52 courses with the subject NSCI, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
NSCI 100ASTRONOMY
This course provides an introduction to the study of Astronomy focusing on the development of our understanding of the universe. Subjects of emphasis include the development of classical mechanics as an explanation of the motion of the planets; the structure, formation and evolution of the sun and other stars; and our modern understanding of cosmology. This course provides a more advanced application of the scientific process.3 credits
This course consists of hands-on laboratory exercises chosen to illustrate topics in modern astronomy. Topics of the exercises may include stellar photometry, observation and measurement of star clusters and galaxies, and observation of the Moon and planets. Offered in conjunction with NSCI 100 Astronomy.
This course will provide the students with a scientific understanding of the properties of the materials used in the creative arts and the relationship to the biological processes involved in the synthesis of these materials. The course will focus on properties of the fibers used in the arts and allow the students to understand how this relates to their proper use of the materials. In the laboratory portion of the course, the students will be instructed in the scientific method and use this to investigate the properties of the fibers and compare the uses of the fibers with differing biological origin. Students are expected to have a better appreciation of the features of the fibers and how this affects their use in the creative arts.
This course provides an introduction to ornithology, the study of birds. Lecture topics include the evolutionary history of birds from dinosaur ancestors; avian anatomy and physiology; the physics of bird flight; patterns of migration; reproductive cycles and behavior; and how birds set up territories, find food and avoid predators. Each class will obviously be filled with avian examples, but the general concepts learned may be applied to other animals as well. Lab sessions include dissection of preserved specimens, capture and release of live birds, bird feeder observations, bird song experiments, and bird identification skills. Student learning will be assessed through tests, reading assignments, lab reports, and a class presentation. Offered even-numbered years, spring semester.
This course provides insight into the organization of living systems at the molecular, cellular, organismal and population levels. Emphasized are the structural and functional characteristics common to most organisms, organismal diversity, biological evolution, and interactions between organisms and their environment. The laboratory is designed to introduce the process of science and the characteristics of scientific knowledge. Students learn to formulate questions and hypotheses, design simple experiments, interpret results, draw conclusions and present their work in scientific formats. No prerequisite. Formerly BL 100.
with Lab* 4 * Also fulfills Core Curriculum requirements. Required Studies in Psychology (3 credits) All candidates for early childhood teacher certification must take the following courses in Psychology:
Laboratory exercises are designed to physically illustrate the principles discussed in NSCI 125. Must be taken simultaneously with, or after successful completion of NSCI 125. Offered fall semester. Formerly ES 117.
This course introduces students to the methods and techniques used to scientifically describe the world around us. Special emphasis is placed on the field of mechanics the study of motion. Students become comfortable solving general problems such as projectile motion, energy, and momentum. These problems are solved using only algebra, neither trigonometry nor calculus is a prerequisite. Other topics may include modern physics, optics, electricity and magnetism, and fluid motion.
This course consists of hands-on laboratory exercises chosen to illustrate concepts of classical and modern physics. Topics may include falling objects, the motion of a pendulum, collisions, projectile motion, the physics of flight, and simple optics. Offered in conjunction with NSCI 130 Introduction to Physics.
This course will examine key scientific concepts related to three major aspects of the broader issue of global sustainability - global climate change, feeding the world's population, and threats to world health. Each of these aspects will serve as the focal point for several weeks of the course. Basic concepts of biology, chemistry, and physics will be introduced as appropriate within the context of each aspect. No prerequisites. Formerly CH 121. Offered fall semester.
The laboratory exercises are designed to physically illustrate the principles discussed in NSCI 140 and to provide students with experience in the process of doing science - asking questions, forming hypotheses, and data analysis. Must be taken simultaneously with, or after successful completion of NSCI 140. Formerly CH 123. Offered fall semester.
See Education Department guidelines to plan the core classes and other courses required for certification. See page 275 for the recommended semester program plan. * . Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology (See core curriculum requirements.) Major Requirements (61 credits):
This course is designed to introduce students to formal writing and presentation in the sciences. The course will focus on concepts related to the process of science writing including finding appropriate resources and organization into scientific papers (abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion). In addition, the construction of presentations, critical review of self and other's work, and ethical considerations when presenting scientific data will be explored.
Almost all of us use drugs, whether over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, or recreational drugs. Drugs impact our lives, as well as the lives of our family and friends. In this course, the pharmacology of drugs, including their mechanisms of action, side effects, and therapeutic uses will be discussed. The abuse potential of recreational drugs, tolerance and addiction, and the ethical issues surrounding modern drug discovery also will be discussed. The laboratory component is designed to reinforce lecture concepts. Formerly BL 113. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Four credits.
Chemistry of Cooking focuses on the chemistry involved in the structure, preparation, color, flavor, aroma, and texture of the foods we eat everyday. The emphasis in this course will be understanding chemical concepts such as physical and chemical changes, chemical bonding, solubility, energy, acids and bases, and an introduction to the structure and function of organic molecules. Students will also be introduced to laboratory methods dealing with measurement, the chemical analysis of foods, classification of physical and chemical changes, and the synthesis and reactions of organic molecules specific to food chemistry. This course does not require math skills beyond pre-algebra. Offered spring semester odd-numbered years.
