Download NATURAL SCIENCE (NSC) COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

NATURAL SCIENCE (NSC)
COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
NSC 1100
Introduction to Ecological Principles – 3 credits
Course Description: this course is designed as an introductory course presenting the main
concepts of ecosystem function and ecological interrelationships. Students will develop an
understanding of the complex relationships between physical, chemical and biological
components of ecosystems. This understanding will provide the basis for later application of
human interaction and sustainability concepts to the natural world.
Course Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, Northwood expects students will
be able to:
1. Explain the concepts of natural selection and evolution as it relates to population
genetics.
2. Describe population adaptations to an environment, specifically related to temperature,
water, energy, food and social variables.
3. Explain population dynamics and apply these dynamics to predicting future population
patterns.
4. Explain the key elements of species interactions including competition and mutualism,
and apply these concepts specifically to animal, plant and human interactions.
5. Become familiar with specific characteristics of global ecosystems and be able to apply
the general concepts of biogeochemical cycles, energy transfer, succession and
sustainability to specific ecosystems.
6. Integrate basic ecological concepts and processes to large-scale ecologies.
This course will require an additional 1-credit hour lab.
NSC 2100 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
3 credits
Designed to give an overview of basic environmental principles. Concepts central to the
biological and physical sciences will be covered to provide a background for understanding the
environment. The basic environmental issues of human population growth, biodiversity, natural
resources and energy use, and their role in the well being of the environment will be highlighted.
Ethical, social, economic and political interrelationships will also be discussed. This material
will provide a good foundation for sound decisions regarding environmental issues.
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:
1. Explore their ethical and moral responsibility for the care of the environment.
2. Predict the impact that changes to an ecosystem will have on its interrelated components.
3. Define and discuss appropriate resource use. Predict the impacts of overutilization of
natural resources and articulate verbally, graphically and in writing the impact of human
population growth on resource availability and use.
4. Investigate the interdisciplinary nature of environmental decision making. Identify and
analyze environmental decisions from the perspective of each stakeholder and apply this
analysis to current business related environmental concerns.
5. Understand and apply the basic tenets of sustainable development.
6. Intelligently discuss the environmental, economic and political ramifications of continued
use of fossil fuel energy resources. Understand the scientific and technological basis for
alternative energies, as well as the costs and benefits of each, and identify opportunities
for using these new technologies.
7. Understand the pollution cycles for water, soil and air. Compare and contrast past, current
and future plans for the control of pollution and propose new methods for pollution
control.
8. Analyze current and future ramifications of global environmental problems from a
scientific perspective while also considering the social, political and economic
consequences of the various solutions proposed to solve these problems.
NSC 2200
Current Topics in Environmental Science – 3 credits
Course Description: this course will familiarize students with the current and predicted
environmental issues facing the human population and the global ecosystem. Emphasis will be
placed on the ecosystem approach to environmental problem-solving, highlighting the
interrelationships between scientific, social, political, economic and ethical viewpoints.
Emphasis will be placed on critical and global thinking. This course will provide the basis for
current environmental issues and problems, and prepare students for more in-depth analysis of
global sustainability topics in later courses
Prerequisite: NSC 1100
Course Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, Northwood expects students will
be able to:
1. Explain the relationships between human population growth and standard of living.
2. Apply issues of human population growth to analyzing effective methods for human
population management.
3. Describe the environmental issues surrounding conventional food production, food
biotechnology, and human needs.
4. Apply the concepts surrounding food production to global hunger and malnutrition
issues.
5. Explain the human dependence on conventional energy sources, the resulting
environmental impacts from those sources and the concepts of peak oil and natural
gas.
6. Describe the relevance of biodiversity in ecosystem health and sustainability and
apply those concepts to ecosystem mitigation and restoration.
7. Describe key primary and secondary air pollutants, their sources and the impacts
resulting from those pollutants.
8. Analyze the impacts of climate change on the human condition.
9. Describe the types and sources of major solid, toxic and hazardous wastes, current
management techniques and limitations, and both short and long-term environmental
impacts from current waste disposal methods.
10. Describe the freshwater crisis facing humanity, both in terms of quality and quantity,
including the concept of “peak water”.
11. Explain the general concepts of sustainability as they apply to the topics presented in
this course.
NSC 3100 CLIMATE CHANGE
3 credits
Examines the current scientific knowledge of climate change and its implications for society as a
whole. Specific topics will include: energy balance, components of climate, measuring climate
and modeling climate. The consequences of climate change, from biological, social and
economic perspectives will also be examined, as well as political, corporate and individual
responses to this issue.
