Science Courses for Non-Science Majors

NEW FOR FALL 2010/WINTER 2011:

Biology 375: Insects, Science and Society

• Examination of insects as the most diverse and abundant form of animal life on the planet, why they are so successful and how they influence our lives. Topics include how insects are built, what they do, and how they interact with people and have come to be so important economically and culturally, as pests,  pollinators, experimental animals, maintaining our environment and forming complex societies. Other topics include evolution of insects, insects in history and culture and how insects can help us address issues such as biological conservation, climate change and animal rights.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Prerequisite: Completion of at least 4 full-course equivalents.
• Notes: Not open for credit to honours, majors or minors in the Department of Biological Sciences or to Environmental Science and Natural Sciences program students with a Concentration in Biological Sciences.  Offered in odd/even dated academic years.

Chemistry 301: The Chemical World

• The focus is on developing a general awareness and appreciation of the chemistry all around us, where the chemical principles are surveyed in a variety of current and everyday contexts.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Notes: Some previous exposure to chemistry, e.g. Chemistry 20, is strongly recommended. This course will not serve as a prerequisite for senior chemistry courses. Not open to students in Honours, Majors or Minors in Chemistry programs, or to Environmental Science and Natural Sciences students with concentrations in Chemistry.

Physics 271: How Things Work

• Physics behind many common devices will be discussed. Topics will be chosen from among the following: the use of simple and compound machines; waves, sound, acoustics; light and optics; household electric circuitry; magnetism.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Antirequisite(s): Credit for Physics 271 and any of Physics 211, 221, 227, 255 or 259 will not be allowed.
• Note: Some previous exposure to physics, e.g., Science 10, is strongly recommended. Not intended for Physics majors.

Physics 303: Quantum Mysteries and Paradoxes

• This course aims to explain basic quantum phenomena for students outside the physical sciences. Topics covered may include wave-particle duality, quantum interference, as well as the paradoxes of entanglement and quantum nonlocality. Applications such as quantum cryptography and quantum teleportation are discussed, as are the philosophical interpretations of the quantum picture of the world.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Note: The course makes limited use of high-school algebra.

Physics 371: Introduction to Energy

• Energy and power will be discussed. Sources of energy such as wind power, solar power, nuclear power, geothermal energy and fossil fuels and related limitations will be considered. Generation and distribution of electricity will be discussed.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Antirequisite(s): Credit both for Physics 371 and Energy and Environment, Engineering 355 will not be allowed.
• Note: Some previous exposure to physics, e.g., Science 10, is strongly recommended.

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EXISTING SCIENCE COURSES FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS:

Astronomy 207: Introduction to Astronomy I - The Solar System

• A comprehensive, descriptive overview of the solar system covering how ideas have changed from ancient times to today. The latest discoveries. The electromagnetic spectrum; telescopes and detectors; laws of planetary motion; planets, asteroids, comets, and the Sun. Formation of the solar system. Extra-solar planets and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Field trip to the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Antirequisite(s): Note: Not open to students with credit in Astronomy 205 or 211.
  Notes: Not recommended for physical science majors.

Astronomy 209: Introduction to Astronomy II - The Cosmos

• A comprehensive, descriptive overview of the universe outside the solar system. The electromagnetic spectrum; stellar spectra; distance determinations. Origin and evolution of stars; white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes. The interstellar medium. Dark matter. Galaxies and quasars. The Big Bang. The fate of the universe. Field trip to the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Antirequisite(s): Note: Not open to students with credit in Astronomy 205, 213 or Astrophysics 213.
• Notes: Not recommended for physical science majors.

Biology 205: The Organization and Diversity of Life

• A study of biological concepts and mechanisms illustrated by current examples of medical and environmental problems.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Antirequisite(s): Note: Credit for both Biology 205 and either 231 or 233 will not be allowed.
• Notes: Not open for credit to Honours, Majors or Minors in the Department of Biological Sciences or to Natural Sciences program students with a Concentration in Biological Sciences.

Biology 305: The Human Organism

• An introduction to human biology that analyzes the structure and function of systems in our bodies. Leads to an appreciation of how the human body maintains itself and carries out the functions necessary to sustain any organism. A course for non-majors that will develop their understanding of the anatomy and physiology of their own species in a zoological and evolutionary context.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Prerequisite(s): One of Biology 30 or 205 or 231.
• Antirequisite(s): Note: Credit for Biology 305 and any of Kinesiology 261, Zoology 269, 361 or 363 will not be allowed.
• Notes: Not open for credit to Honours, Majors and Minors in the Department of Biological Sciences or to Natural Sciences program students with a Concentration in Biological Sciences.

