Essential Abilities/Technical Standards
The Grand Rapids Community College Biological Sciences Department faculty has specified essential abilities critical to the success of students in its courses. Students must demonstrate these essential abilities to succeed in their program of study. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities with or without reasonable accommodations.
1. Essential judgment skills to include: ability to identify, assess, and comprehend scientific observations of the natural world for the purpose of problem solving and coming to appropriate conclusions which include distinguishing between correlation and causation.
2. Essential physical/neurological functions to include: ability to use the senses of seeing, hearing, touch, and smell to make correct observations, judgments, and conclusions regarding the world of biological sciences. Students must be able to meet physical expectations in order to safely engage in the practice of learning biological science, especially in the laboratory and field settings. Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include, but are not limited to observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course and program expectations. The following are specific courses that may entail significant physical challenges to accomplish:
Courses at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and BI 215: the outdoor learning environment is sometimes difficult to navigate, it may not be easily accessible or barrier free.
3. Essential communication skills to include: ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, and all members of the Biological Sciences department. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication.
4. Essential emotional coping skills: ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of science learning and investigation as determined by professional standards of practice.
5. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include: ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of learning biology.
6. Other essential behavioral attributes: ability to work collaboratively in group learning activities in lecture class and as a team member in both laboratory class and in a field setting.
Grand Rapids Community College strives to be more than ADA compliant. We strive to be accessible and welcoming to all students of all abilities. After reviewing the Essential Abilities/Technical Standards for this program; your responsibilities as a student entail determining if you can complete all associated coursework either:
With Accommodation. I am otherwise qualified to meet the same academic standards as any other student entering the program. However, based on a medically documented condition or diagnosis, I would qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). I will meet with Disability Support Services on campus to arrange those accommodations in an interactive process with the department of Biological Sciences.
Without Accommodation. I am able to complete the program without need for reasonable accommodation or modification. In the event my medical documentation reveals otherwise or a condition manifests that would necessitate an accommodation; it is my responsibility to inform a responsible authority figure within the department of (field of study) and work with Disability Support Services to see if a reasonable accommodation or modification can be made.
If you have a medically documented condition or diagnosis, please contact the Biological Sciences office, or contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at disability@grcc.edu or by phone at 616.234.4140 to arrange accommodations through our interactive process.