Natural Science
Lower-Division Course Descriptions
LS 12 Introduction to Life Sciences (4) An introduction to the processes of life, from the biochemical to ecological/evolutionary levels of organization. Includes discussions of nutrition, heredity, genetic technologies, racial variation, sexual behavior, ecological principles, population growth, and evolutionary theory.
LS 13 Biology, Values and the Developing World (4) An introduction to biological processes, with emphasis on third world issues. Discussion of population growth and the Malthusian controversy, global resources and the Cornucopian debate, biological theories of racial variation, adaptations of indigenous cultures, appropriate technology, third world agriculture and health, equatorial natural history, and environmental challenges to tropical/global ecosystems.
PHS 7 Astronomy: Discovering the Universe (4) History of astronomy, the stars and constellations of the night sky, celestial mechanics, exploration of the solar system, survey of planets and moons, discussion of the properties of stars and galaxies, structure of the universe, introduction to cosmogony. Observatory and planetarium sessions.
PHS 11 Introduction to Physical Sciences (4) An introduction to physics, chemistry, earth science, and astronomy including mechanics, electricity and magnetism, energy, theories of the atom, periodic table, chemical reactions, plate tectonics, continental drift, weather, cosmology, and the solar system.
PHS 17 The Physics of Music (4) An exploration of music and sound from the perspective of classical physics. Topics include basic physical principles of vibrating systems, wave propagation, and resonance; the ear and the perception of sound, pitch, tone quality, and harmony; scales and temperament; musical instruments and the human voice; the electronic reproduction of sound; and room acoustics. Course will include some “hands-on” activity and attendance of at least one local music production or recital.
Upper-Division Course Descriptions
PHS 114 Earth Science (4) An introduction to astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography.
PHS 117 Exploration of the Universe (4) A seminar course focusing on the connections between scientific and religious views of the universe.