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Please see the section on Course Description Symbols and Terms in the University Catalog for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units. All courses are lecture and discussion and employ letter grading unless otherwise stated. Some prerequisites may be waived with faculty permission. Many syllabi are available on the Chico Web.

Science Education Course Offerings

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
This course introduces students to the issue and practices of environmental literacy. Environmental literacy is the capacity to perceive and interpret the relative health of environmental systems and to connect the environment to human physical, mental, and social health. Students are encouraged to recognize that their lives depend upon the environment, and that their personal decisions affect the environment. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (003723)
This course introduces students to the issue and practices of environmental literacy. Environmental literacy is the capacity to perceive and interpret the relative health of environmental systems and to connect the environment to human physical, mental, and social health. Students are encouraged to recognize that their lives depend upon the environment, and that their personal decisions affect the environment. 3 hours lecture.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education course. (021259)
This course is an internship offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (021061)

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
This course focuses on the principles and scientific thought processes as they relate to climate change, air and water resources, and ecosystem alteration. The Earth's physical environment is the primary focus, although a portion of the course covering ecosystems bridges physical and biological interrelatedness of the global environment. Problem solving skills and skills in analyzing environmental issues are emphasized. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (020268)
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.
This is a special section of NSCI 101 for students in the Honors in General Education Program. The course focuses on the principles and scientific thought processes as they relate to climate change, air and water resources, and ecosystem alteration. The Earth's physical environment is the primary focus, although a portion of the course covering ecosystems bridges physical and biological interrelatedness of the global environment. Problem solving skills and skills in analyzing environmental issues are emphasized. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (020269)
An integrated study of the nature and interactions of living things and their environments. This course is an introduction to the processes of evolution and speciation, ecology and ecosystem processes, cellular biology and organismal physiology. The course is primarily for students without a strong background in high school biology or chemistry. The course includes online content delivery, in-class discussion, and a hands-on activity session. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (020372)
An introduction to concepts, principles, and theories of the life sciences, focusing on the cellular, genetic, environmental, and evolutionary bases of life. Includes opportunities to consider similarities and differences between science and other intellectual endeavors, to read and critically reflect on science-based articles in popular magazines and journals, and to present personal views on contemporary and controversial issues in written and oral form. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (021185)
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of MATH 110 recommended.
Basic concepts of motion, force, energy, chemical change, and their interactions. Intended for Liberal Studies majors. 1 hour lecture, 4 hours activity. (004132)
Prerequisites: NSCI 141 or faculty permission.
Study of the nature and interactions of living things on the planet. Includes cell organization; diversity and physiology of plants and animals; DNA and genetics; ecology; and evolution. Intended for Liberal Studies majors or others interested in K-8 teaching. 6 hours activity. (020915)
Prerequisites: Department permission.
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 1 hour lecture. (006394)
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Pathway Foundation Physical Sciences and GE Pathway Foundation Life Sciences.
This course presents to students the seminal ideas in the natural sciences. Not only is the historical development of a scientific discipline explored, but connections are made with great ideas in other areas - both within the natural sciences and beyond. 3 hours lecture.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education Capstone course. Formerly NSCI 300. (021115)
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, NSCI 141, NSCI 142.
This course engages students in inquiry into topics that span the scientific disciplines. Skills addressed include experimental design, modeling, representation, dissemination of results, and critique of peers' work. Content topics include light, color and sound, from biological, chemical and physics perspectives. 1 hour lecture, 4 hours activity. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (020914)
Prerequisites: NSCI 141, NSCI 142, or faculty permission.
Fundamental concepts in (1) the solar system and the universe, (2) the structure and composition of the solid Earth, and (3) Earth's atmosphere and water. Intended for Liberal Studies majors and students pursuing a single subject teaching credential in science. 1 hour lecture, 4 hours activity. (004144)
Prerequisites: NSCI 141, NSCI 142, or faculty permission.
A course designed to introduce basic principles and concepts in environmental science. Field investigations in the local environment provide a natural setting for scientific inquiry and student research on environmental processes and conditions that shape the local landscape. Intended for Liberal Studies majors and students pursuing a single subject teaching credential in science. 1 hour lecture, 4 hours activity. (020916)
Prerequisites: Department permission.
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours lecture. (020470)
This course is an internship offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (020918)
Prerequisites: NSCI 141, NSCI 142 or faculty permission.
Students have the opportunity to work with elementary and middle school students in a science teaching/learning environment in the hands-on Science Education Laboratory facility on campus. The hands-on lessons provide early teaching experiences in science for undergraduates exploring teaching as a career. All lessons are based on the California content standards in science. Students cover instructional strategies as well as content as part of the one-hour teaching and two-hour follow-up laboratory experience. 1 hour lecture. ABC/no credit grading. (015904)
Students in this course facilitate the elementary grade level field trip activities for visiting K-8 students at the Gateway Science Museum to foster an appreciation and understanding of the natural world around them. 3 hours laboratory. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 3.0 units. (020964)
Prerequisite: Senior standing.
This course is a capstone experience for Natural Sciences Majors. In this course, students reflect on their work in the program, read and discuss the relevant literature, and synthesize their accomplishments across the sciences into a professional portfolio. In addition, students are required to present a portion of their portfolio as a departmental seminar. 1 hour seminar. Credit/no credit grading. (021290)
Prerequisite: Graduate status.
This course is also offered as GEOS 606.
This is a seminar course for teaching assistants focusing on the theory and practice of active learning in science laboratory settings. The overall goals of the course; 1) To increase participants understanding of strategies to engage students in active learning, 2) to provide opportunities for modeling best practices in science teaching and 3) confidence in his/her ability as effective science lab instructors. 2 hours seminar. (021000)

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
3 hours seminar. (006402)
Prerequisites: Admission to master's degree program in science teaching, NSCT 687, faculty permission.
This course is also offered as MTHE 680.
The course focuses on quantitative and qualitative methods to conduct research in science education that informs and strengthens their classroom practice. Successful completion of the course requires students to develop a research proposal. 9 hours supervision. (005930)
Prerequisites: Teaching credential; four college science courses.
This course involves teachers in producing hands-on, inquiry-based lessons for their classes and sharing in lab. The process will heighten the awareness of science standards, frameworks, and gaps in content knowledge. these gaps will be addressed on an individual basis through e-mail and consultation. 9 hours supervision. (006403)
Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in a science discipline; teaching credential.
This course will explore natural phenomena that are fundamental to all physical sciences. Teachers will work with problems and home activities that will deepen knowledge and be useful to their teaching. 9 hours supervision. (006404)
Prerequisites: Teaching credential; four college science courses.
This course will explore topics in geosciences with a constructivist approach. Participants will learn to create curricular materials suitable for classroom use. Course content will include topics in astronomy, meteorology, oceanography, and geology, and will emphasize the interdisciplinary aspects of these fields. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (006405)
Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in a science discipline; teaching credential.
This course will involve the study of the earth systems and abiotic environment. Geology will be emphasized and the knowledge applied in an investigation of the physical dynamics of creeks in a watershed, watersheds being fundamental systems that underlie and support virtually every ecosystem. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (006406)
Prerequisites: Teaching credential; four college science courses.
This course will focus on the direct involvement with life forms around us (flowers, bugs, birds, ourselves), their adaptations to the environment and importance to ecosystems. Life science will be studied in an interdisciplinary manner, emphasizing the relationship of the biotic to the abiotic. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (006407)
Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in a science discipline; teaching credential.
This course will focus on the study of biological patterns and interactions of organisms in riparian and creek habitats to enhance an understanding of watersheds for better stewardship. Course content will be integrated with the earth science course so that the two courses intertwine and give the student a detailed and integrated look at an important system. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (006408)
9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (006409)
This course is a graduate-level independent study offered for 1.0-3.0 units. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 3.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (006412)
Prerequisites: Teaching Credential; four college science courses (elementary track) or science bachelor's degree (secondary track).
Typically the topic is offered on a one-time basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. 9 hours supervision. (006411)
9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (006418)
9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (006416)
Catalog Cycle:12