Axia College of University of Phoenix offers Associates of
Arts
degrees in a broad range of content areas. The 60-credit
curriculum provides a foundation and overview within the academic
discip lines of communication arts, social sciences, mathematics, life
sciences, and the humanities. Instruction focuses on the
development of student skills in writing, critical thinking, and
information utilization, as well as foundational competencies in the
selected concentration. The completion of an Associate of Arts
degree re presents an important milest one for many students as they
pursue their educational goals.
The Associate of Arts Degree with a concentration in
Information
Technology Support covers theory and practice to provide a
foundation in hardware and software computer support. Online
labs give students hands on experience in hardware, software,
ne tworking and security fundamentals.
Nine weeks in length, Axia College courses are offered in
pairs, or
“blocks,” designed to complement each other. In these courses,
emphasis alternates weekly between reading and online
discussion one week and a work project the next.
Communication Arts—9 credit
COM 140
Contemporary Business Communication
In this course, students develop an understanding of the formats
and style of the written word as they create a variety of effective
business communications for both internal and external audiences.
Selected readings provide the foundation for discussions of the
purpose, audience, structure, tone, and content of business
writing. Grammar exercises focus on sentence structure,
punctuation, capitalization, and bias-free language. (3 credits).
COM 130
Business Research and Writing for the IT Professional
This course focuses on research and writing skills essential for
success in information technology (IT) professions. IT research
types and resources are covered, as well as how research is used in
IT professions. Skills include producing Microsoft Visio ® diagrams;
using visual elements; writing instruction and process; and
writing surveys, reports, and proposals. Students are introduced
to technical writing, including but not limited to general
document types, layout, strategies, and techniques. (3 credits).
COM 135
Business Communication for the IT Professional
This course covers the fundamentals and practices of using
written communication in business and in the information
technologies. Topics include strategies, techniques, and nuances
for producing emails, memos, reports, proposals, project
specifications, and user manuals as well as other technical
documents. Students will prepare and deliver a PowerPoint®
presentation. (3 credits)
Humanities—6 credits
(CRT 205 plus 3 additional credits selected from the courses below)
CRT 205
Critical Thinking
In this course, students develop the ability to think clearly and
critically. Practice includes developing writing skills that enable
students to clearly present claims to support their conclusions
and avoid reinforcing biases. Students are given the opportunity
to analyze and discuss various types of media—including
television, Internet, and print—to determine which sources
provide the most reliable information. Topics addressed include
the relationship between critical thinking and clear writing,
credibility of sources, rhetorical devices, fallacies, unclear or
misleading language, and the characteristics of various types of
arguments. (3 credits) Prerequisites: GEN 105 and COM140.
HUM 130
Religions of the World
This course studies the major religions of the world. Topics
include Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism,
Indigenous Cultures, Islam, Judaism, and Taoism. Students will
objectively study the origins and major figures, and compare and
contrast each of the major religions. During this course, each
student will visit a religious site and interview a person of an
unfamiliar faith. (3 credits) Prerequisites: GEN 105 and COM140.
HUM 205
World Culture and the Arts
Culture and the arts play a complex role in enriching the human
experience. This course will analyze the social role of the arts in
the early civilizations through the present day. Learners will
explore the key contributions in visual art, architecture, literature,
and music of the civilizations presented in this course. In
particular, learners will construct a virtual museum comprised of
various artifacts representing several cultures. (3 credits)
Prerequisites: GEN 105 and COM140.
LIT 210
World Literature
This course covers fiction, drama, poetry, and essays by significant
world authors throughout history. Students will focus on literary
devices and conventions of each genre through the following
activities: matching exercises and literary matrices, short essays
and evaluations on specific reading selections, and a final
comparative essay of any two pieces of literature covered in the
course. (3 credits) Prerequisites: GEN 105 and COM140.
