Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Catalogue 
    
2016-2017 Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Natural Science


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Natural Science is an interdisciplinary major combining mathematics with the physical and biological sciences. It is designed to offer maximum flexibility and scope for an individual’s interest within the sciences, while also providing opportunities to investigate other disciplines. Students planning to attend a graduate or professional school should include organic chemistry among their courses of study.

Major requirements include:


Each student, in consultation with an advisor, will select a series of courses to provide preparation for individual goals or interests. Students majoring in Natural Science are required to take:

Additional requirements include:


The student is also required to complete successfully six additional courses from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

Three of the six must come from the Department of Biology, and two of the three must include a laboratory experience.  The remaining three required courses may be drawn from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

Students must also successfully complete a written comprehensive examination. The examination is the Educational Testing Service Major Field Test in Biology and is administered once annually in January.

Note:


CH 110 , CH 111, CH 120   and PS 111-112  do not count as electives for the Natural Science major.

Research experience:


Since scientific research is an important aspect of an education in science, Natural Science majors are encouraged to replace one of the six required courses with one of the following:

  1. under the direction of a faculty member, participate in Directed Research (BI 421  - BI 422  or BI 423 );
  2. develop, with direction from the Internship Facilitator, an individual internship program (BI 451-454  - BI 454 );
  3. participate in the Washington Internship Program (BI 450 ); or
  4. participate in Research and Seminar I and II (CH 420  - CH 421 ).

With permission of the chair, up to 2 upper-level major elective courses on topics other than those listed in the college catalog may be transferred in from study abroad or from domestic institutions.

Course Sequence Outline


Freshman Year


Sophomore Year


Fall


  • PS 121 - General Physics I  or
  • PS 131 - Classical Physics I
  • Core
  • Language 1/elective
  • Science Elective 1

Spring


  • PS 122 - General Physics I or
  • PS 132 - Classical Physics II
  • Core
  • Language 2/elective
  • Science Elective 2

Junior Year


Fall


  • Language 3/elective
  • Core
  • Science elective 3
  • Science elective 4

Spring


  • Core
  • Core
  • Science elective 5
  • Science elective 6

Senior Year


Fall


  • Choice of research experience or major elective
  • Core
  • Core
  • Elective

Spring


  • Choice of research experience or major elective 
  • Core/elective
  • Core/elective
  • Elective

Note:


See Biological Sciences Overview  for additional information.

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