Certificate in STEM Foundations
Overview
The Certificate in STEM Foundations provides an opportunity for students to explore how the digital age is changing the way individuals think, interact, and engage. Students will focus on problem solving using the mathematics of finance, probability, and statistics; examine various landforms and earth processes; and explore the online tools that make electronic social and professional interaction possible.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be equipped to:
- Use a variety of problem solving strategies to analyze and solve real world problems using mathematics.
- Apply basic probability and statistical analysis in a decision-making process.
- Discuss basic landforms and identify various geologic time frames that form the history of the Earth.
- Discuss the relationship between earth science and other sciences, especially biology and chemistry.
- Define the term “digital age” from several societal and cultural perspectives.
- Sequence the development of the internet and social media.
Admission Requirements
An online application must be submitted and accepted before a student begins their first course. All courses in the certificate must be completed or approved through ADP. Transfer credits are not permitted for this certificate.
Certificate Requirements
Certificate in STEM Foundations (9 credit hours)
Complete the following:
The certificate is successfully finished when all certificate courses are completed with grades of C- or better and a certificate GPA of 2.0 or above.
The 21st-century digital age has introduced an exponential number of online tools that make electronic social and professional interaction possible. Through readings, videos, case presentations, and engagement with digital media, this interactive course provides an opportunity to explore how the digital age is changing the way individuals think, interact, and engage.
This course will focus on problem solving using the mathematics of finance, probability, and statistics. From simple and compound interest models to amortized loans, students will calculate and solve for relevant variables, then create spreadsheets to assist them in the empirical problem solving necessary for budgeting and comparative financial applications.
This course provides an introductory survey of physical geology, historical geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. Students will examine various landforms and earth processes, and may engage with special topics and fieldwork as they consider cycles related to the earth’s form and function.