Human Origins 3 s.h.
Human evolutionary history began 5-7 million years ago in Africa and continues today around the world. What were the lives of our earliest ancestors like? What were the processes that led to modern human diversity? How accurate are media depictions of human evolution? What is the place of humans in the natural world? How does the behavior of other primates inform us about ourselves? Who were the Neanderthals and what is our relationship to them? These are among the topics that we will survey from the perspectives of evolutionary theory, comparative anatomy, genetics, and the fossil record. The course incorporates information and current interpretations gleaned from the most recent fossil discoveries.
The course format includes two lectures per week and one discussion section. In discussion sections, students learn the methods of biological anthropology through a variety of activities including hands-on study of cast fossil material and artifacts. Assessments include 2 midterm exams, 1 final exam, and discussion section quizzes, assignments, and 1 paper.
Natural Sciences without LabStars, Galaxies, and the Universe 3, 4 s.h.
Exploration of the Solar System 3, 4 s.h.
This course is a survey of the solar system: physical properties of the planets, comets, and asteroids; origin of the solar system; search for extrasolar planetary systems; search for life in the universe; current results of recent planetary space missions; night sky observation. High school algebra and geometry are used, but this is not a mathematically intensive course.
Natural Sciences with Lab Natural Sciences without LabGood Genes Gone Bad 3 s.h.
Our DNA is made up of 3 billion pairs of building blocks called nucleotides. How is it that alteration of one single pair can cause a devastating genetic disorder like spina bifida? This introductory course, taught by a faculty member who studies human genetic disorders, will demystify the genetic pathways behind such disorders in easy-to-understand language, in the context of celebrities affected by them including Michael J. Fox, Peyton Manning, and Selena Gomez. For example, what is it about the genetic alteration carried by Michael J. Fox that led to Parkinson’s Disease, and what is it like to live with this disorder? We’ll also explore how we might be able to cure genetic disorders.
All course materials will be available through ICON.
Natural Sciences without LabIntroduction to Earth Science 3, 4 s.h.
General Chemistry I 3 s.h.
CHEM:1070 provides students with an introduction to chemistry and is designed for students who have not had an advanced chemistry course in high school or for student who plan to take only one year of chemistry.Students will develop concepts and learn specific chemical information that will be applied within the context of a variety of chemistry related problems and applications. Through participation in course activities, each student should expect to improve her/his knowledge of chemistry, to develop improved qualitative and quantitative problem-solving skills, and to learn the attitudes and practices of scientific investigators. The course comprises three 50-minute lectures or two 75-minute lectures (faculty instructors) and a 50- minute discussion session (TA). The course requires a significant time commitment (an average of 4 hours in-class and 6-9 hours out of class per week). Grades are based on exams (three 1.5-hour exams and a 2-hour final exam), homework/quizzes, and completion of lecture/discussion activities. Student who plan to take more than one year of chemistry and who score greater than 15 on The Chemistry Diagnostic Test should take CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I. **Electronic homework and e-textbooks will be registered to all students. It is not necessary to purchase the Mastering Chemistry student access kit. ALEKS is an online homework system and is not a textbook. |
General Chemistry II 3 s.h.
This course is not intended for students following the pre-medical, pre-physical therapy, pre-dental, or pre-veterinary curricula. This course deals with elementary organic chemistry and biochemistry. There are three lectures a week by a professor and one weekly discussion led by a TA.
Natural Sciences without Lab
Introduction to Environmental Science 3, 4 s.h.
With human population growth and resource consumption growing exponentially, the impact of human interaction with the rest of our environment is increasingly relevant in many fields of study. Environmental Science is the interdisciplinary study of how Earth's natural systems interact, how these systems affect society, and how they respond to human activity. Environmental Science has the applied goal of solving environmental problems, drawing upon knowledge in disciplines as diverse as ecology, anthropology, economics, and political science. The specific student learning outcomes for the overall course are:
- Ability to critically evaluate popular media articles related to Environmental Science;
- Ability to locate and interpret data relevant to Environmental Science and interpret it;
- Understanding the relationship between their day-to-day life and Environmental Science, particularly in the context of sustainability;
- Recognize the multi-faceted nature of Environmental Science.
This course is taught in a blended environment, including traditional lectures, discussion periods in TILE classrooms, online learning, and both individual and group projects.
Natural Sciences with Lab Natural Sciences without Lab SustainabilityNatural Disasters 3 s.h.
One or more sections may be assigned to a TILE classroom.
Natural Sciences without Lab SustainabilityThe Global Environment 3 s.h.
We currently need 1.6 earths to sustain our use of natural resources. Where we live, what we eat, and our day-to-day activities modify the local environment. In turn, we are intricately connected to one another and to the environment on which our livelihoods depend. Understanding the global environment and the role people play within the earth system is essential to understanding current debates, policies, and their potential ramifications. This course introduces students to the natural processes, ranging from microscopic to global, and explores how the science of the global environment helps us understand the connections between people and environment. Students will learn how the earth's systems interact and the importance of these systems to people. The processes of observation, analysis, and inference underlying the science will be discussed throughout. This course provides an important foundation for future study of topics such as environmental studies, business, public health, journalism, and many other fields.
Natural Sciences without Lab SustainabilityHuman Anatomy 3 s.h.
Anatomy is the science of understanding the structure of the human body. This course provides an introduction to the major systems of the body and how they interact with each other. The fact that function is often said to follow structure means that functional elements are a meaningful part of the course. We will emphasize how things look, how they are put together, how their structures relate to function, and how structures adapt to change.
Students taking this course are broadly exposed to a substantial amount of anatomical factual knowledge and are required to precisely identify numerous anatomical structures. While viewing anatomical depictions, students are encouraged to use their observational skills to logically deduce functions based on the structure and potential problems if the structure develops incorrectly. Additionally, through observation, students gain an appreciation for conventional naming and the logic used in naming structures. Based on this logic, students will be able to deduce anatomical facts based simply on names. In this process, students essentially learn a new language which allows them to objectively interpret statements they read or hear related to the human body. Current issues are periodically discussed to provide students an opportunity to apply their acquired skills to everyday life, contributing to an improved understanding of the human body.
Natural Sciences without LabHuman Anatomy and Physiology 3 s.h.
Nutrition and Health 3 s.h.
This course details the physiology and biochemistry of human nutrition, and the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of diets with regard to appropriate food choices. The course requires simple arithmetic operations. Grades are based on four exams, two computer-based diet assignments, quizzes, and participation activities.
Natural Sciences without LabDrug Use and Abuse 3 s.h.
Basic Physics 3, 4 s.h.
This course introduces selected topics in physics covering mechanics, fluids, heat, electrical circuits, and modern physics. It does not meet the requirements for the pre-medical and pre-dental majors, but is commonly taken by students to meet preprofessional requirements in pharmacy, medical technology, nursing, and speech pathology. Most of the necessary math is developed in this course. Exams, homework, and quizzes are used (along with lab work for the 4 s.h. option) in determining grades. TA's conduct the on campus three hour lab session each week (4 s.h. option). NO LABS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES.
must have completed high school trigonometry or achieved a minimum ALEKS score of 75%