Exploring Science

Science allows the endless discovery of the structure and function of our universe.

3 - 4 credit hours | Exploring Science courses have applied as well as theoretical elements, involving students in direct experimentation and problem solving using the scientific method. Therefore, in completing this requirement, students must take both the lecture and lab courses. The lab component is either a separate section that must be taken concurrently with the lecture or an integrated component of the lecture course.

classroom with students

The Value of Exploring Science

Scientific inquiry is a systematic process used to explore the natural world through a hypothesis-driven collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed and reproducible conclusions/judgments. This critical interpretation can be leveraged for effective decision-making in a number of domains.

Students may elect to take two Exploring Science classes and use the second to satisfy the Technological Advances and Society requirement. To do so, students must take both lecture and lab courses (if they are offered separately).

 

Student Learning Outcome

Students will demonstrate an ability to engage in scientific inquiry with respect to the natural world.

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Exploring Science Rubric
CC Test and Transfer Credit
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Requirement Details

ES courses are primarily introductory natural science courses, in the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Physics. Courses in the departments of Applied Physiology and Sports Management (APSM) as well as Anthropology may also fulfill this Breadth.

  • ANTH 3351 – Forensic Anthropology
  • BIOL 1300 – Biology for Liberal Arts
  • CEE 1331 – Meteorology
  • CHEM 1303 – General Chemistry and CHEM 1113 – General Chemistry Lab
  • PHYS 1303 – Introductory Mechanics and PHYS 1105 – Mechanics Laboratory
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Students will:

  1. Organize evidence necessary to analyze or solve a problem in the natural world.
  2. Describe and explain concepts that are needed to analyze or solve a problem of the natural world.
  3. Analyze the outcomes and consequences, given information about a natural phenomenon.

Courses in this category:

  1. Focus on observable phenomena in the natural world.
  2. Emphasize the collaborative nature of scientific inquiry, including peer review.
  3. Give students the framework/tools to gather and assess empirical evidence and to use that evidence to develop and test hypotheses.
  4. Develop students’ quantitative literacy with the goal of interpreting empirical evidence.
  5. Develop students’ understanding of the role of science and its impact on the world.
  6. Include an assessment assignment that requires students to demonstrate each of the skills in the Exploring Science Assessment Rubric. This assessment assignment should be one of the following: an objective exam, an essay question on an exam, an essay, or a research paper.