Essential Abilities/Technical Standards
1. Essential judgment skills: include the ability to identify, assess, and comprehend situations for the purpose of problem solving and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions. Specifically, students must be able to:
- Apply mathematical concepts to solve problems
- Discern relevant and irrelevant information when solving problems
- Express knowledge of the appropriate level of content in written and/or verbal formats
- Draw conclusions based on knowledge and experimental results
- Recognize unsafe situations in a laboratory environment
2. Essential physical/neurological functions: include the ability to use the senses of sight, hearing, touch, and smell. Students must meet expectations necessary to safely perform tasks required to study chemistry, which include the need for manual dexterity and the ability to use sight and hearing. Specifically, students must be able to:
- Manipulate equipment and glassware to prepare for and conduct laboratory procedures
- Write in a laboratory notebook during the course of a laboratory experiment
- Observe and note changes (in color, sound, etc.) as experimental conditions progress or change
- Operate a computer for the purposes of inputting or graphing data and writing laboratory reports
- Operate analytical instrumentation for the purpose of collecting and analyzing data in the course of scientific study and experimentation
- Read and /or hear laboratory directions that involve either experimental procedures or safety concerns
- Inform the course instructor of any allergies (chemical, latex etc.) that may lead to an allergic reaction
- Tolerate oders that are a normal part of a chemistry or biology lab experience
3. Essential communication skills: include the ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, and all members of the Physical Sciences department. Specifically, students must be able to:
- Understand written and verbal direction when completing tasks and assignments associated with the lecture portion of science courses
- Understand written and verbal directions when completing laboratory tasks and assignments
- Understand written and verbal directions when following all Departmental safety rules and procedures
- Communicate any issues that involve health or safety in a laboratory environment
- Use information technology skills consistent with effective communication.
4. Essential emotional coping skills: include the ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of scientific discovery. Specifically, students must be able to:
- Engage in multitasking without becoming overly stressed
- Practice safe laboratory procedures and be mindful of the safety of others
- Realize that exposure to chemicals can have consequences if the correct safety procedures are not followed
- Collaborate with lab partners to complete a task in the classroom or laboratory
- Cooperate with others and work in groups or alone as indicated by a particular course
5. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills: include the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of Chemistry. Specifically, students must be able to:
- Select appropriate methods to solve mathematical problems
- Use a calculator to complete calculations
- Use a computer to generate graphs and reports
- Use equipment and instrumentation to make measurements
- Analyze complex graphical data and/ or concepts
- Express an understanding of the concepts learned in chemistry in written form or verbally
6. Other essential behavioral attributes: include the ability to engage in activities consistent with safe practice without demonstrated behaviors of addiction to, abuse of, or dependence on alcohol or other drugs that may impair behavior or judgment. The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the Physical Sciences Department and as a developing professional in the field of chemistry consistent with accepted standards of practice.
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 Physical 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.
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