Course Search Results

Processes, products of human evolution from perspectives of heredity and genetics, evolutionary theory, human biological characteristics, fossil record, artifactual evidence, biocultural behaviors.

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 Lab

Students survey topics including the Sun; life cycles of stars including black holes and pulsars; diversity of galaxies including the Milky Way and distant quasars; cosmology—the history, structure, and fate of the universe; current results from recent astronomical observations; for non-science majors. Natural Sciences with Lab Natural Sciences without Lab

Introductory survey of neuroscience; structure and function of the brain; nature of consciousness; brain function in mental illness and degenerative disorders; genes and the mind; perception, sensation, memory, and emotions.

The human brain is one of the most complex and amazing things in the world. This three-pound organ is responsible for how we see, hear, feel, believe, think, and act. This non-major science course will take a fun and fascinating tour through the nervous system. Topics include: role of genes vs. environment; brain disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases; memory; psychotropic drugs; brain imaging; brain development; and many more.

This course satisfies the General Education requirement in the Natural Sciences and is directed to students who are not science majors. The course assumes no prior knowledge of biology or math other than a standard high school education. Feel free to contact the instructor if you have questions regarding this course.

Natural Sciences without Lab

Evolution and diversity of living things, their patterns on Earth, their organization in ecological systems; dynamics of evolutionary processes.

Evolution is a central component of every field of modern biology, and provides a foundation for much of medicine, psychology, ecology, neurobiology, and genetics. Despite this, evolution remains one of the most misunderstood and mischaracterized scientific theories. Students will study a variety of topics, including what evolution is, how natural selection works, and how new species arise. One or more sections may be assigned to a TILE classroom.

Natural Sciences without Lab

Relationships between plate tectonics, geologic time, and the rock cycle with volcanoes and igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic rocks; fossils; radioactive isotopes; landscape evolution; mountain building; natural resources; their impacts on civilization. Natural Sciences with Lab Natural Sciences without Lab

Nonmathematical exploration of selected areas of technology; basic science background, current technological applications, implications for society; for non-science majors. GE: Sustainability.

What's the world made of?  How do we know? This course demystifies the world around you with a step-by-step introduction to chemistry to help you analyze the choices that you make in your daily living.  We address topics such as: perfecting the art of brewing coffee, the difference between local food and food trucked in from far away, what makes Tylenol different from aspirin, the role and consequences of using fuels to generate energy, sustainability of resources as the world’s population is changing, and climate change from a technical perspective.  Calculations and mathematical manipulations are minimal, and no college-level science preparation is required.  Topics will be explored through demonstrations and hands-on activities.

Natural Sciences without Lab Sustainability

Atomic structure, chemical bonds, mole relations, stoichiometry, states of matter, acids and bases, reaction rates, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry.

 

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.

Natural Sciences without Lab

Organic chemistry and biochemistry.

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

Introductory human anatomy and physiology; overview of the structures and functions of most organ systems of the body, including the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems; how multiple organ systems work together to maintain health; health-related information literacy and communication skills related to human function.

Natural Sciences without Lab

Physiology, biochemistry of human nutrition; appropriate food sources; qualitative and quantitative evaluation of diets using standard references.

This course details the physiology and biochemistry of human nutrition, and the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of diets with regard to appropriate food choices. Nutrition and Health teaches students critical thinking and communication skills as they relate to dietary behaviors. It also increases students’ knowledge of research and inquiry appropriate to the field of nutrition. The course requires simple arithmetic operations. Grades are based on four exams, two computer-based diet analysis assignments, four quizzes, and various participation activities.

Natural Sciences without Lab

Quantitative treatment of mechanics, electricity, heat, liquids, gases, and atomic, nuclear, and elementary particle physics. Natural Sciences with Lab Natural Sciences without Lab

Underlying processes driving human/environment interaction, including climate change, deforestation, and natural disasters; environmental challenges, including declining biological diversity; human response to more frequent severe climate events; production of a more sustainable future. GE: Sustainability.

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 Sustainability

Biological and physical character of the Earth; interaction of humans with the environment, including impacts on ecosystems, climate, natural processes, resources; alternative options, including sustainability, waste management, energy, land reform. GE: Sustainability.

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 Sustainability

How earth-atmosphere-hydrosphere-space systems produce events catastrophic to humans on the scale of individual lives to civilizations; root causes of earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, hurricanes, tsunami, tornadoes, and asteroid impact, and their local, national, and global impact; spatial and temporal occurrences of these hazards; methods and processes for hazard preparedness, response, and recovery; social, economic, and policy aspects that affect and compound the magnitude of disasters associated with natural phenomena; case studies drawn from contemporary and ancient societies. GE: Sustainability.

One or more sections may be assigned to a TILE classroom.

Natural Sciences without Lab Sustainability

Engagement in scientific inquiry methods and exploration of the core principles and evidence underlying current knowledge regarding global socioscientific challenges like climate change and freshwater access. Opportunity to gain scientific literacy and interdisciplinary understanding of life, physical, and earth sciences, alongside skills in investigation, data analysis, and decision-making processes.

Scientific inquiry methods and exploration of core principles and evidence underlying current knowledge regarding global socioscientific challenges like climate change and freshwater access. Scientific literacy and interdisciplinary understanding of life, physical, and earth sciences; skills in investigation, data analysis, and decision-making processes.

Natural Sciences without Lab Sustainability