PHI 105
Introduction to Philosophy
In this course, philosophical thinking and reasoning are
introduced through the evaluation of the historical development,
key contributors, and principle issues of philosophy. Topical areas
include both Western and Eastern philosophy, moral and political
philosophy, religious philosophy, as well as feminism. Student
activities include, but are not limited to, creating campaign ads for
fictional political parties, writing a letter in the persona of a
historical philosopher, and creating a PowerPoint® presentation
that expresses personal philosophies. (3 credits) Prerequisites:
GEN 105 and COM140.
Mathematics—6 credits
(selected from the courses below)
MAT 116
Algebra 1A
This course introduces basic algebra concepts and assists in
building skills for performing specific mathematical operations
and problem solving. Students will solve equations , evaluate
algebraic expressions , solve and graph linear equations and linear
inequalities, graph lines, and solve systems of linear equations
and linear inequalities . These concepts and skills will serve as a
foundation for subsequent business coursework. Applications to
real-world problems are also explored throughout the course.
This course is the first half of the college algebra sequence, which
is completed in MAT 117, Algebra IB. (3 credits) Prerequisites:
GEN 105 and COM140.
MAT 117
Algebra 1B
This course explores advanced algebra concepts and assists in
building the algebraic and problem solving skills developed in
Algebra 1A. Students will solve polynomials, quadratic equations,
rational equations, and radical equations. These concepts and skills
will serve as a foundation for subsequent business coursework.
Applications to real-world problems are also explored throughout
the course. This course is the second half of the college algebra
sequence, which began with MAT 116, Algebra 1A. (3 credits)
Prerequisites: GEN 105, COM140, and MAT 116.
MAT 205
Finite Mathematics
This course introduces the concepts of finite mathematics, with a
focus on real-world application. Students will explore linear
functions and equations, linear programming, and the use and
application of matrices. Mathematical applications of finance,
statistics, and probability are also reviewed. (3 credits)
Prerequisites: GEN 105 and COM140.
Science and Technology—6 credits
(selected from the courses below)
SCI 230
Introduction to Life Science
This course introduces the student to scientific ideologies and
concepts that not only shape our biological world, but also shape
us as humans. Through a variety of comprehensive assessments
and relevant discussions, students examine the scientific method ,
the dynamics of inheritance, and the affect humans have on the
environment. Topics include the biology of cells, energy systems,
and evolution. (3 credits) Prerequisites: GEN 105 and COM140.
SCI 241
The Science of Nutrition
This course introduces students to the world of human nutrition.
Students examine the components included in a healthy,
balanced diet, and develop strategies to meet their changing
nutritional needs throughout the various stages of life. Specific
topics for the course include: the digestion process, functions and
health benefits of specific nutrients, weight management and
fitness, and the effects of nutritional deficiencies. (3 credits)
Prerequisites: GEN 105 and COM140.
SCI 245
Physical Geology
This course gives an overview of physical geology by introducing
concepts such as plate tectonics and geologic time. Students gain
familiarity with the processes that shape the earth’s surface and
recognize the relevance of studying geology. Topics include the
rock cycle, weathering, formation of geological features, and
preservation of geological resources. (3 credits) Prerequisites: GEN
105 and COM140.
SCI 275
Environmental Science
This course focuses on the causes, impacts, and solutions to
environmental issues. Students identify global environmental
issues, as well as develop and critique environmental action plans.
Topics include ecosystems, energy, populations, resources, pollution,
and sustainability. (3 credits) Prerequisites: GEN 105 and COM140.
Social Sciences
(ETH 125 plus 3 additional credits selected from the courses below)
ETH 125
Cultural Diversity
This course is designed to educate students about issues of race and
ethnicity by presenting historical and modern perspectives on
diversity in the United States, and by providing tools necessary to
promote a respectful and inclusive society. Students will complete
several activities that al low them to examine their own values in
relation to the values of various other racial and ethnic communities.
