Interdisciplinary Studies-Natural Science and Math

ISNS 3359 Earthquakes and Volcanoes (3 semester hours) Earthquakes and volcanoes appear capricious and devastating in human terms, but they are also a regular part of geological history. This course will integrate current geological thinking with elements of statistics, physics, chemistry, human history, sociology, psychology, and religion to develop an understanding and to provide pragmatic strategies for living with these events. (3-0) Y

ISNS 3367 The Oceans (3 semester hours) Physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects of oceanography. Description and origin of features on sea floor; evolution of ocean basins; chemistry of sea water; influence of oceans on weather and climate; formation of waves, tides, currents; factors affecting biological productivity; economic resources and environmental problems. Can only receive credit for ISNS 3367 or GEOS 3401. (3-0) S

ISNS 3368 Weather and Climate (3 semester hours) An overview of the fields of meteorology and climatology. The approach is scientific yet nonmathematical, and students will be exposed to a wide spectrum of ideas from folklore, history, law, economics, and environmental issues. (3-0) S

ISNS 3371 The Phenomena of Nature: Forces, Gases, Motion, Heat, Light and Electricity (3 semester hours) The purpose of the course is to cultivate in students an intuitive perception of the nature of observable physical reality through the presentation and analysis of striking experimental demonstrations. No substantial prior training in science is assumed, but students with a background in science may profit from this course. There will be considerable reference to the historical growth of scientific knowledge and to the aesthetic quality of the explanations offered by science. (3-0) Y

ISNS 3373 Our Nearest Neighbors in the Sky (3 semester hours) A description of the tools and principles the astronomer and space scientist use in exploration of the solar system; the earth, moon, the sun, planets, asteroids, meteors, and comets; the origin of the solar system; classroom demonstrations, multimedia presentations, and telescope observations. (3-0) Y