MATC 2025-26 Catalog

DEGREE/DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GLOBAL – Global Studies (Department 140) GLOBAL-113 International Field Studies – 1 Emphasizes the importance of integrating international awareness in the student’s program. Students explore the facets of the international environment, examining ethical, cultural, social, and organizational similarities and differences. GLOBAL-115 Credits: 3 International Field Studies Emphasizes the importance of integrating international awareness in the student’s program. Students explore the facets of the international environment, examining ethical, cultural, social, and organizational similarities and differences. GRDS – Graphic Design (Department 201) GRDS-103 Credits: 3 Design Elements and Principles This course develops the student’s ability to express meaning with graphic form by introducing basic knowledge of shape and space, unity and components, contrast, hierarchy, psychology of color, sign and symbol. Students will also learn how to utilize the available media and work within design constraints. GRDS-104 Credits: 3 Researching and Concepting Successful graphic design needs careful planning and research before ideas are explored. In this course, students will experience the professional design process from clarification of the client’s objective to analysis and research of visual reference and contemporary trends, to implementation of the final comprehensive design. Prerequisite(s): Complete GRDS-103. GRDS-107 Credits: 3 Digital Imaging: Adobe Photoshop This course is an introduction to digital imaging in Adobe Photoshop as it applies to design and illustration. Students learn digital color correction, retouching, image manipulation, special effects, image composing and creative design techniques. Differences between raster and vector graphics are discussed. Students also learn how to manage files, optimize images for print output and multimedia applications. GRDS-110 Credits: 3 Layout and Publishing InDesign This course builds the essential skills in popular desktop publishing programs. Topics covered include integrating graphics and photos into publication, formatting type, creating tables, importing files, managing story threads, managing color, and assembling pages. Design principles and processes specific to publications will be emphasized. Creative assignments range from newsletters, magazines and books to electronic publications. Prerequisite(s): Complete GRDS-115. Credits: 1

GEOSCI-233

Credits: 3

GRDS-111

Credits: 3

Environmental Science This course introduces basic scientific

Advertising Design This course is an introduction to advertising layout, from rough concepts to comprehensive presentations. Students will explore effective design styles, use of typography and various rendering techniques. Prerequisite(s): Complete GRDS-107. GRDS-112 Credits: 3 Graphic Design Workshop In addition to a course facilitator, five visiting professionals who exemplify the broad spectrum of practice within the graphic arts industry will present mini seminars scheduled for three weeks each. These professionals will represent members of the regional graphic arts community, including graphic/web designers, art/creative directors, photographers and illustrators. Prerequisite(s): Complete GRDS-121. GRDS-113 Credits: 3 Digital Media Preparation An advanced layout and production course addressing the present advertising market. Students prepare concepts through campaigns for digital distribution. Topics covered include digital advertising, email marketing, basic web design, layout and coding as well as interactive and social media design and considerations. Prerequisite(s): Complete GRDS-129. GRDS-115 Credits: 3 Typographic Fundamentals This course introduces typography history, vocabulary and basic skills. Students will learn the type anatomy and the absolute and relative measurement system. Creative projects include both editorial and illustrative typography with proper typeface selection, composition, legibility, aesthetics and hierarchy. Students will learn basic tools in Fontographer in understanding the structure of digital type. GRDS-116 Credits: 3 Integrated Design Thinking Through examining experiences of using personal computers, hand-held devices, and physical tools, environments and processes, this course introduces the fundamental concepts of interaction and interface design, including information structure, perceived affordance, icon, label, page layout, metaphor, navigation and orientation. Students will learn user-centered design methodology. The course also briefly surveys social, cultural, behavioral, cognitive and emotional human factors pertaining to complex design issues. Prerequisite(s): Complete GRDS-110. GRDS-117 Credits: 3 Packaging Design This course focuses on seeing and designing in three dimensions for product packaging, point of purchase display (POP) and environmental graphics. Graphic continuity, content, client/ customer research and aesthetic issues are dealt with at length. Students will also learn simple model-making techniques and choosing appropriate materials. Prerequisite(s): Complete GRDS-122.

principles necessary to an understanding of the relationships between mankind and the environment, with special focus on the effects of mankind’s activities on the environment. GEOSCI-234 Credits: 1 Earth Sciences Laboratory This laboratory course introduces students to the earth sciences through first-hand activities and exploration. Subject matter differs in different sections. The course may emphasize identifying minerals, rocks and fossils; interpreting and compiling maps (including GIS); observing and forecasting weather conditions; collecting and analyzing environmental data; and/or other earth science topics. Please consult the instructor or department of Physical Science instructional chairperson for specific content. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or currently enrolled in GEOSCI-232 is required. GEOSCI-243 Credits: 3 Weather Fundamentals The course assists students whose work and interests require a general knowledge of atmospheric science. Applications appear in agribusiness, architectural design, insurance underwriting, environmental control, health and safety occupations, water resource industries, fabrication of materials (textiles, paint, plastics), physical geography, and oceanography. GEOSCI-244 Credits: 1 Weather Fundamentals Laboratory This laboratory course complements GEOSCI-243 (Weather Fundamentals) by providing additional investigations involving real-time data and satellite images, plus a comprehensive range of critical thinking General Geology This introductory geology course emphasizes the earth’s dynamic processes as well as its composition, structure and surface features. The laboratory introduces the identification of rocks and minerals, and teaches mapping skills. Field trips are included. GEOSCI-246 Credits: 3 Climate Change Fundamentals This course examines critically our understanding of climate and its causes, the evidence of past and present climate change and models of future climate change, as well as the probable impacts of climate change on society and implications for future energy resources and the economy. exercises. GEOSCI-245 Credits: 4

matc.edu | 414-297-MATC | Wisconsin Relay System 711

265