The natural sciences sequences provide a way for students in the humanities and social sciences to satisfy the general education requirements through integrated sequences in the physical and biological sciences. These requirements can be fulfilled separately, of course. The sequence "Evolution of the Natural World" follows a distinct theme through four quarters. "Environmental Sciences," the second (six quarter) sequence offered, satisfies the general education requirements in the mathematical sciences as well as the physical and biological sciences.

The natural sciences sequences are open only to first- and second-year students and to first-year transfer students, with preference given to first-year students. The courses must be taken in sequence.

Courses: Natural Sciences (ntsc)

10100-10200-10300-10400. Evolution of the Natural World. PQ: MATH 10600, or placement into 13100 or higher. This sequence meets the general education requirements in the physical and biological sciences for humanities and social sciences students. Open only to first- and second-year students and to first-year transfer students, with preference given to first-year students. Must be taken in sequence. This is an integrated four-quarter sequence that emphasizes the evolution of the physical universe and life on Earth, and explores the interrelationships between the two.

10100. Evolution of the Solar System and the Earth. This course examines the physical and chemical origins of planetary systems, the role of meteorite studies in this context, and a comparison of the Earth with neighboring planets. It then turns to chemical and physical processes that lead to internal differentiation of the Earth. Further topics include the thermal balance at the Earth's surface (glaciation and the greenhouse effect), and the role of liquid water in controlling crustal geology and evolution. F. Richter. Winter. L.

10200. Evolution of the Universe. PQ: NTSC 10100. This course is designed to encourage a sense of awe, appreciation, and understanding of the topics investigated in modern astrophysics, such as the origin of the universe, the formation and evolution of the sun and the Earth, the nature of space and time, and the search for other planets and life in the universe. Students also have a chance to experience the predicting, testing, and investigative nature of science. E. Kolb. L: C. Pryke. Spring.

10300. Biological Evolution. PQ: NTSC 10200. This course is an introduction to evolutionary processes and patterns in present-day organisms and in the fossil record and how they are shaped by biological and physical forces. Topics emphasize evolutionary principles. They include DNA and the genetic code, the genetics of populations, the origins of species, and evolution above the species level. We also discuss major events in the history of life, such as the origin of complex cells, the invasion of land, and mass extinction. Autumn. L.

10400. Environmental Ecology. (=BIOS 13107, ENST 12404, NTSC 12404) PQ: NTSC 10300. For course description, see Environmental Studies. Discussion required. T. Price. Winter.

12100-12202-12300-124XX-12500-126XX. Environmental Sciences. PQ: MATH 10600 or placement into 13100 or higher. This sequence satisfies the general education requirements in the physical, biological, and mathematical sciences for humanities and social sciences students. Open only to first- and second-year students and to first-year transfer students, with preference given to first-year students. For the current options for NTSC 124XX and 126XX, see below. Courses must be taken in sequence; NTSC 124XX may be taken at any time following the successful completion of NTSC 12202 (=BIOS 10110), and it may be taken concurrently with another natural sciences course in the sequence. Although NTSC 12202 (=BIOS 10110) is offered every quarter, it is recommended that students take this course during the first year of the sequence. This sequence is not required of majors and it is not appropriate for students planning advanced scientific study.

12100. Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Quality. (=ENST 12100, PHSC 13500) PQ: MATH 10600, or placement into 13100 or higher. This course considers: (1) the chemical, physical, and radiative processes that determine the composition of the atmosphere; and (2) the effects that increasing global industrialization and agriculturization are having upon the atmosphere. Particular attention is given to stratospheric ozone depletion, the chemistry of the global troposphere, the quality of urban air throughout the world, and the formation of acid precipitation. The extent to which locally-released pollutants affect the atmosphere on a global scale is addressed. J. Frederick. Autumn. L.

12202. Biological Issues and Paradigms. (=BIOS 10110, ENST 12202) This course addresses the question "what is life?" with a discussion of topics that range from the essential properties characteristic of all life to the complexities of evolution and interactions between all forms of life in the biosphere. Students in the course develop a broad common core of understanding of the nature of life through lectures, small group discussions, writing, and laboratory investigations. A second biology course (listed under topics courses, below) builds on this core knowledge by focusing on a specialized topic of biological inquiry. T. Christianson, A. Hunter, B. Fineschi, R. Zaragoza, I. Pavlova, E. Larsen, C. Andrews. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

12300. Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast. (=ENST 12300, GEOS 13400, PHSC 13400) PQ: NTSC 12202. This course presents the science behind the forecast of global warming to enable the student to evaluate the likelihood and potential severity of anthropogenic climate change in the coming centuries. It includes an overview of the physics of the greenhouse effect, including comparisons with Venus and Mars; an overview of the carbon cycle in its role as a global thermostat; predictions and reliability of climate model forecasts of the greenhouse world; and an examination of the records of recent and past climates, such as the glacial world and Eocene and Oligocene warm periods. D. Archer, R. Pierrehumbert. Spring. L.

Students completing the six-quarter natural sciences sequence choose one course from 124XX.

12402. Topics in Environmental Biology. (=BIOS 11122, ENST 12402) PQ: BIOS 10110 or consent of instructor. This course qualifies as a topical course in the Biological Sciences General Education requirement and as the second Biological Sciences course in the Environmental Sciences sequence. We consider human interaction with the natural environment at several levels of basic biology: molecular, cellular, genetic, and ecological. T. Steck, A. Turkewitz. Winter.

12403. Ecology to Agroecology: Human Impacts on Natural Environments. (=BIOS 13323, ENST 12403) PQ: BIOS 10100 or 10110 or consent of instructor. We examine how ecosystems function with and without human management. Topics include nutrient cycles in soil and plants, relationships among plants and animals, biodiversity and environ-mental conservation. Agroecosystems illustrate ecosystem complexity and human impact. N. Gift. Autumn.

12404. Environmental Ecology. (=BIOS 13107, ENST 12404, NTSC 10400) PQ: NTSC 12202 or 10300. This course emphasizes basic scientific understanding of ecological and evolutionary principles that relate most closely to the ways humans interact with their environments. Topics include population growth, adaptation, and ecosystem structure and function. We also discuss the regulation and consequences of biodiversity. Discussion required. T. Price. Winter.

12500. Quantitative Methods in Environmental Science. (=ENST 12500, STAT 12500) PQ: NTSC 10400, 12300, or 124XX; or consent of instructor. For course description, see Environmental Studies. V. Dukic. Winter.

Students completing the six-quarter natural sciences sequence choose one course from 126XX.

12601. Environmental Science and Society. (=ENST 12601) PQ: NTSC 12500 or consent of instructor. In this course we apply the knowledge and the methods of science to an exploration of how humans use their natural environment. We explore the meaning of scientific knowledge and how it is applied to problems in human affairs (e.g., the role of scientific evidence in public policy and popular debates). Of particular interest is the nature and application of energy. We also explore the parallel between science and art. Spring, 2005.

12602. Planetary Consequences of Human Diet. (=ENST 12602) PQ: NTSC 12500 or consent of instructor. In this course we first survey various large-scale consequences of production of various food items, agricultural practices and subsidy structure of various food products. We then follow various food choices all the way back from our plate to their elemental building blocks and analyze each in terms of inputs (e.g., water, surface area, air quality). The method of linear programming is introduced (mostly heuristically) and employed in the comparison of various dietary choices. Throughout the course, the overt, as well as the carefully hidden, political aspects of food production are discussed. Spring, 2006.