Technical Specialist
Offered at the Following Campus Locations
Program Overview
The purpose of this certificate program is to prepare students for positions in business, healthcare and aviation fields that require technical proficiency to translate technical information to various audiences and in various formats using written, oral and electronic communication skills. Additionally, the program provides a foundation of broad-based knowledge and critical thinking skills that help its graduates stand out in the workforce.
Entrance Requirements
Next Generation ACCUPLACER® minimum scores: Reading 218, Writing 222, Arithmetic 223
Course Overview
Basic Skills Courses:COMP1000Introduction to Computer Literacy3This course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include introductions to computer and digital terminology and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications.1098Program CoursesENGL1101Composition and Rhetoric3Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.1242Humanities/ Fine Arts – Select six hours from among the following four coursesARTS1101Art Appreciation3Explores the visual arts and the relationship to human needs and aspirations. Students investigate the value of art, themes in art, the elements and principles of composition, and the materials and processes used for artistic expression. Well-known works of visual art are explored. The course encourages student interest in the visual arts beyond the classroom.1236MUSC1101Music Appreciation3Explores the analysis of well-known works of music, their compositions, and the relationship to their periods. An introduction to locating, acquiring, and documenting information resources lays the foundation for research to include the creative and critical process, the themes of music, the formal elements of composition, and the placing of music in the historical context. Topics include historical and cultural development represented in musical arts.1239HUMN1101Introduction to Humanities3Explores the philosophic and artistic heritage of humanity expressed through a historical perspective on visual arts, music, and literature. The humanities provide insight into people and society. Topics include historical and cultural developments, contributions of the humanities, and research.1238ENGL2130American Literature3Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills.1237Social/Behavioral Science – Select six hours from among the following coursesPSYC1101Introductory Psychology3Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology.1320ECON1101Principles of Economics3Provides a description and analysis of economic operations in contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of economic concepts and policies as they apply to everyday life. Topics include basic economic principles; economic forces and indicators; capital and labor; price, competition, and monopoly; money and banking; government expenditures, federal and local; fluctuations in production, employment, and income; and United States economy in perspective1310ECON2105Macroeconomics3Provides a description and analysis of macroeconomic principles and policies. Topics include basic economic principles, macroeconomic concepts, equilibrium in the goods and money markets, macroeconomic equilibrium and the impact of fiscal and monetary policies.1311ECON2106Microeconomics3Provides an analysis of the ways in which consumers and business firms interact in a market economy. Topics include basic economic principles, consumer choice, behavior of profit maximizing firms, modeling of perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly and monopolistic competition.1312SOCI1101Introduction to Sociology3Explores the sociological analysis of society, its culture, and structure. Sociology is presented as a science with emphasis placed on its methodology and theoretical foundations. Topics include basic sociological concepts, socialization, social interaction and culture, social groups and institutions, deviance and social control, social stratification, social change, and marriage and family.1324POLS1101American Government3Emphasizes study of government and politics in the United States. The focus of the course will provide an overview of the Constitutional foundations of the American political processes with a focus on government institutions and political procedures. The course will examine the constitutional framework, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion, the media, special interest groups, political parties, and the election process along with the three branches of government. In addition, this course will examine the processes of Georgia state government. Topics include foundations of government, political behavior, and governing institutions.1318HIST1111World History I3Emphasizes the study of intellectual, cultural, scientific, political, and social contributions of the civilizations of the world and the evolution of these civilizations during the period from the prehistoric era to early modern times. Topics include the Prehistoric Era the Ancient Near East, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Rome, Ancient Africa, Islam, the Americas, Japan, Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance.1314HIST1112World History II3Emphasizes the study of the intellectual, cultural, scientific, political, and social contributions of the civilizations of the world and the evolution of these civilizations during the period from early modern times to the present. Topics include transitions to the Modern World, scientific revolution and the Enlightenment, political modernization, economic modernization, imperialism, and the Twentieth Century.1315HIST2111U.S. History I3Emphasizes the study of U. S. History to 1877 to include the post-Civil War period. The course focuses on the period from the Age of Discovery through the Civil War to include geographical, intellectual, political, economic and cultural development of the American people. It includes the history of Georgia and its constitutional development. Topics include colonization and expansion; the Revolutionary Era; the New