NATURAL SCIENCES

 

Natural Sciences Department

 

Chairperson: Professor Murphy

Faculty: Professors Ismail, Pleshkewych; Associate Professors Fries, Gunther, Kalinowski, Young; Assistant Professors Edsberg, Ramos, Ward

 

Degrees Offered:

 

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Bachelor of Science in Natural Science

 

B.A. biology

Essential Courses:

 

MTH 144        Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

 

(Both lecture and associated lab required for degree unless noted)

 

BCH 313        General Biochemistry

BIO 109          General Biology I

BIO 110          General Biology II

BIO 302          General Ecology

BIO 303          Plant Biology

BIO 307          Evolutionary Biology

BIO 406          Genetics

CHE 110        Chemistry I

CHE 111        Chemistry II

CHE 301        Organic Chemistry I

CHE 302        Organic Chemistry II

NSC 131        Natural Science: Introduction to Scientific Literature

NSC 231        Natural Science: Literacy in Science Seminar

* NSC 331     Natural Science Literature Survey

* NSC 443     Natural Science Research Seminar

PHY 101        Physics I

            or PHY 151   General Physics I

PHY 102        Physics II

            or PHY 152   General Physics II

 

PLUS 24-28 credit hours in biology/science electives (16 of which must be taken in biology). See below for courses required if pursuing teacher certification. See below for recommended science electives.

 

* Not required for students seeking teaching certification.

 

B.S. Biology - Specialization: Environmental Studies

 

ECO 101        Principles of Economics

GVT 113        National Government

            or GVT 114   State and Local Government

 

One of the following courses: GVT 113, GVT 114, HIS 222: Urban America or HIS 230: Problems of the Third World

 

MTH 144        Calculus and Analytical Geometry I

GVT 211-212            Environmental and Energy Policies I and II

MTH 145        Calculus and Analytic Geometry II

            or one GVT/HIS course as listed above

 

(Both lecture and associated lab required for degree unless noted)

 

BCH 313        General Biochemistry

CHE 110-111            Chemistry I and II

CHE 301-302            Organic Chemistry I and II

BIO 109-110  General Biology I and II

BIO 302          General Ecology

BIO 303          Plant Biology

BIO 307          Evolutionary Biology

BIO 406          Genetics

NSC 131        Natural Science: Introduction to Scientific Literature

NSC 231        Natural Science: Literacy in Science Seminar

NSC 331        Natural Science Literature Survey

NSC 443        Natural Science Research Seminar

ENS 304        Environmental Chemistry

 

Two courses selected from the following:

 

ENS 205        Planet Earth I: Physical Features

ENS 206        Planet Earth II: Geographical        Features

ENS 303        Environmental Toxicology

ENS 309        Population Dynamics

 

Two courses selected from the following:

 

GVT 115        Local Environmental Problems

GVT 217        American Political Parties and Pressure Groups

GVT 219        Politics, Planning and Land Use

GVT 411        Environmental Law

 

PLUS 21 credit hours in biology/science electives (16 of which must be taken in biology). See below for recommended science electives.

 

B.S. biochemistry

Essential Courses:

 

MTH 144        Calculus and Analytical Geometry I

 

(Both lecture and associated lab required for degree unless noted)

 

BCH 313        General Biochemistry

BCH 401        Biological Organic Chemistry

BCH 440        Molecular Biology

BIO 109          General Biology I

BIO 110          General Biology II

CHE 110        Chemistry I

CHE 111        Chemistry II

CHE 301        Organic Chemistry I

CHE 302        Organic Chemistry II

CHE 303        Introduction to Physical Chemistry

CHE 311        Contemporary Chemical Analysis

NSC 131        Natural Science: Introduction to Scientific Literature

NSC 231        Natural Science: Literacy in Science Seminar

NSC 331        Natural Science Literature Survey

NSC 443        Natural Science Research Seminar

PHY 101        Physics I

            or PHY 151   General Physics I

PHY 102        Physics II

            or PHY 152   General Physics II

 

PLUS 18-24 credits hours in science electives. See below for recommended science electives.

 

B.S. Biochemistry - Specialization: Pre-Professional

Essential Courses:

 

MTH 144        Calculus and Analytical Geometry I

 

(Both lecture and associated lab required for degree unless noted)

 

BCH 313        General Biochemistry

BCH 401        Biological Organic Chemistry

BCH 440        Molecular Biology

BIO 109          General Biology I

BIO 110          General Biology II

BIO 330          General Anatomy

BIO 340          General Physiology

CHE 110        Chemistry I

CHE 111        Chemistry II

CHE 301        Organic Chemistry I

CHE 302        Organic Chemistry II

CHE 303        Introduction to Physical Chemistry

CHE 311        Contemporary Chemical Analysis

NSC 131        Natural Science: Introduction to Scientific Literature

NSC 231        Natural Science: Literacy in Science Seminar

NSC 331        Natural Science Literature Survey

NSC 443        Natural Science Research Seminar

PHY 101        Physics I

            or PHY 151   General Physics I

PHY 102        Physics II

            or PHY 152   General Physics II

 

PLUS 10-16 credits hours in natural science or health science electives. See below for recommended natural/health science electives.

