Water Quality, Associate of Applied Science

Program Description

The Water Quality Technology, AAS degree, prepares students for a career in water quality operations through an integrated curriculum of core water quality technology courses, STEM elective courses, general education courses, and hands-on work-based learning. The degree includes five introductory courses in water and wastewater operations, 24-credit hours of related cooperative work experience, foundational courses in math and science, and STEM elective courses. The degree prepares students to take the Level I Operator Certification exams for water and wastewater. The cooperative work experience is hands on training and is equivalent to approximately 5 months of full-time work experience.

Program Outcomes

  1. Explain the terms and concepts, including the mathematical skills necessary to pass the Level I water and wastewater certification examinations
  2. Explain the maintenance and operation of water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, and wastewater collection systems relative to operator job responsibilities
  3. Express concepts, ideas, technical principles, and feedback in a manner that promotes understanding and encourages cooperation and collaboration
  4. Apply laboratory sampling and testing methods approved by regulatory agencies to water quality and treatment process performance reporting
  5. Analyze quantitative water and wastewater relationships using mathematics, equations, and graphs to determine plans of action consistent with industry protocols

Program Course Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First TermCredits
MTH 102 Math for the Trades (or higher) 4
WQT 226 Wastewater Treatment I Liquid 3
WQT 261 Water Distribution 3
WR 117 Writing for Trades (WR 115 or higher accepted) 4
 Credits14
Second Term
CH 104 Intro to Chemistry I 4
COM 111Z Public Speaking 4
WQT 227 Wastewater Treatment II Solids 3
WQT 228 Wastewater Collection 3
WQT 280 CWE-Water Quality Treatment 1 4
 Credits18
Third Term
BI 101 General Biology 4
WQT 260 Water Treatment 3
WQT 280 CWE-Water Quality Treatment 4
 Credits11
Second Year
First Term
BI 102 General Biology 4
ENGR 111 Engineering Orientation I 3
SDP 113 Human Relations-Supervisors 3
WQT 280 CWE-Water Quality Treatment 4
 Credits14
Second Term
BI 103 General Biology 4
ENGR 112 Problem Solving and Technology 3
NR 221 Water Resource Science 4
WQT 280 CWE-Water Quality Treatment 8
 Credits19
Third Term
CIS 120 Intro to Digital Literacy 4
SOIL 205 Soil Science 3
SOIL 206 Soil Science Lab 1
PSY 101
Psychology of Human Relations
or Interpersonal Communication
3
WQT 280 CWE-Water Quality Treatment 4
 Credits15
 Total Minimum Credits91
1

Course can be taken during the summer term

Advising Notes

  • See advisor for full list of course options