Science

College of Science and Engineering
Dean: James C. Kelley

Center for Interdisciplinary Science
TH 323
415-338-1571
Director: Daniel Buttlaire

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, 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 Interdisciplinary Science. Online course descriptions are available.

Basic Courses Units
Mathematics 7-8
MATH 226 Calculus I (4)
One of the following:
MATH 227 Calculus II (4)
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 34-38
Electives
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. CIS 510, Search for Solutions, is recommended as a capstone course for the major
21
Total units for program 55-59

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. Online course descriptions are available.

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.

Basic Courses Units
Mathematics 7-8
MATH 226 Calculus I (4)
One of the following:
MATH 227 Calculus II (4)
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/Capstone—one of the following: 3
NEXA 390 Einsteinian Revolution
CIS 510 Search for Solutions
CHEM 599 Chemistry, Its Evolution Through the Centuries (optional course for Chemistry Emphasis only)
Total basic courses 41-42
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 Laboratory (2) or
  CHEM 335   Organic Chemistry II 2-3
Upper division electives in Chemistry 2
Emphasis total 15-16
Total units for program 56-58
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 56-59
EARTH SCIENCES EMPHASIS
GEOL 420 Mineralogy 4
GEOL 440 Paleontology (4) or 4
GEOL 450 Geomorphology (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 55-58

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 1999-00 academic year. Interested students should contact the director regarding the status of the program.