You are in the official 1997-98 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
The goal of the School of Natural Sciences is to provide professional training at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To achieve this goal, our programs of study serve as foundations for careers in science and mathematics. They provide professional training in preparation for careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and other professions.
The school consists of the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. Their degree programs are listed separately. The school provides study for students in the areas of biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, physics, and psychology by offering courses in the majors; support courses for non-science majors such as agriculture, engineering, and the health professions; and courses for the general education of all university students.
The school requires faculty members to possess the appropriate terminal degree recognized in their discipline. The school has 90 permanent faculty members; all hold the doctorate degree in their discipline. Doctorates held by faculty were granted by some of the most prestigious universities in the nation and abroad. Furthermore, students and faculty members conduct research and scholastic activities in their academic areas as well as solve applied scientific problems of the region. This research activity is carried out among campus scientists along with investigators at other regional research centers.
The School of Natural Sciences also is involved with the school systems in science/mathematics teacher education. Important emphasis is placed on the recruitment, retention, and education of underrepresented minorities and females in science and mathematics majors.
The School of Natural Sciences and the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) - Agricultural Research Services (ARS) have a cooperative agreement
to service and promote the Natural Sciences Scholars Program (NSSP). The
NSSP provides scholarships and research experiences to encourage minority
and disadvantaged students to enter USDA research related professions.
The USDA Forest Service Partnership is designed to bring together existing
and new community resources to increase college enrollment and graduation
of Hispanics and other minority and disadvantaged students in natural resources
and related fields.
Science Careers Opportunity Program (SCOP)
Through the Science Careers Opportunity Program (SCOP), the school offers a unique opportunity for minority and underrepresented students interested in the sciences, science teaching, or health professions. Students are assisted in their transition from high school and/or community college into the university. They are provided with academic support and extracurricular activities that are designed to help the students successfully complete their undergraduate education and enter into graduate-level science and health professional school programs.
Man/Woman and the Natural Environment (MNE)
(18-unit thematic cluster)
A 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.
This course of study (fall semester only) involves approximately one month
of instruction in various field locations with significant time in several
of the locations. A special fee of $300 is charged for transportation and
food on field trips. For further information, contact the dean's office
at (559) 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.
Math and Science Teacher Education
The school offers baccalaureate degree programs in mathematics and natural
science that serve as waiver programs leading to the Single Subject Teaching
Credential in Mathematics and Science. In science, a student can select
the Single Subject Teaching Credential with an emphasis in Biology, Chemistry,
Earth Science, or Physics. For more information, call Agnes Tuska (Math
Education) at (559) 278-2992 or Dave Andrews (Science Education) at (559)
278-2001.
Biotechnology Certificate Program
The school offers a one-year postbaccalaureate Certification of Advanced Study in Biotechnology. This intensive program of study emphasizes molecular biology and a wide range of laboratory skills at the forefront of modern biotechnology. The certificate program can lead to potential careers in expanding fields such as: drug and hormone production in the pharmaceutical industry, monoclonal antibody production for medical diagnostics, crop improvement, industrial bioprocessing, and medical research. The program also provides a strong background for advanced studies in biochemistry, molecular biology, and agricultural biotechnology. For further information, call Howard Ono (Chemistry) at (559) 278-2103 or Shirley Kovacs (Biology) at (559) 278-2001.
Marine Science
The school offers a Master of Science degree in Marine Science in cooperation
with Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. The program at Moss Landing provides
extensive field and laboratory work for advanced study to prepare students
for careers as marine specialists, scientists, and teachers. For further
information, call the Biology Department at (559) 278-2001.
South Pacific Semester
Relying on the uniqueness of New Zealand and Australia, the school offers an intensive program of study during alternate spring semesters in biology and geology along with other disciplines such as art, business, and anthropology. Students will be required to enroll for a minimum of 15 units, most of which may be applied in satisfaction of some General Education requirements. When offered, this program, which has special subsistence and travel expenses for students, will be limited in size and will encompass dates not exactly coinciding with normal spring semester dates. For additional information and a brochure about this unique program, contact the dean's office at (559) 278-3936.
Preprofessional Programs
Preprofessional programs are available for students who plan to transfer
to other institutions for the completion of professional curricula in such
fields as medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry,
and chiropractic. For further information call:
Premedical
Stephen Rodemeyer (559) 278-2961
Predental
Fred Schreiber (559) 278-2001
Preveterinary
Wallace Harmon (559) 278-2001
Prepharmacy
Wallace Harmon (559) 278-2001
Preoptometry
Floyd Judd (559) 278-2371
Prechiropractic
Dean Mitchell (559) 278-2103
Preosteopathic
Francisco Pineda (559) 278-4748