 

B.S. natural science

B.S. Natural Science - Specialization: Forensic Science

Essential Courses:

 

MTH 134        Pre-Calculus

FOR 101        Introduction to Forensic Science

NSC 310        Biostatistics

GVT 117        Introduction to Criminal Justice

PSY 223        Forensic Psychology

CMP 311       Advanced English Composition

            or CMP 315  Advanced Composition for Health Professionals

 

(For sciences, both lecture and associated lab are required for degree unless noted)

 

BIO 109          General Biology I

BIO 110          General Biology II

CHE 110        Chemistry I

CHE 111        Chemistry II

CHE 301        Organic Chemistry I

            or BCH 317   Bio-Organic Chemistry

NSC 131        Natural Science: Introduction to Scientific Literature

NSC 231        Natural Science: Literacy in Science Seminar

CHE 337        Forensic Chemistry

PHY 125        Forensic Physics

 

PLUS 40 credit hours in science electives chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.

 

B.S. Natural Science - Specialization: Individualized Studies

Essential Courses:

 

MTH 134        Pre-Calculus

 

(Both lecture and associated lab required for degree unless noted)

 

BIO 109          General Biology I

BIO 110          General Biology II

CHE 110        Chemistry I

CHE 111        Chemistry II

NSC 131        Natural Science: Introduction to Scientific Literature

NSC 231        Natural Science: Literacy in Science Seminar

NSC 244        Scientific Techniques and Data Interpretation

 

PLUS 42 credit hours in natural science or health science electives. See below for recommended natural/health science electives.

 

B.S. Natural Science - Specialization: Health Sciences

Essential Courses:

 

MTH 134        Pre-Calculus

 

(Both lecture and associated lab required for degree unless noted)

 

BCH 313        General Biochemistry

            or BCH 317   Bio-Organic Chemistry

BIO 109          General Biology I

BIO 110          General Biology II

BIO 330          General Anatomy

BIO 340          General Physiology

CHE 110        Chemistry I

CHE 111        Chemistry II

NSC 131        Natural Science: Introduction to Scientific Literature

NSC 231        Natural Science: Literacy in Science Seminar

 

PLUS 13-14 credits of health science electives. See below for recommended health science electives.

 

PLUS 20-22 credit hours in natural science or health science electives. See below for recommended natural/health science electives.

 

B.S. Natural Science - Specialization: Environmental Studies

Essential Courses:

 

MTH 144        Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

ECO 101        Principles of Economics

GVT 113        National Government

            or GVT 114   State and Local Government

 

One of the following courses: GVT 113, GVT 114, HIS 222: Urban America or HIS 230: Problems of the Third World.

 

GVT 211-212            Environmental & Energy Policies I and II          

MTH 145        Calculus and Analytic Geometry II

            or one of the GVT/HIS courses listed above

 

(Both lecture and associated lab required for degree unless noted)

 

BIO 109          General Biology I

BIO 110          General Biology II

BIO 302          General Ecology

CHE 110        Chemistry I

CHE 111        Chemistry II

CHE 301        Organic Chemistry I

CHE 302        Organic Chemistry II

CHE 303        Physical Chemistry I

CHE 311        Contemporary Chemical Analysis

CHE 312        Modern Instrumental Analysis

NSC 131        Natural Science: Introduction to Scientific Literature

NSC 231        Natural Science: Literacy in Science Seminar

NSC 331        Natural Science Literature Survey

NSC 443        Natural Science Research Seminar

PHY 101        Physics I

or PHY 151   General Physics I

PHY 102        Physics II

            or PHY 152   General Physics II

ENS 304        Environmental Chemistry

 

Select two courses from the following ENS courses:

 

ENS 205        Planet Earth I: Physical Features

ENS 206        Planet Earth II: Geographical        Features

ENS 303        Environmental Toxicology

ENS 309        Population Dynamics

 

Select two courses from the following GVT courses:

 

GVT 115        Local Environmental Problems

GVT 217        American Political Parties and Pressure Groups

GVT 219        Politics, Planning and Land Use

GVT 411        Environmental Law

 

PLUS 15 credit hours in science electives (See below for recommended science electives.)

 

See the Interdivisional Section of the Catalog for descriptions of Environmental Studies (ENS) courses.

 

Recommended Natural Science Electives for Science Majors:

 

BCH 313        General Biochemistry

BCH 401        Biological Organic Chemistry

BIO 302          General Ecology

BIO 303          Plant Biology

BIO 304          Conservation Biology

BIO 307          Evolutionary Biology

BIO 315          General Microbiology

BIO 322          Invertebrate Biology

BIO 323          Animal Biology

BIO 324          Vertebrate Biology

BIO 325          Cell Biology

BIO 330          General Anatomy

BIO 333          Developmental Biology

BIO 335          Animal Behavior

BIO 340          General Physiology

BIO 406          Genetics

BIO 417          Immunology

BIO 440          Molecular Biology

BIO 541          Neurobiology I

BIO 542          Neurobiology II

CHE 301        Organic Chemistry I

CHE 302        Organic Chemistry II

CHE 303        Introduction to Physical Chemistry

CHE 304        Advanced Physical Chemistry

CHE 309        Chemistry III

CHE 311        Contemporary Chemical Analysis

CHE 312        Modern Instrumental Analysis

CHE 410        Organic Chemistry III

ENS 303        Environmental Toxicology

ENS 304        Environmental Chemistry

ENS 309        Population Dynamics

NSC 310        Biostatistics

NSC 401-416            Research Problems

NSC 442        Biomaterials

PHY 101        Physics I

PHY 102        Physics II

PHY 151        General Physics I

PHY 152        General Physics II

 