Prerequisite: NSC 2100 and 60 credits completed
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:
1. Understand and define the relationship between radiation and the Earth’s energy balance.
2. Describe the carbon cycle, Milankovich cycles and other natural climate influencing
processes.
3. Define the various components of global climate and their effect on its behavior.
4. Understand how climate is measured and the strengths and limitations of these methods.
5. Discuss climate history and the principal indicators of past climate.
6. Scientifically evaluate evidence of current climate and biological change.
7. Understand and evaluate the various methods of modeling climate variation.
8. Intelligently discuss the moral, social, political and economic consequences of climate
change.
NSC 3200 UNDERSTANDING BIOTECHNOLOGY
3 credits
Biotechnology is the latest technological revolution to transform many facets of our society. Its
impacts on the environment, agriculture, nutrition, industry and health will advance social and
individual health and technology beyond anything imaginable. This course will review the
science behind biotechnology including cell biology, genetics, genetic behavior, and genetic
manipulation. It will also present the technologies and laboratory processes that enable
biotechnology discovery and development. Finally, it will discuss specific applications of
biotechnology including food, human health, industrial and environmental applications.
Prerequisite: NSC 2100 and 60 credits completed
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:
1. Understand the basic structure and function of cells and cellular molecules.
2. Understand the basis of DNA and cellular metabolism.
3. Review the processes and behavior of genetic material within the cell.
4. Study the principles and processes of genetic manipulation both through conventional
approaches and by recombinant DNA technology.
5. Understand the basic principles of immunology
6. Understand the enabling technologies within biotechnology including tissue cultures,
electrophoresis, molecular markers, PCR and DNA synthesis, genome mapping and
bioinformatics.
7. Review the current approaches to biotechnology including structural genomics,
functional genomics and proteomics.
8. Be familiar with actual laboratory operations for a variety of research and application in
biotechnology fields
9. Be able to discuss how biotechnology will be applied in agriculture, medicine, industry
and manufacturing, and environmental management.
10. Understand the regulatory, patent and ethical issues related to biotechnology.
NSC 3250 BIODIVERSITY
3 credits
Examines the three components of biodiversity: species diversity, genetic diversity, and
ecosystem diversity, including the implications and impacts that human activities are having on
each of them. Specific concepts of evolution, speciation, adaptive radiation, biogeography, and
ecology will also be addressed. The value of biological diversity will be examined from both an
economic as well as an ecological perspective.
Prerequisite: NSC 2100 and 60 credits completed
By the end this course, Northwood wants students to:
1. be able to articulate the three major components of biodiversity and their significance as
well as be familiar with the general classification of the world’s biota
2. differentiate among the various species concepts with particular emphasis on the
biological species concept
3. relate the study of biogeography, and especially the theory of island biogeography,
speciation, and Darwin’s theory of evolution by means of natural selection
4. have a broad understanding of ecological principles as they apply to global and regional
ecosystems, habitats, and their biota
5. know and be able to discuss the causes and results of the five great extinctions of
geologic history as well as articulate the underlying cause and potential impacts of the
current biodiversity crisis
6. understand the various ways modern day species are being threatened with extinction
7. elaborate on the value of maintaining biodiversity from both an economic and an
ecological standpoint
8. have a greater appreciation for all life on planet Earth
NSC 3330 Tropical Natural History
3 credits
Examine the various tropical ecosystems of the world with a primary focus on the neotropical
rainforests. Examines the climate, geology, geography, ecology, biodiversity, economic
potential, and environmental concerns of these ecosystems. Their values, including ecological,
economic, and cultural, will be examined in order to establish a framework to understand the
urgent need for their conservation for future generations and the health of the planet in general.
Prerequisites: NSC 2100 and 60 credits completed
By the end of this course Northwood wants students to:
1. know the relationships among climate, geology, and the geography of tropical
ecosystems
2. become versed in the intricate ecological interrelationships within tropical
ecosystems
3. relate the principles of the evolutionary processes that have led to these
ecosystems having the greatest species diversity on the planet
4. be able to articulate the various environmental issues facing tropical rainforests
today
5. understand the present contributions and potential for the future of rainforest
products and services from both an economic and ecological basis
6. know how the theory of island biogeography applies to the conservation efforts of
dozens of organizations and how their protection of tropical ecosystems can
benefit local people as well as the rest of the globe
NSC 3400 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY IN MEXICO
3 credits
A broad presentation of environmental science, integrating technical and social concepts and
issues as they relate to the Mexican environment. The ecological, economic, social, and ethical
aspects of current issues are scrutinized from a scientific base.
