C A L I F O R N I A   S T A T E   U N I V E R S I T Y   B A K E R S F I E L D 2003-2005 Catalog

natural SCIENCES

Science Building I, 104

(661) 664-3450

(661) 665-6959 (fax)

email:  nsm@csub.edu

http://www.csub.edu/nsme/teaching.htx

Program Description

The Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Physics offer a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences.  This degree has been designed primarily to meet the need for science subject matter preparation for those students seeking a single subject teaching credential.  This degree also offers, however, a broad and interdisciplinary foundation in the sciences necessary for direct employment in business, industry, and government, where scientific and technical skills are in great demand.

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) has certified this program as satisfying the subject matter requirements for a Secondary Teaching Credential in Science.  This subject matter program replaces the former Single Subject preparation in Life Science and the Single Subject preparation in Physical Science.  As such, the program offers a broad foundation in all four of the natural science areas (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics) as well as depth preparation in two of the four areas.

The program consists of three components:  I. Primary Concentration (major) II. Secondary Concentration (minor), and III. Cognates (breadth).  A student may major in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics; minor in one of the other three sciences; and take cognates in the other two sciences, Math, and Astronomy.  For example, a student might major in Chemistry and minor in Biology.  Then s/he would take cognates in Geology, Physics, Math, and Astronomy.  Another example could be that a student might major in Geology and minor in Physics.  Then s/he would take cognates in Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Astronomy.

For students who already have a degree and would like to be certified as subject matter competent in the sciences, the procedure described below forms the basis of the Subject Matter Waiver Program.  Additional information may be obtained from the Office of the Dean, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, SCI I, Room 104 (661-664-3450).  For admission to the Single Subject Credential Program, please contact the School of Education (661-664-3134).

For each concentration, Science 360A is recommended to satisfy General Education Theme I and INST 312 for Theme II. For Subject Matter Certification, a minimum grade of C- is required in each course.

NATURAL SCIENCE (within the BA in Biology)

1.   Primary Concentration in Biology

      BIOL 201, 202, 203, 304, 305, 306, 470, 490 plus one approved upper division Biology laboratory course.

      a.   Secondary Concentration in Chemistry & Cognates

            CHEM 211, 212, 213 plus two upper division Chemistry courses

            Cognates: GEOL 201 and 205 or 308, PHYS 110, 201, 202, and 203

      b.   Secondary Concentration in Geology & Cognates

            GEOL 201, 303, and 205 or 308 plus two from GEOL 307, 309, and 320

            Cognates: CHEM 211 and 212 PHYS 110, 201, 202, and 203

      c.   Secondary Concentration in Physics & Cognates

            PHYS 110, 221, 222, 223, 307 and 324

            Cognates: CHEM 211 and 212, GEOL 201 and                 205 or 308

NATURAL SCIENCE (within the BA in Chemistry)

2.   Primary Concentration in Chemistry

      CHEM 211, 212, 213, 331, 332, 400, 490 plus one approved upper division Chemistry course.

      a.   Secondary Concentration in Biology & Cognates

            BIOL 201, 202, 203, 304, 305, and 306 or 470

            Cognates: GEOL 201 and 205 or 308, PHYS 110, 201, 202, and 203

      b.   Secondary Concentration in Geology & Cognates

            GEOL 201, 303, and 205 or 308 plus two from GEOL 307, 309, and 320

            Cognates: BIOL 201, 202, and 203, PHYS 110, 201, 202, and 203

      c.   Secondary Concentration in Physics & Cognates

            PHYS 110, 221, 222, 223, 307 and 324

            Cognates:  BIOL 201, 202, and 203, GEOL 201 and 205 or 308

NATURAL SCIENCE (within the BA in Geology)

3.   Primary Concentration in Geology

      GEOL 201, 205 or 308, 303, 306, 307, 309, 320, and 490

      a.   Secondary Concentration in Biology & Cognates

            BIOL 201, 202, 203, 304, 305, and 306 or 470

            Cognates: CHEM 211 and 212, PHYS 110, 201, 202, and 203

      b.   Secondary Concentration in Chemistry & Cognates

            CHEM 211, 212, 213, and two upper division Chemistry courses;

            Cognates: BIOL 201, 202, and 203, PHYS 110, 201, 202, and 203

      c.   Secondary Concentration in Physics & Cognates

            PHYS 110, 221, 222, 223, 307 and 324

            Cognates:  BIOL 201, 202, and 203, CHEM 211 and 212

NATURAL SCIENCE (within the BA in Physics)

4.   Primary Concentration in Physics

      PHYS 110, 221, 222, 223, 307, 324, 490, and one approved upper division Physics course.

      a.   Secondary Concentration in Biology & Cognates

            BIOL 201, 202, 203, 304, 305, and 306 or 470

            Cognates: CHEM 211 and 212, GEOL 201 and 205 or 308

      b.   Secondary Concentration in Chemistry & Cognates

            CHEM 211, 212, 213, and two upper division Chemistry courses

            Cognates: BIOL 201, 202, and 203, GEOL 201 and 205 or 308

      c.   Secondary Concentration in Geology & Cognates

            GEOL 201, 303, and 205 or 308 plus two from GEOL 307, 309, and 320

            Cognates:  BIOL 201, 202, and 203, CHEM 211 and 212

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

(Science)

Sci 101 Introduction to Physics (5)

Introduction to various fundamental principles of physics, intended primarily to provide background for K-8 teachers-in-training.  Topics to be covered include Classical Mechanics (Newton’s laws, energy, momentum, gravity, fluid mechanics), Thermodynamics (first and second laws), Electricity and Magnetism, Waves (sound and light), and basic astronomical concepts (solar system and stars).  Laboratory exercises will be assigned to complement lecture materials.  Three hours lecture and six hours of laboratory.  Prerequisite:  Mathematics 221.