Recommended Health Science Electives for Science Majors:

 

HCS 301        Physiology of Exercise and Cardiopulmonary Assessment

HCS 302        Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology

HCS 303        Biomechanics of Human Movement

HCS 320        Community Health and Disease Prevention

PAS 301        Advanced Human Anatomy

PAS 302        Advanced Microbiology

PAS 310        Pharmacology I

PAS 312        Clinical Laboratory Medicine

PAS 313        Preventative Medicine/Epidemiology

PAS 314        Pathology

PAS 412        Pharmacology II

PT 504                       Clinical Functional Anatomy I

PT 505                       Clinical Functional Anatomy II

PT 506                       Kinesiology and Biomechanics I

PT 507                       Kinesiology and Biomechanics II

PT 508                       Physiology of Exercise

 

Courses Required if Pursuing an Adolescence Education Initial Teacher Certification:

 

PSY 311        Psychology of Adolescence

SOC 243        Child Welfare Policy & Services

 

Six credits of a foreign language

 

Education Courses:

 

EDU 203        Learning Theory

EDU 237        Instructional Design

SED 270        Introduction to Nature and

                        Educational Needs of Children with Disabilities

EDU 313        Foundations of Education

EDU 314        Promoting English Language Arts Across the Content Areas

EDU 327        Teaching to the Standards

EDU 336        Language/Literacy Development for the Adolescent Learner

EDU 402        Methods in Classroom Management

EDU 479        Student Teaching and Seminar at the Early Secondary School Level (7-9)

EDU 480        Student Teaching and Seminar at the Secondary School Level (10-12)

 

Natural Science Course:

 

NSC 306        Teaching Science in Middle and High School

 

NOTE: To be eligible for student teaching, students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.55, a minimum GPA of 2.55 in all courses in the major, and be recommended for student teaching by the chairpersons of both the major and the Education Department.

 

Admission Requirements:

 

High School chemistry required; algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, recommended.

 

Admission to Upper Division

 

Biochemistry Program:

 

1.         A cumulative quality point average of 2.0 earned at the end of the sophomore year.

2.         A grade of C or better earned in the following courses: BIO 109-110, 109L-110L; CHE 110-111, 301-302, 301L-302L; MTH 134 or 144; NSC 131, 231.

3.         A completed application with essay must be submitted by the annual departmental deadline for admission to upper division.

 

Biology Program:

 

1.         A cumulative quality point average of 2.0 earned at the end of the sophomore year.

2.         A grade of C or better earned in the following courses: BIO 109-110, 109L-110L; CHE 110-111; MTH 134 or 144; NSC 131, 231 and either CHE 301-302 or six hours of 300-level biology.

3.         A completed application with essay must be submitted by the annual departmental deadline for admission to upper division.

 

Natural Science Programs:

 

1.         A cumulative quality point average of 2.0 earned at the end of the sophomore year.

2.         A grade of C or better earned in the following courses: BCH 317, BIO 109-110, 109L-110L; CHE 110-111, MTH 134 or 144; NSC 131, 231 and one 300-level biology course.

3.         A completed application with essay must be submitted by the annual departmental deadline for admission to upper division.

 

Specialization in Pre-Professional:

 

1.         A cumulative quality point average of 3.0 earned at the end of the sophomore year.

2.         A grade of at least C and an average of 3.0 earned in the following courses: BIO 109-110, 109L-110L, CHE 110-111, 301-302, 301L-302L; MTH 144; NSC 131, 231.

 

 

Pre-Professional Studies:

 

Although no specific major is required to apply for postgraduate study in any of the medical fields (e.g. medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, podiatry, osteopathy, optometry, etc.), certain courses are recognized as beneficial to students considering such career options. These are the basis for the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a Pre-Professional specialization. Professional programs in medically related fields give preference to students who have completed courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and English. Also helpful are courses in biochemistry, biostatistics and genetics.

 

Requirements for Recommendation for Admission to Medical, Veterinary and

Dental Schools:

 

Senior status in Pre-Professional program, a cumulative quality point average of 3.0, and an average of B earned in mathematics and science courses in first three years.

 

Minors:

 

Biology:

 

17-20 credit hours, BIO 109-110 and a minimum of nine additional credits in majors biology courses.

 

Chemistry:

 

17-20 credit hours, CHE 110, 111, 301, 301L and a minimum of 5 additional credits in 300-level chemistry courses.

 

*Credit toward the minor cannot be earned for both BCH 317 and CHE 301.

 

Graduation Requirement:

 

A grade of C or better must be earned in all required and elective science courses.