Science

College of Science and Engineering
Dean: James C. Kelley

Center for Interdisciplinary Science
TH 323
415-338-1571
Director: Susann Novalis

Programs

 B.A. in Science: Concentration in Individual Major

B.A. in Science: Concentration in Physical Science

M.A. in Science

Program Scope

The Center for Interdisciplinary Science (CIS) is a part of the College of Science and Engineering which especially encourages inquiries that extend across disciplines, not only within the sciences but also in other areas as they interface with the sciences. The bachelor's degree is based on gaining the breadth of science and scientific methodology through Basic Courses, and gaining depth in a defined interdisciplinary area through a Thematic Concentration. The basic courses include mathematics (six units), physics (eight units), chemistry (eight to ten units), biology (five units), earth sciences (three to four units), and history of science (two to three units). The specific basic courses vary slightly depending on the type of thematic concentration that the student takes.

A student may take one of three thematic concentrations:

Individual Major. The student in consultation with an adviser designs and proposes an interdisciplinary science theme. A written statement must be developed which describes the goals of the proposed major. The Individual Major consists of courses planned in advance to focus on this coherent theme.

Physical Sciences. Within this thematic concentration, three areas of emphasis are possible; namely, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences.

Meteorology. Students interested in this program should consult the Department of Geosciences (see Index for page reference), TH 509, 338-2061.

Career Outlook

Career opportunities are primarily those in which a broad scientific background is desirable, such as work related to environmental concerns, health, safety, physical hazards, technical writing, science education, and technical administration.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SCIENCE: CONCENTRATION IN INDIVIDUAL MAJOR

All major course work must be completed with letter grades (CR/NC grades are not acceptable). Courses are listed under the Center for Interdisciplinary Science. Other courses required in this major are listed in alphabetical sequence (consult Index for page reference).

Basic Courses

								Units
Mathematics							6
MATH 220	Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

One of the following:
MATH 221	Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
CSC 210	Introduction to Computer Programming: PASCAL

Physics								8
PHYS 111/112	General Physics I and Laboratory (3/1) and
PHYS 121/122	General Physics II and Laboratory (3/1) or
PHYS 220/222	General Physics with Calculus I and Laboratory (3/1) and
PHYS 230/232	General Physics with Calculus II and Laboratory (3/1)

Chemistry							8-10
CHEM 111	General Chemistry I (5)

One of the following:
CHEM 113/114	 General Chemistry II and Laboratory (3/2)
CHEM 130	 General Organic Chemistry

Biology								5
BIOL 230	Introductory Biology I (5)

Earth Sciences--one of the following:				3-4
GEOL 102	Introduction to Oceanography
GEOL 110	Physical Geology (4)
ASTR 320	The Solar System and
ASTR 321	Observational Astronomy Laboratory (1)
ASTR 330	Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology
METR 401	Introduction to Physical Meteorology (4)

History--one of the following:					3
ASTR 350	History of Astronomy
BIOL 321	Magic, Myths, and Medicine--A History of Medicine
NEXA 387	Origins of Modern Science
NEXA 389	Darwinian Revolution
NEXA 390	Einsteinian Revolution
CHEM 599	Chemistry, Its Evolution Through the Centuries
MATH 300	History of Mathematics
PHYS 500	Physics: Its Evolution Through the Ages

Total basic courses						33-36

Electives							21
Academic courses selected by the student in consultation with a faculty adviser in the 
College of Science and Engineering centering on an interdisciplinary science theme. 
The elective program must be designed, proposed, and approved by the adviser and 
the director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Science before the senior year or 
before completion of 90 units of credit. At least fifteen elective units must be in upper
division courses.

Total units for program						54-57

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SCIENCE: CONCENTRATION IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE

 All major course work must be completed with letter grades (CR/NC grades are not acceptable). Courses are listed under the Center for Interdisciplinary Science. Other courses required in this major are listed in alphabetical sequence (consult Index for page reference).

NOTE: Students taking a thematic concentration in physical science must take: CHEM 113-114, GEOL 110, ASTR 320-321 or METR 401, and NEXA 390. Chemistry Emphasis students only may take CHEM 599 in place of NEXA 390. Total basic course units in this case will be 40.

Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (consult Index for page reference).

Basic Courses

									Units
Mathematics								6
MATH 220	Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

One of the following:
MATH 221	Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
CSC 210	Introduction to Computer Programming: PASCAL

Physics									8
PHYS 111/112	General Physics I and Laboratory (3/1) and
PHYS 121/122	General Physics II and Laboratory (3/1) or
PHYS 220/222	General Physics with Calculus I and Laboratory (3/1) and
PHYS 230/232	General Physics with Calculus II and Laboratory (3/1)

Chemistry								10
CHEM 111	General Chemistry I (5)
CHEM 113/114	 General Chemistry II and Laboratory (3/2)

Biology									5
BIOL 230	Introductory Biology I (5)

Earth Sciences								8
GEOL 110	Physical Geology (4)
ASTR 320	The Solar System and
ASTR 321	Observational Astronomy Laboratory (1) or
METR 401	Introduction to Physical Meteorology (4)

History--one of the following:						3
NEXA 390	Einsteinian Revolution
CHEM 599	Chemistry, Its Evolution Through the Centuries
		(optional course for Chemistry Emphasis only)

Total basic courses							40

CHEMISTRY EMPHASIS

 
CHEM 300	General Physical Chemistry I				2
CHEM 301	General Physical Chemistry II				2
CHEM 320	Modern Methods of Quantitative and Chemical Analysis	4
CHEM 333	Organic Chemistry I					3
CHEM 334	Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2) or
CHEM 335	 Organic Chemistry II					2-3
Upper division electives in Chemistry					2
Emphasis total								15-16

Total units for program							55-56

PHYSICS EMPHASIS

 
PHYS 320/321	Modern Physics and Laboratory (3/1)			4
PHYS 340	Modern Optics						3

One of the following:							3-4
PHYS 357	Principles of Electronics (4)
PHYS 370	Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 355	Introduction to Digital Electronics
Upper division electives in Physics					5-6

Emphasis total								15-17

Total units for program							55-57

EARTH SCIENCES EMPHASIS

 
GEOL 420	Mineralogy						4
GEOL 440	Paleontology (4) or
GEOL 450	Geomorphology (4)					4
Upper division Astronomy with Laboratory				3-4
Upper division electives in earth sciences
(Astronomy, Geology, or Meteorology)					3-4

Emphasis total								14-16

Total units for program							54-56

MASTER OF ARTS IN SCIENCE

 The Master of Arts in Science is intended for students who are not going into the traditional science disciplines but rather are interested in synthesis and holistic inquiries that extend across disciplines not only within the natural sciences but also to other disciplines such as social, behavioral and humanistic areas as they interface with the natural sciences. The program is recommended for students who: (1) plan to terminate their studies at the M.A. level and seek employment in areas for which they are qualified; (2) are interested in science teaching at the secondary and junior college levels; and (3) wish to further their understanding of interdisciplinary science areas. The

program is generally not suitable for students who wish to continue on for advanced studies in traditional science disciplines.

This program is currently under revision and is not admitting students for the 1996-97 academic years. Interested students should contact the director regarding the status of the program.