All provisions within this catalog are subject to change without notice. If you have questions or comments, please contact admissions@gfcmsu.edu.

Associate of Science

The Associate of Science degree is offered both online and on campus.

The Associate of Science (AS) Degree includes education in specific knowledge areas, most typically in math and natural sciences. Focusing on integration of information while increasing a student’s employability, the AS is designed for transferability to a baccalaureate program.

Upon completion of the 31 credits required in the core, students are eligible to receive a Certificate in General Studies from Great Falls College MSU. The Certificate recognizes the completion of the core and is approved by the Montana University System Board of Regents. Students may use the Certificate to demonstrate completion of the core when transferring within the MUS or as a milestone to earning an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree at Great Falls College MSU.

To receive the AS degree, the following requirements must be completed:

Montana University System Core Requirements31
Computer Skills/Usage requirement3
Math and Science coursework9
Electives17
Final cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0
Total Credits60

Courses taken to fulfill one specific requirement, including courses in the Elective block, may not be used to fulfill another specific requirement; thus, a course taken to fulfill the Natural Science requirement in the Montana University System Core may not be used as an Elective.


Graduates are prepared to:

  • Demonstrate the outcomes achievable by completing the Montana University System Core.
  • Select and use the appropriate technologies for personal, academic, or career tasks.
  • Think critically in evaluating information, solving problems and decision-making.
  • Consider the application of the natural and physical sciences and mathematics in the context of today’s world.

Estimated Resident Program Cost*

Tuition and Fees $6,835
Application Fee $30
Lab Fees $105
Books/Supplies $2,072
Total $9,042

Many students need preliminary math, science, and writing courses before enrolling in the program requirements.  These courses may increase the total number of program credits.  Students should review their math and writing placement before planning out their full program schedules.

Students should consult with the intended receiving institution to determine whether or not additional core courses may be required to satisfy that institution’s General Education Core.

Offered Online and On Campus

I. GFC MSU Additional Graduation Requirement

COLS 103Becoming a Successful Student +1

II. Montana University System Core Courses- 31 Semester Hours

Communication - 6 Credits (3 written, 3 verbal)

Written
WRIT 101College Writing I **,+3
Verbal
COMX 111Intro to Public Speaking +3
COMX 115Intro to Interpersonal Communc +3

Mathematics - 3 Credits

M 121College Algebra **,+3
M 140College Math for Healthcare **, +3
M 151Precalculus **,+4
M 161Survey of Calculus **,+4
M 171Calculus I **,+4
M 273Multivariable Calculus *,+4
STAT 216Introduction to Statistics **,+4

Humanities/Fine Arts - 6 Credits 

Humanities
CRWR 240Intro Creative Writing Wrkshp +3
LIT 110Intro to Lit +3
LIT 270Film and Literature *,+3
LIT 291Special Topics-Literature +3
LSH 201Introduction to the Humanities +3
PHL 101Introduction to Philosophy +3
PHL 110Introduction to Ethics +3
WGSS 242Gender and Equality +3
Fine Arts
ARTH 160Global Visual Culture +3
ARTZ 105Visual Language-Drawing +3
ARTZ 101Art Fundamentals +3
MUSI 101Enjoyment of Music +3
MUSI 103Fundamntls of Musical Creation +3
MUSI 203American Popular Music +3
MUSI 207World Music (equiv to 307) +3
PHOT 154Exploring Digital Photography3

Natural Science - 7 Credits (Must include 1 lab course) 

BIOB 101Discover Biology/Lab **,+4
BIOB 160Princpls of Living Systems/Lab **,+4
BIOB 170Prin Biological Diversity/Lab **,+4
BIOH 104Basic Human Biology & Lab **,+4
BIOH 108Basic Anatomy **,+4
CHMY 101Discover Chemistry +3
CHMY 121Intro to General Chem w/Lab **,+4
CHMY 141College Chemistry I w/Lab **,+4
CHMY 143College Chemistry II w/Lab *,+4
GEO 101Intro to Physical Geologyw/Lab +4
NUTR 221Basic Human Nutrition +3
PHSX 105Fund of Physical Science w/Lab +4
PHSX 205College Physics I w/Lab **,+4
PHSX 220Physics I w/Lab **,+4

Social Sciences/History - 6 Credits 

Social Sciences
BGEN 105Introduction to Business +3
CJUS 121Intro to Criminal Justice +3
ECNS 201Principles of Microeconomics +3
ECNS 202Principles of Macroeconomics +3
PSCI 210Intro to American Government +3
PSYX 100Introduction to Psychology +3
PSYX 230Developmental Psychology +3
SOCI 101Introduction to Sociology +3
History
HSTA 101American History I (N) +3
HSTA 102American History II (N) +3
HSTA 255Montana History (N) +3
HSTR 101Western Civilization I +3
HSTR 102Western Civilization II +3

Cultural Diversity - 3 Credits 

ANTY 101Anthro & the Human Experience +3
LSH 244American Cultural Values +3
NASX 204Intro to NA Beliefs & Philsphy (N) +3
NASX 232MT Ind Cltrs/Hstry/Iss (=332) (N) +3
NASX 240Native American Lit (=to 340) (N) +3
SIGN 101Intro to American Sign Lang +3
SPNS 101Elementary Spanish I +4
SPNS 102Elementary Spanish II *,+4

Cultural Heritage of American Indians - 3 Credits

Courses with an "N" behind the course title will fulfill the cultural Heritage of American Indians requirement as well as a designated core area requirement. +

III. Computer Skills/Usage - 3 Credits

CAPP 131Basic MS Office +3
OR a satisfactory Computer Skills test score.

IV. Concentration in Math and Science - 9 Credits

Students may choose coursework numbered 100 or above from any of the following discipline areas to complete the required 9 credits of electives: +
(BIOB) (BIOH) (BIOM) Biology
(CAPP) Computer Applications
(CHMY) Chemistry
(CSCI) Computer Science/Programming
(GEO) Geology
(ITS) Information Technology Systems
(M) Math **,***
(PHSX) Physics
(PHYS) Physical Science
(STAT) Statistics

V. Electives - 17 Credits 

Students may choose coursework numbered 100 or above from any discipline area to complete the required 17 credits of electives. ***
No more than 5 credits of courses numbered 194 may be applied toward the degree.