Global climate change is an interdisciplinary field of science that can and should be understood by the non-scientist. In this integrated lecture/laboratory course students will explore how energy drives the Earth's climate and how humankind's use of energy contributes to climate change. Students will explore the data and models that have contributed to scientists' current understanding of global climate change. Students will also explore the range of alternative energy sources that reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. Offered fall semesters of even-numbered years. No prerequisites.
This course provides students with an appreciation and understanding of the fundamental concepts and theoretical background of the individual, community, and global solutions to living more lightly on the planet. Within the framework of environmental science, students will be able to understand ecological processes that are the basis for common sustainable practices, such as, composting, green energy, recycling, and gardening. Students will be able to evaluate the impact of their own consumption of natural resources in relationship to ecological processes and human need for material goods and services. The class will strengthen critical thinking skills related to future actions and decision making with sustainability in mind to discover how their own actions can be applied in their own home and community.
This laboratory course will provide students with the opportunity to explore scientific questions related to sustainability. Students will examine topics surrounding sustainable living such as alternative energy, recycling, composting, gardening, emissions, water management, and responsible cleaning products. The lab will provide students the opportunity to relate their impact on the local and global environment. Students will have the knowledge to become leaders in their community and help develop and share a more environmentally sustainable way of living. 1 credit
This lab provides the student basic methods dealing with evidence collection and analysis. We will look at the chemical analysis of fingerprints, paints, fluids, and many other types of evidence which can be collected and analyzed. Must be taken simultaneously with, or after successful completion of NSCI 210. Formerly CH 119. Offered spring semester.
This course is designed for the non-science major and is an introductory study of the structure and function of organic molecules, including examples from biochemistry and everyday life. Topics include: basic hydrocarbons, functional group chemistry, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Selected topics in biochemistry and how drugs work are presented as well as chemical aspects of current issues such as nutrition, and diabetes. This course does not require math skills beyond pre-algebra. Formerly CH 107. Offered spring semester.
This lab provides non-science majors with an introduction to some elementary methods dealing with the synthesis and reactions of organic molecules, pharmaceutical synthesis, chemical analysis of foods, and characterization of biochemical compounds. Must be taken simultaneously with, or after successful completion of NSCI 215. Formerly CH 108. Offered spring semester.
This laboratory course investigates the structure and function of the human body. The focus will be on the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, endocrine and reproductive systems. Students will examine the interrelationships between the anatomical structure and function of the body.
Forestry and Forest Management provides a broad overview of forests, forestry, forest engineering, and wood science and engineering. This course is designed for all students, especially those interested in forest resources and human uses of those resources. It provides an overview of forest attributes and issues worldwide, with strong emphasis on the United States and especially the Northeast. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of forests in sustaining human societies and a consideration of the appropriate roles of humans in managing and conserving forests for the numerous products, values, and amenities they provide. Offered fall semesters.
This laboratory course will give students an opportunity to do science as it relates to the aspect of forestry. The goals of this course are to introduce students to various concepts in forestry and forest management and to develop laboratory skills such as observation, experimentation, evaluation, and presentation. The class will culminate with a student designed presentation and a lab practical. During the semester, students will have several opportunities to visit forest ecosystems and gather samples, take measurements, and interact with the environment. Students will spend several of the laboratory periods outside even when the weather is not sunny and dry. Should be taken simultaneously with NSCI 227.
This course provides an introduction to the intersection of biology and computers that is reshaping the arenas of biology, biotechnology, and medicine. Topics covered include cellular structure and function, gene structure and function, genetics, molecular evolution, and quantitative and computational approaches to biology. In addition, ethical and social issues presented by new technologies such as genetic engineering and personalized genomic sequencing will be discussed. No prior college-level biology or computing experience is assumed. Formerly BIN 110. Offered spring semester.
This course is the companion laboratory course to NSCI 230. The labs will consist of both "wet lab" experiments and computational labs. In the wet labs students will carry out basic molecular biology techniques such as purifying their own DNA, PCR analysis, and molecular cloning, while in the computational labs they will use software to analyze DNA sequences. No prior college-level biology or computing experience is assumed. Must be taken concurrently with NSCI 230. Formerly BIN 111. Offered spring semester.
Human Biology and Laboratory Course Description: The human body is remarkable in many ways. We will explore its inner workings by addressing how we are constructed, what we eat, how we burn calories, how exercise modifies our muscles and bones, and how we repair injuries and fight off diseases. Other topics include the cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems. In lab, students will study respiration, heart function, bacterial infection, and digestion. Along with individual homework assignments, student groups will design and conduct their own experiment, and present the results to their peers. Formerly BL114.
