This course introduces students to the use of a PC through hands-on practice. Students explore the fundamentals of using digital technologies to connect, learn, and engage. Students will use the version of Microsoft Office software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint) in use at Gateway Technical College. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to use MS Office applications.

In this course, learners investigate Intuit's cloud-based software. They set up a business and record customer, vendor, inventory, banking, credit card, general ledger, and payroll transactions. Learners generate financial statements and other financial accounting related reports. Upon completion of the course, learners are able to pursue the Intuit QuickBooks Certified User exam.

Accounting Principles is an introduction to the field of accounting. Fundamental concepts of the accounting process including financial statement preparation, journal entries, posting, adjusting and closing entries. Cash, inventory, receivables, payables, and plant assets including depreciation methods are also covered.

In this course, students develop programming skills for PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) and HMI (Human Machine Interfaces). Students create PLC programs in various languages such as Ladder Diagram (LD), Structured Text (ST), Function Block Diagram (FBD), Sequential Function Chart (SFC). Students create visual HMI programs for manufacturing systems. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to create PLC and HMI applications for the manufacturing environment.

Learn to identify and care for annual and perennial flowering plants. Visit local gardens and professional sites to study plants and view design styles. Graphic skills used to create professional flower bed designs is also taught. Hands on experience propagating annuals and perennials and working with tropical foliage in the Gateway greenhouse is also included.

Students examine the science and profession of horticulture, including its role and importance of throughout history, current trends, and careers. Learners will identify horticulture crops, crop use and interrelationships among the environment, plant growth, and plant development.

Learn to identify the different lifecycle stages of plant pests in the greenhouse and landscape and how to control them using cultural, physical and biological control methods. Learn about beneficial insects and how to use predators, parasites and pathogens to control insects and diseases of plants.

Students will study physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. Soil conservation practices, plant nutrition and composting will be discussed in detail. Labs involve soil testing and soil improvement.

Following guidelines set forth by the national Sustainable Site's Initiative students will learn how to improve the sustainability of urban landscapes. Identifying soil conditions, capturing storm water, using native plants, composting, waste and energy management are concepts learned in this class. Students have the opportunity to analyze their own property to find ways to improve sustainability while reducing chemical inputs and maintenance needs.

In this course, learners examine the fundamental skills of machining processes for a career in Advanced Manufacturing Technology. Lathes, mills, and grinders will be the primary machines explored. An overview of machining processes is presented. Setup and operation, manual lathes and mills, CNC lathes and mills, basic programming using G and M codes, and tooling required for lathes and mills will be presented. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to develop a machining process plan.