Course Descriptions 

OST 100 Business Communications - 3 credits

Reviews English grammar and style, business letters, sales letters, memorandums, and reports. Emphasis on correct style and appropriate content.

3 hours lecture

OST 101 Document Formatting and Computerized Typing I - 3 credits

Mastery of the microcomputer, including keyboard and mechanical controls. Proper format for letters, envelopes, business forms, tables, reports, and manuscripts. Upon completion, students are required to type at least 25 words per minute for five minutes with no more than five errors.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory

OST 102 Document Formatting and Computerized Typing II - 3 credits

Emphasis on production typing. Students review typing fundamentals, develop increased accuracy and speed, and using a microcomputer, type business letters, tables, and manuscripts. Emphasis on mailability. Upon completion, students are required to type at least 45 words per minute for five minutes with no more than five errors.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: OST 101

OST 102B Bilingual Document Formatting and Computerized Typing II - 3 credits

Emphasis on production typing. Students review typing fundamentals, develop increased accuracy and speed, and using a microcomputer type business letters, tables, reports, and manuscripts. Emphasis on mailability. Upon completion students are required to type at least 45 words per minute for five minutes with no more than five errors. Production assignments are produced in both English and Spanish.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: OST 101

OST 108 Fundamentals of Shorthand - 3 credits

Study of the theory and principles of shorthand including the brief forms and fundamentals of phrasing. To enhance students' ability to take dictation at high speeds, emphasizes knowledge of theory. Students acquire correct reading and writing techniques as applied to shorthand and are introduced to transcription skills. They are required to take dictation at 60 words per minute and transcribe with 95% accuracy.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: OST 101

OST 109 Legal Terminology - 3 credits

Focuses on standard forms, formatting, and the us of legal terminology in projects telated to the legal career. Familiarizes students with today’s most commonly used of legal terms.

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: OST 101

OST 110 Technical Editing/Proofreading for the Automated Office - 3 credits

Develops the necessary skills for word and information processing positions. Emphasis on correct style and format of letters and memos. Special attention is given to capitalization, spelling and word division, punctuation, and numbers. Students edit for typographical errors, learn how to use revision symbols, and apply editing skills to word processing correspondence.

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: EN 004 Test placement or higher

OST 110B Bilingual Technical Editing/Proofreading for the Automated Office - 3 credits

Develops the necessary skills for word and information processing positions. Emphasis on correct style and format of letters, memos, reports etc. Special attention is given to capitalization, spelling and word division, punctuation, and numbers. Students edit for typographical errors, learn how to use revision symbols, and apply editing skills to word processing correspondence. Students acquire skills in both English and Spanish

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ESL 012 Test placement or higher

OST 120 Basic Word Processing Projects and Procedures - 3 credits

Overview of the concepts of word processing and the study of word processing procedures and applications. Students acquire the skills necessary to operate magnetic keyboard equipment, to store data in permanent storage, to merge stored material with variable data, and to produce final documents through text-editing procedures. For entry-level positions in the word processing field.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: OST 101

OST 120B Bilingual Basic Word Processing Projects and Procedures - 3 credits

Overview of the concepts of word processing and the study of word processing procedures and applications. Students acquire the skills necessary to operate magnetic keyboard equipment, to store data in permanent storage, to merge stored material with variable data, and to produce final documents through text-editing procedures. For entry-level positions in the word processing field. Projects are produced in both English and Spanish.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: OST 101

OST 121 Word Processing Systems and Processes - 3 credits

Introduction to management application of word processing design and systems. Attention given to word processing history, career paths, equipment design, and selection. Emphasis on the current equipment, office design, procedures in the installation and implementation of a word processing system, as well as supervision and management techniques.

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite or Corequisite: OST 120

OST 122 Desktop Publishing - 3 credits

Provides the skills and basic knowledge to produce effective newsletters, brochures, advertisements, manuals, fliers, catalogs, and other publications using desktop publishing software, microcomputers, laser printers, and image scanners. Emphasis on the elements of good design, page layout strategies, and the fundamentals of producing printer-ready copy.

Prerequisite: OST 120 or Knowledge of Microsoft Word and ability to type.

