Academic Course Descriptions

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Academic Course Information

An Example

Course Credits

1.  Each course is assigned a number of credits which generally indicates the number of hours per week the course meets. Courses with labs and occupational courses, however, generally meet more hours than the number of credits they carry.

2.  Tuition rates are assessed on a per-credit-hour basis, and vary depending on your residency classification. Total tuition for each ourse must be paid at registration time.

Course Descriptions

1.  Below each course number and title, a brief course description is provided. You should read this description carefully to be sure you are qualified to take the course and that the course content meets your needs and interests. If you need additional information, you may contact the Chair of the Division which offers the course or the course instructor.

2.  Instructors often give supplemental course information (i.e., course outline, syllabus, tasks and competencies, etc.), during the first week of classes, so students will know specific course procedures, grading criteria, and course objectives. Circumstances such as illness, inclement weather, class composition and size, or the introduction of timely material may necessitate some adjustments. The College recognizes the right of the faculty member to exercise professional judgment in making such adjustments.

Hours of Instruction
The numbers given within parentheses at the end of each course description indicate the total number of hours each course will be scheduled within a semester. The first number specifies total lecture hours and the second number specifies total laboratory or clinical hours for the course.

Course Numbering System
All Delta College academic courses have a three or four character course number. The Academic Class Schedule booklet, which is published prior to each semester, lists courses in alphabetical order by subject area name according to these course numbers.

1.  Courses below 100 are considered developmental and do not meet graduation requirements.

2.  Courses within the 100-199 series generally represent freshman-level courses; however, these courses may also be taken by sophomores.

3.  Courses within the 200-389 series are intended primarily for sophomores; however, these courses may be taken by freshmen having the necessary prerequisites.

4.  Courses within the 290-299 series designate special courses as follows: 291 Independent Study (arranged on an individual basis between student and faculty member; see Independent Study Course Information on the next page); 292-299 Special Topics/Seminars (such courses will be offered as regular courses upon demand or to meet the special needs of some programs, except CED courses).

Honors Course Sections
Honors courses incorporate all regular course content with added emphasis on individual learning styles, the process of learning, and the creation of products. You will be involved in problem solving, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating at a higher level of abstraction. You will be expected to be more self-directed with a goal of understanding the theoretical base of the subject matter. Honors courses and Honors Options have an “H” designation.

Course Prerequisites
Prerequisites listed at the beginning of course descriptions are courses which must be taken or skill levels which must be met before enrolling in the course. Skill levels are demonstrated by either assessment scores or course grades according to the following table:  Prerequisite Level Table.   Some prerequisites are not computer-enforced, but may be enforced at the discretion of the division.

A Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution meets prerequisites Reading Level 7 and Writing Level 6.  Official transcripts must be provided to the Delta College Admissions Office.

Please Note: The table is used only to define prerequisite levels. Do not rely on the table as an advisement tool. See a counselor or advisor in Counseling/Advising (D102), for assistance with course selection.

We’re going the distance ... so you don’t have to.

Students today require learning flexibility…and Delta College is committed to providing students with learning options that fit into your busy lifestyle. The Internet, computers, digital television, and other technologies are making college degrees attainable through eLearning. It is now possible for students to earn an associate’s degree completely through eLearning, and then transfer credits to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree.

eLearning courses are not easier and they may not be the best learning option for everyone. The advantages of eLearning courses are convenience and flexibility – not simplicity. Students must be highly motivated and disciplined to be successful in an eLearning course.

eLearning course options are published each semester in the Academic Class Schedule. If you would like to learn more, contact the eLearning Office at 989-686-9088 or by e-mail at elearning@delta.edu.

Delta College eLearning Course Options:

• Internet Courses (INET) – Internet delivered courses are ideal for students who need a flexible schedule.  Course content, assignments, and interactive discussions are all delivered over the Internet through Delta's course management system - Educator.  Students must have access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection to participate in an INET course. 

• Blended Courses (CNET) – Blended courses combine traditional classroom learning and out of classroom technology based learning. The mix of classroom learning and online learning provides you with personal instructor contact and online learning flexibility.  The amount of online learning will vary from course to course and will be determined by the instructor. Some course content, assignments, and interactive discussions are delivered over the Internet.  You must have access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection to participate in a CNET course.