The Galileo Affair has long been central to discussions about the relationship between religion and the empirical sciences, but there are few historical events less well understood. This course will allow 229
The Galileo Affair has long been central to discussions about the relationship between religion and the empirical sciences, but there are few historical events less well understood. This course will allow students to explore the theology and the science that were at issue in the 1633 condemnation of Galileo's work by the Catholic Church. What really happened? And why did it happen? What room is there in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition for the natural sciences? Students will learn the Ptolemaic and Copernican models of the solar system, planetary motion, optics of glass lenses and telescopes, observational astronomy, and various astronomical objects. Students will read such things as St. Augustine's On the Literal Interpretation of Genesis, The Summa of St. Thomas Aquinas, primary sources such as Galileo's letters to Castelli and Christina, The Starry Messenger and Dialogue on Two World Systems, Cardinal Bellarmine's Letter to Foscarini, selected trial documents, the Magisterial documents of Vatican I and II, Providentissimus Deus and Divino Afflante Spiritu, and Pope John Paul II's addresses to the Pontifical Academy of the Sciences. 1 credit
Are we alone in the universe, or is the universe teeming with life? This course will explore the unknown but possible answers to that question from a variety of perspectives. The physical, astronomical, chemical, and geological conditions necessary for life on a planet will be investigated. We will examine historical and modern searches for life outside of Earth, including the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. We will also consider some of the social, philosophical, and religious implications of the possibility of life elsewhere. Classes will utilize the Taiani Planetarium to enhance our exploration of this subject. Must be taken with NSCI-248.
The origins of life on this planet and the possibility of life elsewhere will be explored with a variety of experiments and observations. Labs will include topics in astronomy, biology, physics, and geology, that are related to the search for extraterrestrial life. Some of the labs will utilize the Taiani Planetarium, and the Physics Department telescopes. This laboratory course accompanies NSCI-247.
In this integrated lecture-laboratory course, we will explore the science of coal mining and its aftermath: mine drainage. The course will use field trips (museums, mines, streams, treatment sites), video, class discussions, computer models, Internet explorations, and recent publications to understand coal mine drainage. We will see firsthand how new technologies have been developed to treat mine drainage. Lab explorations will include computer modeling, stream sampling, experiments on formation of mine drainage, its impacts on streams, and the efficiency of treatment methods. A final group project will examine a mine drainage site and develop a plan for remediation. Through the study of abandoned mine drainage we will examine the interrelationships in nature and see that by working together we can make a difference in our environment. Formerly ES 111. Offered fall semester.
In Science of Sustainable Living, students will examine individual, community, and global solutions to living more lightly on the planet by exploring a variety of sustainable living practices, theories, technologies, and programs. Within the framework of environmental science, students will be able to understand ecological processes that are the basis for common sustainable practices, such as composting, green energy, recycling, and gardening. Students will be able to evaluate the impact of their own consumption of natural resources in relationship to ecological processes and human need for material goods and services. No pre-requisites. Offered spring semester.
This laboratory course will explore scientific questions related to sustainable living. Students will examine topics such as recycling, composting, green energy, and organic gardening. Some labs will require outside work and or field trips to local sites. Must be taken simultaneously with NSCI 253. Offered spring semester.
This course establishes computing as a science and affirms the connection between computing and the sciences. Topics include the scientific method, methodologies used in computer science for evaluating hypotheses, as well as how computing is used as a tool in other fields of science. The course includes a lab component in which students will get hands-on experience investigating computer science problems. Programs will be set up for students to run so they can test different hypotheses. It will be possible to configure the programs with different parameters to see the impact of running over more data sets, running different algorithms, running in different environments, etc. The experiments involve generating and collecting data that can be analyzed to determine whether preliminary hypotheses are true or false. The data, analysis, and conclusions will be written up as lab reports. Formerly CS 104.
Total 18/19/201 1Students who take two service learning courses and no science will complete the minor with 18 credits. Students who take one service learning course, one internship, and no science will complete the minor with 19 credits. Students who take one service learning course, an internship, and a science course (plus lab) will complete the minor with 20 credits. 114
This course will introduce a variety of scientific topics in geology, environmental science, and astrophysics and apply those topics to Iceland. Iceland's unique position on the globe allows important geologic, environmental, and astrophysical processes to be observed. Forces that shape and sustain the earth are visibly at work on this island in the North Atlantic. Students in the course will learn fundamentals of plate tectonics, landform formation and evolution, the magnetic properties of the earth, and climate modeling to appreciate and understand what they will also see firsthand. This course and the laboratory (NSCI 271) fulfill one of the two core curriculum courses required for the natural sciences. Students in the 230
This laboratory course will focus on developing scientific skills in geology and astrophysics. Students will use the process of science to explore plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, island building, earth's magnetic field, auroras borealis, climate modeling and sustainable energy. Students must be registered for the spring break trip to Iceland.
Criminalistics is the collection and examination of evidence of crime and is an application of many scientific disciplines. This course provides an introduction to the methodologies and applications used in the forensic context. Topics discussed include organic and inorganic chemical analyses of physical evidence, principles of serology and DNA analysis, identification of fresh and decomposed human remains, ballistics, fingerprint analysis, facial reconstruction, drug analysis, and forensic entomology.