Nation; nationalism, sectionalism, and reform; the Era of Expansion; and crisis, Civil War, and reconstruction.1316HIST2112U.S. History II3Emphasizes the study of the social, cultural, and political history of the United States from 1865 to the beginning of the twenty-first century and will equip the student to better understand the problems and challenges of the contemporary world in relation to events and trends in modern American history. The course also provides an overview of the history of Georgia and the development of its constitution. Topics include the Reconstruction Period; the great West, the new South, and the rise of the debtor; the Gilded Age; the progressive movement; the emergence of the U. S. in world affairs; the Roaring Twenties; the Great Depression; World War II; the Cold War and the 1950*s; the 1960*s and 1970*s; and America since 1980.1317Natural Sciences/Mathematics – Select three hours from among the following coursesMATH1101Mathematical Modeling3Emphasizes functions using real-world applications as models. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra; functions and graphs; linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions and models; systems of equations; and optional topics in algebra.1296MATH1103Quantitative Skills/Reasoning (201614)3Emphasizes algebra, statistics, and mathematics of finance. Topics include fundamental operations of algebra, sets and logic, probability and statistics, geometry, mathematics of voting and districting, and mathematics of finance.1295MATH1112College Trigonometry3Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using trigonometric concepts. Topics include trigonometric functions, properties of trigonometric functions, vectors and triangles, inverse of trigonometric functions and graphing of trigonometric functions, logarithmic and exponential functions, and complex numbers.1298MATH1113Precalculus3Prepares students for calculus. The topics discussed include an intensive study of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their graphs. Applications include simple maximum and minimum problems, exponential growth and decay.1299MATH1111College Algebra3Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.1297Science Elective Courses - Add the LabBIOL1111Biology I3Provides an introduction to basic biological concepts with a focus on living cells. Topics include chemical principles related to cells, cell structure and function, energy and metabolism, cell division, protein synthesis, genetics, and biotechnology.1270BIOL1111LBiology Lab I1Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 1111. The laboratory exercises for this course include chemical principles related to cells, cell structure and function, energy and metabolism, cell division, protein synthesis, genetics, and biotechnology.1271BIOL2107Biological Principles I3This course is intended for students majoring in biological or other sciences. The course provides an introduction to fundamental biological processes and interactions occurring at the molecular, cellular levels, and organismal, and population levels of organization. Topics include: history of science and the scientific method; scientific literature; basic biochemistry, cell biology; bioenergetics; molecular genetics; principles of inheritance; evolution and natural selection; current trends and biotechnology.10912BIOL2107Biological Principles I Lab 1This course is comprised of selected laboratory exercises that parallel the topics covered in BIOL 2107 and is intended for students majoring in biological or other sciences. The course provides a hands-on approach to fundamental biological processes and interactions occurring at the molecular, cellular levels, and organismal, and population levels of organization. The laboratory exercises for this course include: laboratory safety; scientific method and investigation; microscopy; basic biochemistry; cell biology; bioenergetics; molecular genetics; principles of inheritance; evolution and natural selection.10917CHEM1151Survey of Inorganic Chemistry3Provides an introduction to basic chemical principles and concepts which explain the behavior of matter. Topics include measurements and units, structure of matter, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, gas laws, liquid mixtures, acids and bases, salts and buffers, and nuclear chemistry.1282CHEM1151LSurvey of Inorganic Chem Lab1Selected laboratory experiments paralleling the topics in CHEM 1151. The lab exercises for this course include units of measurements, structure of matter, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, gas laws, liquid mixtures, acids and bases, salts and buffers, and nuclear chemistry.1283CHEM1211Chemistry I3Provides an introduction to basic chemical principles and concepts which explain the behavior of matter. Topics include measurement, physical and chemical properties of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, nomenclature, chemical reactions, and stoichiometry and gas laws.1286CHEM1211LChemistry Lab I1Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in CHEM 1211. The laboratory exercises for this course include measurement, physical and chemical properties of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, nomenclature, chemical reactions, stoichiometry and gas laws.1287PHYS1110Conceptual Physics3Introduces some of the basic laws of physics. Topics include systems of units and conversion of units, vector algebra, Newtonian mechanics, fluids and thermodynamics, heat, light, and optics, mechanical waves, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics.1304PHYS1110LConceptual Physics Lab1Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in PHYS 1110. The laboratory exercises for this course include systems of units and systems of measurement, vector algebra, Newtonian mechanics, fluids and thermodynamics, heat, light, and optics, mechanical waves, electricity and magnetism, and modern physic1305General Education Core Electives (6 Hours) Specified By CollegeOccupational Guided Electives (9 Hours) Specified by college advisorMinimum Length of Program: 3 Term(s)Minimum Credit Hours for Graduation: 36