Department

Science and Mathematics Interdisciplinary Courses and Programs

David M. Andrews, Director
Science II Building, Room 360
559.278.5173
www.fresnostate.edu/csm

Degrees and Programs Offered

BA in Natural Sciences - Biology Option, B.A.
BA in Natural Sciences - Earth Science Option, B.A.
BA in Natural Sciences - Physics Option, B.A.
BA in Natural Sciences - Chemistry Option, B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences serves as a waiver program for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Science. With the Science Credential, students are able to teach any introductory science class, i.e. earth, general, life, or physical science along with the courses in their chosen emphasis. Please contact Mr. Jaime Arvizu, College of Science and Mathematics counselor, for advising and more information, at 278-5173.

Courses

Science & Math Interdiscip

CSM 10. The Scientific Method

Practice in the application of the scientific method to locally relevant problems and challenges. The evaluation of inductive and deductive arguments coupled with the evaluation of experimental data to develop and test scientific hypotheses. GE Area A3.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
GE Area: A3

CSM 15. Evidence Based Decision Making

Practice in the evaluation and use of quantitative evidence in reasoned decision making. Topics include uncertainty, significance, trends, experimental design, and causality. GE Area E.

Units: 3
Course Typically Offered: Fall
GE Area: E1

NSCI 1. The Art and Practice of Medicine

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.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 4 units

NSCI 1A. Integrated Science: Physics and Chemistry

Prerequisite: MATH 10A with a grade of C or higher. Integrated science: basic concepts and misconceptions in physics and chemistry and their relation to the everyday environment. Memorable demonstrations in lecture, household-related experiments, and experiments of special interest to K-6 teachers. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours) Meets G.E. B1 requirement only for liberal studies majors.

Units: 4
GE Area: B1LS

NSCI 4. Science and Nonsense: Facts, Fads, and Critical Thinking

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," UFPs, astrology, etc.) G.E. Foundation A3.

Units: 3
GE Area: A3

NSCI 40T. Topics in Natural Sciences

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Interdisciplinary topics covering such subject matter areas as environmental studies and the impact of science on society.

Units: 1-4, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 40T. AEW Biology - BIOL 102

These courses are developed to meet the CSUF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program Phase III grant goal of increasing minority student readiness for entry into graduate science/technology programs. They are designed to enhance learning and proficiency through uniquely structured workshops emphasizing attainment of concepts via group problem-solving methods. The 2-hour per week courses focus on subject topics, are led by student facilitators under faculty guidance, and provide learning material in PHYS 4B.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 40T. AEW Physics - PHYS 4B

These courses are developed to meet the CSUF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program Phase III grant goal of increasing minority student readiness for entry into graduate science/technology programs. They are designed to enhance learning and proficiency through uniquely structured workshops emphasizing attainment of concepts via group problem-solving methods. The 2-hour per week courses focus on subject topics, are led by student facilitators under faculty guidance, and provide learning material in PHYS 4B.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 40T. AEW Math - MATH 77

These courses are developed to meet the CSUF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program Phase III grant goal of increasing minority student readiness for entry into graduate science/technology programs. They are designed to enhance learning and proficiency through uniquely structured workshops emphasizing attainment of concepts via group problem-solving methods. The 2-hour per week courses focus on subject topics, are led by student facilitators under faculty guidance, and provide learning material in MATH 77.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 40T. General Human Anatomy Lab

Laboratory study of human anantomy

Units: 1

NSCI 40T. AEW Physics - PHYS 4A

These courses are developed to meet the CSUF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program Phase III grant goal of increasing minority student readiness for entry into graduate science/technology programs. They are designed to enhance learning and proficiency through uniquely structured workshops emphasizing attainment of concepts via group problem-solving methods. The 2-hour per week courses focus on subject topics, are led by student facilitators under faculty guidance, and provide learning material in PHYS 4A.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 40T. AEW Chemistry - CHEM 1A/1B

These courses are developed to meet the CSUF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program Phase III grant goal of increasing minority student readiness for entry into graduate science/technology programs. They are designed to enhance learning and proficiency through uniquely structured workshops emphasizing attainment of concepts via group problem-solving methods. The 2-hour per week courses focus on subject topics, are led by student facilitators under faculty guidance, and provide learning material in Chem 1A, 1B, 128A & 128B.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 40T. General Biology Lab

Laboratory study of general biology.

