Water Quality, Associate of Applied Science
Program Description
The Water Quality Technology, AAS degree, prepares students for a career in water quality operations through an integrated curriculum of core water quality technology courses, STEM elective courses, general education courses, and hands-on work-based learning. The degree includes five introductory courses in water and wastewater operations, 24-credit hours of related cooperative work experience, foundational courses in math and science, and STEM elective courses. The degree prepares students to take the Level I Operator Certification exams for water and wastewater. The cooperative work experience is hands on training and is equivalent to approximately 5 months of full-time work experience.
Program Outcomes
- Explain the terms and concepts, including the mathematical skills necessary to pass the Level I water and wastewater certification examinations
- Explain the maintenance and operation of water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, and wastewater collection systems relative to operator job responsibilities
- Express concepts, ideas, technical principles, and feedback in a manner that promotes understanding and encourages cooperation and collaboration
- Apply laboratory sampling and testing methods approved by regulatory agencies to water quality and treatment process performance reporting
- Analyze quantitative water and wastewater relationships using mathematics, equations, and graphs to determine plans of action consistent with industry protocols
Program Course Requirements
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Term | Credits | |
| BI 101 | General Biology | 4 |
| MTH 065 | Elementary Algebra (or higher) | 4 |
| WQT 226 | Wastewater Treatment I Liquid | 3 |
| WQT 261 | Water Distribution | 3 |
| WQT 280 | CWE-Water Quality Treatment | 4 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Second Term | ||
| BI 102 | General Biology | 4 |
| WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| WQT 227 | Wastewater Treatment II Solids | 3 |
| WQT 228 | Wastewater Collection | 3 |
| WQT 280 | CWE-Water Quality Treatment | 4 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Third Term | ||
| BI 103 | General Biology | 4 |
| COM 111Z | Public Speaking | 4 |
| WQT 260 | Water Treatment | 3 |
| WQT 280 | CWE-Water Quality Treatment | 4 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Term | ||
| CH 104 | Intro to Chemistry I | 4 |
| ENGR 111 | Engineering Orientation I | 3 |
| SDP 113 | Human Relations-Supervisors | 3 |
| WQT 280 | CWE-Water Quality Treatment | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Term | ||
| COM 105 | Listening | 3 |
| NR 221 | Water Resource Science | 4 |
| PSY 101 | Psychology of Human Relations | 3 |
| WQT 280 | CWE-Water Quality Treatment | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Third Term | ||
| CIS 120 | Intro to Digital Literacy | 4 |
| ENGR 112A | Problem Solving and Tech Pt 1 | 2 |
| ENGR 112B | Problem Solving and Tech Pt 2 | 1 |
| SOIL 205 | Soil Science | 3 |
| SOIL 206 | Soil Science Lab | 1 |
| WQT 280 | CWE-Water Quality Treatment | 4 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Minimum Credits | 94 | |
Advising Notes
- See advisor for full list of course options