Investigating the Natural World - Printer Friendly (MSWord) |

Description - Investigating the Natural World (7 hours required, including a
1-hour laboratory accompanying a 3-hour course)
These courses introduce students to natural sciences in the modern world. Both lecture and laboratory courses focus on how science is conducted and how scientific knowledge advances in individual fields. Students in these courses will understand the process by which scientists gain knowledge about objects, phenomena, the laws of nature, and the laws of the physical world.  Natural sciences study the physical world and its phenomena.

Learning Objectives
Courses in this area should incorporate all of the following learner objectives.

By the end of courses taken in this AofI, students will be able to:

Lecture

1. Understand the process of science as well as its strengths and weaknesses
2. Understand that our present knowledge of the natural world results from the progression of scientific ideas over time
3. Apply scientific knowledge to the definition, understanding, and evaluation of issues in contemporary society
4. Gain an understanding of a body of knowledge in at least one natural science

Laboratory

1. Ask and answer questions using the scientific process
2. Conduct experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions from scientific experimentation
3. Present results and draw conclusions in oral or written formats
4. Apply the scientific process to present-day questions

Accomplishing the Objectives
Instructors should clearly identify how the course will accomplish the above objectives.
Possibilities might include:

1. Participating in class discussion and debate
2. Engaging in teamwork and other collaborative exercises
3. Writing analytical or evaluative papers, perhaps incorporating original research
4. Making oral presentations
5. Performing laboratory experiments
6. Conducting data analyses
7. Participating in fieldwork
8. Other means - please identify