• Telenet Courses (TNET) – Telenet courses provide students with a combination of independent learning and instructor to student interaction necessary with online learning.  Telenet courses are guided by a faculty member and consist of a textbook, study guide, video lessons, and require an Internet connection.  Some course content, assignments and interactive discussions are delivered over the Internet.  Students must have access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection to participate in a TNET course.  There will be a scheduled orientation at the beginning of the semester to go over the course syllabus and some instructors may hold on-campus review sessions for exams. 

Michigan Community College Virtual Learning Collaborative (MCCVLC) is a collaboration between Michigan community colleges that allow Delta College students to take eLearning courses from other community colleges in Michigan. If a specific course is not available at Delta College, you may find comparable courses through the MCCVLC at http://www.mccvlc.org. Check with your counselor to make sure the course credit will transfer back to Delta College.

On the Web:  www.delta.edu/distancelearning

International Travel/Study Courses
Delta College offers international travel/study courses on an annual basis. These courses are usually offered for four credits which include a combination of lecture and field experience in group international travel; however, since the length of travel time may vary from one to four weeks, the Curriculum Council has approved variable credit, depending on the length of the travel field experience. Consequently, travel/study courses may vary in credits from a minimum of one to a maximum of four. These courses are numbered 268 and may be taken in various disciplines; i.e., BIO 268, ECN 268, SOC 268. The specific country/region of focus will be listed after the course number and title (SOC 268 International Studies: Australia). You may register for only one travel/study course per trip. You should consult a counselor regarding the transferability of total credits earned through international study and travel.

Learning Community Courses
Learning community courses are courses in which:

1.  Disciplines are taught together (for example, literature with history, calculus with physics, criminal justice with psychology) so that the connections between them are clear.

2.  You can work with other students on activities and projects.

3.  You can interact with other students and teachers and be part of a closely-knit, supportive community of learners.

4.  You may experience a variety of learning modes such as participating in large and small group discussions, working on activities and projects, taking field trips, and hearing lectures.

5.  Students and teachers work closely together, contributing what they already know and seeking new knowledge.

6.  You get to express your thoughts and ideas and to hear those of your fellow students.

7.  You can gain self-confidence about yourself as a student, a thinker, a reader, a writer, a speaker, a listener.

These courses usually combine two different disciplines or areas in order to show the connections between them. They are taught by at least two instructors, each from the different disciplines or areas included in the course. Each semester, Delta College publishes a complete list of learning community courses in the Academic Class Schedule booklet.

Independent Study Course Information

Independent Study refers to enrollment in an appropriately-designated, variable-credit course for a specific plan of study, authorized and supervised by a consenting faculty member. Independent Study is not a substitute for regular courses, but an enrichment opportunity. Normally, it is a project designated to allow you to investigate an area of interest not within the scope of a regular course, to probe more in depth than is possible in a regular course, or to obtain an educational experience outside that normally offered by a regular course.

Guidelines for an Independent Study course are:

1. Proposals: The Independent Study project is normally student-initiated. Early interaction with faculty is essential in the development of a mutually-acceptable project description. At a minimum, such a description should contain an outline of the study topic, specification of the work to be done and the materials to be read, the credit to be given, the type and frequency of faculty-student contacts, and a statement of the evaluative criteria to be used by the faculty member.

2. Approval Process: The faculty member must accept and approve the project and then submit the agreed-upon proposal on the appropriate form to the Department Chair for approval. The granting of approval by the Department Chair may involve considerations, such as faculty workload, which go beyond the merits of the project. If the Chair approves, information copies of the form are then submitted to the Academic Dean and Records and Registration. The student may register for the project after the authorization form is received by Records and Registration.

3. Responsibility: Independent Study is basically a tutorial process, necessarily involving substantial faculty participation. Students are on their own when pursuing an Independent Study, because it involves no class meetings or formal lectures. The faculty member is the responsible custodian of the project, obliged to provide guidance, assistance, criticism, suggestion, and evaluation.

4. Variable Credit: With faculty approval, credit may vary from one to six credits.