President Scholars Course Descriptions

BIO 120 - INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE (4.0 UNITS)
Class hours: 3.0 Lecture/3.0 Laboratory

Prerequisite: ENGL 52 or ENGL 72 or ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher or "Pass" or completion of the English placement process with a score eligible for ENGL 100.

This course is designed for non-biological science majors. It covers basic principles of life science, including cellular biology, the plant and animal kingdoms, ecology, genetics, and evolution. Emphasis is also placed on human biology as it relates to everyday living. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC*

COUN 10 - CAREER PLANNING (1.0 UNIT)
Class hours: 1.0 Lecture

This course is designed to help the student approach career decisions in a systematic way. A variety of techniques are used to assess individual characteristics and relate these to occupational information. At times, sections may be offered which emphasize particular types of situations such as the person making
initial career decisions, mid-life career changes, and minority programs. (Formerly CG 1)

COUN 101A - ORIENTATION TO COLLEGE (0.5 UNIT)
Class hours: 0.5 Lecture

This course is designed to introduce first-time college students to services offered at Cerritos College; the history and mission of the system of higher education in California; policies and procedures that affect students at Cerritos College; and educational planning, including major and general education requirements and course sequencing. As part of the course, students may tour the Cerritos College campus, acquainting themselves with the location and function of various offices and service providers. Each student will produce a short term educational plan specific to his or her educational goal. This course is offered on a pass/no pass basis only. Transfer Credit: CSU

ENGL 72 - INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE WRITING AND REASONING (5.0 UNITS)
Class hours: 5.0 Lecture/1.0 Laboratory

Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 20 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or higher, or of “Pass”, or completion of the placement process with eligibility for ENGL 20 or ENGL 52.

As an alternative to the English 20 and English 52 sequence, this accelerated course develops the student’s ability to write essays of varying length and complexity effectively through the writing process. Essay projects integrate critical thinking, analytical reading, multiple modes of college writing, and beginnings of library research in preparation for English 100.

ENGL 100 - FRESHMAN COMPOSITION (4.0 UNITS)
Class hours: 4.0 Lecture

Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 52 or ENGL 72 or ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or higher, or of “Pass”, or completion of the placement process with eligibility for ENGL 100.

This course guides the student through the writing process to develop expository prose with an emphasis on effective organization and on correctness. (It meets transfer requirements at four-year institutions.) 
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC

EDT 110 - INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY (2.0 UNITS)
Class hours: 2.0 Lecture/1.0 Laboratory

Introduction to Educational Technology is designed to prepare future teachers with the understanding of how to utilize computers in the educational environment. Participants will learn basic computer terminology, fundamental Internet tools, basic word processing, the use of electronic spreadsheets and use of database management systems. A supportive learning community will be provided where future educators will learn skills in creating effective learning resources using suitable technologies. 
Transfer Credit: CSU

GEOL 101- PHYSICAL GEOLOGY (4.0 UNITS)
Class hours: 3.0 Lecture/4.0 Laboratory

Prerequisite: ENGL 52 or ENGL 72 or ESL 152 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher or "Pass" or completion of the English placement process with a score eligible for ENGL 100.
Recommendation: MATH 40 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or higher or "Pass" or completion of the math placement process with a score eligible for MATH 60.

This course is an introduction to the composition, structure, and geologic processes of Earth. The laboratory component focuses on rock and mineral identification, the use of topographic maps to interpret landform features, analysis of mass wasting events, interpretation of seismogram records, and determining the relative age of geologic events. Three Saturday or Sunday field trips are required. This course is not open to students with credit in GEOL 102. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC