You are in the official 1995-96 General Catalog for California State University, Fresno.

Natural Science - Interdisciplinary Courses

School of Natural Sciences
KIN-PING WONG, Dean
Science Building, Room 101
(559) 278-3936

B.A. in Natural Sciences

The School of Natural Sciences provides a number of natural science courses which include a variety of subjects. These courses help students gain an understanding of science in conjunction with their related disciplines.

The school requires that new faculty possess the appropriate terminal degree recognized in their discipline. The school has 90 permanent faculty with 100 percent holding the doctorate in their discipline granted by some of the most prestigious universities in the nation and abroad.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Natural Sciences Major

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Natural Sciences serves as a waiver program for the single subject teaching credential in Science. With the Science Credential, you are able to teach any introductory science class, i.e. earth, general, life, or physical science along with the courses in your chosen emphasis. For additional information, see the listing under the Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics departments or see the Science Credential Adviser, Dr. David Andrews (278-2412).



Core requirements (48-49 units)
Biology (12-13)
BioSc 1A or Biol 15, BioSc 1B and 130

Chemistry (13)
Chem 1A, 1B
Chem 8 or 128A

Geology (5)
Geol 1 and 3 (or 15)

Natural Science (3)
N Sci 106

Physics (8)
Phys 2A, 2B - see Note 1

Physical Science (7)
P Sci 21, 168

Emphasis - select one (18-24 units)
Biology - see Note 2 (20-22)
BioSc 140A, 140B (7)
BioSc 180 (3)
Micro 140 (4)
Select one course from the following:
A. Bot 131, 132, 144, Micro 171, Ecol 151, 152,
162, Zool 120, 141, 148, 150, 174, 177 (3-4)

B. Bot 130, Micro 161, PhyAn 151, 164 (3-4)

Chemistry - See Note 2 (22)
Chem 102, 108,128B, 129A, 129B, 139, 155

Earth Science - See Note 2 (18)
Geol 2, 30, 105, 110 (12)
Geol 114 or 117 (3)
Geog 111 (3)

Physics- See Note 2 (24)
Math 77, 81 (8)
Phys 4A, 4B, 4C, 4AL, 4BL, 4CL (replaces Phys 2 A-B in core, 4 additional units) (4)
Phys 102, 105A, 107A, 140 (12)

Additional requirements (8 units)

Math 75, 76; Biology Emphasis requires Math 70 or 75 and 101

General Education - See Note 3 (42 units)

6-unit CAPSTONE requirement to be met by Geol/Geog 168

Electives and remaining degree requirements - See Note 4 (1-8 units)

(See Degree Requirements)

Total (124 units)

Notes

  1. Substitutions may be made with the permission of the appropriate department chair. Phys 4A-B-C (with labs) is recommended instead of Phys 2A-B for those students well prepared for physics.
  2. Consult your faculty adviser regarding the selection of your elective units to have this emphasis used as the Science Waiver Program.
  3. Nine units of General Education requirements are satisfied by major and additional requirements. Consult your major academic adviser for details.
  4. Most of these electives need to be upper-division units to ensure that you have a minimum of 40 upper-division units.

Man/Woman and the Natural Environment (MNE)

(18-unit thematic cluster)

This cluster of intensive field courses is presented at the introductory level. Concurrent registration in the four courses listed below is required. Fifteen of the 18 units of credit are applied to General Education requirements. Students spend approximately one month in the field. A $300 fee for transportation and food on field trips is required. For further information, contact the dean's office at 278-3936.

Biol 15 An Ecological Approach to Life Science (5)
Geol 15 The Earth and Its History (5)
N Sci 15 Environmental Science (3)
S Sci 15 Man/Woman's Place in the Natural Environment (5)

Visit the Man/Woman and the Natural Environment Web site.

COURSES

Natural Science (N Sci)

1. The Art of Medicine (1; max total 4)
Primarily for prehealth care students. Delivery of health care today. Concepts of the art of medicine presented by community physicians and specialists.

4. Science and Nonsense: Facts, Fads, and Critical Thinking (3)
Use of language, thought, and logic in science, distinguishing science fact from science fiction. Inductive and deductive methods, judgment, opinion, belief, and knowledge. A critical examination of contemporary pseudoscientific issues (creation "science," UFOs, astrology, etc.). General Education CORE, Critical Thinking.

15. Environmental Science: An Integrative Course (3)
Concurrent enrollment in Biol 15, Geol 15, and S Sci 15 required. Portion of Man/Woman and the Natural Environment Cluster. A study of the interrelationships among the anthropological, biological, and geological aspects of man/woman and the natural environment. Team taught. CR/NC grading only. (MNE program field trip fee, $300)

40T. Topics in Natural Sciences (1-4; max total 12)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Interdisciplinary topics covering such subject matter areas as environmental studies and the impact of science on society.

100. Chemistry for Liberal Studies (3)
Not open to engineering students. Prerequisite: all General Education CORE and BREADTH Divisions 1 and 2 requirements. Emphasizes chemistry as a process rather than a collection of facts, laws, and theories. Designed especially for students planning careers as elementary school teachers.

101. Biology for Liberal Studies (3)
Not open to engineering students. Prerequisite: all General Education CORE and BREADTH Divisions 1 and 2 requirements. Emphasizes biology as a process rather than a collection of facts, laws, and theories. Designed especially for students planning careers as elementary school teachers.

102. Physics and Astronomy for Liberal Studies (3)
Not open to engineering students. Prerequisite: all General Education CORE and BREADTH Divisions 1 and 2 requirements. Introductory physics and astronomy with emphasis on hypothesis formation, analysis, and testing. Everyday observations and materials will be used to the extent possible to facilitate the transfer of concepts and techniques to the elementary classroom. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) (Formerly N Sci 120)

106. Reigning Theories of Science (3)
Examination of historically important scientific theories from the perspective of science as a human enterprise. Role of philosophy, religion, culture, and nationalism in the acceptance/rejection of theories. Research paper, class presentation required.

110. Practicum in Medicine (2)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered in association with the UC Medical Education Program. Premedical students assigned in one or more clinical settings in the community. Emphasis on in-depth association with health professionals for clinical observation and biomedical research experience. (Spring semester)

140T. Topics in Natural Sciences (1-6; max total 12)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Interdisciplinary topics covering such subject matter areas as medical technology and ecology. (May include lab hours)

180. Practicum in Secondary Science Teaching (2)
Concurrent enrollment in EHD 155B required; for single subject life/physical science student teachers. Application of best science teaching research; practice; emphasis on reflection/discussion of current teaching, effective management of students/time, authentic assessments, laboratory /curriculum resources, sheltered techniques, student motivators. (Formerly Biol 280)

GRADUATE COURSE

Natural Science (N Sci)

240T. Topics in Natural Sciences (1-4; max total 8)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Interdisciplinary topics in the natural sciences at the graduate level covering such subjects as advanced techniques. Sample topics are Radiation Techniques in Biology and the Physical Sciences and Recent Advances in Psychophysiology. (May include lab hours)

IN-SERVICE Course

Natural Science (N Sci)

380T. Topics in Natural Sciences (1-4; max total 6)
Studies in the natural sciences integrating topics from biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, physics, and psychology.

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