NSCI 101
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Intro to Earth's Environment
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3.0
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FS
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GE
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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.
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NSCI 101H
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Earth's Environment - Honors
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3.0
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FA
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GE
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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.
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NSCI 102
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Introduction to Living Systems
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3.0
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FS
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GE
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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.
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NSCI 102H
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Introduction to the Living World
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3.0
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SP
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GE
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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.
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NSCI 141
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Concepts in the Physical Sciences
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3.0
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FS
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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.
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NSCI 142
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Concepts in Life Science
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3.0
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FS
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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.
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NSCI 198
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Special Topics
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1.0
-3.0
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FS
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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.
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NSCI 300
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Revolutionary Ideas in the Natural Sciences
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3.0
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FS
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GE
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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 General Education course.
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NSCI 300Z
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Revolutionary Ideas in the Natural Sciences - Capstone
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3.0
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FS
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GE
WI
C
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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.
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NSCI 321
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Scientific Inquiry
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3.0
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FS
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GW
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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.
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NSCI 342
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Concepts in Earth and Space Science
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3.0
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FS
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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.
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NSCI 343
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Concepts in Environmental Sciences
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3.0
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FS
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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.
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NSCI 398
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Special Topics
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1.0
-3.0
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FS
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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.
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NSCI 489
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Internship in Natural Sciences
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1.0
-3.0
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FS
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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.
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NSCI 489A
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Internship in Science Teaching
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1.0
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FS
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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.
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NSCI 489M
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Science Museum Docent Training
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1.0
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FS
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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.
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NSCI 490
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Natural Sciences Seminar
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1.0
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SP
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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.
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NSCI 600
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Teaching Assistant Preparation
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2.0
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FA
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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.
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