Friday, May 17, 2019

Curriculum Updates in Banner (FA19/SP20)


Good afternoon.

The following courses and programs have recently been updated in Banner according to approved Collegewide Curriculum Committee proposals.

Fall 2019 Effective Term

New Course
CMSC 216 – INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Conveys the fundamental concepts that enable programs to execute on real hardware. These include how the operating system virtualizes the hardware to provide services and abstractions to allow a user program to effectively use available resources. The course also addresses how different programming constructs work at a low level. The basic abstraction of a program running as one or more threads of control in a single flat address space (a UNIX process), and emphasizing it as the model for understanding how a program works, from both the user program and hardware perspective (with the operating system in between), is a theme throughout the course.   Four semester hours.   Prerequisites:  C or better in CMSC 204 and MATH 182.  Pre- or Corequisite:  CMSC 207.

COMM 230 – INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS
Familiarize students with the basic concepts and principles of public relations. Designed to give students hands-on experience in public relations on campus, with external organizations, and with social media. This class is a supplemental course for students majoring in communication.  Three semester hours.   Prerequisite:  COMM 108 or COMM 112.

Revised Courses
CHEM 099 -  INTRODUCTORY CHEMISTRY
Outcomes revised, ELAI 990 added to assessment levels

CHEM 109 – CHEMISTRY & SOCIETY
Outcomes revised, ELAI 990 added to assessment levels

CHEM 131 – PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY I
Outcomes revised, ELAI 990 added to assessment levels

IERW 001 – INTEGRATED READING & WRITING I
Description revised to remove reference to Classic Accuplacer scores.

NWIT 230- INTRO TO CYBER OPS
Prerequisites changed to CMSC 135 and CMSC 253 or consent of department

Deleted Courses
ENGL 001 – BASIC ENGLISH
ENGL 002 – BASIC ENGLISH II
READ 095 – COLLEGE READING SKILLS I
READ 099 – COLLEGE READING SKILLS II


Revised Programs
191B – Advanced Personal Trainer Certificate
Revised description and program outcomes, deleted PHED 128 and PHED 160 from electives, added PHED 174 to list of electives

609- Communication Studies AA
New course COMM 230 added to program electives.


Suspended Program – pending BoT and MHEC approval
156 – Paralegal Studies Certificate


Other Program Changes – no updates required in Banner
107 – Computer Science Area of Concentration, Computer Science and Technologies AA
Revised program notes for ENGL 101/101A.

109 – Information Sciences & Systems Area of Concentration, Computer Science and Technologies AA
Revised program notes for ENGL 101/101A.

157C – Exercise Science Area of Concentration AA
Revised description, course sequence, and program outcomes.  Rephrased elective listing.

220 – American Sign Language Certificate
The discipline is removing any reference to “ASLPI” from all their materials, as Gallaudet is the sole proprietor of this brand. 

315 – Early Childhood Education Technology AAS
MHEC has approved distance education program status.

608 – American Sign Language AA
The discipline is removing any reference to “ASLPI” from all their materials, as Gallaudet is the sole proprietor of this brand. 


Spring 2020 Effective Term

Revised Courses
RADT 101 – RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY I
Revised description and outcomes,  changes to prerequisites, co-requisites and pre/co-requisites to accurately reflect program policies 

RADT 102 – RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY II
Revised description and outcomes

RADT 111 – RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING I
Revised description and outcomes

RADT 112 – RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING II
Revised description and outcomes,  changes to prerequisites to accurately reflect program policies, lab hours increased to three per week

RADT 120 – CLINICAL RADIOLOGY II
Revised description and outcomes

RADT 124 – CLINICAL RADIOLOGY III
Revised description and outcomes

RADT 125 – CLINICAL RADIOLOGY IV
Revised description and outcomes,  changes to prerequisites to accurately reflect program policies 

RADT 224 – CLINICAL RADIOLOGY V
Revised description and outcomes

RADT 225 – CLINICAL RADIOLOGY VI
Revised description and outcomes,  changes to prerequisites to accurately reflect program policies 

New Programs – pending BOT and MHEC approval
Criminal Justice - AA

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Transfer Credit System - TES

MC uses the TES Credit Evaluation System (through College Source) to look up how courses transfer from other colleges TO Montgomery College – it is really handy to be able to look up other MD community colleges to see how an EN 101 transfers to MC (for example, it clearly states that EN 101 from Frederick Community College transfers to MC as an equivalent to ENGL 102). 

It can be found always on MC’s Course Equivalencies Page - https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/academics/transfer/course-equivalencies.html  Worth bookmarking!