OST 130 Spanish Business Correspondence - 3 credits

Meets the multiple needs of true bilingual training in business. Presents all the basics of Spanish grammar using vocabulary that pertains to the business world. Assists students who must strengthen their bilingual skills, i.e., the speaker of English and Spanish. Listening and speaking skills, dialogues, translation exercises, tapes, and an awareness of cultural values and patterns of behavior are included.

3 hours lecture
Corequisite: Spanish proficiency

OST 135 Bilingual Career Orientation - 1 credit

Explores all the career avenues available to students enrolled in the Bilingual Office Systems Technology curriculum. The various bilingual clerical careers available in the marketplace (communications, accounting, marketing, distribution, etc.) are explored. Students hear speakers from large and small corporations address the many opportunities available to them. Field trips are arranged when feasible. Library research on bilingual careers required.

1 hour lecture

OST 199 Typing for ESL - 2 credits

A college-level introduction in using computers for entry-level ESL students. Covers keyboarding and mechanical controls. Students are required to type at least 15 words per minute for three minutes at the end of the course.

Prerequisite: None

OST 202 Certified Professional Secretary Seminar - 6 credits

A two-semester sequence for the working secretary who wishes to prepare for the national examination given by the Institute for Certifying Secretaries of Professional Secretaries International. Covers Management, Office Systems and Administration, and Finance and Business Law are covered. The national examination is given each year in May, but students must apply by December 1 of the previous year. Students may retake any part of the examination that they do not pass. After passing the examination, students receive a CPS (Certified Professional Secretary) rating.

6 hours lecture

OST 205 Administrative Office Procedures - 3 credits

Examines the role of the Administrative Assistant in business. Students practice processing office correspondence, developing priority and decision-making techniques, analyzing long-range projects, researching information, setting objectives, priorities, schedules, and working effectively in team situations and handling human relations.

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: OST 102

OST 205B Bilingual Administrative Office Procedures - 3 credits

Examines the role of the secretary in business. Students practice processing office correspondence, developing priority and decision-making techniques, analyzing long-range projects, setting objectives, priorities, schedules, and working effectively in team situations and handling human relations. Examines variations in office procedures where Spanish culture is dominant.

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: OST 102B

OST 209 Advanced Document Formatting/Automated Transcription - 3 credits

Reviews correspondence, report and table typing and keyboarding in the performance of integrated office projects in preparation of government, legal and medical documents for low-level desktop publishing. Automated and computerized equipment and practice with remote dictation reinforces proficiency in transcribing various documents. Emphasis on proofreading and editing. A minimum of 55 words per minute with no more than five errors and a production rate of not fewer than 30 words per minute on mailable copy is necessary to pass.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: OST 102

OST 209B Bilingual Advanced Document Formatting/Automated Transcription - 3 credits

Reviews correspondence, report and table typing and keyboarding in the performance of integrated office projects in preparation of government, legal and medical documents for low-level desktop publishing. Automated and computerized equipment and practice with remote dictation reinforces proficiency in transcribing various documents. Emphasis on proofreading and editing. A minimum of 55 words per minute with no more than five errors and a production rate of not fewer than 30 words per minute on mailable copy is necessary to pass. Documents are prepared in both English and Spanish.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: OST 102B; Spanish proficiency

OST 211 Professional Records Management - 3 credits

For those preparing for careers as secretaries and administrative assistants. Emphasis on recordkeeping problems encountered in legal and medical professions. For developing proficiency in bookkeeping and for a general overview of accounting terminology used in today’s business. Focuses on the complete accounting cycle. A simulated project is required.

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: Knowledge of computer

OST 212 Office Human Relations - 2 credits

Preparation for human and business problems, including the crucial first-job interview and bridging the gap between campus and career. Emphasizes self-motivation, current and sophisticated case problems, and the communication of "
"attitude." Emphasizes self-evaluation and teamwork.

