, implementation, evaluation and assessment. Students will be equipped with tools to analyze and understand the entire process of policy formation in any public or private enterprise. The skills developed in this course can be used in many professional fields.

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PRST 450 - Creative Leadership for Professionals
(Pre-Requisites: CRTV 303 and ORGB 300)

This course presents leadership as a collaborative focus for transforming change. Topics include the leadership crisis, differences between leadership and management, how leaders create and change culture, and ways in which leaders build creative, enduring organizations. In addition, the course is designed to help students develop their own leadership potential.

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PRST 491 - Professional Portfolio I
(Pre-Requisites: COM 270 and CAT 301 and CRTV 303 and PRST 330 and PRST 440 and PRST 450)

The professional portfolio is a two-course capstone project that provides Professional Studies majors with an opportunity to demonstrate achievement in their major and to engage in self-reflection. Components include reflective essays and carefully chosen samples of academic and relevant professional work completed during the college experience. This is a writing intensive course.

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PRST 492 - Professional Portfolio II
(Pre-Requisites: COM 230 and CAT 360 and PRST 491)

Requires completion of the professional portfolio begun on PRST 491. Components of Professional Portfolio II include creative expression, future directions, and reflect on the major and the experience of creating a portfolio. This is a writing intensive course.

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