Use MC's Transfer Equivalency System to see how courses will transfer INTO Montgomery College.


MTAP - Change in Policy

Beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, MTAP students will only be able to take UMD courses during the summer and winter sessions as students tend to face fewer barriers to academic success during these sessions. UMD courses during the fall and spring semesters will no longer be available to MTAP students. Information for students who wish to take courses during the Winter 2020 session will be available in Fall 2019.

Monday, May 6, 2019

Nursing Transfer Update


From MD’s Nursing Board website at https://mbon.maryland.gov/pages/education-index.aspx 
NOTICE OF CONDITIONAL APPROVAL - The following registered nurse programs/schools have not achieved the required National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates for two (2) successive years and are on conditional approval: 
​Bowie State University (re-accredited as of May 2019)
​Morgan State University
​Prince George’s Community College
​Washington Adventist University

 Below is the link for the Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing at Bowie State University


Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Salisbury Information

 The admissions director stated that there are two ways for students to apply to SU: 1) commonapp 2) collegenet and he stated that the collegenet takes less time to complete due to common adding additional questions based on what is filled.

Salisbury has many dual degrees in Engineering in partnership with University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  

Salisbury University has an additional grant to provide full-rides to students who major in STEM & Secondary Education.

There is an accelerated program in partnership with UMES for a doctorate in pharmacy. It is 3 years at SU and 3 years at UMES. They recommended our students take many courses in Math & Science. Lastly, there is a Good neighbor Scholarship up to 6k. It is for DC, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.


**In the past I have emailed admissions to have application fees waived and they are very generous.


Thursday, April 25, 2019

APPG Process


3.0 Implementation Process
  • Until December we will still be receiving APPE and APPM scores and can still use them.
  • Admissions can enter APPE and APPM if courses are on transcript.
  • APPG electronic transfer from MCPS by next fall 2020. In interim, take transcripts from students.
  • Must submit sealed official transcript or Parchment. Students can also pull up transcript and print in front of MC employee and turn into admissions to be used for placement purposes.
  • Will use January/February transcript from senior year, first semester transcript of senior year.
  • MCPS will take out ESL classes once they are able to send us 3.0 electronically.
  • Will be listed as APPG in Banner.
  • Admissions will recalculate GPA by hand for ESL courses. This will be done on the spot at the counter. Ernest can send recalc process to us if we want to see it.
  • Students should tell admissions that they want to use their HS GPA for assessment purposes. Then admissions will enter APPG score in SOATEST. Admissions will not be automatically entering without student asking for it to be entered.
  • MCPS will be communicating the 3.0 with their students. Unsure of how this will be communicated, may be different at different high schools.
  • 3.0 will be in the welcome letter as well from MC under the assessment page.
  • Counselors should not be putting in overrides for classes. Turn in transcript to admissions.
  • The five year time limit begins with graduating class of 2019.
  • APPG is active now for summer and fall 2019.
  • APPG will allow Math 117 and Math 120 and 050 and ENGL 101A registration.
  • MC will not accept homeschool and private school transcripts for this purpose. Maryland public high schools only will qualify for this placement measure.

Communication Plan

  • A collegewide memo will go out from Elena.
  • Usha will be discussing the exemption for ESL courses with ELAP and English.
  • Webpage forthcoming with info on 3.0.
  • Ernest will be sending student process to counseling chairs, and committee.
WDCE Bridge students- Rodney will still be tracking these students. Process will remain the same.

See APPE/APPM memo. Send the name and M-number of the APP student to Deborah Crutchfield, copying Rodney Redmond. Indicate that the student has an APP(E/M/G)80 score. Deborah will remove the hold and place a comment in Banner—“hold removed for APP placement.”

Chemistry - ALEKS

Chemistry Department

Dear MC Student,

Did you place into CHEM 099 (Introductory Chemistry)?
OR
Did you place into CHEM 131 but want more preparation for this course?

WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU FREE OF CHARGE!!
The Chemistry Department has developed an online course, CHEM 131 Preparation Module, designed to allow students to prepare for CHEM 131 on their own instead of taking the CHEM 099 (Introductory Chemistry) course. This online course module uses ALEKS, an adaptive online system that creates a unique learning experience that recognizes your past knowledge so that you only need to spend time on the content you don’t know to prepare for CHEM 131.

We would like to invite you to take advantage of this web-based alternative to the Introductory Chemistry course offered at Montgomery College. If you accept, you will be given access to the CHEM 131 Preparation Module for 12 weeks*. You will be able to work through the course module at your own pace. Once you reach 95% mastery in the course module, you will be given an override that will allow you to register for CHEM 131 directly.

