Interdisciplinary Studies Course Descriptions
INDIS 110
Computer Applications for the Environmental, Natural and Physical Sciences
2 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: CISC 302 and completion of or concurrent enrollment in a transfer-level science or in a mathematics majors course.
Hours: 36 hours LEC
This course will focus on essential computer skills for students who are majoring and/or working in the natural sciences (biology, botany, natural resources), the environmental sciences (environmental science/technology), engineering, or the physical sciences (astronomy, physics, chemistry, geography, geology). Students will be introduced to word processing software, presentation software, spreadsheets, databases, and the World Wide Web to analyze and represent mathematical/scientific information.
INDIS 299
Experimental Offering in Interdisciplinary Studies
.5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
INDIS 310
Math, CIS, Engineering and Science Achievement
.5 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 9 hours LEC
This course introduces the student to MESA and to the skills needed for academic success in mathematics, computer information science, engineering, and science. The course covers study skills, learning styles, SCANS skills, college logistics, and transfer processes as they relate to the study of math and science. The course is intended for students who will transfer to universities in a math-based major (computer science, chemistry, biology, physics, etc.). This is the first 1/2 unit of a 1 unit combination of courses that will provide academic and career support to MESA students and other students in math-based majors who wish to develop study skills specific to those disciplines. (INDIS 311 or 312 complete the combination.) This course is graded on a pass/no-pass basis only.
INDIS 311
Academic Skills for a Career in Engineering, CIS, Mathematics, Physics and Related Disciplines
.5 Units
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: INDIS 310.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 9 hours LEC
This course introduces the MESA student to academic skills and career exploration needed for advanced study toward a career in Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics. The course will cover advanced academic skills including literature searches, data analysis, technical terminology, and mathematics problem solving as applied to engineering, computer information science, mathematics, and physics. It will also provide an overview of careers in engineering, math, computer information science, and physics including the education, type of work conducted by professionals, and employment opportunities in these fields. The course is the second 1/2 unit of a 1 unit package of courses (see INDIS 310) that will provide academic and career support to MESA students and other student in math-based majors. This course is graded on a pass/no-pass basis only.
INDIS 312
Academic Skills for a Career in Chemistry, Biology and Related Disciplines
.5 Units
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: INDIS 310.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 9 hours LEC
This course introduces the MESA student to academic skills and career exploration needed for advanced study toward a career in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Medicine, Environmental Studies, and similar fields. The course will cover advanced academic skills including literature searches, data analysis, technical terminology, and problem solving as applied to chemistry or biology related fields of study. It will also provide an overview of careers in these disciplines including necessary education, type of work conducted by professionals in these fields, and employment opportunities in these fields. The course is the second 1/2 unit of a 1 unit package of courses (see INDIS 310) that will provide academic and career support to MESA students and other students in chemistry or biology related based majors. This course is graded on a pass/no-pass basis only.
INDIS 313
Freshman Seminar
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area III (b); CSU Area E
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
The purpose of this course is to assist new college students in achieving academic success. Topics covered will include discipline specific academic language and culture, the value of a college education, problem solving strategies, the use of technology in college, academic integrity, campus resources and services, and life during and after college.
INDIS 350
Life and Culture in Study Abroad
1-3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Enrollment Limitation: The student must complete the pre-enrollment process into the Los Rios Community College District Study Abroad program.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is designed to allow students to acquire a level of global competence while enrolled in the Los Rios Study Abroad program. Global competence is a continuing process of acquiring specific economic, historical, and geo-political knowledge which support the intercultural communication skills and authentic lived experiences that allow a person to function in another culture, and result in attitudes of cultural appreciation and interdependence. While participating in a specific Study Abroad program the student will have opportunities to study and generally survey the host country's historical, cultural, and geopolitical influences, as well as the societal structures to develop an understanding and appreciation of the host culture as different from U. S. American culture. This course may be taken up to three times for credit, yet each course completion must pertain to a different country offered in the Study Abroad program.
INDIS 499
Experimental Offering in Interdisciplinary Studies
.5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB