Foundations Course Catalog

ENG 1040: From Page to Practice (3 CREDITS) This course is designed to strengthen students’ academic reading, writing, and communication skills which are essential for success in college and career. Through active reading, critical thinking, and structured writing assignments, students will learn to engage with a variety of texts, develop coherent written responses, and participate in discussions that reflect thoughtful understanding and interpretation. Emphasis is placed on building vocabulary, improving sentence and paragraph structure, and practicing the writing process from brainstorming to revision. Students will also explore strategies for effective communication in academic settings, including summarizing, paraphrasing, and responding to texts in writing and speech. ANZ 1150: Scientific Writing & Communication (3 CREDITS) This course will introduce students to formal scientific writing practices and provide a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts of scientific writing and communication to both scientists and citizens. Topics will include the peer-review paper structure, citing academic sources, how to develop editing and reviewing skills, and how to craft effective research and outreach talks. Additional topics will include scientific ethics and the application of communication skills to presentations and careers in Anthrozoology. This course will provide a dual focus on communicating science through writing and alternative methods, including visual and verbal presentations. DIG 2261: Topics: AI in Design (3 CREDITS) This course introduces students to the creative and practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in design. Through hands on projects, students will learn how to use AI-powered tools for generating graphics, managing design workflows, and crafting compelling written content. Emphasis is placed on prompt engineering, collaborative design management, and the ethical use of AI in creative industries. Students will complete real-world projects simulating design management scenarios, culminating in a final design showcase. BUS 2600: Principles of Management (3 CREDITS) Examination of the basic principles of management underlying the solving of organizational challenges and operation of business enterprises. Reviews of various management theories and practices and an analysis of centralized versus decentralized decision making and their effects on corporations.

Before Beacon Foundations, I was struggling in remote classes at a community college. In Foundations, the professors interact with you live while they are teaching. The professor made their lessons accessible to me as a visual learner and used chat rooms for one-on-one help. It was so different from other remote classes and made a huge difference in my experience and my grades. - Joshua Hansen STUDENT TESTIMONIAL