Natural Science & Scientific Reasoning with Lab (L)
BIO 111 Principles of Biology (AL)$25 Course fee required: For non-majors; course is not applicable to the major in biological sciences; a prerequisite for BIO 321-322. Through lecture/discussions and laboratory activities, examines the structure and function of living organisms extending from the cellular level to the Earth’s biosphere as a system. 4 Cr. (Every Semester.)
CHM 121 Chemistry and Scientists (ALY)$25 Course fee required: Covers atomic structure, nuclear chemistry, chemical bonds, inorganic and organic nomenclature, molecular structures, biochemistry, inorganic chemical equations and quantitative problems. Examines the contributions of women and minorities to physical science. Three hours lecture and two hours lab per week. 4 Cr. (Every Semester.)
ESC 195 Natural Disasters (AL)Examines the causes, effects, and options available to respond to and potentially mitigate the effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami, landslides, severe weather, and floods. Differing impacts in developing and industrialized countries will be discussed. 4 Cr. (Every Semester.)
GEL 201 Introduction to Physical Geology (AL)$15 Course fee required: Covers processes that form physical environments of the earth and principles used to interpret rocks, landscapes, and geologic events. Includes tectonic processes, mineral and rock formation, measurement of geologic time, volcanoes, earthquakes, surface and groundwater, glaciers, landforms, and mountain-building. Laboratories focus on rock and mineral identification, and interpretation of topographic and geographic maps. Required local field trip during lab session. 4 Cr. (Fall.)
BIO 201 Biology I (AL)$50 Course fee required: For Biology and Med Tech Majors: Provides an integrated exploration of the fundamentals of biology as a science, the nature and origin of life, biological chemistry, cell biology, and genetics. Draws upon plants, animals and microbes to illustrate structure and function relationships. 4 Cr. (Every Semester.)
BIO 202 Biology II (AL)$50 Course fee required: Prerequisite: BIO 201. Focuses on organismal biology by taking an evolutionary approach to examine how animals and plants adapt to the environment, to study structure and functions by examining both animal and plant physiology and to integrate this knowledge with laboratories that run parallel with the lectures. 4 Cr. (Every Semester.)
ENV 202 Environmental Science (ALY)$50 Course fee required: Required for majors. Open to non-majors. Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary study combining ideas and information from the natural and social sciences. The eight integrated themes of lecture and discussion are biodiversity, sustainability, connections in nature, pollution and its prevention, population growth, energy consumption and efficiency, solutions to environmental problems, and the importance of individuals changing their lifestyles and working with others to bring about environmental change. Laboratory and field activities emphasize hands-on applications of environmental science methods, problem solving, and proper writing of laboratory reports. 4 Cr. (Every Semester.)
ANT 203 Introduction to Human Evolution (AL)This is a survey and lab course that introduces the scientific study of human diversity through the lens of evolutionary theory, accessing multiple lines of evidence including genetics, human biological variation, the hominid fossil record, population demography, and comparative primate ethology and morphology. Course requires a minimum grade of C- (for General Education/Major/Minor/Certification) 4 Cr. (Every Semester.)
ENV 204 Biology of Organisms (AL)$50 Course fee required, Prerequisite: ENV 202 with min grade of C-. Required for majors. Open to non-majors. Explores basic concepts in the biological sciences from a whole organism (animals and plants) and environmental science perspective. The unifying theme for the course is evolution, and T. H. Dobzhansky's dictum that "Nothing in biology is understandable except in the light of evolution." Topics covered in lectures and laboratories include scientific method, molecular and population genetics, cell biology, diversity of life, and evolution and natural selection. 4 Cr. (Spring.)
CHM 205 College Chemistry I (AL)$25 Course fee required: Corequisite: MTH 111 or equivalent. Covers atomic structure, chemical periodicity, inorganic nomenclature, chemical bonding, molecular orbitals, molecular structures, properties of solids, liquids, gases, and solutions, chemical equations, and quantitative problems. Three hours lecture and 3.5 hours lab per week. 4 Cr. (Every Semester.)
ENV 205 Environmental Science Laboratory (AL)$50 Course fee required: Prerequisite: ENV 201. This course focuses on experiential learning in environmental science. Students will use the scientific method, learn to collect and analyze data, and write scientific lab reports covering topics in the broad-ranging field of environmental science. This field and lab-based course is designed to cover real world topics including climate change, environmental sustainability, ecosystem conservation and management, water quality, and invasive species. 1 Cr. (Every Semester.)
