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.
Good 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
Food, medicine, energy, materials, agriculture, and more are all part of a chemical industry that is responsible for nearly $4 trillion dollars of materials manufactured and transported worldwide each year. The chemical industry employs nearly 800,000 people within the U.S. and every one job in the chemistry industry generates 7.6 jobs elsewhere, totaling almost 6 million jobs for the U.S. economy. The business of chemistry is essential to the economy and health of every industrialized nation and developing countries. In this course we will cover the principles of chemistry and how the basic concepts and reactions of chemistry impact the business world and the global economy.
This course is designed for those who need a general education course and have not taken a chemistry course since high school. I will assume a basic working knowledge of beginning algebra and an ability to use a calculator. I will assume that everyone knows that there is a periodic table of the elements and that we are made of atoms, the rest we will explore together. What I expect out of students is willingness and eagerness to learn about something that may be out of their area of expertise, but that will apply to many different parts of their lives. I am constantly amazed at the beauty of chemistry, and I hope you will be too. You will be given homework – it is important to complete this homework to help you learn the material – and you will have exams to test your knowledge. You will also have a chance to discuss current events that underscore the relevance of the topics discussed in lectures.
Natural Sciences without LabHuman Anatomy and Physiology 3 s.h.
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 LabNutrition 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. 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 LabDrug Use and Abuse 3 s.h.
Basic Physics 3, 4 s.h.
must have completed high school trigonometry or achieved a minimum ALEKS score of 75%
The 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 SustainabilityEvolution and the History of Life 3, 4 s.h.
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 SustainabilityEngagement 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 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