Area 4: Scientific Reasoning and Discovery

6 credit hours (2 courses) of lecture selected from approved CLE courses

Some majors require 2 credit hours of related laboratory (2 labs).

Goals for Area 4

1. Describe the methods of inquiry that lead to scientific knowledge and be able to distinguish science from pseudoscience;
2. Evaluate the credibility of, use, and misuse of scientific information;
3. Recognize how science is self-correcting through formulation of hypotheses, testing of these hypotheses by carefully designed experiment or by observation, and by appropriate modification of hypotheses;
4. Given a theory or model, make predictions about the results of an experiment or observational study, observe the outcomes, and compare the predictions with the outcomes. Recognize how to reason scientifically, how to make appropriate assumptions, and how to use scientific methods and tools to solve basic problems within natural science;
5. Organize scientific information and data into trends and patterns using spatial, graphical, symbolic, and numerical methods to sort, analyze, and interpret natural phenomena;
6. Communicate effectively the results of a set of scientific experiments or observations;
7. Provide examples of the interdependence between social or ethical issues and developments in science and technology;
8. Give examples of the roles of diverse individuals and approaches in advancing scientific knowledge.

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Current Course Offerings

All of the following courses are approved for the CLE for Area 4. If your college requires depth studies in this Area, you may choose one of the course combinations listed or courses in a sequence (course numbers ending with 5 and 6; for example, BIOL 1005 + 1015 and 1006 + 1016). Colleges may also recommend particular combinations of courses. Sequenced courses may be taken individually, unless listed together on one line. Lab courses are linked to lecture-discussion courses.

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Some of these courses are not offered every term. Check
the catalog and timetable for relevant offerings.

Biology

• BIOL 1005 + BIOL 1015 General Biology I and General Biology
  Lab I
• BIOL 1006 + BIOL 1016 General Biology II and General Biology
  Lab II
• BIOL 1105 + BIOL 1115 Principles of Biology I and Principles of
  Biology Lab I
• BIOL 1106 + BIOL 1116 Principles of Biology II and Principles of
  Biology Lab II
• BIOL 1205H Honors Biology I (includes lab) (WI)
• BIOL 1206H Honors Biology II (includes lab) (WI)

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Chemistry

• CHEM 1015 + CHEM 1025 Introduction to Chemistry I and
  Introduction to Chemistry Lab
• CHEM 1016 + CHEM 1026 Introduction to Chemistry II and
  Introduction to Chemistry Lab
  (Pre: CHEM 1015 + 1025)
• CHEM 1035 + CHEM 1045 General Chemistry I and General
  Chemistry Lab
• CHEM 1036 + CHEM 1046 General Chemistry II and General
  Chemistry II Lab
  (Pre: CHEM 1035 + 1045)
• CHEM 1074 + CHEM 1084 General Chemistry for Engineers and General Chemistry Lab for Engineers
• CHEM 1074H + CHEM 1084 General Chemistry for Engineers and General Chemistry Lab for Engineers

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Geosciences

• GEOS 1004 + GEOS 1104 Physical Geology and
  Physical Geology Laboratory
• GEOS 1014 The Earth and Life Through Time (includes lab)
• GEOS 1024 + GEOS 1124 Resources Geology and the
  Environment and Resources Geology Laboratory (GEOS 1024 also in Area 7)

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Physics

• PHYS 1055 + PHYS 1155 Introduction to Astronomy I and
  Astronomy Lab
• PHYS 1056 + PHYS 1156 Introduction to Astronomy II and
  Astronomy Lab
  (Pre: PHYS 1055+1155)
• PHYS 2205 + PHYS 2215 General Physics I and Physics Lab
  (Pre: MATH 1016)
• PHYS 2206 + PHYS 2216 General Physics II and Physics Lab
• PHYS 2305 Foundations of Physics I (Part 1) (includes lab)
• PHYS 2306 Foundations of Physics I (Part 2) (includes lab)

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