PHS 205 Introduction to Physics I (with lab) (AL)$5 Course fee required: Prerequisite: MTH 122. Algebra-based introductory physics. Covers the fundamental principles of mechanics. Covers linear, rotational and oscillatory motion including kinematics, Newton's laws, and energy and momentum and their conservation laws. Experiments explore the topics covered in the lectures. Closed to anyone who has successfully completed PHS 235. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. May not be applied to major or minor programs in physics. 4 Cr. (Fall.)
AST 205 Introduction to Astronomy (with Lab) (AL)$5 Course fee required: Prerequisite MTH 112. An introduction to what we have learned about the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the Universe, as well as what is yet to be discovered. Special topics may include black holes, relativity, dark matter, and extraterrestrial life. Lab section provides for observation, both with the unaided eye and telescopes, and will use the College planetarium to illustrate some concepts. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. 4 Cr. (Every Semester.)
PHS 210 Introduction to Physics II (AL)$5 Course fee required: Prerequisite: PHS 205 or PHS 235. Algebra-based introductory physics. Covers sound, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, light, and modern physics. Experiments explore the topics covered in the lectures. Closed to anyone who has successfully completed PHS240. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. May not be applied to Major or Minor programs in Physics. 4 Cr. (Spring.)
ESC 211 Introduction to Meteorology (AL)An entry- level course for students wanting to learn about the atmosphere. It examines atmospheric parameters (temperatures, humidity, pressure, winds); the formation of clouds, rain and snow; middle-latitude cyclones and hurricanes; and the development of thunderstorms, lightning, hail and tornadoes. Basic weather forecasting, climate change, air pollution, and optical phenomena are also examined. Includes a laboratory component where students learn to analyze meteorological concepts, data, and maps. Students taking this course may not take ESC 110 for credit. 4 Cr. (Every Semester.)
AST 215 Exploring the Solar System with Laboratory (AL)Traces our understanding of the Sun and its family of planets from ancient times to the present day, starting with early interpretations of celestial motions to modern discoveries made with robotic probes. Topics include the sky as seen from Earth; the Copernican revolution; light and telescopes; properties of terrestrial and jovian planets; history of the solar system; exoplants; and the possibilities for life beyond Earth. Lab section will use the College planetarium to illustrate some concepts, and provides for observation with telescopes, Not open to students with credit for AST 203 or 205. 4 Cr. (Fall.)
AST 220 Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe with Laboratory (AL)Follows stellar and galactic astronomy through the last hundred years of discovery, leading to the modern scientific understanding of our place in the cosmos. Traces the lives of stars, the formation and evolution of galaxies, and the birth and fate of the universe. Emphasizes the modern frontiers of astrophysics, including black holes, dark matter, gravitational waves, and dark energy. Lab section will use the College planetarium to illustrate some concepts, and provides for observation with telescopes. Not open to students with credit for AST 203 or 205. 4 Cr. (Spring.)
BIO 221 Survey of Anatomy and Physiology (AL)$25 Course fee required: Credit not applicable to the major in biology. A systems overview of human anatomy and physiology, with emphasis on structure and function of skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Presents development and integration of these units as a basis for understanding the anatomical and physiological aspects of humans at rest and during activity. Includes a weekly laboratory session. 4 Cr. (Every Semester.)
ESC 222 Introduction to Water Resources w/Lab (AL)Introduction to Water Resources will examine the components of the hydrologic cycle with respect to processes that occur within each component, processes that transfer water from one component to another, and human influence on these processes. A laboratory component will provide students the opportunity to explore applied aspects of the discipline through various ‘hands-on’ activities. Students will also be introduced to instrumentation and software that are used in upper division courses. There are no prerequisites for the course. 4 Cr. (Spring.)
PHS 235 Physics I (AL)$5 Course fee required: Corequisite: MTH 201. Calculus-based introductory physics. Introduces the fundamentals of mechanics from Kinematics to Newton's laws, energy, momentum and their conservation laws, rotational and harmonic motions, then statics and equilibrium. Experiments explore the topics covered in the lectures. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. 4 Cr. (Fall.)
NAS 273 Investigation in the Physical Sciences (AL) Study of the fundamental aspects of physics and chemistry focusing on energy and matter in the world around us. Topics covered in both lecture and laboratory format include: Measurement, Newtons Laws of Motion, Mechanical Energy, Electromagnetism, Sounds and Light Waves, Matter, Heat, Pressure, The Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Molecular Interactions, Acids and Bases, and Chemical Reactions. Particular attention is paid to everyday phenomena which demonstrate these scientific principles. Laboratory activities are designed to be done with elementary school aged children and use materials that are readily available. 4 Cr. (Every Semester.) [Prerequisite or Corequisite: MTH 111.]