THERE IS NO COST TO STUDENTS TO TAKE THE CHEM 131 PREPARATION MODULE!

*Please note that you cannot take the CHEM 131 Preparation Module while simultaneously enrolled in CHEM 099.

Stop by the Rockville Chemistry Department (SC 331) for more information and for a course access code to get started in the ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation Module.

Rockville Chemistry Department
Science Center 331-C
Montgomery College
chemistry@montgomerycollege.edu
Chemistry Department

Student Information and Frequently Asked Questions about the ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation Module

What is ALEKS and how does it work?


ALEKS is a Web-based, artificially intelligent learning and assessment system that uses adaptive
questioning to accurately determine your knowledge level in chemistry. It provides you with an
individualized learning experience tailored to your specific strengths and weakness. Because it
recognizes your prior knowledge, it allows you to spend time learning only the content you need to
master while bypassing content you already know. This system gives you the ability to take control of
your own learning and master the material at your own pace.

The ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation Module is designed to provide you with the pre-requisite information
necessary to be successful in CHEM 131. You must achieve a 95% mastery of all topics within this online
module in order to register for CHEM 131.

Who should use the ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation Module?

This on-line module is designed for students who wish to take CHEM 131 but are lacking the required
chemistry pre-requisite knowledge. It is being offered as a web-based alternative to the Introductory
Chemistry course (CHEM 099) offered at Montgomery College. Because ALEKS is an on-line system, you
can learn the required material at a time and location that is convenient for you. You do not need to
come to campus to complete this module. This is a self-paced system that is best utilized by highly
motivated students with good time-management skills.

The ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation Module cannot be utilized in combination with CHEM 099!
You must also have the appropriate MATH Assessment Level (MATH 050) in order to use the ALEKS
CHEM 131 Preparation Module.

How long will it take to complete the ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation Module?

Everyone’s path through ALEKS will be different. ALEKS will tell you what you need to learn and help
you track your progress in the pie chart learning mode. The average amount of time it takes to
complete this module ranges from 40-90 hours.

The Rockville Chemistry Department will give you an access code for ALEKS that is valid for 12 weeks
from date of first use. You are highly encouraged to spend time in ALEKS every week. Do NOT wait until
the last minute to start working in ALEKS or your access code may expire before you successfully
complete all of the material (additional access codes will NOT be issued under any circumstances). We
recommend that you start working in ALEKS immediately.

What is required to use ALEKS?

In order to use ALEKS, you must have daily access to a computer with reliable internet access. We
recommend that you do NOT use a smart phone or tablet with ALEKS. Be prepared to spend several
hours every week in the ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation Module.


What topics are covered in the ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation Module?

The following topics are covered in the ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation Module. You are required to
achieve a mastery score of 95% in all of these topics in order to register for CHEM 131.

  • scientific notation, unit conversions, significant figures in measurements
  • physical & chemical properties & changes, density, properties of matter
  • atomic structure, isotopes, atomic mass, ions
  • Ionic, molecular & acidic compounds (nomenclature & determining chemical formulae)
  • Avogadro’s number, molar mass, elemental analysis, mass percent
  • chemical equations and reaction stoichiometry, types of reactions, limiting reactants, percent yield, solutions & molarity

What if I need assistance?

The chemistry tutors at the Ackerman STEM Learning Center (located on the ground floor of Science
Center West, Rockville Campus) can provide assistance with any of your chemistry-related questions.
Please note that these tutors will answer content specific questions and provide general assistance, but
they will NOT teach you the material.

If you have a technical question or problem related to the ALEKS system, then please go to
http://support.aleks.com. ALEKS provides excellent support for this program. No one at Montgomery
College can provide you with competent technical support for ALEKS. Please do NOT write to anyone
within the Chemistry Department, the Ackerman STEM learning Center, or the Montgomery College
Help Desk with technical questions about ALEKS.

How do I get started?

If you would like to use the ALEKS CHEM 131 Preparation Module, then please come to the Rockville
Chemistry Department (Science Center room 331B) IN PERSON between the hours of 10 am – 2 pm
(Monday-Friday) to sign a ‘Student Agreement’ form. You will then be given a 10-digit course code, a
student access code for ALEKS, and detailed instructions on how to get started in ALEKS. Alternatively,
you may attend one of the ALEKS Chemistry Information Sessions that are offered periodically
throughout the semester.

Requests to utilize ALEKS must be made IN PERSON at the Rockville Chemistry Department. Access
codes will NOT be distributed via e-mail.

You MUST bring your MC ID with you to the Chemistry Department!