The Program in Science and Mathematics
S = Objectives
The University Studies Program in Science
and Mathematics has been designed to meet four goals. The first
is to provide students with an overview of a broad area of modern
science or mathematics. Students will be introduced to key concepts,
experiments, and theories that form the foundation of a field.
They will also learn enough of the terminology to enable them
to read popular scientific and technical literature. The second
goal is to acquaint students with the way scientists and mathematicians
think and argue. Selected experiments and proofs will be discussed,
standards of evidence reviewed, and the firmness of the conclusions
assessed. By examining how new knowledge is obtained, students
will gain an appreciation of the drama and excitement of science.
The third goal is to demonstrate directly the importance of quantitative
reasoning, and the fourth goal is to make students aware of the
impact--both positive and negative--that science and technology
can have on society.
To satisfy the University Studies requirement
in Science and Mathematics, students must take two courses. There
are three different options available. See the chart below for
detailed requirements.
Science Option 1
This option is designed for students who
have had significant exposure to science courses in high school.
Students who expect to be concentrators in biology, biochemistry,
chemistry, or physics or who expect to include substantial course
work in the School of Science for preprofessional purposes choose
this option. Students choosing
this option must take two semester courses in biology (BIOL),
chemistry (CHEM), physics (PHYS), or biochemistry (BCHM), including
either two courses in one department, or one course in each of
two departments. Courses frequently elected include CHEM 11a,b;
CHEM 15a,b; PHYS 10a,b; and PHYS 11a,b.
Science Option 2
This option is designed for students who
have had little exposure to science courses in high school. Courses
in this option are accessible to all students.
This option calls for (a) one semester course in physical science
(PHSC) or chemical science (CHSC); and (b) one semester
course in biological science (BISC) or biochemical science (BCSC).
A one semester course in chemistry or physics may be substituted
for a PHSC or CHSC course, or a one semester course in biology
or biochemistry for a BISC or BCSC course. Courses listed below
in the areas of chemistry and physics satisfy Option 2a. Courses
listed below in the areas of biochemistry and biology satisfy
Option 2b.
Science Option 3
This option is designed for students who
wish to include the study of mathematics or computer science in
their undergraduate programs. Students
choosing this option must complete (a) one semester course in
mathematics (most courses designated MATH) or computer science
(COSI), and (b) one semester course from any of the offerings
listed in Options 1 and 2. Courses listed below in the mathematics
section are especially designed to satisfy Option 3a, but other
courses in mathematics and computer science are also appropriate
for this purpose; courses frequently elected include COSI 10a;
MATH 10a or b; MATH 11a or b.
Courses that do not meet any of the options
(for example, MATH 5a) are so identified in the special notes.
Also, laboratory courses that carry only two semester hours credit,
reading courses, and independent study courses do not meet any
of the science options of University Studies.
S = Courses of Instruction
BIOCHEMISTRY
BCSC 1a
The Brain: From Molecules to Control of Movement
BCSC 1b
Biotechnology: Its Origins, Scientific Basis,
and Impact
BCSC 6b
How Muscles Contract and Cells Move
BCSC 7b
Drug Discovery and Development
L =
BIOLOGY
BISC 1a
Biology of Neurological and Mental Illness
BISC 2a
Human Reproduction, Population Explosion,
Global Consequences
BISC 3b
Organisms and the Environment
BISC 4a
Heredity
BISC 5b
Biological Rhythms
BISC 6a
Recombinant DNA
BISC 7a
Biology of People
BISC 8b
The Molecules of Life: Design and Function
BISC 9a
Immune System and AIDS
BISC 10b
Nutrition: Principles, Issues, and Applications
L =
CHEMISTRY
CHSC 3a
The Planet as an Organism: Gaia Theory and
the Human Prospect
CHSC 4a
Chemicals and Toxicity
CHSC 5a
The Magnitude of Things and How on Earth They
Matter
CHSC 7a
Chaos
CHSC 8b
Chemistry and Art
L =
MATHEMATICS
MATH 1a
Introduction to Mathematical Concepts
MATH 2a
Order and Chaos
MATH 8a
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
L =
PHYSICS
PHSC 1a
The Concepts of Physics
PHSC 2b
Introductory Astronomy
PHSC 3b
Twentieth-Century Physics and its Philosophical
Implications
PHSC 4a
Science and Development