You are in the official 1999-2000 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Natural Science
Interdisciplinary Courses and Programs
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.
CR/NC grading only
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 Humans 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.
(HNE 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: completion of General
Education Foundation and Area B Breadth 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: completion of General
Education Foundation and Area B Breadth 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: completion of General
Education Foundation and Area B Breadth 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)
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)
115. Environmental Earth and Life Science (3)
Prerequisites: completion of B1 and B2 General Education requirements. Environmental
problems related to population, energy and resource use, and pollution.
Examines social and ethical issues along with technological and scientific
factors. Independent work on case studies required.
116. Energy, Technology, and Society (3) Not open to engineering students. Prerequisite: Integrated Science 1A and 1B. Examines the role that chemistry, physics, and technology play in our society. Designed especially for students planning careers as elementary school teachers.
120. Biotechnology and Its Impact on Society (3) Prerequisites: completion of B1 and B2 General Education requirements; courses in biology and chemistry (high school or college) strongly recommended. Introduction to the tools of modern biotechnology including recombinant DNA, gene therapy, cloning, monoclonal antibodies, DNA fingerprinting, and the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Addresses applications of biotechnology to medicine, agriculture, the environment, and forensics, as well as their ethical implications.
121. Blood (3)
Prerequisites: completion of B1 and B2 General Education requirements; courses
in biology and chemistry (high school or college) strongly recommended.
Introduction to blood, its chemical, physical, and biological aspects, as
well as its connections to human affairs, both currently and historically.
In addition, the unique properties, composition, and disorders of blood
and blood circulation will be studied for applications to medicine and forensics.
125. Revenge of the Killer Microbes (3)
Prerequisites: completion of B1 and B2 General Education requirements; courses
in biology and chemistry (high school or college) strongly recommended.
Introduction to the adversarial relationships between disease-causing microorganisms
and human affairs, both currently and historically. Explores the unique
defense and counter defense mechanisms that have developed in a variety
of microbes and the human immune system. Addresses health care issues related
to disease prevention and control.
131. Biological Bases of Neurological Disorders (4)
Biological mechanisms which underlie various neurological disorders. Nervous
system structure and function will be presented as a basis for understanding
pathology. Topics include multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's
disease, language disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
and schizophrenia.
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.
