Arts & Sciences Program Philosophy
Indian Hills Community College is dedicated to serving students who take classes to obtain an associate degree that is transferable to a four-year institution, the workforce, or for increased knowledge in their areas of interest. Upon completion of an associate degree at Indian Hills, students will be able to:
- Think critically and creatively;
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Use mathematics, science and technologies appropriate to the student’s field or interest;
- Recognize and appreciate historical, cultural, artistic, and/or personal concepts of society, native as well as global.
Grade Procedures
Instructors issue midterm grades at the beginning of the sixth week of a term. Instructors may give traditional letter grades or pass/fail grades for their students.
Instructors are not encouraged to post final grades for students, and they are prohibited from conveying grades over the telephone or via email. You can check your grades online at IHCC Web Advisor at www.indianhills.edu.
Directions for viewing grades online:
- Go to the IHCC web site: www.indianhills.edu
- Click on Web Advisor
- Click on Students
- Click on Log-in and enter User ID and Password
Transfer
The Arts and Sciences program is designed to prepare students for a variety of majors at the baccalaureate level. During the first two years of undergraduate study, most of the course work consists of general education courses and courses common to any major. Therefore, many students prefer to begin their educational path with a very general or ―undecided direction of course work. The Arts and Sciences program is designed around that premise. However, in order to provide direction to those persons who have very definite career goals, as well as those who are experimenting with several major areas of study, Indian Hills has created transfers for many baccalaureate institutions where most Indian Hills students transfer. If students know the exact program of study and the college or university where they will transfer, a more specific program can also be tailored to meet individual needs. Suggested courses for students who do not wish to focus on any particular area (undecided) are included as well. For information go to the IHCC website www.indianhills.edu select courses and programs, Arts & Sciences.
- Accounting, Associate of Arts
- Agriculture Education, Associate of Arts
- Agronomy, Associate of Science
- Animal Science, Associate of Science
- Art, Associate of Arts
- Athletic Coaching, Associate of Arts
- Biology, Associate of Science
- Business, Associate of Arts
- Chemistry, Associate of Science
- Communication, Associate of Arts
- Criminal Justice, Associate of Arts
- Education, Associate of Arts
- Early Childhood Teacher Licensure
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Education
- English/Humanities, Associate of Arts
- Entrepreneurship, Associate of Arts
- Forestry, One year—No formal award
- Graphic Design, Associate of Arts
- Health, Associate of Arts/Associate of Science
- History, Associate of Arts
- Mass Media/Journalism, Associate of Arts
- Mathematics, Associate of Science
- Music, Associate of Arts
- Natural Resources, Associate of Science
- Photography, Associate of Arts
- Physics, Associate of Science
- Political Science, Associate of Arts
- Pre-Professional, Associate of Arts/Associate of Science
- Pre-Chiropractic
- Pre-Dentistry
- Pre-Law
- Pre-Medicine
- Pre-Mortuary Science
- Pre-Optometry
- Pre-Osteopathic
- Pre-Pharmacy
- Pre-Veterinary
- Psychology, Associate of Arts
- Public Relations/Organizational Communications, Associate of Arts
- Social Work, Associate of Arts
- Sociology, Associate of Arts
- Spanish, Associate of Arts
- Sports Medicine, Associate of Arts
- Theater, Associate of Arts
- Undecided, Associate of Arts
Specific classes and suggested course sequences are available in the Indian Hills College Catalog. Students should consult with an advisor and the four-year institution to which they plan to transfer to determine specific requirements for the major they intend to pursue. The recommended courses are based on a comparison of various programs and should not be considered a substitute for consulting with an Academic Advisor.
The Academy
The Indian Hills Community College Academy provides a challenge to selected students through a unique program within the Arts and Sciences Division of the college. Highly motivated individuals will find the Academy an opportunity to share experiences with people who have similar academic interests. For more information on The Academy, please visit www.indianhills.edu/academy.
College Transfer FAQs
1) When should I begin planning my transfer to a four-year college?
It is never too early to begin your transfer planning. If you know which college or colleges you are seriously considering, discuss your plans with an academic advisor. The advisor will know the requirements you need to complete here at IHCC. The choice of your college major also affects transfer requirements, so you should not only have early contact with the school, but also with your major’s department. Early admission programs are available, so planning ahead can save transfer students valuable time and money.
2) Where can I find information about transferring?
www.transferiniowa.org - this web site provides transfer information for University of Iowa, Iowa State and University of Northern Iowa.
3) Don’t all colleges require the same thing?
No. Some have specific requirements that you can meet here as you complete your A.A. or A.S. degree.
4) Does IHCC have a transfer agreement with my transfer institution?
IHCC has transfer/articulation agreements with several institutions. The IHCC catalog gives an overview of the participating colleges under the subject heading Articulation Agreements. Talk to an academic advisor for more detailed information.
5) If I change my mind later about which college I want to attend, won’t I have wasted a lot of time and taken classes I don’t need?
No.The academic advisor will always advise you to take classes that count toward meeting your IHCC graduation requirements.
6) Does it make a difference if I transfer without my Associate’s degree? Wouldn’t just having the 61 hours be the same?
