The primary function of the Division of Arts and Sciences is to provide two years of study leading to the associate degree and/or transferability to a university. Another function of this division is to provide developmental courses for students whose high school grades, admission test scores, placement test scores and counseling interviews show them to need help in obtaining proficiency in the basic skills of reading, English and mathematics before attempting standard college courses.
The curricula listed for the Division of Arts and Sciences are designed for students pursuing the associate degree and/or transfer to a university. On the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees, there may be certain specializations in the division for which a package of courses is recommended. If the student has not selected a specialization or if a package of courses has not been recommended for the specialization the student has chosen, the general Associate in Arts plan should be followed.
The Suggested Transfer Plans reflect the most current information at publication. Additional details concerning course transfer to other institutions are available in the Student Enrollment Center or from academic advisors in the instructional departments. Authoritative information on course transferability should be obtained from the institution to which the student plans to transfer. Disputes concerning course transferability are addressed in the Transfer Disputes section of this Catalog.
Division of Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts
Mexican-American Studies
Department of Art and Drama
Studio Art
Drama
Del Mar College is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
The Associate in Arts degree, with a specialization in either art education or studio art, is intended to prepare the student for continuing study toward a baccalaureate degree in art. As a charter member of the Texas Association of Schools of Art (TASA), Del Mar College subscribes to the transfer curriculum developed by TASA and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The Department of Art and Drama provides students with opportunities for lifelong learning and personal enrichment based on a fine arts curriculum. The art and drama curriculum encourages the development of aesthetic awareness and opportunities to increase intellectual capacities.
Department of Art and Drama activities, in cooperation with area school districts, include a dual credit program with the Corpus Christi Independent School District.
Exhibition Activities
A continuous art exhibition schedule is maintained from July through May. These exhibitions provide students and the public opportunities for cultural development and personal enrichment. Exhibitions include those of local art organizations, one-person and group shows by important local and regional artists, art faculty and student artists.
The 1,750 square foot Joseph A. Cain Memorial Art Gallery is the main exhibition space for the Department of Art and Drama. Student exhibitions are also staged in the hallway galleries in the Fine Arts Building. The highlight of the exhibition year is the annual National Drawing and Small Sculpture Show in the Joseph A. Cain Memorial Art Gallery. Judged by a nationally known artist, the exhibit attracts entries from all over the country.
Courses of Study
A student who plans to obtain a higher degree in the art field should enroll in ARTS 1303, 1304, 1311, 1312, 1316, and 1317. Art majors enrolled in studio art courses are expected to spend one additional clock hour per week in art production for each semester hour of enrollment. Variations require the approval of the chairperson of the department. The student should consult an advisor concerning senior college requirements.
Drama Program Overview
The Del Mar Drama Program offers an Associate of Arts in Drama degree. Led by a professional faculty, the program strives to teach the art and craft of theatre through productions and live entertainment events in several different performance venues including the recently opened Sue Sellors Finley Theatre. The program offers five to seven productions annually. Drama students, through their Drama faculty advisor, can cater their experience by emphasizing in one of three program areas: Performance, Design and Technology, or General Education. The Drama Program offers a full range of lower division courses, from several levels of acting, movement, and voice, to scenery, costume, and makeup design and technology, and new courses including stage lighting, stage rigging and special effects. It is the goal of the Drama Program to provide a basic, general theatre education, preparing students for transfer to a four-year degree-granting institution, or entry-level position in the industry.
Department of Communications, Languages, and Reading
Advertising/Public Relations
Digital Media
Foreign Language
Journalism
Radio and Television
Speech
Associate in Arts in Teaching Degrees:
- EC-6
- 4-8; EC-12 Special Education
- 8-12; EC-12 Other Than Special Education
The curricula listed for the Division of Arts and Sciences are designed for students pursuing the associate degree and/or transfer to a university. The Department of Communications, Languages and Reading recommends that students adhere to the course plans provided.
Regardless of the majoring discipline and/or areas of specialization chosen, a student should examine the requirements of the college or university he or she plans to attend. Any modification to the following degree plans need to be made in consultation with and approval of department advisor.
Department of English and Philosophy
English: Emphasis Literature
English: Emphasis Philosophy
The curricula listed for the Division of Arts and Sciences are designed for the student pursuing the associate degree and/or transfer to a university. The student who plans to transfer is ultimately responsible for knowing the requirements of the college he or she plans to attend.