Biology 307: Ecology and Human Affairs

• The major principles of ecology and evolution. How organisms survive in the physical environment; Darwinism; sex and societies; species interactions; who lives where and why; who lives together and how; the biology of ecosystems. The intent of the course is to give non-biologists an understanding of ecological and evolutionary principles that will allow them to better appreciate the place and role of human beings in the modern world.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Prerequisite(s): Completion of at least four full-course equivalents.
• Notes: Not open for credit to Honours, Majors and Minors in the Department of Biological Sciences or to Natural Sciences program students with a Concentration in Biological Sciences.

Botany 309: Plants and People

• A review of the structure and function of plants. A survey of the nature of people's basic food plants and an overview of agricultural and forestry practices. Plant improvement by traditional and modern methods, and plant propagation.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Prerequisite(s): Biology 205 or 231.
• Notes: Not open for credit to Honours, Majors and Minors in the Department of Biological Sciences or to Natural Sciences program students with a Concentration in Biological Sciences.

Computer Science 203: Introduction to Problem Solving using Application Software

• Introduction to computer fundamentals; contemporary topics, such as security and privacy, and the internet and world wide web. Problem solving, analysis and design using application software, including spreadsheets and databases.
• Course Hours: H(3-2T-1)
• Notes: This course is not available for credit for Computer Science majors. This course cannot be used to satisfy the Computer Science requirement in the Natural Sciences program. Basic familiarity with personal computers and commonly used software, including word processors, electronic mail and web browsers, will be assumed.

Geology 209: Introduction to Geology

• Basic concepts regarding the major features of Earth; its rock and mineral composition, processes controlling erosion, deposition and surface structures; formation of mountains, ocean basins and continents; internal structure of the Earth and plate tectonics.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Antirequisite(s): Note: Credit for both Geology 209 and 201 will not be allowed.
• Notes: Not open for credit to Honours, Majors or Minors in Geology, Geology (Petroleum Geology Concentration), Applied and Environmental Geology, Geophysics, Environmental Science (Geology Concentration) or Natural Sciences (Geoscience Concentration).

Geology 301: Geology of the Mountain Regions of Western Canada

• Selected topics encountered in introductory physical geology will be pursued in greater depth in order to explain the geology of Western Canadian Mountain Parks and adjacent areas.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Prerequisite(s): Geology 201 or 209.

Geology 305: Introduction to Dinosaurs

• Biology, evolution, and extinction of dinosaurs; geographic and temporal distribution, habitats, and ecology of the various dinosaur groups; preservation, exploration, collection, preparation, and identification of dinosaur fossils.
• Course Hours: H(2-1T)

Geology 307: Geological History of Life

• The history of life from the earliest records to the present. Fossils, geological time, extinction, basic paleontology. The rise and development of various animals and plants including dinosaurs, mammals and humans.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)

Geology 309: Gemology

• A survey of the major gems and semi-precious stones from a mineralogical point of view. Emphasis will be on their physical and chemical properties and on their geological origins and occurrences. Modern instrumental methods of gem identification are used in the laboratory.
• Course Hours: H(3-1)
• Prerequisite(s): Geology 201 or 209.

Geophysics 375: Natural Disasters and Critical Earth Phenomena

• Causes of disasters such as earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, landslides, avalanches, flooding, tornadoes and hurricanes, and other critical phenomena such as sinkholes, ozone depletion and radiation, carbon dioxide and global warming, El Nino, toxic natural materials and pollution, and extraterrestrial impacts. Surveys of historic disasters and their effects on life on Earth. Methods of prediction and prevention of disasters and precautions for the mitigation of their effects.
• Course Hours: H(3-0)
• Notes: A non-major course for students in all faculties. Not available as a course in the Field of Geophysics.

Mathematics 205: Mathematical Explorations

• A mathematics appreciation course. Topics selected by the instructor to provide a contemporary mathematical perspective and experiences in mathematical thinking. May include historical material on the development of classical mathematical ideas as well as the evolution of recent mathematics.
• Course Hours: H(3-1)
• Prerequisite(s): Pure Mathematics 30 or Mathematics II (offered by Continuing Education).
• Notes: For students whose major interests lie outside the sciences. Highly recommended for students pursuing an Elementary School Education degree. It is not a prerequisite for any other course offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and cannot be used for credit towards any Major or Minor program in the Faculty of Science except for a major in General Mathematics.