(3 credits) Prerequisites: GEN105, COM140, COM150, and CRT 205.
HIS 135
The American Experience Since 1945
This course is an overview of the principal social, political,
economic, and global events which have shaped the American
experience since World War II. Understanding modern American
history is a necessity in today's ever-changing world. This course
aims to supply the tools for understanding current political,
social, cultural, and economic problems in the U.S. by applying
historical perspective to analyze contemporary issues. (3 credits)
Prerequisites: GEN 105 and COM140.
BEH 225
Introduction to Behavioral Science
This course focuses on human personality, motivation, learning,
and cognition. The theories and insights of major figures in
psychology are discussed. Neuroscience, psychological dis orders ,
and therapies are also considered in relation to human behavior.
(3 credits) Prerequisites: GEN 105 and COM140.
SOC 120
Introduction to Sociology
This course is a foundation for studies of sociology. In this course,
students gain an understanding of the sociological perspective,
theories, and research methods. Students also explore culture, race,
ethnicity, socialization, social interaction, deviance, social control,
groups , organizations, social and gender stratification, population,
and social change. (3 credits) Prerequisites: GEN105 and COM140.
Additional Liberal Arts—3 credits
GEN 105
Skills for Learning in an Information Age
This course introduces students to learning in an information-rich
society. Students will develop strategies for successful
distance learning, time management, and for managing the
abundance of information available in today's society. Students
will also explore the appropriate use of information in an
academic environment. Specific topics for the course include
computing skills for distance learning, online library use, academic
honesty, and the development of effective study skills. (3 credits).
Interdisciplinary Studies—6 credits
Interdisciplinary Studies can be satisfied with coursework not applied
to any of the general education or concentration course requirements.
Information Technology Support Concentration—18
credits
IT 205
Management of Information Systems
This course provides an introduction to the use and application of
information systems technology in the business environment.
Concepts include the components of M.I.S., the systems
development process, and the use of the basic types of information
systems in support of the organization’s goals and objectives. Topics
discussed include basic hardware and software concepts,
telecommunications, business processes, strategy, databases,
artificial intelligence, ethics, legal issues, and electronic commerce
using the Internet. (3 credits) Prerequisites: GEN 105 and COM140.
IT 206
PC Applications Support
This course will prepare students to support Microsoft Office
applications. The student will learn the product features of Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access. This course is based on
the requirements of the Microsoft Office Specialist certification.
(3 credits) Prerequisite: IT 205.
IT 280
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
This course is an introduction to computer support fundamentals
of personal computer (PC) hardware architecture, components,
networking, configuration, upgrading, and repair. Activities that
are critical to this course include remote access to hands-on
LiveLabs and Scenarios. (3 credits) Prerequisite: IT 205.
IT 282
Computer Software Fundamentals
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of the Vista
and legacy Windows Operating Systems (98/ME, 2000/XP) for
computer software configuration, file management, performance
monitoring, optimization, maintenance, recover and security.
Activities that are critical to this course include remote access to
hands-on LiveLabs and Scenarios. (3 credits) Prerequisite: IT 205.
IT 284
Enterprise Computer Support
This course is an introduction to the roles, responsibilities, and
skills required to become a professional computer support PC
Technician and provide exceptional computer support service.
This includes the fundamentals of customer service, effective
questioning, verbal and non-verbal communication, on-site
support, telephone support, remote e-commerce support, and
dealing with difficult customers. This course includes remote
access to hands-on, real-world customer support issues and
Scenarios. (3 credits) Prerequisite: IT 205.
IT 286
Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting
This course is an introduction to computer hardware and software
maintenance and troubleshooting. Each Module of the course
will focus on typical problem scenarios, diagnostics, procedures
and solutions. The final Module of this course provides a problem
scenario to assess understanding of diagnostic skills and solution
implementation. This course includes remote access to hands-on
LiveLabs and Scenarios. (3 credits) Prerequisite: IT 205.
