Natural Sciences: Course Descriptions

BIOS 100 - Nature of Life

Nature of living things is explored and current developments in biology are discussed. Designed specifically for non-science majors; not for credit toward biological sciences major. Two-hour lecture; one-hour demo/discussion.

BIOS 101- Bioscience

This course focuses on biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology. It is intended to provide a background upon which upper division courses will be built. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab.

BIOS 103 - Human Biology

A general course which covers basic information about the human body. Designed specifically for non-science majors; not for credit toward biological sciences major. Three hour lecture.

BIOS 104 - Environmental Science: A Biological Approach

The study of the associations between human populations, biodiversity, resources, technology, lifestyles and environmental crisis from a biological approach. Meets DPI content requirement in environmental education; not for credit toward biological sciences major. Three-hour lecture.

BIOS 109 - Biology of Aging

This course is intended to give the non-science major an introduction to the age-related changes in each body system from the standpoint of normal structure and function. The concept of homeostasis is emphasized in relation to age-related abnormal changes in addition to causative factors. Three-hour lecture.

CHEM 100 - The World of Chemistry

An introduction to the basic principles of chemistry including the composition of matter, measurement, nomenclature, calculations and reactions. Discussion of current issues in science and technology and application of basic chemical principles to everyday life. Intended for non-science majors and as a preparatory course for science or nursing majors not placed into CHEM 101, 113 or 115. Three-hour lecture.

CHEM 101 - General Chemistry

The first half of an introductory course in general chemistry for science majors covering the fundamental principles of chemistry. Three-hour lecture; one-hour discussion; three-hour lab.

CHEM 109 - Environmental Chemistry

Designed for non-science majors. An investigation of contemporary issues including energy and the environment. Intended to introduce fundamental chemical principles and the scientific method of inquiry. May be applied to the environmental studies minor. Three-hour lecture.

CHEM 115 - Chemical Science

A course in the fundamental principles of chemistry including the atomic nature of matter, chemical reactions, gases, solutions, acids and bases, and nuclear chemistry. Required for nursing students. Not open to students with credit in CHEM 102 or 114. May not be applied to the chemistry major. Three-hour lecture; three-hour lab.

CSCI 105 - Intro to Computers

Computer components and the principles of operation; networking, the internet and the World Wide Web; problem solving techniques, introduction to algorithms, elementary programming concepts. Two-hour lecture, two-hour lab.

CSCI 241 - Computer Science I

Organization and characteristics of computers, algorithms and programs, fundamentals of programming in a high-level language, and introduction to object-oriented programming. Three-hour lecture, two-hour lab.

GEOG 100 - Physical Geography and the Environment

Investigates the patterns and processes of Earth's physical and biological systems and their influence on human behavior and distribution. Includes human impacts on climate, hydrologic cycle, and ecosystem development.

GEOS 100 - Earth in Perspective

Survey of the physical environment, including Earth's place in space, atmospheric processes, the oceans, and the solid earth; humanity's place in the system. Three-hour lecture.

GEOS 101 - Introductory Geology

Origin, age, and structure of the Earth; mountain building, volcanism, and continental drift; earth materials; rocks, minerals, and mineral and fossil fuel resources. Field trips. Three-hour lecture.

GEOS 103 - Intro to Environmental Science: An Earth Resources Approach

Interactions between earth system processes and human activities: geologic hazards, water quality, pollution, land use, energy, mineral resources. Uses the physical earth to enable student consideration of the settings and values that produce environmental quality. Meets DPI content requirement in environmental education.

GEOS 106 - Great Lakes Water Resources

Physical and geologic history and description of the Great Lakes region. Emphasis on hydrologic cycle, economic resources of the Great Lakes, pollution and other environmental issues. Three-hour lecture.

GEOS 109 - Fundamentals of Global Climate Change

GSCI 102 - Science and Pseudoscience

HESM 280 - Sport & Fitness Nutrition

The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the interaction of good nutrition and exercise habits. Focus on nutritional strategies to maximize energy to get the most out of exercise. The needs and responses of special populations to diet and exercise will also be considered.

MATH 221 - Calculus & Analytic Geom I

Rate of change and limits, differentiation, applications of the derivative, integration, applications of the integral and transcendental functions.

MATH 222 - Calculus & Analytic Geom II

Methods of integration, analytic geometry, polar coordinates, hyperbolic functions, infinite series, power series, and introduction to ordinary differential equations.

MIS 221 - Business Programming I

PHYS 101 - Principles of Physics

A one-semester introduction to fundamental principles of physics, their experimental basis, and applications. For students who need an introductory course in physics. Not open to students with credit in PHYS 105 or 201. Three-hour lecture; one-hour discussion.

PHYS 105 - College Physics I

Mechanics, heat, and sound. Not recommended for students majoring in physical science or engineering. Not open to students with credit in PHYS 201. Three-hour lecture; one-hour discussion; three-hour lab.

PHYS 110 - Intro to Astronomy

Astronomy for non-scientists. Largely non-mathematical. Planets, stellar evolution, galactic systems, cosmology. Three hour lecture.

PHYS 120 - Astronomy in Non-Western Cultures (DV)

Examines primarily the astronomical views of Native Americans and looks at how mythos, science and discrimination intersect. Current cultural conflicts between science and native groups will be examined. Additional examples of the cultural development of astronomy and science will be drawn from the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Asia. Cross listed as ETHN 120. Three-hour lecture.

PHYS 201 - General Physics I

Mechanics, heat, and sound. For physical science and engineering majors. Three-hour lecture; one-hour discussion; three-hour lab.

PHYS 202 - General Physics II

Electricity and magnetism, geometrical optics, and physical optics. For physical science and engineering majors. Three-hour lecture; one-hour discussion; three-hour lab.

SOCA  204 - Human Evolution

Analysis of the fossil evidence for human evolution. Modern human genetics, evolutionary theory, and biological variation within the human species.