Courses

• BY170 Introduction to Organisms (4) NL

  This course will introduce the evolutionary processes that shape variation within populations and generate species diversity. It will examine the diversity in organismal morphology, physiology, behavior and ecology, and describe the interactions between species and their environments. The overarching goal of the course is to illustrate fundamental concepts in evolution, ecology and diversity via examples of species adaptations and interactions. An additional goal is to develop critical analytical skills through case studies, interactive lab protocols, and hands-on observations of plant and animal specimens. Three (3) hours lecture, three (3) hours lab. Offered every fall. BY170L, weekly lab.

• BY171 Introduction to Cells (Formerly BY160 Principles of Biology) (4)

  Introduction to the structure and function of cells, including basic chemistry, metabolism, mitosis, genetics, protein synthesis, and cell regulation. Three (3) hours lecture, three (3) hours lab. Offered every semester.

• BY352 Ecology (3)

  This course examines interrelationships between individuals and their abiotic environment as well as population-and community-level interactions. General principles will be applied to a range of organisms, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and humans. Labs will vary in structure and will emphasize the collection and evaluation of numerical data to test hypotheses. Two (2) hours lecture and three (3) hours laboratory. Prerequisites: minimum grad of C in BY170, BY171.

• BY372 Physiology (4)

  (Open to declared biology or health science majors.) Basic physiology of human body systems; neural and neuroendocrine integration and control. Three (3) hours lecture, three (3) hours lab. Prerequisites: completion of the introductory biology sequence and CY112 with minimum grades of C. Offered every spring. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.

• CY111 General Chemistry (4) NL

  A first college course in chemistry designed primarily for science majors. Topics include atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, properties of gases, solids, and liquids, stoichiometry, and thermochemistry. Three (3) hours of lecture and one 3-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: CY100 or high school chemistry; math placement score of 18 or higher, co-registration in MS114, or completion of MS114 with a C or better. High school physics strongly recommended.

• CY112 General Chemistry (4)

  A continuation of CY111. Topics include coordination chemistry, descriptive inorganic and organic chemistry, electrochemistry, equilibria, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Three (3) hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: CY111 and CS152 with grades of C- or better. Co-enrollment in CY112 and CS152 is allowed with approval of the chemistry department chairperson. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Physical Science requirement.

• CY211 Organic Chemistry (4)

  This is the first semester of a year-long course in organic chemistry for science majors. Topics include bonding, reaction mechanisms, structure, stereochemistry, and synthesis and reactions of aliphatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives. The correlation of molecular structure to physical properties and instrumentation is introduced. Three (3) hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: CY112, with a grade of C- or better, or its equivalent. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Physical Science requirement.

• CY212 Organic Chemistry (4)

  Continuation of CY211. Topics include carbonyl compounds and reactions, aromatic hydrocarbons, the application of instrumental methods (e.g. UV-vis, IR, NMR, MS) in the identification of the molecular structure, heterocyclic compounds. Multistep synthesis will be introduced. Three (3) hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: CY211, with a grade of C– or better, or its equivalent. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Physical Science requirement.

• PC201 General Physics: Mechanics, Sound, Heat (4) NL

  Four (4) hours lecture, two (2) hours lab.

• PC213 General Physics with Calculus: Mechanics, Sound, Heat (4)

  Four (4) hours lecture, two (2) hours lab. Prerequisite: MS121.

• PC202 General Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, Light, Nuclear Physics (4)

  Prerequisite: PC201 or instructor approval.

• PC214 General Physics with Calculus: Electricity, Magnetism, Light, Nuclear Physics (4)

  Four (4) hours lecture, two (2) hours lab. Prerequisite: PC213.

• PC295 Observational Astronomy (3) NN

  A semester-long survey of the historical milestones in the development of astronomical modeling, as well as a study of the solar system and its constituents. Stars, galaxies, and cosmological models of the universe are also considered in detail. Intended for students with no significant exposure to the study of astronomy.

• GY101 Earth Environments (4) NL

  Natural elements of environment and effects on humans: seasons, radiation, wind, moisture, climate, as well as landforms resulting from running water, ice, gravity, marine activities, and tectonic processes. Three (3) hours lecture, two (2) hours lab (GY101L).

• MS151 Elementary Statistics (3) QR

  Designed primarily for students who have had no more than two years of high-school mathematics or its equivalent. Includes the fundamental concepts of descriptive and inferential statistics. Prerequisite: MS107. This course is not accepted for the General Education Mathematics requirement.

• EN275/EN581 Science for Classroom Teachers (3)

  Offered spring semester. This is a course designed to strengthen competencies in the teaching of Science at elementary and middle school levels. This course will emphasize science content and best practices/strategies for the teaching of science. Learning in this course is constructive, inquiry-driven, and project based. Participants will work in small groups, perform investigations, discuss concepts and results, keep journals, and learn how to effectively utilize inexpensive, readily available materials and explore local resources. All course objectives are aligned with the Next Generation of Science Standards and the Michigan K-12 Framework for Science Education. Prerequisite: EN201/501 or Michigan Teaching Certificate. Field component: six (6) hours of observation in elementary/middle school science classrooms.

• BY270/CY270 Secondary Science Practicum (3)

  This course provides the student with an opportunity to work in an introductory laboratory classroom as an assistant to the supervising instructor for three (3) hours per week. Assistants will help the instructor with set up and take down of lab activities, preparation of lab materials, and teaching/tutoring during the class period. Practicum students will meet for two 50-minute periods per week for lecture and discussion on a variety of topics relavant to the job duties of a secondary science teacher. Participants will also keep journals and perform research on appropriate laboratory exercises for secondary students. This course is not accepted for the Natural World Biological Science requirement.