Choose a Start Smart Elective

Start Smart Graphic
What are Start Smart classes?

For many students, the transition to college can be challenging.  Start Smart classes are designed to help students in this transition by addressing many of the common “new student” concerns and to ensure that students receive all the support they might need.  Start Smart courses are taught by experienced faculty who care about new students and know exactly how to provide support AND inspire – at the same time.

Start Smart Students:

  • Learn about the college experience with other new students.
  • Benefit from meeting one-on-one with the advisor.
  • Develop skills to succeed in their major and career and/or take time to explore their options.
  • Map out their academic plan from start to finish!

Start Smart Options

Start Smart classes are organized according to Areas of Interest to suit many student interests. Review the Start Smart options below. At orientation, new students will meet with an advisor to discuss their educational plan and determine the best Start Smart option.

Fall 2019

ART121- DESIGN I
Introduces students to skills fundamental to two-dimensional visual organization. Explores elements such as line, shape and color, and principles such as unity, balance and variation. Provides a foundation for all areas of art and design. Start Smart Program sections include exploration, discussion, and advising for transfer and careers in all areas of art and design.

FAS112- FASHION BASICS
Presents fashion merchandise through evaluation of fashion products. Develops awareness of construction, as well as workmanship and design elements, such as fabric, color, silhouette and taste.

FSM111- INTRODUCTION TO THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Orients students to the hospitality industry, its organizational structure and integration of the modern industry components. Operational considerations are discussed. Career opportunities are explored.

MGT111- INTRO TO BUSINESS ORGANIZATION
Introduces the nature of business and the environment in which it operates. Forms of business ownership, introduction to operative and facilitating facets of business operation, management, marketing, accounting, statistics, business law, finance, investments, insurance and labor-management relations.

ECE101- INTRO TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDU
Provides an overview of early childhood care and education, including the basic values, structure, organization and programming. Examination of the student’s personal qualities in relationship to expectations of the field. Directed observation in a variety of programs and settings. Fifteen (15) hours of observation required. (NOTE: The program’s health requirements must be completed prior to observation.)

EDU201- INDTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION
This course provides an overview of the American education system and the profession of teaching. Includes an exploration of career opportunities, licensure requirements for teachers and teacher aides, as well academic planning for both transfer and career.

EGR100- INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING
Introduces engineering techniques, methods and history. Explores career options and requirements for various engineering fields. Covers interrelationships within and between engineering, technology and science to allow differentiation between various career choices.

FYS: STEM
Explores career options for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

FYS: HEALTH SCIENCE
Insight into what it means to be a healthcare professional. Evaluative techniques to uncover your best fit into Harper's healthcare career options. Building a map to uncover what will bring me happiness in Healthcare, where can I make a difference.

KIN200- INTRODUCTION TO THE FIELD OF KINESIOLOGY
Provides a fundamental introduction to the academic content areas that make up the discipline of kinesiology, including: anatomy & physiology, exercise science, biomechanics, motor control & learning, psychology and sociology. Introduces the professional field of kinesiology and looks at career paths within the major such as: Rehabilitation, Sports Management, Personal Training, and Physical Education. This course assesses students' personal traits and professional skill sets, with emphasis on development for increased candidacy in academic and/or professional pursuits related to the field of kinesiology.

FYS: LIB ARTS/ LANGUAGES/ COMMUNICATION
This First-Year Seminar (FYS) focuses on developing critical thinking and information literacy skills through an examination of the questions, methods, and career and college options relating to common majors in the Liberal Arts, Languages and Communication, including: English, Humanities, Literature,  Mass Communication, Philosophy, Speech Communication, and World Languages.

HVA101- REFRIGERATION FUNDAMENTALS
Introduces vocabulary, concepts and scientific principles used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. Studies theories on heat laws, pressures, matter, and energy; examines refrigerant chemistry and the refrigeration cycle. Covers proper refrigerant management techniques and safe practices. Emphasizes practical application, troubleshooting techniques, measuring and testing the operation of the basic refrigeration cycle; including working with ACR copper tubing, tools, and instruments. (formerly RAC 101)
Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in ELT 110 (Introductory Electronics) and MTH 097 (Basic Technical Mathematics) with grades of C or better, or consent of coordinator.

HVA103- HEATING PRINCIPLES
Introduces vocabulary, concepts and scientific principles used in the heating industry. Studies heat laws, heat transfer, and examines fundamentals of the combustion process. Covers gas, oil, and electric forced-air systems for residential comfort heating. Emphasizes practical application for testing and adjusting system performance, troubleshooting electrical systems and control, working with gas pipe, preventative maintenance, service and repair. (formerly RAC 103)

SCM101- SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Introduces Supply Chain Management (SCM) and the end-to-end (E2E) business processes necessary to achieve market and financial value, as well as competitive advantage. SCM is achieved by an organization proactively adopting initiatives to move suppliers and customers into collaborative relationships for mutual gain. Attention is focused on the fundamentals including customer service, fulfillment, demand planning and forecasting, inventory control, procurement, storeroom/warehousing, production control/operations, and physical distribution/logistics. All topics focus on technology, financial trends and career paths within the field.

FYS: SOCIAL SCIENCES
This course will focus on people, places, and environments within the social sciences. The seminar will emphasize the importance of understanding our world, locally and globally. Special emphasis will be given to the interplay between local, global, and digital communities.

FYS: STEM
Explores career options for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

EMG101- INTRODUCTION TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Provides a foundation overview of emergency management. Students will examine the need for emergency management, processes and elements involved in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

FIS100- FUNDAMENTALS OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
Provides an overview of fire protection; career opportunities in fire protection and related fields; philosophy and history of fire protection/service; fire loss analysis; organization and function of public and private fire protection services; fire departments as part of local government; laws and regulations affecting the fire service; fire service nomenclature; specific fire protection functions; basic fire chemistry and physics; fire protection systems; introduction to fire strategy and tactics.

HMS101- INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN SERVICES
Covers history and philosophy of human services profession; function and orientation of human services agencies and institutions; and career opportunities and qualifications at various entry levels of human services employment. Addresses current client populations, sociopolitical issues, and practice settings for micro and macro-level interventions. Includes opportunities for volunteer and/or shadowing experiences to help students better understand the human services profession for purposes of employment or continued education.

LEJ101- INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Studies the history, role, development, and constitutional aspects of law enforcement and public safety. Review of agencies and functions involved in processes of administration of criminal justice. IAI CRJ 901

PLS101- INTRODUCTION TO PARALEGAL STUDIES
Surveys the functions of law; courts and lawyers in modern society; analysis of the origin, training and role of the paralegal; professional responsibilities of the lawyer; outline of the fields and specializations within the practice of law; and instruction in legal research and writing upon a review of the sources and works of law. Students must take the Paralegal Studies entrance examination.

Explored all ten Areas of Interest and still not sure which one aligns best with your goals? No worries. Enroll in a First Year Seminar designed to help you further explore and clarify your path.

FOCUS ON YOUR FUTURE
If you are undecided about your major, this is the perfect course for you.  You will connect your life goals with career options and design a plan for your future.

FOCUS ON COLLEGE LEARNING
This course will provide students with learning theories and relevant applications to improve self-management and academic success. Students will also explore growth mindset in writing and mathematics and have an opportunity to review and retest Math using the ALEKS PPL program; this course is particularly supportive of students placing into developmental coursework.