Department of Kinesiology
Kinesiology
The curricula listed for the Division of Arts and Sciences are designed for the student pursuing the associate degree and/or transfer to a university. On the Associate in Arts degree, there may be certain specializations in the Department of Kinesiology, for which a package of courses is recommended; these specializations include kinesiology, health studies and recreation leadership.
Department of Mathematics
Mathematics
The curricula listed for the Division of Arts and Sciences are designed for the student pursuing the associate degree and/or transfer to a university. There are, however, certain specializations in the department for which a package of courses is recommended. Examples of those course plans are outlined below.
For many of these plans, students are assumed to have proficiency in algebra and plane trigonometry. If a deficiency exists in these areas, students are advised to take MATH 1314 — College Algebra, and MATH 1316 — Plane Trigonometry during the summer prior to enrollment the first year. Course plans beginning with MATH 2413 require that students have prior credit in MATH 1314 and 1316 either by course work or proficiency examination.
Students majoring in areas represented in the Department of Mathematics should follow the suggested course plans to satisfy the Associate in Science degree requirements. Some variation of these plans may be necessary to meet baccalaureate requirements at a particular college or university.
Regardless of the area of specialization, the student who plans to transfer should examine the requirements of the college he or she plans to attend.
Various 2+2 degree plans exist with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, The University of Texas at San Antonio and other state institutions.
Department of Music
Applied Music/Music Education - Instrumental
Applied Music/Music Education - Vocal
Music Theory and Composition
Certificate
Sound Recording Business-Level II
Associate in Applied Science Degree
Sound Recording Technology
The Associate in Arts degree is offered with specializations in music education, applied music and theory/composition. These specialized programs of study meet all of the lower division requirements of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the transfer curriculum of the State of Texas.
Students majoring in areas outside of music may elect courses in music and may participate in music ensembles. Instruction in applied music is also provided for students in other divisions of the College.
Opportunities are provided for interested adults and pre-college students to participate in various music courses, private lessons and College-sponsored performance groups.
Scholarships
Scholarships in music are available for prospective music majors on all band and orchestral instruments, guitar, piano, voice, theory, composition and sound recording technology. Some participation awards are available to non-music majors who qualify for the Del Mar Concert Band, Choir, Orchestra or Mariachi. Awards are made on the basis of ability and need. All applicants for scholarship grants are expected to audition in person unless travel distance makes appearing in person impossible, in which case a recording may be presented.
Music scholarship forms and additional financial aid are available in the music office (music building room FM 160) or on the music Web site (www.delmar.edu/music).
Student Organizations
Del Mar College was the first community college in the United States to receive a chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the national professional music fraternity. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is dedicated to the advancement of music and to brotherhood among its members engaged in music activities.
Phi Sigma, an honorary professional music sorority, aims to foster excellence in music performance and scholarship and to provide a social outlet for its members. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Sigma regularly serve as hosts for receptions and other musical events.
Ensembles
All music majors enrolled in degree-track applied lessons are required to enroll in the appropriate major ensemble. Appropriate ensembles are:
Voice - MUEN 1141 Concert Choir
Winds and Percussion - MUEN 1121 Concert Band
Strings - MUEN 1122 Concert Orchestra
Piano - MUEN 1136 Piano Accompanying
Guitar - MUEN 1135 Classical Guitar Ensemble
Exceptions and substitutions may be granted with the joint consent of the department chair, the ensemble director and the student’s applied instructor. Music major students are highly encouraged to further develop their solo and ensemble skills by enrollment in a chamber ensemble specific to their applied study (Percussion Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Singer’s Theater, etc.). All ensemble courses grant one hour of credit each semester.
Non-majors are invited to audition for any of the following ensembles: Concert Choir, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Concert Orchestra, Piano Accompanying, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Ensembles, Chamber Singers, Master Chorus, Singer’s Theater, Jazz Combo, String Ensembles, Classical Guitar Ensemble, Jazz Guitar Ensemble and Woodwind Ensembles.
Applied Music
All music majors shall enroll in applied music appropriate to their primary areas of performance each semester. The Applied Music curriculum is designed to foster maximum development of skill and insight in musical performance. Students have an opportunity to gain experience in performing before an audience through participation in weekly recital programs held throughout the school year.