2 hours lecture

OST 216 Office Automation - 3 credits

Study of how the stages of work flow are carried out in the automated office. Emphasis on the operations of the local area network including facsimile (FAX) machines, microcomputers, scanners, desktop publishing and its relationship to the latest in automated office equipment. In simulated office assignments, skills are developed for all types of information processing. Areas covered include communication equipment, telecommunication terminology, methods of transmission - electronic mail and choosing an online and Internet service provider. Access to the Internet and the World Wide Web provided.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisites: OST 102, OST 120
Corequisite: OST 209

OST 222 Medical Transcription I - 3 credits

Enables students to acquire transcription skills, including editing and proofreading, through transcription of taped dictation of diverse types of medical reports and correspondence. Medical terms, specific to particular pathologies contained in the medical reports, are integrated within the transcription. Cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, geniturinary, respiratory, Musculoskeletal, and female reproductive body systems are included.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisites: OST 120, HIT 104

OST 223 Medical Office Procedures - 3 credits

For those seeking careers in the medical profession as medical secretaries. Develops the skills necessary for setting priorities and making decisions. Study procedures unique to medical offices are emphasized.

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: OST 102
Corequisite: OST 209, OST 225

OST 225 Medical Transcription II - 3 credits

Continues the development of transcription skills and medical terms and includes the additional body systems of integumentary, lymphatic, endocrine, nervous, hematic, and special senses. Students will transcribe consultation history and physical examination, special procedures, operative, and discharge summary reports for job-level competency.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: OST 222

OST 230 Practical Legal Applications I - 3 credits

Survey of substantive and procedural applications of real estate law and transactions. Study of basic concepts, practice, and procedure in wills, family law, criminal law, administrative law, probate, and trusts.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisites: OST 109, OST 120
Corequisite: OST 102

OST 231 Practical Legal Applications II - 3 credits

An introduction to the legal system with a focus on the New Jersey court system. Survey of substantive areas of law and application of procedural concepts from initiation of a civil lawsuit through entry of judgment. Familiarization with pleadings and other documents used in litigation and trials.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: OST 230

OST 232 Legal Office Procedures - 3 credits

Simulation exercises of legal secretarial work in a law firm utilizing transcription skills. The simulation covers real estate and property transfer laws, litigation, wills and probate, and corporate law. Ethics, professionalism, teamwork, and quality control are also emphasized.

3 hours lecture
Corequisite: OST 231

OST 233 Legal Dictation and Transcription - 3 credits

Develops competencies within students’ specialization. Increases speed in taking legal dictation and covers the use of legal reference books, resource materials; the presentation of legal terminology, correspondence, instruments, documents; introduces law office and court procedures, and interaction with legal professionals.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: OST 232

OST 236 Bilingual Personal Development - 3 credits

For those who wish to acquire the necessary skills to function in a bilingual capacity in the business world. For help with career orientation, job interview skills, proper attire and makeup, resume writing, time management, office conduct and etiquette, public speaking, and American and Hispanic cultural differences.

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: ENA 107

OST 240 Word/Information Processing - 3 credits

Study of word and data processing developments and procedures and the operation of information processing centers. Emphasis on telecommunications, electronic mail systems, originating correspondence (dictation), and micrographics; and for expertise in analyzing and reporting data graphically, and in running electronic spreadsheets.

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: OST 120
Corequisite: OST 121

OST 242 Advanced DTP and Page Layout and Design - 3 credits

For advanced desktop publishing skills. For practice using word processing utility programs, graphics software, scanners, laser printers, the mouse, and for learning design and page layout; and the principles of copyfitting, typefaces and type families, enlargements, reductions, combining text and graphics. Projects required.

3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: OST 122

OST 243 Integrated Office Applications for Windows - 3 credits

Introduction and overview of the Windows environment multitasking and integrating various Microsoft Office software programs to complete shared office assignments on the Network. Focus is on word processing for text editing, spreadsheet preparation, latest graphics for effective presentations, and electronic mail for the Internet.

2 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisites: OST 102, OST 120

OST 293 Office Systems Technology Cooperative Education - 3 credits

Students are employed in approved positions in the Office Systems Technology field. Students may already be employed or may seek the help of the Cooperative Education Department in securing positions. There is, however, no guarantee of placement. In conjunction with the employers and the faculty, students establish challenging learning objectives. Objectives must be related to the students’ majors and be pursued in the job environment during a 15-week semester equivalent to a minimum of 210 hours. Supervision is provided by the College through on-the-job visits and individual progress review sessions. Students attend a weekly, one-hour seminar on campus.

Prerequisites: GPA of 2.0, OST 102