BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
NATURAL SCIENCE REQUIREMENT: 9-11 total hours required
(3 science courses with 2 labs; 2 courses must be in the same science)
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
All biology courses can be used to satisfy this requirement. However, BISC 102/103 and 104/105 are typically used by non-biology majors/minors to fulfill this requirement. These courses have no pre-requisites and are non-sequential. However, they will not count for credit if the BISC 160 series is counted.
BISC 102. Inquiry into Life – Human Biology
This is a survey course for non-majors that introduces the basic principles and functions of the human body (i.e. respiration, organ function, cellular processes, diseases, immunity and inheritance). BISC 103 (1) is the laboratory to accompany this class. Students are not required to take BISC 102 and 103 at the same time.
BISC 104. Inquiry into Life – The Environment
This is a survey course for non-majors that addresses the relationship of human to the environment. Topics addressed in this course include ecology, origin of life, behavior and the role of plants. The associated laboratory is BISC 105 (1). Students are not required to take BISC 104 and 105 at the same time.
BISC 160. Biological Sciences I
This course is intended for biology majors/ minors and pre-health students. Topics addressed include cell and molecular biology, genetics, energy transformations, cell structure, and genetic engineering/ biotechnology. There is a pre-requisite for this course: 22 or better on the math section of the ACT (510 on SAT) or an “A” or “B” in college algebra. Co-requisite – BISC 161 (1), which is the laboratory component of BISC 160.
BISC 162. Biological Sciences II
This course is a continuation of BISC 160. Topics addressed this semester include the structure and function of the major organ systems of animals, focusing on humans, and the diversity of life in each of the six kingdoms. There is a pre-requisite for this course: BISC 160 and 161. The laboratory - BISC 163 (1) – is a co-requisite.
BISC 206. Human Anatomy and Physiology
This is a non-majors course for pre-nursing and other paramedical students, which addresses the structure and function of the human body in depth. May not be counted toward a major or a minor in biology.
BISC 207. Human Anatomy and Physiology
A continuation of BISC 206 that may not be counted toward a major or a minor in biology.
BISC 210. Principles of Microbiology
This introductory course is designed for students in health related studies such as pre-nursing, nutrition, etc. Topics addressed include sanitation, disease, food and industrial microbiology. This class will fulfill the laboratory science requirement of the core curriculum but may not be counted toward a major or minor in Biology.
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
All courses from this department can be used to satisfy this requirement. However, those described below are the typical courses used by non-majors in the department.
CHEM 101. CHEMICAL CONCEPTS
This course serves two purposes: first, it can be used to prepare students who have never taken a chemistry course for success in the more rigorous introductory chemistry courses - CHEM 105, 106; and second, it can serve as 3 hours of non-lab science credit for the Liberal Arts science requirement. The objectives of this course are to understand the basic concepts, theories, and principles of chemistry, to demonstrate skills in logical thinking, to apply basic chemical concepts to problem solving, and to employ correct mathematical models in problem solving. At the present time, this course is only offered on-line. The lab for this course, CHEM 102, is not available. This course may not be used for major or minor credit.
CHEM 103, 104. SURVEY OF CHEMISTRY I, II
These courses constitute a basic overview of chemistry for the non-major. CHEM 103 is a prerequisite for CHEM 104. When taken with the corresponding laboratories, CHEM 113, 114, these courses satisfy 8 hours of the laboratory science requirement. The lecture courses are co-requisites for the lab courses. The objectives of these courses are for students to understand the basic concepts, theories, and principles of chemistry, demonstrate skills in logical thinking, to apply basic chemical concepts to problem solving, and to apply chemical knowledge to personal decisions involving chemical products. These courses may not be used for major or minor credit.
CHEM 105, 106. GENERAL CHEMISTRY I, II
These courses cover atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, solutions, physical properties of gases, liquids and solids, chemical bonding, kinetics, thermodynamics and equilibrium, acid-base chemistry and the descriptive chemistry of the elements. CHEM 105 has a prerequisite: minimum ACT mathematics score of 22 (SAT 510) or minimum grade of “B” in MATH 121 or 125. A grade of “C” in CHEM 105 is a prerequisite for CHEM 106. Honors sections of these courses, CHEM 105H, 106H are available. Normally science, pharmacy, and engineering majors also take the associated laboratory courses, CHEM 115, CHEM 116. The lecture courses are co-requisites for the lab courses. The objectives of these courses are for students to understand the basic concepts, theories, and principles of chemistry, to demonstrate skills in logical thinking, to apply basic chemical concepts to problem solving, and to employ correct mathematical models. These courses are more rigorous and are taught at a more advanced level than CHEM 101, CHEM 103, and CHEM 104. CHEM 105, 106, 115, 116 are prerequisites for all upper level chemistry courses except CHEM 121 and CHEM 371, and they may be used for major and minor credit.