Units: 1

NSCI 40T. General Human Physiology Lab

Laboratory study of general human physiology.

Units: 1

NSCI 40T. AEW Math - Math 76

These math courses are developed to meet the CSU Fresno Louis Stokes-Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-AMP) program Phase III grant goal of increasing minority student readiness for entry into graduate and doctoral science/mathematics programs. It is designed to enhance learning and proficiency in mathematics in the form of a uniquely structured workshop emphasizing attainment of concepts via group problem-solving methods. The two hour per week courses focus on subject topics are led by student facilitators who, under faculty guidance, provide learning material and direction in problem-solving to class participants in Math 75 & 76.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 40T. AMP Biology Academic Excellence Workshop

These Biological Sciences courses are developed to meet the CSU, Fresno Louis Stokes-Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-AMP) program Phase III grant goal of increasing minority student readiness for entry into graduate and doctoral science and mathematics programs. It is designed to enhance learning and proficienty in science in the form of uniquely structured workshops emphasizing attainment of concepts via group problem-solving methods. The two hour per week courses focus on subject topics led by student facilitators who, under faculty guidance, provide learning material and direction in problem-solving to class participants in BioSci 1A & 1B.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 40T. AEW Chemistry - CHEM 128 A

These chemistry courses are developed to meet the CSU, Fresno Louis Stokes-Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-AMP) program Phase III grant goal of increasing minority student readiness for entry into graduate and doctoral science and mathematics programs. It is designed to enhance learning and proficiency in science in the form of uniquely structured workshops emphasizing attainment of concepts via group problem-solving methods. The two hour per week courses focus on subject topics led by student facilitators who, under faculty guidance, provide learning material and direction in problem-solving to class participants in Chemistry 1A, 1B, 128A, & 128B.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 40T. AEW Physics - PHYS 2A

These physics courses are developed to meet the CSU, Fresno Louis Stokes-Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-AMP) program Phase III grant goal of increasing minority student readiness for entry into graduate and doctoral science and mathematics programs. It is designed to enhance learning and proficiency in science and mathematics in the form of uniquely structured workshops emphasizing attainment of concepts via group problem-solving methods. The two hour per week courses focus on subject topics are led by student facilitators who, under faculty guidance, provide learning material and direction in problem-solving to class participants in Physics 2A & 2B.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 40T. AEW Math - Math 75

This course is one of several facilitated Science/Mathematics workshops required by the CSU-AMP Program specifically for students who are participants in the AMP Program. The CSU-AMP, or California State Univerity Alliance for Minority Participation in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics is a collaborative effort among the National Science Foundation (NSF) the CSU systems approximately 30 California Community Colleges, and a number of research institutions and industrial companies to promote and support minority students in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (SEM) studies. Using in part the Treisman collaborative model, there would be two hours of weekly group activities based not on remediation but on an honor curriculum format.

Units: 1, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 100. Chemistry for Liberal Studies

Not open to engineering students. Prerequisites: NSCI 1A and NSCI 1B. Emphasizes chemistry as a process rather than a collection of facts, laws, and theories, and content in California K-8 Science Standards. Designed for students planning careers in K-8 teaching. S sections include a service-learning requirement.

Units: 3

NSCI 100S. Chemistry for Liberal Studies

Not open to engineering students. Prerequisites: NSCI 1A and NSCI 1B. Emphasizes chemistry as a process rather than a collection of facts, laws, and theories, and content in California K-8 Science Standards. Designed for students planning careers in K-8 teaching. S sections include a service-learning requirement.

Units: 3

NSCI 101. Biology for Liberal Studies

Not open to engineering students. Prerequisites: NSCI 1A and NSCI 1B. Emphasizes biology as a process rather than a collection of facts, laws, and theories. Designed especially for students planning careers as elementary school teachers.

Units: 3

NSCI 102. Physics and Astronomy for Liberal Studies

Not open to engineering students. Prerequisites: NSCI 1A and NSCI 1B. 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)

Units: 3

NSCI 106. Reigning Theories of Science

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.

