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The two natural sciences sequences are open only to first- and second-year
students and first-year transfer students, with preference given to first-year
students. In general, College students should complete the physical sciences
requirement by the end of their second year and the biological sciences
requirement by the end of their third year. Notice that only the more
mathematical physical sciences courses are open to third- and fourth-year
students. Ordinarily, students must complete an entire natural sciences
sequence to fulfill the Common Core biological sciences requirement. The
courses must be taken in sequence.
101-102-103-104-105-106. Evolution of the Natural World. PQ: Math 102 or
106 or placement into Math 131 or higher. This sequence satisfies the Common
Core requirements in the physical and biological sciences for humanities and
social sciences students. Registration is open only to first- and second-year
students, and first-year transfer students, with preference given to first-year
students. This is an integrated six-quarter sequence that emphasizes the
evolution of the physical universe and life on earth, and explores the
interrelationships between the two. The courses must be taken in sequence, with
NatSci 101-102-103 a prerequisite for NatSci 104-105-106.
101. Evolution of the Universe. This course traces the origin of structure
on all scales from atomic nuclei to galaxies and clusters of galaxies. The
empirical basis of modern cosmological theory is evaluated by studying the
astronomical record (the phenomenon of the redshift) and considering its
interpretation (the expansion of space). Modern telescopes can see galaxies as
they were billions of years ago, enabling a direct look at the status of the
earlier, less-evolved universe. The development of these ideas and their
influence upon other fields are reviewed. R. Kron. Autumn. L: E.
Kibblewhite.
102. Evolution of the Solar System and the Earth. PQ: NatSci 101.
This course examines the physical and chemical origins of planetary systems,
the role of meteorite studies in this context, and a comparison of the earth
with neighboring planets. It then turns to chemical and physical processes that
lead to internal differentiation of the earth. Further topics include the
thermal balance at the earth's surface (glaciation and the greenhouse effect)
and the role of liquid water in controlling crustal geology and evolution.
F. Richter. Winter. L.
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103. Evolution: Chemical to Biochemical. PQ: NatSci 102. This course
is an inquiry into the origins of the materials and processes that are
characteristic of living things. After locating the major events on an
evolutionary time scale, the course examines the evidence related to the
spontaneous occurrence of essential components and their self-assembly into
systems that satisfy minimum requirements for life. The course ends with
consideration of the modes of evolution to higher levels of organization.
Discussion section required. K. Swier. Spring. L.
104. Biological Evolution. PQ: NatSci 103. This course is an
introduction to evolutionary processes and patterns in present-day organisms
and in the fossil record and how they are shaped by biological and physical
forces. Topics emphasize evolutionary principles and include DNA and the
genetic code, the genetics of populations, the origins of species, evolution
above the species level, and major events in the history of life, such as the
origin of complex cells, the invasion of land, and mass extinctions. C.
Janis. Autumn. L.
105. Conservation Biology. PQ: NatSci 104. This course is an
introduction to biological diversity, how it is threatened by human activities
and how those threats can be mitigated. Topics include a review of threats to
biological diversity, economic and ethical values of biological diversity,
population biology of endangered species, design and management of protected
areas, legal aspects of protecting species and habitats. Two Saturday field
trips are in addition to scheduled class time. S. Arnold. Winter.
L.
106. Evolution of Plant and Animal Behavior. PQ: NatSci 105. This
course examines the evolutionary consequences of ecological interactions among
species, including mutualism, parasitism, herbivory, predation, and
competition. Altruism, the evolution of sex, and sexual selection is studied in
depth as they have been problematic for evolutionary theorists. Lab work
concentrates on the natural history of Hyde Park and involves students in
collecting and analyzing data on spring flowering plants and bird migration.
J. Masterson. Spring. L.
151-152-153-154-155-156. Form and Function in the Natural World. PQ:
Math 102 or 106 or placement into Math 131 or higher. This sequence satisfies
the Common Core requirements in the physical and biological sciences for
students in the humanities and social sciences. Open only to first- and
second-year students, and first-year transfer students, with preference given
to first-year students. Must be taken in sequence, with the first year (NatSci
151-152-153) ordinarily a prerequisite for the second (NatSci 154-155-156).
Students who enroll in BioSci 154-155-156 may do so without the prerequisite.
This is an integrated six-quarter sequence that explores the
interrelationships between form and function in the natural world. It describes
the art, architecture, and aesthetics of atoms and molecules. It then considers
the form and function of living cells and the structure and function of
multicellular animals. The final quarter examines the ways individual organisms
interact in populations and ecological communities. This sequence is on a level
similar to that of NatSci 101-106.
151. Atomic Physics for Poets. The atomic nature of matter is described in
terms of a historical review of the empirical evidence. Experiments on
radioactivity and the interaction of matter and radiation are used to clarify
the modern view of atomicity. D. Jovanovic. Autumn. L.
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152. Atoms and Molecules in Everyday Chemistry. PQ: NatSci 151. The
shapes, connections and behavior of molecules are presented to provide a better
comprehension of the extraordinary microscopic world of chemistry. For example,
the atoms and molecules that use sunlight to convert air, water and soil into a
tree or a rose and that permit eyes to see are introduced and explained.
Entropy is a concept important to our daily activities yet even its partial
understanding often remains obscure. The principles that make warm bricks get
cooler, that prevent cool bricks from spontaneously becoming cooler, that allow
microwave ovens to heat coffee but not the coffee cup, that cause a bouncing
ball to come to rest are presented in terms of the intrinsic asymmetry of
nature. The course relies heavily on familiar chemical substances of our daily
experiences. Knowledge of chemistry not required. J. Norris. Winter.
L.
Courses
In the following course descriptions, L refers to courses with
laboratory.
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