Course Descriptions

 There are eight basic courses in the sciences required for the natural science major.

151. Principles of Biology II: Cells & Organisms (S)
The second course in the introductory biology sequence for majors is a study of the relationship of structure and function in plants and animals.  Laboratories emphasize the scientific method as a way of knowing.  Three class hours and three laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisite: BIO 150

152. Principles of Biology III: Molecules & Cells (S)
The third course in the introductory biology sequence is a study of the relationship of structure and function at the molecular and cellular level, molecular and Mendelian genetics and microbiology.  Three class hours and three laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisite: BIO 151, CHM 104

103. General Chemistry I (S)
Designed as a basic course for students majoring in the physical or biological sciences.  A study of the fundamental principles of chemistry and of the important elements and their compounds.  Lecture-demonstrations and computer-assisted instruction are employed to illustrate concepts.  Weekly recitations provide a small group setting for discussions and problem-solving.  A laboratory component introduces students to a variety of fundamental techniques with emphasis on volumetric analysis, chemical equilibrium and descriptive chemistry of selected elements.  Three hours of lecture, one hour of recitation, and one three hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: High School chemistry

104. General Chemistry II (S)
A continuation of Chemistry 103.  One Chemistry 104 lab section is reserved for a small number of students, enrolled by invitation.  This group engages in project work designed as an introduction to methods of scientific research.  Three hours of lecture, one hour of recitation, and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: CHM 103

121. Calculus I (G)
Differentiation of algebraic and transcendental functions, application of the derivative to related rates, max-min problems, and graphing.  Introduction to integration, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.  Four meetings per week.
Prerequisite: 3.5 years of high school mathematics

122. Calculus II (G)
A continuation of MTH 121 Calculus I.  Applications of the integral, integration techniques, infinite sequences and series, L'Hopital's Rule, improper integrals.  Four meetings per week.
Prerequisite:  MTH 121 Calculus I

144. Introduction to Statistical Analysis (G)
Fundamental problems and principles of probability, discrete and continuous distributions and random variables, sampling distributions, parameter estimation and confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, analysis of variance, and non-parametric statistics.  Students may not receive credit for both MTH 104 Statistical Methods and MTH 144 Introduction to Statistical Analysis.  Three meetings and one laboratory per week.
Prerequisite:  MTH 121 Calculus I

211. General Physics I (S)
An introductory, calculus-based physics course.  This activity-based course meets for two two-hour sessions in the laboratory where concepts are introduced through experimentation and other hands-on activities.  Follow-up discussions, demonstrations, and problem solving are emphasized during lecture periods.  Topics covered include one- and two-dimensional kinematics, and dynamics, momentum, energy, rotational kinematics, and dynamics.
Prerequisite:  MTH 121 Calculus I should be previously completed or enrolled concurrently.

212. General Physics II (S)
Extends the energy ideas introduced in PHY 211 General Physics I into the ideas of thermodynamics.  It also introduces electrostatics, dc circuits, magnetism and electromagnetic induction, and some topics from modern physics.  This course follows the same weekly format as General Physics I.
Prerequisite: PHY 211 General Physics I