Units: 3

NSCI 110. Practicum in Medicine

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. The Academic Research Associate Program is offered in association with the UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program and the Department of Emergency Medicine. Premedical students working at University Medical Center with health professionals will aid biomedical research efforts and have opportunities for clinical observation. CR/NC grading only.

Units: 1-2, Repeatable up to 6 units

NSCI 115. Environmental Earth and Life Science

Prerequisites: completion of General Education Foundation and Breadth Area B. 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. G.E. Integration IB.

Units: 3
GE Area: IB

NSCI 116. Energy, Technology, and Society

Not open to engineering students. Prerequisites: NSCI 1A and NSCI 1B. Examines the role that chemistry, physics, and technology play in our society. Designed especially for students planning careers as elementary school teachers.

Units: 3

NSCI 120. Biotechnology and Its Impact on Society

Prerequisites: completion of General Education Foundation and Breadth Area B; 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). Adresses applications of biotechnology to medicine, agriculture, the environment, and forensics, as well as their ethical implications. G.E. Integration IB.

Units: 3
GE Area: IB

NSCI 121. Blood: Science, Art, and Folklore

Prerequisites: completion of General Education Foundation and Breadth Area B; courses in biology and chemistry (high school or college) strongly recommended. Introduction to blood - its unique chemical, physical, and biological properties and its importance in medicine and forensics. Explores the significance of blood images for artistic and religious symbolism in both contemporary and historical cultures. G.E. Integration IB.

Units: 3
GE Area: IB

NSCI 125. Revenge of the Killer Microbes

Prerequisites: completion of General Education Foundation and Breadth Area B; 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. G.E. Integration IB.

Units: 3
GE Area: IB

NSCI 140T. Topics in N Sci

Units: 1-6, Repeatable up to 12 units

NSCI 140T. Science Outreach

Prerequisite: NSCI 1A or Biol 1B or Chem 1B. Science majors and future teachers develop hands-on activities to assist teaching Next Gen. standards in K-12 schools. Students will study how people learn and best practices in science teaching/communication (2 lec, 3 lab hrs)

Units: 3

NSCI 240T. Topics in Natural Sciences

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)

Units: 1-4, Repeatable up to 8 units

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Requirements

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Natural Sciences Major

Earth Science Option

The B.A. in Natural Sciences serves as a waiver program for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Science. Please contact Mr. Jaime Arvizu, College of Science and Mathematics counselor, for advising and more information at 278-5173.

The degree is also a suitable choice for students with a general interest in earth science and interest in pursuing a career in environmental science, law, medicine, dentistry, optometry, and other areas for which the breadth of scientific coverage of this degree is advantageous.

The B.A. in Natural Sciences with the Earth Science Emphasis is as follows:

1. Major Requirements (79 units)

Core requirements (36 units)

Biology (12 units)
BIOL 1A, 1B, 1BL, 101

Chemistry (10 units)
CHEM 1A, 1AL, 1B,  1BL

Geology (7 units)
EES 1 and 168

Natural Science (3 units)
NSCI 106

Physical Science (4 units)
PSCI 21

Earth Science Option (43 units)
PHYS 2A, 2B (see note 1) (8 units)
MATH 75 (4 units)
EES 12, 30, 100, 101, 102, 105, 112, 155 (24 units)
Select two courses: EES 110, 114, 117, 124; GEOG 111 (6 units)
EES 3 (1 unit)

2. General Education requirements (49 units)

3. Other requirements (6 units)
Upper-division writing and Multicultural and International (MI)

4. Sufficient elective units to meet required total units (varies)

5.Total (120 units) (see notes 2,3)*

* G.E. and MI courses can be double-counted with major requirements. The writing requirement may be met by taking the upper-division writing exam.  See advisor for details.

Advising Notes for all Options within the Natural Sciences Major

1. Substitutions may be made with the permission of the appropriate department chair. PHYS 4A-B-C with labs 4AL, 4BL is recommended instead of PHYS 2A-B for those students well-prepared for physics.
2. This total assumes that students in this option will maximize the 12 units required for the major that also may be applied to fulfill General Education requirements as follows: CHEM 1A (3 units), BIOL 1A (3 units), EES 168 (3 units) and, depending on emphasis and choice, MATH 75 (3 units). Consult your major advisor for details.

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Faculty

Roadmap

B.A. in Natural Sciences - Earth Science Option

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