Download DRAFT 2 College of the Sequoias Master Plan 2015 – 2025 Chapter

College of the Sequoias Master Plan 2015 – 2025
Chapter 4 Programs and Services, Draft 2, 04-19-14
Science Division
The Science Division provides a wide range of courses that are program/major specific; transfer
level; general education; pre-vocational; and courses provided as community service with a focus on
the process and product of scientific inquiry. The courses are designed to develop basic skills,
knowledge levels, and critical thinking abilities in order to provide a foundation for future education.
The Science Division offers five associate degrees.
Anthropology: Physical anthropology introduces the concepts, methods of inquiry and scientific
explanations for biological evolution and their application to human species including genetics,
evolutionary theory, human variation and adaptations, comparative primate anatomy and
behavior, and the fossil record. The District offers one transferrable general education lecture
courses in physical anthropology.
Astronomy is the study of the formation, composition, interactions, and evolution of the
universe as a whole and the celestial objects comprising it, such as planets, stars, nebulae,
galaxies, and black holes. The District offers one transferrable general education course in
astronomy.
Biology is the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth,
origin, evolution, and distribution. The largest department in the division, the Biology
Department offers a variety of courses for non-majors and majors alike. An associate degree in
biology prepares students for further study, and in some cases, for entry-level employment.
Most biology courses meet four-year university transfer and community college associate
degree requirements. Biology courses are required for students majoring in allied health fields
such as nursing, dental hygiene, physical therapy and sports medicine.
Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, properties and reactions of physical
matter. The Chemistry Department offers a variety of courses: an associate degree in chemistry
for students who wish to transfer with a major in chemistry; introductory courses for students
who wish to enter various allied health fields and a basic chemistry course for students who
need to acquire basic skills as preparation for completing a college-level chemistry course.
Geography (physical) is the study of the earth, including the distribution and interconnectedness
of natural phenomena. The Geography Department offers one transfer general education
course in physical geography.
Geology is the study of solid earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by
which they change. The Geology Department offers transfer and general education courses,
some of which include laboratories and field trips. An associate degree in geology prepares
students for further study.
College of the Sequoias Master Plan 2015 – 2025
Chapter 4 Programs and Services, Draft 2, 04-19-14
Meteorology is the study of the structure and processes of the earth’s atmosphere. The District
offers one transferrable general education course in meteorology.
Natural Science uses scientific methodology to identify the rules that govern the natural world.
The District offers one transferrable general education course in natural science.
Physical Science is the study of the physics, chemistry, and geology of nature. The District offers
one transferrable general education course in physical science.
Physics is the study of the fundamentals of the natural world and includes classical mechanics,
thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, waves, relativity and quantum mechanics. The
Physics Department offers a variety of transfer-level courses. A two-semester calculus-based
physics sequence is offered for students majoring in physics, engineering, or mathematics. A
two-semester algebra/trigonometry-based physics sequence is offered for biological science and
computer science majors. An associate degree in physics prepares students for further study.
Efficiency
WSCH/FTEF
ANTH*
Average:
Fall 2009Fall 2013
980
2025
Target
Successful Course
Completion Rate
Average:
Fall 2009Fall 2013
74%
2025
Target
Statewide Successful
Course Completion
Rate
Average:
Fall 2009-Fall 2013
67%
ASTR
762
51%
65%
BIOL
585
70%
66%
CHEM
471
56%
67%
ESCI
?
?
?
?
?
GEOG**
657
81%
65%
GEOL
483
77%
68%
MET***
735
76%
64%
NSCI
330
88%
64%
PHYS
323
75%
70%
PSCI***
490
66%
64%
*Includes ANTH 011 and ANTH 012 (physical Anthropology) only
**Includes GEOG 001 and GEOG 011L (physical Geography) only
***Fewer than five terms of data
Note: Please add data for ESCI separate from whichever discipline these data are currently
combined with. Also please revise the data for discipline that currently includes ESCI data.
Analysis: Five of the disciplines in the Science Division exceed the state benchmark for efficiency
(525): Anthropology (physical), Astronomy, Biology, Geography (physical), and Meteorology. Three
of the disciplines are slightly below the state benchmark: Chemistry, Geology, and Physical Science.
Two of the disciplines are significantly below the state benchmark: Natural Science and Physics. All
College of the Sequoias Master Plan 2015 – 2025
Chapter 4 Programs and Services, Draft 2, 04-19-14
disciplines in the Science Division have successful course completion rates greater than the
statewide averages in those disciplines except Astronomy and Chemistry.
Growth Projections: Contingent on the availability of laboratory space, both Biology and Chemistry
are projected to grow faster than the District’s overall growth rate. All remaining disciplines in this
division are projected to grow at the same rate as the District: Anthropology (physical), Astronomy,
Geography (physical), Meteorology, Natural Science, Physical Science, and Physics.
Challenges: The challenges for the Science Division include developing strategies to support student
success in large lecture sections and the need to expand to COS-Hanford Education Center and COSTulare College Center.