Associate in Occupational Studies Degree

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This program prepares students for positions in the food service industry, including skills and knowledge in food preparation, baking, and catering. With experience and additional training, students may be qualified for positions leading to sous chef, executive chef, and/or kitchen (production) manager or catering manager. Instruction in this program takes place primarily at the Rome Campus.

Goal 1 To provide training in culinary arts preparation

  • Students will be able to demonstrate execution of the correct application of key cooking methods

Goal 2 To provide training in bakery weights and measures

  • Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to weigh and measure with accuracy the ingredients needed for their practical exam.

Goal 3 To prepare Culinary Arts Students to interact effectively with others on a team to reach a common goal

  • Students will communicate appropriately with instructors and peers through written or oral assignments.

Goal 4 To provide training in safe food handling

  • Students will demonstrate an ability to work with others in a group to attain a common goal

Goal 5 To provide training in safe food handling

  • Students will be able to demonstrate safe food handling techniques

Goal 6 To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy

  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information

Total Credit Hours: 63

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

This course introduces the fundamentals of commercial food preparation, with an emphasis on the use and care of tools and equipment, basic knife skills, and mise en place. Topics include areas of food preparation such as weights, measures, portions, and conversions as well as an introduction to commercial kitchen cleaning. Emphasis is placed on operating in a safe and sanitary manner. Corequisite: FS150 Safety and Sanitation

This course introduces the bakery shop preparation of cakes, cookies, muffins, sweet rolls, and breads, including the mixing of ingredients and shaping of dough. It covers the ingredients used in the preparation of baked goods, and the tools and equipment used in the bakery shop. Corequisite: FS150 Safety & Sanitation.

This course is an introduction to the correct and hygienic procedures for food handling. General kitchen and bakery safety, pest management, and crisis management are discussed. Proper clothing, personal hygiene and fire safety regulations, as well as state and federal laws pertaining to the hospitality industry are stressed. This course includes a certification exam provided by the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association.

This course reviews the fundamental computation skills required for accurate food service preparation, operation and management. Topics covered include operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, weights and measures, recipe menu pricing, inventories, food costs, basic break-even analysis, financial statement content, and employee related expenses.

This course provides an overview of the organizational structure of hotels, restaurants, and clubs from a management perspective. Topics include analysis of the hospitality industry, career opportunities, management theory, practical management techniques, and social responsibility of the industry.

Second Semester

In this course, students study the needs of the human body and how nutrients and vitamins affect it. They research how food choices influence physical health and mood and how these choices in the food service and related industries can be used to promote a healthy lifestyle. Students learn information about nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, water, and minerals) and their role in various diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis.

This course builds upon the techniques in Culinary Fundamentals 1. Topics include proper cooking methods such as sautéing, frying, roasting, grilling, braising, broiling, poaching, and stir frying. Emphasis is placed on operating in a safe and sanitary manner. Laboratories employ a variety of cooking methods using professional kitchen equipment, commercial kitchen cleaning, and builds understanding for clean facilities. Prerequisite - FS103 Culinary Fundamentals 1

The basics of garde manger production are learned through preparation of appetizers, condiments, and hors d'oeuvres. This course presents the basic principles of garde manger for hotel, restaurant, and catering establishments. Topics covered include charcuterie, hors d'oeuvre, canapes, egg cookery, salad, and cheese production. Prerequisite - FS103 Culinary Fundamentals 1

This course introduces the purchasing function in food service organizations. Emphasis is placed on the methods of controlling costs while maintaining strict quality and quantity standards through the effective purchasing of goods and services. Included is the concept of specification development as it applies to the products and services used in the hospitality industry. Purchasing requirements for equipment, furniture, supplies, perishable foods, groceries, and convenience foods are covered.

This course introduces principles and techniques of table service. Emphasis is placed on table setting, buffet services, the various job categories in the dining room, different styles of service, and dining room arrangement and supplies. Students have an opportunity to work in each dining room position.

