NATS 104 S - Intro to Nat Science for Elem Ed I

Minimum Credit(s) Awarded: 4
Maximum Credit(s) Awarded: 4

This course is for Elementary Education majors only. The first of a two-semester sequence in the natural sciences which integrates basic principles in the physical and biological sciences. The course sequence focuses on a scientific view of the evolution of the physical universe from its origin to the development of living systems. The course sequence includes concepts in physical, earth, biological, and environmental sciences. The sequence is designed for students majoring in Elementary Education, and does not serve as a prerequisite for other courses in chemistry, biology, or geoscience, except by special permission of the instructors. The course focuses on three major elements of science as a discipline: 1) the nature and scope of science (science as a “way of knowing”; what science is and how it works; what makes science different from other disciplines), 2) the relationship between science and society (science and technology; the usefulness and limitations of science in society), and 3) the practice of science (hypothesis-testing and theory formation; experimental design; data collection and analysis). All three of these elements are approached using specific science content from different sciences, including biology, ecology, environmental science, chemistry, physics, earth science, and astronomy.

Offered Spring

Prerequisite(s): placement into ENG 110; completion of MATH 102; supplementary work in science problem-solving is required if proficiency is not demonstr