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).

Units

Basic Courses

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 Labora-

tory (3/1) and

PHYS 121/122	General Physics II and 

Laboratory (3/1) or

PHYS 220/222	General Physics with Calcu-

lus 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 center-

ing on an interdisciplinary science theme. 

The elective program must be designed, 

proposed, and approved by the adviser 

and the director of the Center for Inter-

disciplinary 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).

Units

Basic Courses

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 Calcu-

lus 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 

Chemical Analysis			4

CHEM 333	Organic Chemistry I		3

CHEM 334	Organic Chemistry I Labora-

tory (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 1997-98 academic years. Interested students should contact the director regarding the status of the program.