Natural Sciences

PEAKS |

The Natural Science Minor provides opportunities for students to sample widely among the natural sciences to gain knowledge of both physical and life sciences. Because much of our understanding of the natural world is framed quantitatively, the study of mathematics is included. In addition to studying how natural science is a way of knowing, students include coursework involving the relationship of science to other forms of knowledge, culture, or society.

Minor Requirements (13 credits):

• One (1) of the following courses.
  • MAT-111 Contemporary Mathematics (3 cr)
  • MAT-112 Introduction to Statistics (3 cr)
  • MAT-149 Pre-Calculus (4 cr)
    or
    a higher level math course (excluding MAT-221 / MAT-222 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I & II)
• At least 3 credits in physical sciences, selected from among:
  • CHE-141 General Chemistry & Lab (4 cr)
  • ENV-160 Environmental Science I & Lab (4 cr)
  • GOL-101 Physical Geology & Lab (4 cr)
  • GOG-150 Physical Geography (3 cr)
  • PHY-100 The Universe (3 cr)
  • PHY-231 General Physics I & Lab (4 cr)
• At least 3 credits in life sciences, selected from among:
  • BIO-102 Human Disease & Lab (4 cr)
  • BIO-104 Introduction to Human Anatomy (3 cr)
  • BIO-109 Biology of Reproduction (3-4 cr)
  • BIO-129 Murder, Medicine, and Magic (3-4 cr)
  • BIO-140 Idaho Natural History & Lab (4 cr)
  • BIO-145 Drugs, Brains & Behavior & Lab (3-4 cr)
  • BIO-201 Molecules to Cells & Lab (4 cr)
  • CHE-124 Forensic Science & Lab (3 cr)
  • ENV-260 Environmental Science II & Lab (4 cr)
• At least one course that emphasizes relationships between science and knowledge, culture, or society:
  • ENV-200 Nature and Culture (3 cr)
  • ATH-309 Cross Cultural Approaches to the Environment (3 cr)
  • REL-251 Religion & Science (3 cr)
  • PHI-202.3 Bioethics (3 cr)
  • PHI-340 Environmental Philosophy (3 cr)
  • ENG-299T.9 Visions of Environment (3 cr)
  • POE-339 Environmental Policy Analysis (3 cr)
  • POE-389 Ecological Economics (3 cr)

Student Learning Outcomes

• Critical Thinking
• Analytical Reasoning
• Quantitative and Qualitative Problem Solving
• Written Communication
• Sharpen student understanding of the methodology and limits of science
• Increase student scientific literacy in both the physical and life sciences
• Apply scientific knowledge in the broader context of the liberal arts

Advising Guidelines

These guidelines are intended for use by The College of Idaho students, in conjuction with the Catalog and Course Schedule and in collaboration with faculty advisors, to develop individualized plans. They do not subsititute for the Catalog, which serves as the official record for the curriculum, nor does it substitute for discussions with faculty and other trusted advisors; but it does provide background information on all the of the College's major and minor programs and useful advice for the implementation of academic plans.

The Natural Science Minor has been designed to provide opportunities for students to explore some of the major fields of the physical and life sciences, including chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics and geology, among others.  The program has been structured so that students will not only gain a working knowledge of the sciences, but will also explore the relationship and interaction of the natural sciences with our larger world, including through the development of new forms of knowledge, our larger culture and society, economics and the development of new philosophical models.

Who should consider this minor

The Natural Science Minor is appropriate for students who wish to develop a larger knowledge of the physical and life sciences. The significant impact of the sciences on our day-to-day lives makes this minor a relevant complement to many different courses of study at the college. The goal of the minor is to provide the student with a body of knowledge that they can then use to analyze problems and form reasoned opinions about some of the complex questions that face our society today.  Some examples of career goals that might lead a student to consider the natural sciences minor would include

• elementary or secondary education majors who wished to build a stronger foundation in the sciences
• business majors who wished to become more versed in the sciences given the current emerging significance alternative energy, memory storage devices and electronics in our current economy
• political economy majors who wanted to gain additional insight into currently politically contentious issues such as the merits of global warming and emission cap-and-trade proposals

Suggested Timetable

The curriculum for the natural sciences minor is quite flexible. It would be advantageous for the student to complete their math requirement and the first-year seminar (or equivalent) within their first year.  Completing these two courses would provide greater flexibility for the courses that could be selected from the physical sciences offerings.  It is important to note that the preponderance of cross-cutting courses that show relationships between the natural sciences and the greater world are offered in the winter or spring terms.

Sample Schedules

Example 1:

	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st  Year	MAT-149 Pre-Calculus (4 credits)	PHY-100 The Universe (3 credits)
2nd Year	PHI-202.3 Bioethics (3 credits)	CHE-124/L Forensic Science with lab (4 credits)
3rd Year
4th Year

Example 2:

	Fall	Winter	Spring
1st  Year	MAT-149 Pre-Calculus (4 credits)		BIO-102 Human Disease with lab (4 credits)
2nd Year	CHE-141/L General Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
3rd Year	POE-389 Ecological Economics (3 credits)
4th Year

Note: These are only sample schedules and do not guarantee that courses will always be held during the listed semester. These sample schedules include generally held course offerings and the recommend sequence of courses.