Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate

Baking and Pastry Arts
Program Code: C55130L3

Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate

This curriculum is designed to introduce students to the Baking and Pastry Arts industry, preparing them for entry-level positions in commercial bakeshops or pastry kitchens. Courses include Sanitation & Safety, Baking I, Baking II, European Cakes and Tortes, and Petit Fours & Pastries. Upon completion, students should qualify for employment as a pastry cook, baker's assistant, or assistant pastry chef in food production settings.

Specific Requirements

Courses requiring a grade of "C" or better: CUL, BPA

Courses in this program

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces the basic principles of sanitation and safety relative to the hospitality industry. Topics include personal hygiene, sanitation and safety regulations, use and care of equipment, the principles of food-borne illness, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the content necessary for the successful completion of a nationally recognized food/safety/sanitation exam.

This course covers the chemical and physical changes in foods that occur with cooking, handling, and processing. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of heat transfer and its effect on color/flavor/texture; emulsification, protein coagulation, leavening agents, viscosity, and gel formation. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of these principles covered as they apply to food preparation in an experimental setting.

This course covers basic ingredients, techniques, weights and measures, baking terminology and formula calculations. Topics include yeast/chemically leavened products, laminated doughs, pastry dough batter, pies/tarts, meringue, custard, cakes and cookies, icings, glazes, and basic sauces. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate proper scaling and measurement techniques and prepare and evaluate a variety of bakery products.

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces the basic principles of the preparation and plating of a variety of petit fours and individual dessert pastries. Emphasis is placed on traditional and contemporary petit fours and pastries, utilizing updated production methods. Upon completion, students should be able to produce individual pastries and petit fours for buffet and special event settings.

This course introduces the production of a wide variety of classical and modern cakes suitable for restaurants, retail shops, and large-scale production. Emphasis is placed on classic cakes using the methods of mixing, filling, glazing, and icing. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare, assemble, and decorate gelatin-based and layered torts and cakes such as Bavarian, Dobos, and Sacher.

This course provides an advanced study in the art and craft of bread making. Topics include pertinent formulas and techniques associated with naturally leavened loaves, hearth breads, focaccia, flat breads, and other breads utilizing a variety of grains. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare artisan and specialty breads that meet or exceed the expectations of restaurant and retail publics.

Total Credit Hours Required:
17

Curriculum is based on the 2024-2025 catalog.

Good To Know

Why General Education?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to take (course name) when it is not directly related to my major?”

General Education courses will help you develop skills necessary to be successful in your major and in life. General Education can teach you how to talk to your employer, write a paper in a major course, understand interest rates on your car, and much more. General Education can also give you the skills to be a better member of society and a more informed citizen. Critical thinking, global understanding, and appreciation for the human experience are hallmarks of a well-rounded education.

How many hours of General Education do I have to take?

If you are enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Degree program, a minimum of 15 general education hours are required in the following categories:

  • Six hours from Communication
  • Three hours from Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Three hours from Social & Behavioral Science
  • Three hours from Natural Science & Mathematics

General Education courses have been pre-selected for you by your faculty from the following list:

CommunicationHumanities & Fine ArtsSocial & Behavioral ScienceNatural Science & Mathematics
COM-110ART-111ECO-251BIO-161
COM-120ART-114ECO-252BIO-163
COM-231ART-115HIS-111BIO-168
ENG-110HUM-110HIS-112MAT-110
ENG-111HUM-115HIS-131MAT-121
ENG-112MUS-110HIS-132MAT-143
ENG-114MUS-112POL-120MAT-152
 PHI-215PSY-150MAT-171
 PHI-240SOC-210PHY-110/110A
  SOC-225PHY-121

 

Degrees designed to transfer to universities require more general education hours. If you are enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science, you are required to take 45 hours of General Education from the following categories:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six to nine hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six to nine hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to eight hours in Mathematics
  • Four to eight hours in Natural Sciences
  • 11 to 14 additional General Education hours

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Engineering, you are required to take 42 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six work hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • 12 hours in Mathematics
  • 12 hours in Natural Sciences

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, you are required to take 25 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to four hours in Mathematics
  • Four hours in Natural Sciences

Additional information about General Education for transfer degrees, including courses that satisfy each category, may be found in the current College Catalog.

What will I learn in General Education?

At A-B Tech, our faculty have designed a general education core so that A-B Tech graduates will learn the following:

Students will critically evaluate information:

  • Students will demonstrate information literacy.
  • Students will critique works of human expression.
  • Students will analyze scientific literature.

Students will solve problems:

  • Students will identify processes.
  • Students will analyze problems.
  • Students will interpret the results.
  • Students will recommend appropriate strategies or solutions.

Students will effectively communicate.

  • Students will communicate appropriately about the subject.
  • Students will communicate appropriately with the audience.
  • Students will communicate appropriately for the medium.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.

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