Renton Technical College offers the following General Education and Continuing Education courses online. Students enrolling in online courses will need the following: Operating System - Windows 95/98/2000/NT Service Pack 4 or later, Pentium 400 mHz Processor, 128 MB RAM, 800x600 resolution, 56 Kbps modem or faster. For MacIntosh computers, Operating System - OS 9.1, 9.2,. Internet access through an ISP (Internet Service Provider) including e-mail and World Wide Web. Minimum browser requirements: Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 or Netscape 4.7.

Our online courses are now hosted by Washington Online (WAOL) using the Blackboard platform.  To familiarize yourself  with Blackboard, visit the WAOL Week Zero tutorial at http://www.waol.org/getstarted/weekZero.asp .  This tutorial is a self-paced online course that shows you how the Blackboard environment works and at the same time you are able to get a good idea of the work within an online course.

ENGLISH COMPOSITION-ONLINE (ENGL& 101)
This is a college level writing course in which students learn to write essays that explain ideas, argue for position, and evaluate information. Students write draft essays based on personal experience and information gathered from a variety of resources. Students revise and edit their draft essays based on constructive comments offered by their peers and by their instructor. Upon successful completion of the course, students are able to write essays (of at least 1,000 words) demonstrating the conventions of standard written English. Prerequisite: acceptable scores on the COMPASS test. Students should have experience with email and the Internet and basic keyboarding skills. Register at least one week prior to the start of class . Purchase test through RTC Bookstore (425-235-2323, bookstore@rtc.edu ). All classes meet online.

MATHEMATICS FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES (MATH 100)
Mathematics for the Health Sciences is a course developed to introduce mathematics concepts related to a variety of fields in the health sciences. The content is designed to promote student success in mathematics and to develop problem-solving skills. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: fractions, decimals, ratios/proportions, percentages, measurement systems (metric, apothecary, and household), conversions involving dimensional analysis, dosage calculations, mixture calculations, body surface area and body weight calculations, introductory solution calculations, and a variety of health related application problems. Purchase text through RTC Bookstore (425-235-2323, bookstore@rtc.edu ). Register at least one week prior to the start of class. All classes meet online; classroom will be open one week before start date at http://www.waol.org .

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY-ONLINE (PSYC& 100)
General Psychology surveys the knowledge and methods of the discipline of psychology. Emphasis is placed upon application of psychological knowledge of daily situations and upon accessing and assessing information from a variety of sources about behavior. Skills in scientific reasoning and critical thinking are developed during this course. Areas of psychology to be included are: research methods, neuroscience, human development, sensation, perception, consciousness, learning, memory, cognitive processes, intelligence, motivation, emotion, personality, psychological disorders, psychotherapy, stress and health, and social psychology. Purchase text through RTC Bookstore (425-235-2323, bookstore@rtc.edu ). Register at least one week before class starts.

HUMAN ANATOMY and PHYSIOLOGY I (BIOL& 241)
This is the first of two classes designed for students who want to enter professional health care programs. It is a study of the gross anatomy and functioning of the human body. Covers body organization, cellular structure and function, fundamentals of chemistry and the physiology, structure and function of all the body systems. Lab includes microscopic tissue studies, dissection, work with ADAM software, and physiology projects related to the systems studied. Prerequisite: completion of BIO 101 with a 2.0 or higher. Purchase text through RTC Bookstore (425-235-2323, bookstore@rtc.edu ). Register at least one week prior to the start of class. All classes meet online. Requires 3 on-campus lab sessions, check current class schedule for dates/times.

HUMAN ANATOMY and PHYSIOLOGY II (BIOL& 242)
This is the second of two classes designed for students who want to enter professional health care programs. It is a study of the gross anatomy and functioning of the human body. Covers body organization, cellular structure and function, fundamentals of chemistry and the physiology, structure and function of all the body systems. Lab includes microscopic tissue studies, dissection, work with ADAM software, and physiology projects related to the systems studied. Prerequisite: completion of BIO 220 with a 2.0 or higher. Purchase text through RTC Bookstore (425-235-2323, bookstore@rtc.edu ). Register at least one week prior to the start of class. All classes meet online. Requires 3 on-campus lab sessions, check current class schedule for dates/times.

AUTO CAD® - LEVELS I & II (DFTS 113)
This new online course is offered through Pierce College. Students are introduced to the basics of engineering drafting and AutoCAD®. Basic drawing commands, editing, dimensioning, and plotting are covered in this course. Contact RTC Bookstore for textbook. Requires a computer with a current version of AutoCAD®. Class meets online at www.waol.org .

PROGRAMMING FOR AUTOCAD (DFTS 140)
This hands-on class focuses on VBA and ADO. The students use VBA to create and manipulate the AutoCAD database and use ADO to connect the desktop databases to AutoCAD. AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc. RTC is a registered Autodesk Training center. Register at least one week before class starts.