Third Semester

This course covers classical cooking skills associated with the preparation and service of American, international, and ethnic cuisines. Topics include classic and modern cooking trends and technologies. Cuisines revolving around American regional cuisines and ingredients are incorporated into lecture and lab. This course covers commercial kitchen cleaning and builds understanding for clean facilities. Prerequisite: FS153 Culinary Fundamentals 2

In this course, students learn back-of-house operational responsibilities in a restaurant environment. Students continue the development of their practical culinary skills with a focus on preparation and service of a la carte menu items. Emphasis is placed on working cooperatively and collaboratively in a team environment to provide guests with an exemplary food service experience. This course covers commercial kitchen cleaning and builds understanding for clean facilities. Prerequisite: FS153 Culinary Fundamentals 2

This course provides a foundation in marketing, planning, segmentation, and positioning food items within a specific demographic. Food marketing tools such as menu pricing, advertising, sales promotion, merchandising, personal selling, and external advertising media are explored.

This course provides the knowledge to design and organize a food service facility. Typical furniture and equipment organization with respect to space allocation in the facility are addressed. Topics include equipment purchasing, facilities engineering, and energy practices.

This course provides an overview of supervisory management skills for the hospitality industry. Topics include planning, organizing, coordinating, staffing, directing, controlling, evaluating, and leading. The development of technical, human relations, and conceptual skills is emphasized.

Fourth Semester

This course covers the study of classical cooking skills associated with the preparation and service of American, international, and ethnic cuisines. Topics include classic and modern cooking trends and technologies. Cuisines revolving around American regional, Old World, and New World are to be incorporated into lecture and lab. This course covers commercial kitchen cleaning and builds understanding for clean facilities. Prerequisite - FS153 Culinary Fundamentals 2

In this course, students continue to develop their knowledge in a restaurant setting where they participate in back-of-house operational responsibilities. Students develop more of their practical culinary skills with a focus on preparation and service of a la carte menu items with an emphasis on menu costing, cost controls, proper food storage and creating daily specials. Emphasis is placed on working cooperatively and collaboratively in a team environment to provide guests with an exemplary food service experience. This course covers commercial kitchen cleaning

and builds understanding for clean facilities. Prerequisite: FS207 Restaurant Operations 1

This course allows students to study future trends in the hospitality industry. Topics may include food trucks, Ghost Kitchens, farm to table, technology in food service, and sustainable agriculture or others based on trends in the culinary industry. Students work with local businesses to see these in practice. This course gives students the information they need to succeed in the ever-changing world of food service. Prerequisite: FS153 Culinary Fundamentals 2

This course provides an overview of the alcoholic beverage industry, focusing on history and classification according to the characteristics of spirits, wines, and beer. Topics include mixology, lounge service, beverage control, and legal issues.

Food Service Internship is a course designed to provide the student with on-the-job food service experience. The course allows the student to gain supervised practical experience working in a food service setting relating to the students’ area of interest. In addition to the minimum of 150 hours of field experience for this course, participation in a weekly seminar is required as a forum to discuss work related situations and problems.

Prerequisite: Matriculated in a Hospitality-related program, 2.5 grade point average, and 42 semester hours of earned credit OR permission of the Instructor

Students in the hospitality programs are required to be in full uniform in each laboratory class. The uniform consists of a double-breasted, long-sleeved white chef’s coat, black and white checked pants, chef’s hat, and a white apron. Shoes are to be of firm leather with a slip-resistant sole. Beards and mustaches are to be neatly trimmed. Beard guard required.

Micro-credential Options

Kitchen Competencies:

This micro-credential will provide a early milestone for our Culinary Arts students as well as a credential for workforce development based on meetings with area employers looking for a specific skill set for their operation. Courses include: 

  • FS103 Culinary Fundamentals 1 - 4 cr. 
  • FS150 Safety and Sanitation - 2 cr.
  • FS153 Culinary Fundamentals 2 - 4 cr.

Introduction to Baking:

This micro-credential will provide an early milestone for our pastry arts students as well as a credential for workforce development based on meetings with area employers looking for a specific skill set for their operations  This the first of two micro credentials in baking. Courses include:

  • FS121 Baking 1 - 4 cr.
  • FS205 Baking 2 - 4 cr.
  • FS209 Bakeshop Operations 1 - 4 cr.

Advanced Baking:

This micro-credential will provide a mid-program milestone for our Pastry Arts students as well as a credential for workforce development based on meetings with area employers looking for a specific skill set for their operations  This is the second of two micro-credentials in baking. Courses include:

  • FS208 Classical Cakes and Tortes - 3 cr.
  • FS225 Advanced Bread Baking - 3 cr.
  • FS258 Advanced Bakeshop - 3 cr.