Entering students, on the basis of their musical background, results of auditions and tests, recommendations of previous teachers, and individual counseling, are classified in one of these two series: MUAP 1101-1199 and 2101-2199, 1201-1299 and 2201-2299. See course descriptions section under MUSIC, APPLIED. Upon beginning study, a student improperly classified will be reregistered at the proper level during the first week of the semester. Students must receive a grade of “C” or higher to progress to the next level.
Students taking applied music at the 1201-1299 and 2201-2299 levels are required to attend a weekly performance lab or solo class recital and be currently enrolled in the appropriate large ensemble.
Applied Music Examinations
To receive credit, all majors taking applied music courses must appear for a jury examination by the faculty of each applied music area at the end of each semester. In order to be eligible for examination, a student must satisfy the recital attendance and public performance requirements and must have received a minimum of 12 one-hour lessons.
Specific examination requirements for each classification are determined by the faculty of each applied music area in consultation with the chairperson, Department of Music. These requirements are subject to periodic review.
Applied music credit may be earned for summer study only in the 1101-1199, 2101-2199 series. There are no set performance requirements.
Secondary Piano Requirements
All music majors, other than piano majors, are required to take four semesters of secondary piano. Class piano is recommended for students with no piano background (MUSI 1181, MUSI 1182, MUSI 2181, MUSI 2182). Private lessons are recommended for students with previous piano experience. Students with special needs or with schedule conflicts may also study privately with the advice of the piano faculty or chairperson.
All music majors, except piano majors, must pass all areas of the piano proficiency exam at the end of the fourth semester of keyboard study. Those students who do not pass the piano proficiency exam will receive the grade of Incomplete (I) for Piano IV.
Courses of Study
Students who plan to obtain a bachelor’s degree should arrange their programs to meet the requirements of the college to which they intend to transfer.
Grade Requirements
Students must receive a grade of “C” or better to progress to the next sequential course in the following areas: Applied Music, Sight Singing/Ear Training, Class Piano, Music Technology, Musical Composition and Music Theory.
Department of Natural Sciences
Biology – Associate in Science Degree
Including specializations for the following Pre-Professional Programs
Pre-Chiropractic
Pre-Dental
Pre-Medical
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Other Pre-Professional Health programs
Chemistry – Associate in Science Degree
Including specializations for the following Pre-Professional Programs
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Chemical Engineering
Natural Gas Engineering
Geology – Associate in Science Degree
Physics – Associate in Science Degree
Biotechnology – Associate in Applied Science Degree and Certificate (Level II)
The curricula listed for the Division of Arts and Sciences are designed for the student pursuing the associate in science degree and/or transfer to a university. On the Associate in Science degree, there may be certain specializations in the department for which a package of courses is recommended.
For many of these plans, students are assumed to have proficiency in algebra and trigonometry. If a deficiency exists in these areas, students are advised to take MATH 1314 - College Algebra, and MATH 1316 - Plane Trigonometry during the summer prior to fall enrollment in the first year. Course plans beginning with MATH 2413 require that students have prior credit in MATH 1314 and 1316 either by course work or proficiency examination.
Students majoring in areas listed above in the Department of Natural Sciences should follow the suggested course plans to satisfy the Associate in Science degree requirements. Some variation of these plans may be necessary to meet baccalaureate requirements at a particular college or university.
Regardless of the area of specialization, the student who plans to transfer should examine the requirements of the college he or she plans to attend.
Various 2+2 degree plans exist with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and other state institutions.
Department of Social Sciences
Geography
History
Political Science
Psychology
Social Work
Sociology
The programs that make up the Department of Social Sciences are designed for students seeking an associate degree and/or planning transfer to a university. The broad liberal arts curriculum of the Department of Social Sciences emphasizes deep comprehension of subject material, written and oral expression, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, civic responsibility, and appropriate quantitative abilities. These abilities are fundamental to student success in universities, in graduate school, and in life.
The Department of Social Sciences offers Associate in Arts degree in geography, history, political science, psychology, social work and sociology. Students interested in any of these fields should select an academic major from among those offered by the Department of Social Sciences and follow the suggested transfer plan for the associate degree. It is strongly recommended that students then plan to transfer to a university and complete a baccalaureate degree in their major field.