CHEM 201. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY I
Students will study agricultural chemicals, water pollution, essential foods, processed foods, food additives, and drugs. CHEM 201 is a similar course to CHEM 103 except that it has an environmental theme. It will not count for the major or minor in chemistry and will not count for certification in chemistry of secondary school teachers.
CHEM 202. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY II
Students will study population growth, nondegradable waste, mineral and energy sources, aerosols, air pollution, and consumer chemicals. CHEM 202 is a similar course to CHEM 104 except that it has an environmental theme. It will not count for the major or minor in chemistry and will not count for certification in chemistry of secondary school teachers. CHEM 201 is not a prerequisite to CHEM 202.
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
GEOL 101/111 and 102/112 are used by students from other departments to fulfill the natural science component of the lower division requirements. These courses have no pre-requisites and are non-sequential.
GEOL 101. PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
This is a survey course for non-majors. Physical Geology is the study of Earth materials and the processes that shape the Earth. This class will explore such natural phenomena as volcanoes, earthquakes, and landslides: what causes them and how they impact our environment. We will discuss the formation of mountains and ocean basins. Each lecture is illustrated with photographs of geological features from around the world. This course is also offered on-line.
GEOL 111. PHYSICAL GEOLOGY LABORATORY
This is a one hour laboratory to accompany GEOL 101. While students are not required to take GEOL 101 and 111 at the same time, concurrent enrollment is recommended.
GEOL 102. HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
This is a survey course for non-majors. Historical Geology places Earth in the context of the solar system and the universe. The origins of Earth and the continued evolution of Earth are discussed, including the origins of life and the evolution of living organisms. Earth history also includes formation of continents and ocean basins and how these features move on Earth through time. This course is also offered on-line.
GEOL 112. HISTORICAL GEOLOGY LABORATORY
This is the laboratory to accompany GEOL 102. While students are not required to take GEOL 102 and 112 at the same time, concurrent enrollment is recommended.
GEOL 103. EARTH DYNAMICS
This five credit hour course is required of all freshmen Geology and Geological Engineering majors. Earth Dynamics is the integrated study of the process-response relationships between plate tectonics and geological processes through earth history. Enrollment is limited to Geology and Geological Engineering majors.
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Students who choose to take 2 courses from this department must take either 2 courses in astronomy or 2 courses in physics or 2 courses in physical science. In addition, students who choose to take 2 astronomy courses cannot take ASTR 101 with either ASTR 103 or 104 nor can the student take ASTR 102 with either ASTR 103 or 104. These are separate course sequences. Note that ASTR 102 is generally not taught at present.
ASTR 101 and 102. DESCRIPTIVE ASTRONOMY I and II
These astronomy courses have no lab component. They serve as an introduction to astronomy requiring little mathematics and are taken primarily by non-science majors. These courses focus on the study of the planets, stars and galaxies.
ASTR 103 and 104. ASTRONOMY I and II
These courses are a lab-based astronomy sequence taken mainly by non-science majors. They also require little mathematics and provide a general understanding of astronomy: what can be observed in the sky, what we know about the sun and the solar system, stars, our galaxy, and the structure of the universe.
PHYS 107 and 108. PHYSICAL SCIENCE I, II
This course sequence is lab-based physics taken primarily by non-science majors. They provide an essentially non-mathematical introduction to concepts in physics, including Newton’s laws, gravity, heat energy and thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, light, optics, and nuclear physics.
PHYS 211 and 221. PHYSICS FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING I
These co-requisite lecture and lab courses provide the first half of a rigorous introduction to physics. They are required for B.S. physics and chemistry majors and for engineering students. The courses require knowledge of calculus (and algebra and trigonometry).
PHYS 212 and 222. PHYSICS FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING II
These co-requisite lecture and lab course are the continuation of Physics 211 and Physics 221.
PHYS 213 and PHYS 223. GENERAL PHYSICS I
These co-requisite lecture and lab courses provide the first half of a rigorous introduction to physics using algebra and trigonometry but not calculus. These courses (or their calculus-based equivalents, Phys 211 & 221) are required for pre-med majors and for some B.A. physics majors.
PHYS 214 and PHYS 224. GENERAL PHYSICS II
These co-requisite lecture and lab courses are the continuation of Physics 213 and Physics 223. These courses (or their calculus-based equivalents, Phys 212 & 222) are required for pre-med majors and for some B.A. physics majors.