General Science

The course is a study from non-technical and non-mathematical viewpoints of the aims, methods (experimental and theoretical), and achievements in the attempts to understand the basic principles governing the physical world. It begins with commonplace observations and concrete examples and then proceeds to generalizations and hypotheses which unify them. This course is designed for non-science majors. (This course may be taken for credit as PHYS 103.)

This course comprises the study of medical terminology, which is necessary for students to communicate clearly and comprehend the language within the health professions. Students will understand and interpret information from the medical literature. This information will provide background and discussion material within the context of human anatomy and disease processes of body systems.

This course is designed to introduce the non-science major to the field of astronomy. Topics include the history of astronomy, light, and spectra, the solar system, stars and stellar evolution, galaxies, and the past and future history of the universe. Although the course is primarily descriptive, physical principles underlying astronomical phenomena are studied. The course includes three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory each week. Laboratories include evening observation sessions and a field trip. An additional course fee is required. (This course may be taken for credit as PHYS 151.)

The course is a comprehensive review of laboratory safety practices. Students review the Chemical Hygiene Plan and its application, hazards of chemicals in the laboratory and protective measures available, use of Material Safety Data Sheets, detection of hazardous chemicals, permissible or recommended exposure limits for hazardous chemicals, proper labeling of hazardous chemicals, and safe disposal of chemicals. (Activity course: CR/NCR only.)

The course is a study of the interactions between environments and human activities over the earth’s surface, land, sea, and air. A complementary aspect of the course is the study of place-name geography.

In an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the software mapping package (ArcGIS) is used to make maps and analyze spatial relationships on maps. Practical applications of GIS are emphasized including examples from ecology (the relationship of roads and invasive species), business (determining numbers of potential customers in an area), and government (designing efficient road systems).

The course is an historical examination of the effects of scientific and technological innovations upon various societies, with emphasis being placed upon technology and science of the western world since 1850.

The course is a study of earth materials, earth structures, and the physical processes that shape the earth, including weathering, sedimentation, hydrology, diastrophism, volcanism, glaciation, and the features to which they give rise. A laboratory supplements the lecture and includes mineral and rock identification and topographic map interpretation.

The course is an application of the principles, practice, and case histories of earth science to environmental problems. Topics include water quality, landslides, subsidence, waste disposal, and geological aspects of land-use planning.

The course is a study of some of the major ideas conceived by western thinkers in attempting to comprehend and describe the natural world. (This course may be taken for credit as PHIL 353.)

The course is a study of the aims and methods of teaching the physical and life sciences in the secondary schools. Special attention is given to teaching general laboratory procedures and techniques of teaching. Each of the departments in the physical and life sciences participates in the program. (This course may be taken for credit as CHEM or EDUC 480. A 30-hour field placement is required.)