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Minor in Natural Sciences

[Biology, Chemistry, Physics] (21 Credit Hours)

Natural sciences are deeply involved in the activities that are essential to our modern civilization. The breadth of the natural sciences reflects the blurring of boundaries between the different sciences: biological problems are increasingly being solved using techniques that require an understanding of physics and chemistry, while many of the most pressing problems being addressed by chemists and environmental scientists require knowledge of physics and biology.

The mission of the natural sciences program is the development of literacy in the concepts, goals, and methods of a variety of science disciplines (fields of study) by offering courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. Students choose between a curriculum that stresses a solid knowledgebase in biology, and a curriculum that emphasizes the physical or chemical sciences with less intense coverage of biology. Students can expect to deepen their knowledge through hands-on laboratory investigations, and to develop observational and experimental skills. Students will develop critical thinking skills and a more detailed understanding of scientific concepts and methods through completion of a minor in natural sciences.

The broad flexibility of the program is intended to accommodate the needs and goals of students who wish to pursue a career in natural sciences as well as the needs of students who are taking courses in business, English literature, computer science, history and international relations, and other disciplines. The minor in natural sciences which is administered by the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, combined with any major in liberal arts, prepares students for further studies and helps them in future employment in biology, physics, chemistry, medicine and allied health fields, engineering, bioinformatics, and environment management. Science-based career opportunities are widely distributed among business, industry, journalism, government, and education.

A minor in natural sciences requires the completion of 21 credit hours of coursework in natural sciences. The 7 credit hours of science courses taken under the general education requirements can be used toward fulfilling the minor requirements.

Students who successfully complete the natural sciences minor will be able to:
 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the major concepts and principles in biology, chemistry, or physics according to the levels of courses completed in each subject area.
     
  2. Demonstrate problem-solving abilities and apply scientific methods to investigate the natural world.
     
  3. Synthesize a convincing argument in the language of science.
     
  4. Acquire adequate preparation for careers in natural sciences and/or be admitted to and be successful in professional programs.

  • At least 9 credit hours must be taken at AUK.
  • A cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 in the minor requirements is needed to successfully complete the natural sciences minor program.

Students must complete, in consultation with the academic advisor, two from the following core courses (8 credit hours):

BIOL 101 General Biology I (3) [P]
Part one of a two-semester course. An in-depth introduction to scientific method, and exploration of study of life from atoms to cellular levels of organization. Emphasis on the cell structure, function, energy and metabolism, genes, evolution and speciation, the origins of life, bacteria, plants, and animals. Concurrent: BIOL 101L.
     
BIOL 101L General Biology I Laboratory (1) [P]
A laboratory component for the General Biology I course. Concurrent: BIOL 101.
     
BIOL 102 General Biology II (3) [P]
Part two of a two-semester course. Emphasis on the organismal and higher levels of biological organization. The plant and animal diversity, plant and animal form and function, body systems, animal behavior, ecology and conservation of biology. A required laboratory ispart of the course.Prerequisite: BIOL 101 and BIOL 101L Concurrent: BIOL 102L.
     
BIOL 102L General Biology II Laboratory (1) [P]
A laboratory component for the General Biology II course. Prerequisites: BIOL 101 and BIOL 101L. Concurrent: BIOL 102.
     
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I (3) [P]
This introductory course covers the fundamental chemical principles, concepts, and laws. Topics include chemical reactions, stoichiometry, gas laws, kinetic theory of gases, thermochemistry, atomic structure and periodicity, the Bohr model, Lewis structures, ionic and covalent bonding, the solid state and crystallography, the liquid state and phase diagrams. Concurrent: CHEM 101L and MATH 201.
     
CHEM 101L General Chemistry I Laboratory (1) [P]
A laboratory component for the General Chemistry I course. Concurrent: CHEM 101.
     
CHEM 102 General Chemistry II (3) [P]
Continuation of General Chemistry I. Covers properties of solutions, oxidation-reduction reactions, colligative and chemical properties, acid base and complex ion equilibria, laws of thermodynamics, enthalpy and free energy, electrochemistry, representative elements, transition metals, and nuclear chemistry. Concurrent: CHEM 102L. Prerequisite: CHEM 101 and CHEM 101L.
     
CHEM 102L General Chemistry II Laboratory (1) [P]
A laboratory component for General Chemistry II course. Concurrent: CHEM 102.
     
PHYS 101 Introduction to Physics I (3) [P]
This course is an introductory physics course for non-science majors. The course focuses on basic physics concepts and connections to everyday life in fields of mechanics and thermodynamics. Course topics include motion in one dimension, projectile motion, Newton’s Laws of force, work, energy, circular motion, momentum, and heat and thermodynamics. Con-current: PHYS 101L.
     
PHYS 101L Introduction to Physics I Laboratory (1) [P]
A laboratory component for the Introduction to Physics I course. Con-current: PHYS 101.
     
PHYS 102 Introduction to Physics II (3) [P]
This course is an introductory physics course for non-science majors. The course focuses on basic physics concepts and connections to everyday life in fields of electricity, magnetism, and optics. Course topics include electrostatic force and field, electromagnetism, DC and AC circuits, light and optical devices, and mirror and lenses. Con-current: PHYS 102L.
     
PHYS 102L Introduction to Physics II Laboratory (1) [P]
A laboratory component for the Introduction to Physics II course. Con-current: PHYS 102.
     
PHYS 115 General Physics I (3) [P]
An introductory calculus based course covering motion in one dimension, projectile motion, Newton’s laws of force, concepts of work, energy and momentum, circular motion and rotational dynamics with laws of conservation of energy and angular momentum. A required laboratory that offers experiments in mechanics, momentum, work, and energy is part of this course. Prerequisite: MATH 110. Con-current: PHYS 115L.
     
PHYS 115L General Physics I Laboratory (1) [P]
A laboratory component for the General physics I course. Con-current: PHYS 115.
     
PHYS 116 General Physics II (3) [P]
The second semester of calculus-based physics covers electromagnetic wave theory, AC and RC circuits, magnetic theory and applications to magnetic storage devices, electromagnetic induction and optical phenomena with applications to optical devices. Prerequisite: PHYS 115 and PHYS 115L and MATH 201. Con-current: PHYS 116L.
     
PHYS 116L General Physics II Laboratory (1) [P]
A laboratory component for the General physics II course. Con-current: PHYS 116.

Students must choose, in consultation with their academic advisor, 13 credit hours, of which 6 hours must be upper-level courses (300-level or higher) from among BIOL, CHEM, and PHYS courses.