Some colleges will honor your A.A. or A. S. degree as meeting their general education requirements. In other words, you will have met their first two-year requirements. If the college you will be attending has this policy, it will be to your advantage to finish your degree even if you must stay a little longer. If you do not complete all the degree requirements, your transcript will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Some classes may not be accepted by the college as fulfilling its requirements. You may have to take first- or second-year classes at your new school. This will be an additional expense and could delay the completion of your college program.
7) When should I apply to a four-year school?
Each school has its own admissions deadline. Your IHCC advisor will help you, but the earlier you make contact with the college, the better. It is a good idea to contact the admissions office six to nine months BEFORE you expect to start classes.
8) Why contact them so early?
There are individual deadlines for scholarship applications, loans, grants and other areas of financial assistance, and even class registration. Contacting schools early also will aid in selecting IHCC electives that will be accepted by the transfer college as stated in question/answer four.
9) What records will my prospective college need to complete transfer of credits?
Institutions usually require official transcripts of all college, university, and high school course work.
10) How do I obtain an official IHCC transcript?
Information regarding official IHCC transcrips requests can be found in the College Catalog & Student Handbook.
11) Will I still be eligible for a Pell Grant at my new college?
The Federal Pell Grant is a student aid program that assists undergraduate students. Just as you applied for a Pell Grant here, you will have to apply for a Pell Grant at your new college by completing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Contact the new school to obtain any other forms you might need.
12) Private colleges are so expensive. How does anyone afford to go to them?
Private colleges often offer grants and scholarships that, along with the Iowa Tuition Grant, may reduce the costs resulting in the same cost as a public college. You should talk with a college representative to check on levels of financial assistance before you eliminate any school you want to attend.
13) What is the Iowa Tuition Grant? I must not be eligible for this grant because I didn’t get it here at IHCC.
The Iowa Tuition Grant is only available to students who attend private Iowa colleges. It is funded by the State of Iowa and is available to students based on financial need just like the Pell Grant. In fact, you use the same financial assistance form for the ITG as you do for the Pell Grant. The ITGs are awarded only ONCE a year. The deadline is usually in the early spring. If you miss the deadline, you must wait until the next year to apply for this grant. If you are considering going to a private four- year school in Iowa, you will definitely want to apply for this grant.
Study Tips for Academic Success
Attend Every Class
- You cannot learn if you are not there.
Know Each of Your Instructors
- Contact your instructors when you have questions.
- Let your instructors know that you are interested in doing your best in class and ask for their advice on how to improve.
Manage Your Time
- Use a daily “To Do” list to accomplish tasks each day.
- Establish and follow a weekly schedule to ensure time for class studying and recreation.
- Develop a 12 week term calendar to track test dates, assignments, and work and family commitments.
Make a Friend in Each Class
- This person can be your study partner and someone with whom to compare class notes.
Be an Active Participant in Class
- Develop good listening skills.
- Sit in the front of the classroom.
- Maintain eye contact with the instructor.
- Ask questions related to the topic of the class when appropriate.
Develop Note Taking Skills
- Have a notebook or a section of a 3-ring binder for each class.
- Take notes every class day.
- Review and revise your notes within 24 hours of the class. Research indicates that you will forget 80% of a lecture within 24 hours. To remember information you must take notes and review/complete them within 24 hours. The more you review, the more you remember. To improve your memory over several weeks (to prepare for a test), you need to review your notes regularly.
- Be aware of clues from your instructor about what is important include in your notes:
- Information repeated by the instructor;
- Information written on the overhead, the chalk board, class handouts, and/or PowerPoint presentations
- Information followed by a pause (time to write it down);
- Information delivered with emphasis.
- Date and give a title or topic to each day’s set of notes.
- Leave blanks in your notes when you miss information. After class ask the instructor or your study partner about what you missed.
- Develop a note taking system (such as the outline form) that allows you to use space as visual clues as to the importance of information and how information relates to other information.
- Review your notes on a regular schedule (daily or twice each week).
- Review your notes.
- Review, review, review.
Develop Test Taking Skills
- Have a regular study schedule. Don’t wait until the last minute to study. Research shows that most students tend to remember the information they study first or last in a study session. Therefore, several shorter study sessions of 45 to 60 minutes are more effective for learning than one long 3 to 4 hour session.
- Begin preparing for your first test on the first day of class by taking and reviewing notes.
- Write questions over your notes so you can quiz yourself about the information.
- Be prepared for tests, build your confidence and reduce your test anxiety.
- Ask your instructor what will be covered on the test so you will know what material to study.
- Have a plan for test taking:
- Read and understand all the directions;
- Review the entire test to see if some items are worth more points than others;
- Plan your test time so that you do not leave any item unanswered;
- Answer all the easy questions first;
- Go through the test a second time to answer more difficult questions;
- If you just do not know the answer, guess if there is no penalty.
- Focus on your test taking and do not be distracted by movement in the room, especially the movement of students leaving early.
- Realize that tests in college may seem more difficult because they focus more on applying and synthesizing information and less on rote memory or recognition.
- Take all the time allowed for a test. If your mind goes blank, sit quietly, use relaxation techniques to calm yourself and read through the test again.
- Review your old tests to see which questions you missed and why you missed them.
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