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Natural Sciences
The natural sciences sequences provide a way for students in the humanities
and social sciences to satisfy both the Common Core requirements in the
physical sciences and biological sciences. (These requirements can be fulfilled
separately, of course.) The sequences Natural Sciences 101-102-103-104-105-106
and 151-152-153-154-155-156 follow two distinct themes through six quarters
of instruction, such that three are roughly "physical" and three
roughly "biological" in nature. The physical parts of these courses
are in general less mathematical than Physical Sciences 111-112-113 and
118-119-120/122. Both course sequences are at similar levels.
The two natural sciences sequences are open only to first- and second-year
students and first-year transfer students, with preference given to first-year
students. In general, College students should complete the physical sciences
requirement by the end of their second year and the biological sciences
requirement by the end of their third year. Notice that only the more mathematical
physical sciences courses are open to third- and fourth-year students. Ordinarily,
students must complete an entire natural sciences sequence to fulfill the
Common Core biological sciences requirement. The courses must be taken in
sequence.
Courses
In the following course descriptions, L refers to courses with
laboratory.
101-102-103-104-105-106. Evolution of the Natural World. PQ: Math
102, or 106, or placement into 131 or higher. This sequence satisfies the
Common Core requirements in the physical and biological sciences for humanities
and social sciences students. Open only to first- and second-year students,
and first-year transfer students, with preference given to first-year students.
This is an integrated six-quarter sequence that emphasizes the evolution
of the physical universe and life on earth, and explores the interrelationships
between the two. The courses must be taken in sequence, with NatSci 101-102-103
a prerequisite for NatSci 104-105-106.
101. Evolution of the Universe. This course traces the origin of structure
on all scales from atomic nuclei to galaxies and clusters of galaxies. The
empirical basis of modern cosmological theory is evaluated by studying the
astronomical record (the phenomenon of the redshift) and considering its
interpretation (the expansion of space). Modern telescopes can see galaxies
as they were billions of years ago, enabling a direct look at the status
of the earlier, less-evolved universe. The development of these ideas and
their influence upon other fields are reviewed. D. Duncan. Autumn. L:
102. Evolution of the Solar System and the Earth. PQ: NatSci 101.
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.
103. Evolution: Chemical to Biochemical. PQ: NatSci 102. This
course is an inquiry into the origins of the materials and processes that
are characteristic of living things. After locating the major events on
an evolutionary time scale, the course examines the evidence related to
the spontaneous occurrence of essential components and their self-assembly
into systems that satisfy minimum requirements for life. The course ends
with consideration of the modes of evolution to higher levels of organization.
Discussion section required. K. Swier. Spring. L.
104. Biological Evolution. PQ: NatSci 103. 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 and include DNA and the
genetic code, the genetics of populations, the origins of species, evolution
above the species level, and major events in the history of life, such as
the origin of complex cells, the invasion of land, and mass extinctions.
J. Flynn. Autumn. L.
105. Conservation Biology. PQ: NatSci 104. This course is an
introduction to biological diversity, how it is threatened by human activities
and how those threats can be mitigated. Topics include a review of threats
to biological diversity, economic and ethical values of biological diversity,
population biology of endangered species, design and management of protected
areas, legal aspects of protecting species and habitats. Two Saturday field
trips are in addition to scheduled class time. S. Arnold. Winter. L.
106. Evolution of Plant and Animal Behavior. PQ: NatSci 105.
This course examines the evolutionary consequences of ecological interactions
among species, including mutualism, parasitism, herbivory, predation, and
competition. Altruism, the evolution of sex, and sexual selection is studied
in depth as they have been problematic for evolutionary theorists. Lab work
concentrates on the natural history of Hyde Park and involves students in
collecting and analyzing data on spring flowering plants and bird migration.
J. Masterson. Spring. L.
151-152-153-154-155-156. Form and Function in the Natural World. PQ:
Math 102, or 106, or placement into 131 or higher. This sequence satisfies
the Common Core requirements in the physical and biological sciences for
students in the humanities and social sciences. Open only to first- and
second-year students, and first-year transfer students, with preference
given to first-year students. Must be taken in sequence, with the first
year (NatSci 151-152-153) ordinarily a prerequisite for the second (NatSci
154-155-156). Students who enroll in BioSci 154-155-156 may do so without
the prerequisite. This is an integrated six-quarter sequence that explores
the interrelationships between form and function in the natural world. It
describes the art, architecture, and aesthetics of atoms and molecules.
It then considers the form and function of living cells and the structure
and function of multicellular animals. The final quarter examines the ways
individual organisms interact in populations and ecological communities.
This sequence is on a level similar to that of NatSci 101-106.
151. Atomic Physics for Poets. The atomic nature of matter is described
in terms of a historical review of the empirical evidence. Experiments on
radioactivity and the interaction of matter and radiation are used to clarify
the modern view of atomicity. I. Abella. Autumn. L.
152. Atoms and Molecules in Everyday Chemistry. PQ: NatSci 151.
The shapes, connections and behavior of molecules are presented to provide
a better comprehension of the extraordinary microscopic world of chemistry.
For example, the atoms and molecules that use sunlight to convert air, water
and soil into a tree or a rose and that permit eyes to see are introduced
and explained. Entropy is a concept important to our daily activities yet
it remains poorly understood. The principles that make warm bricks get cooler,
that prevent cool bricks from spontaneously becoming cooler, that allow
microwave ovens to heat coffee but not the coffee cup, that cause a bouncing
ball to come to rest are presented in terms of the intrinsic asymmetry of
nature. The course relies heavily on familiar chemical substances of our
daily experiences. Knowledge of chemistry not required. J. Norris. Winter.
L.
153. Atoms, Molecules, and Life. PQ: NatSci 152 or Chem 112.
Building on the principles of structure and bonding, we develop the concepts
of reactivity in organic molecules. We also examine the functional role
that certain molecular species play in nature, and how scientists have learned
to control molecular structures and thereby manipulate molecular functions
in chemistry and in biology. The application of this knowledge to events
in daily life, including the control and treatment of diseases, is discussed.
M. Weiss. Spring. L.
154. Living Cells (=BioSci 154). PQ: NatSci 153. This course
considers the basic attributes of living cells, with emphasis on how the
structure of macromolecules determines their functional role in cellular
processes. Emphasis is also placed on the nature of inquiry and discovery
in modern molecular biology and on providing sufficient basic knowledge
and vocabulary to enable a nonprofessional to follow and appreciate the
reporting in the popular press of future developments and their ramifications.
Common Core Lab required. E. Goldwasser. Autumn.
155. Multicellular Organisms (=BioSci 155). PQ: NatSci 154. This
course provides a description of the relationships between structure and
function in a multicellular organism. Examples are chosen that illustrate
how the demands of a particular function determine its structure, and how
the existence of certain structures in the developmental or evolutionary
history of an organism affects its function. Examples are drawn from a variety
of animals, including the human organism. Common Core Lab required. L.
Straus. Winter.
156. Individuals, Populations, and Groups (=BioSci 156). PQ: NatSci
155. This course focuses on biological processes at and above the individual
level: variation, selection, and the evolution of adaptations; resources
and hazards in natural environments; evolution of life history patterns;
aggregations and social groups; structure, growth, regulation, and conservation
of natural populations and communities; and political and ethical aspects
of human population problems. Common Core Lab required. P. Soltys. Spring.
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