BOILER OPERATOR REFRESHER COURSE (BLRS 210)
The purpose of this refresher training is to ensure the safe operation of boilers and accessories with a review of the following areas: codes and regulations, safety, operation of boilers, and new technology. A “Certificate of Award” is issued upon successful completion of this class as proof to the City of Seattle and the Tacoma Steam Advisory Certification Board for renewal of your boiler operator’s license. Students should have experience with e-mail, the Internet, and basic keyboarding skills. All classes meet online. Register at least one week before class starts.

PRE-ALGEBRA (MATH 075)
This course lays the foundation for the study of algebra. The topics covered include: whole number operations, fractions, decimals, percents, ratio and proportion, signed numbers, geometry, units of measurements, graphs, and statistics. This class is taught either in traditional lecture mode or through individually tailored, interactive computer instruction that provides the student’s primary method of learning, with the instructor available to assist students on an individual basis during the class period. Prerequisites: placement by COMPASS or Math Placement Test.

GENERAL BIOLOGY (BIOL& 160)
Students explore the basic biological principles that describe and explain the nature of life. Topics include cell biology, molecular biology (including basic biochemistry and DNA structure and function), metabolism, and genetics. Students practice skills in both the classroom and the laboratory through formats such as group exercises, laboratory activities, quizzes, and exams.

INTERMEDIATE MEDICAL INSURANCE BILLING AND CODING (MAPS 109)
This is the second of two courses designed for students who want to work in the administrative area of healthcare. This course focuses on reimbursement requirements for Blue Cross, Medicare and Medicaid. Abstract data from medical records and assign ICD-9, CPT, and HCPCS codes applying skills covered in the introductory class. Complete CMS-1500 forms for all types of major insurance.

MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING (MAPS 108)
This is the first of two classes designed for students who want to work in the administrative area of healthcare. Understand medical insurance systems and billing procedures, with an emphasis on the conventions of diagnostic (ICD-9) and procedural (CPT) coding, in order to process medical insurance claims. Learn effective and efficient accounts receivable and collection techniques, effective communication skills, and excellent organization skills. Prerequisites: typing speed of 30 wpm and functional knowledge of medical terminology. Students must purchase class material in RTC Bookstore prior to start of class. Buying the textbook from an outside source will not allow you to access the online course content.

MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY (MAPS 103)
Introduction to work origin and medical terminology relating to body structure, cells and organs, disease, surgery, diagnosis, and treatment. Also includes introduction to basic anatomy. Students must purchase book and the bundled course cartridge from the RTC Bookstore prior. (Buying the textbook from an outside source will not allow you to access the online course content!)

HUMAN NUTRITION (NUTR& 101)
This course provides students with information pertaining to the functions of nutrients in the body and the physiologic processes involved in digestion and absorption. Topics covered include anatomy and physiology of digestion and absorption; specific utilization of carbohydrates, protein, and fats; and vitamin and mineral supplements. Other topics include factors that govern nutrient requirements, and the impact of diet on health and disease. Basic principles of chemistry, biology, and physiology are applied to the study of nutrition. This course is suggested for students majoring in nursing or other health-related areas.

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION - MATHEMATICS LEVEL 2 (BAST 012)
This online mathematics course is designed to meet the Washington state competencies for the Adult Basic Education Level 2 in mathematics. This online course is organized for student success. There are fifty lessons and ten assessments. Students are able to identify a problem or situation requiring math, use all math symbols (+,-, x, ÷) to structure the problem as a number sentence, use all operations involving whole numbers to find a solution, identify and use simple fractions, and evaluate whether the solution to a problem is correct.

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION - WRITING LEVEL 2 (BAST 013)
This online course is designed to meet the Washington state competencies for the Adult Basic Education Level 2 in Writing. This online course is organized for student success. There are fifty lessons and ten assessments. Students are able to identify the purpose for writing; organize sentences into short paragraphs to produce notes, short letters, and other documents; and edit and revise to make meaning clearer.

INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY (GEOL& 101)
Examines geologic processes that shape the Earth. Emphasis placed on understanding the language and methods of science as applied to our changing planet. Students develop critical thinking skills and apply them to regional geology. Topics include earthquakes, volcanism, glaciers, rivers and the structure of the Earth.  May include field trips. Includes laboratory.

CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS (MATH& 107)
This college level course provides a mathematical perspective of contemporary issues. The course is designed for students who do not intend to continue in mathematics or science. Topics vary but may include areas of finance, statistics, data analysis, logic and applications relevant to humanities, social sciences and education. Content emphasis is on problem solving and quantitative reasoning. Prerequisite: placement by COMPASS or MATH 095 with a 2.0 or better.

INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS (MATH& 146)
This course is an introduction to statistics and how it may be applied in the analysis of numerical data. It includes the following topics: structure of data sets, central tendency, dispersion, means, standard deviation, correlation, regression, binomial and normal probability distributions, sampling methods and hypothesis testing. Prerequisite: completion of MATH 095 with a 2.0 or higher, or placement by COMPASS or Math Placement Test.