13.- Interdisciplinary Courses (SCI)

The College of Science offers four interdisciplinary courses:

4101 Explanatory Power of Science (3-2)

Milestones in the development of science, including science in the Ancient and Medieval Worlds, the scientific revolution in the late Renaissance; the emergence of working models in physics, chemistry, and biology in the period of the Enlightenment through the mid-nineteenth century; the changing view of the Earth's history with the emergence of geology as a new science; evolutionary theory and the founding of genetics. Consideration of such topics as the explanatory power of empirical data and their interpretation, science vs. pseudo-science, science and theology. Laboratory exercises in science as a progress of investigation. Prerequisite: MATH 3010 or placement into MATH 3011 or higher level mathematics course. Laboratory fee required.

Further milestones in the development of science in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, selected from thermodynamics, relativity and cosmology, the physics of the small, modern genetics and contemporary evolutionary theory, and plate tectonics; consideration of science in its cultural contexts, including such topics as science and technology, the aesthetics of science, models of scientific development, science and ethics, scientific elitism, and images of science in popular culture. Laboratory exercises elucidating scientific concepts and principles. Prerequisite: SCI 4101 . Laboratory fee required.

Integrated introduction to the earth and life sciences, based on review of fundamental physical and chemical principles. Engergetics; thermodynamics; atoms and molecules; origin of the universe, starts, and planetary systems; origin and evolution of life; principles of geology and biology. Interdisciplinary treatment, with emphasis on quantitative analysis and composition. Prerequisite: MATH 3011 or placement into MATH 4109 .

3472 Ethics, Economics, and Ecology (3-0)

Integration of ecological fact and theory with concepts and principles of ethics and economics. Problem solving on environmental issues approached through the case study method. An interdisciplinary course for science, education, philosophy, business, and economics majors. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

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