Sci 102 The Chemistry of Life (5)

Principles of chemistry and the role of chemistry in living systems.  Topics include periodic properties of the elements, molecular structure and bonding, chemical reactions and major biochemical processes.  Four hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory.  Not acceptable for major or minor.

Sci 315 Integrated Science – Earth Science

Perspective (5)

Fundamental principles of science (e.g. mechanics of motion, electricity and magnetism, the bonding of elements, energy) applied to the Earth and the Solar System through an integrated approach.  This course may not be used for science major or cognate requirements. Three hours of lecture and six hours of laboratory.  Prerequisites: Science 101, Science 102, Math 221.  Note: this is neither a methods of teaching nor curriculum development course; the focus is on science content and process for science literacy.

Sci 316 Integrated Science – Life Science

Perspective (5)

Application of fundamental principles in the physical sciences to the function of living systems from cells to ecosystems.  Laboratories focus on developing scientific skills and science as inquiry.  Materials from multiple curriculum sources are used.  This course may not be used for science major or cognate requirements.  Three hours of lecture and six hours of laboratory.  Prerequisites: Science 101, Science 102, Math 221.

SCI 350A The Nature of Science and Technology in a Modern Society (5)

The nature of science and technology will be explored with emphases placed on the structure of knowledge, and its use in society; the relationship of science and

technology to a modern society will be considered in terms of approaches to problems, decision-making skills and effects on the quality of life.  Meets general

education upper division Theme 1 requirement.

SCI 350B Computers and Society (5)

This course will provide a framework for examining the social context and consequences of information technology. Society, social change, and effects on the

individual related to the use of computers will be the major concentrations.  Emphases will include values, ethics, patterns, future directions, and relevant theories related to this phenomenon.  Prerequisite: upper division status.  Meets general education upper division Theme 1 requirement.

SCI 360A Energy and Technology (5)

Energy in a technological society. Sources and resources of energy.  Effects of energy on the environment.  This course may not be used to satisfy physics major or minor requirements. Prerequisite:  completion of lower division physical science and mathematics general education requirements.  Meets general education upper division Theme 1 requirement.

SCI 360B Water and the West (5)

This course examines historical and present-day issues regarding the use of surface and ground water in the arid southwestern U.S.-particularly California-in an objective and scientific manner.  The course is intended for non-science majors and is designed to make them aware of the heavy impact that waste and contamination have on our finite water supply.  Prerequisite:  completion of lower division physical science general education requirements.  Meets general education upper division Theme 1 requirement.

SCI 360C Introduction to Weather Dynamics (5)

This is an introductory course with a large on-line component on the fundamentals of atmospheric science.  Current weather data are accessed via the Internet, and learning activities are keyed to the day’s weather.  General topics are studied such as how one characterizes various phenomena and meteorological effects, and how these are measured.  This course may not be used to satisfy physics major or minor requirements.  Prerequisite:  completion of lower division physical science and mathematics general education requirements.  Meets general education upper division Theme 1 requirement.

SCI 370A Human Biology (5)

Current topics in human biology, which include growth and development, form and function, fitness and health, interaction with the environment, and evolution.  Five hours lecture.  Not acceptable for major or minor.  Prerequisites: Successful completion of General Education Areas A and B.  Satisfies general education upper division Theme 1 requirement.

SCI 370B Earth Systems and Global Change (5)

Origin, development and systematic links between the atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.  Human effects on these systems:  causes, impacts and mitigations, with emphasis on current societal issues regarding local and global climatic and environmental change.  Prerequisite:  completion of lower division science and mathematics general education requirements.  Meets general education upper Theme 1 requirement.

SCI 370C Insects and People (5)

Overview of the global impact of insects on human concerns, including the overwhelming abundance and diversity of insects, the role of insects as disease vectors to humans, livestock, and pets, and the impact of insects as agricultural pests, and pollinators.  This course may not be used to satisfy biology major or minor requirements.  Prerequisite:  completion of General Education Areas A and B.  Meets general education upper division Theme 1 requirement.

SCI 380B California Geology and Society (5)

Introduction to the Geology of California with emphasis on the mutual interactions of society with its physical environment.  After a brief introduction of geology fundamentals, the course will cover the geological evolution of California, geological resources (e.g., minerals, raw building materials, petroleum, soils, groundwater), geological hazards (e.g., landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, earthquakes), and societal impacts on the physical environment.  Examples will be regularly given from all over California.  Prerequisite:  completion of lower division science and mathematics general education requirements.  Meets upper division Theme 1 general education requirement.

SCI 477 Special Topics in Science (1-5)

Special Topics and prerequisites to be announced.  May be repeated for different topics.  Open to postgraduate students.  Interested students should contact the department office. Prerequisites:  PHYS 223, MATH 203 or permission of the instructor.