Whatcom Community College
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Physical Education Pathway
This pathway assumes:
- You will be a full-time student.
- You will start in the fall.
- You are ready to take 100- and 200-level classes.
If not, you can still complete the pathway! You will just need to make adjustments. Talk with your advisor to customize your plan.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS & SCIENCES (AAS/DTA) (90 CREDITS)
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AAS/DTA degree and prepare for a university major in PE and health education. Or you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Quarter 1
PE 102 Strength Training (2 credits)
| Description | Activity and theory based course introducing the concept and benefits of strength exercise. (LE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
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PHIL& 101 Introduction to Philosophy (5 credits)
| Description | This course is an introduction to the problems, history, and nature of philosophy, with a focus on traditional Western philosophical issues. Students will be exposed to the major areas of philosophy, with emphasis given to theories of knowledge and reality. Possible topics include: the nature and possibility of knowledge, free will and responsibility, the existence of God, personal identity, and the meaning of life. (Hg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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MATH 099 Intermediate Algebra (5 credits)
| Description | A course in functions and fundamentals of algebra intended to prepare students planning to take additional courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Topics include quadratic equations, rational expressions and equations, functions and graphs, systems of equations (3-variable and non-linear), exponential and logarithmic functions. Graphing calculator required. (N) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 098 or HSC 74 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
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Total credits this quarter: 12-17
Course note: MATH 99 is optional, but Quarter 2 includes chemistry, and you need some math background for it. If your math placement is at the 100 level, you can skip MATH 99.
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
Quarter 2
ENGL 201 Advanced Composition (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective communicators through the production of various forms and mediums of writing. Students develop effective rhetorical strategies through analysis of texts and contexts, as well as engaging in independent research as part of meaningful and ethical scholarship. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
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CHEM& 121 Introduction to Chemistry (5 credits)
| Description | Introductory course open to students without previous background in chemistry. Introduction to the nature of atoms and molecules, chemical notation, scientific reasoning and problem solving in the study of the theory and applications of inorganic chemistry. Lab work included. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 99 with minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
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EDUC& 202 Introduction to Education (5 credits)
| Description | Survey course in history, philosophy and principles, issues, and trends in American Education. Includes opportunities for observations of educational models and exploration of career paths. (SS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION click for Listed Electives list (1 credit)
Total credits this quarter: 16
Course note: You can use a total of 3 credits of activity PE in your AAS/DTA degree.
Course note: You'll need a grade of C or better in CHEM& 121 to use it as a prerequisite for BIOL& 241 in Quarter 5.
Career exploration: Compare PE-related majors at universities you're interested in, such as teaching PE and health (this pathway), exercise science, sport psychology, recreation, and public health. What interests you the most?
Quarter 3
CMST& 101 Introduction to Communication (5 credits)
| Description | Fundamental course in communication theory. Students will apply knowledge in variety of settings including interpersonal, public speaking, and small group communication. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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NUTR& 101 Nutrition (5 credits)
| Description | This course concentrates on both the cellular and organismal effects of human nutrition. Cellular structure, energy needs, genetic predisposition, exercise and overall organismal nutritional needs will be addressed. (MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats (5 credits)
| Description | Rigorous introduction to statistical methods and hypothesis testing. Includes descriptive and inferential statistics. Tabular and pictorialmethods for describing data; central tendencies; mean; modes; medians; variance; standard deviation; quartiles; regression; normal distribution; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing, one and two-tailed tests. Applications to business, social sciences, and sciences. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 088 or MATH 099 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
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LEARNING CONTRACT (2 credits)
or INTERNSHIP (2 credits)
or INTERNSHIP (2 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 17
Course note: A learning contract is an independent study with a faculty mentor.
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4
PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)
| Description | Surveys the knowledge and methods of the discipline of psychology. Emphasis include an overview of current knowledge in major areas of psychology, accessing and assessing information about behavior, skills inscientific reasoning and critical thinking. (SS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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CMST 225 Intercultural Communication (5 credits)
| Description | The course introduces the student to practices and principles in the field of communication as they apply to face to face interaction with peoples of diverse cultures both within the U.S. and out. The course isdesigned to provide students with the knowledge and opportunity to apply skills learned in class to their everyday encounters. Topics covered include intercultural barriers, cultural values, worldview, and the interrelation between the environment and social systems that underpin culture. (SS,Hwgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 and completion of One of the following CMST& 101, 210, 220 or 230 |
| Course Attributes |
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BIOL& 160 General Biology W/Lab (5 credits)
| Description | This is an introductory laboratory course in biology emphasizing the structural and functional analysis of cellular biology. Includes cell structure and function, energy production and utilization, reproduction, growth and development, genetics, and cell signaling and regulation. Lab work included. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Prior or concurrent enrollment in CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161 and placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
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Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: You'll need a grade of B- or better in BIOL& 160 to use it as a prerequisite for BIOL& 241 in Quarter 5.
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5
CMST& 220 Public Speaking (5 credits)
| Description | Introduction to communication theory and public speaking emphasizing organization, audience analysis, oral styles, and use of visual aids. Includes presentation of various types of public speeches and analyses of contemporary speeches. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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BIOL& 241 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (5 credits)
| Description | In-depth study focusing on the structure and function of the various components of the human body systems from the cellular level up to the organ system level. Abnormal or pathological conditions of these systems also covered. Laboratory exercises focus on the structures as well as the physiology of the systems covered in the lecture portion of the course. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of BIOL& 160 or BIOL& 222 with minimum grade of B-; and Completion of CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
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ENGL 225 Children's Literature I (5 credits)
| Description | This course introduces students to the field of children's literature, spanning classic to contemporary works. The emphasis is on exploringvarious genres, styles, trends, and cultural traditions-through works for the very young to young adults. (Hwd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
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Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
Quarter 6
PSYC 210 Child Development (5 credits)
| Description | Psychological growth and development from conception through adolescence including biological, social and cognitive development. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100. (SS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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BIOL& 242 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (5 credits)
| Description | Continuation of the structure and function of the human body systems with laboratory exercises designed to enhance the knowledge acquired in the lecture. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of BIOL& 241 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
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PE 181 Health and Wellness (5 credits)
| Description | Health and wellness explores physical and emotional health and wellness topics, such as stress reduction, proper nutrition, and physical fitness. Students will examine major health and lifestyle issues of contemporary society and will participate in personal assessments and develop a wellness plan. (LE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.