Prerequisite: NSC 2100 and 60 credits completed
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:
1. Understand the interrelationships involved in natural systems.
2. Understand the complexities involved in environmental problem solving; understanding
the relationships between science, economics, politics and philosophy.
3. Have examined individual effects and impacts on the environment; and will have
developed and implemented practices which minimize negative impacts.
4. Gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the natural environment.
5. Examine strategy and wildlife management tactics for various areas of Mexico.
6. Compare and contrast the ecology between specific areas in the United States and
Mexico.
7. Explore morals and ethics in relation to resource use and policy (ie, endangered species).
NSC 3450 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 3 credits
A broad presentation of environmental science, integrating technical and social concepts and
issues in the Southeast Asian environment. The ecological, economic, social, and ethical aspects
of current issues are scrutinized from a scientific base.
Prerequisite: NSC 2100 and 60 credits completed
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:
1. Understand the interrelationships involved in natural systems.
2. Understand the complexities involved in environmental problem solving;
understanding the relationships between science, economics, politics and philosophy.
3. Have examined individual effects and impacts on the environment; and will have
developed and implemented practices which minimize negative impacts.
4. Gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the natural environment.
5. Examine strategy and wildlife management tactics for various areas of South East
Asia.
6. Compare and contrast the ecology between specific areas in the United States and
South East Asia.
7. Explore morals and ethics in relation to resource use and policy (ie, endangered
species).
NSC 3850 Special Topics 1 – 3 credits
Various topics in natural science. These may be one-time or occasional course offerings.
Prerequisite: Dependent on specific course content
NSC 4020 OCEANOGRAPHY 3 credits
A broad presentation of oceanographic concepts and processes, including exploration, physical,
chemical and biological aspects. Current societal issues pertaining to the world’s oceans will
also be presented.
Prerequisite: NSC 2100 and 60 credits completed
At the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:
1. Understand the origin and Earth structure as it relates to the world’s oceans.
2. Identify the major ocean basins, their characteristics and their relationships to coastal
countries.
3. Describe the origin and types of ocean sediments and their significance in understanding
ecological history.
4. Explain the relationship between the atmosphere, climate and the oceans.
5. Describe the principles involved in ocean circulation and currents and their effects on
global systems.
6. Describe the dynamics of waves and tides.
7. Analyze the interaction with coastal dynamics and communities.
8. Identify and describe key descriptors for both pelagic and benthic biological communities
and their limiting factors and ecosystem interrelationships.
9. Explain the human uses of ocean resources and the resulting abuses of the world’s
oceans.
NSC 4030 FIELD ORNITHOLOGY
3 credits
An overview of the scientific study of birds and the important contributions to the field made by
amateur birders. The course will focus on the field identification of local and regional species
plus an overview of worldwide groups. In addition, this course will include ecological,
behavioral, and biological topics including anatomy, territoriality and nesting, migration, trophic
interactions, and conservation. The recreational and economic impacts of bird watching and
feeding will be addressed.
Prerequisite: NSC 2100 and 60 credits completed
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:
1. Be able to identify at least 100 species of local or regional birds by sight or sounds.
2. Know characteristics of the 26 Orders of birds worldwide.
3. Know the basic anatomy of birds, including skeletal structure, feather types, and basic
"geography" of a bird's body.
4. Understand the complicated process of migration.
5. Understand the complexities of bird behavior as they relate to courtship, reproduction,
territoriality, and nesting.
6. Understand why many species of migratory songbirds are experiencing population
declines, and how conservation efforts are trying to reserve this trend.
7. Know how bird populations are monitored through bird banding, censuses, and counts,
and how birds, in general, act as indicators of environmental health.
8. Understand the ecological interactions surrounding Endangered bird species in specific
habitats.
9. Know the recreational and economic impacts of activities such as birding, bird feeding,
and nest box projects.
10. Be familiar with bird related publications, including magazines, journals, books, and field
guides, and with birding related websites.
11. Learn biographical sketches of several important people, both at the amateur and
professional levels, involved in birding and the study of ornithology.
12. Know how to use field guides, binoculars and spotting telescopes to enhance the
enjoyment of birding.
NSC 4040 ECOLOGY
3 credits
Students study and become familiar with the geology, indigenous plants, animals, and various
ecosystems representative of the region, and identify the relationships involved between the
living and nonliving factors in their environment.
Prerequisite: NSC 2100 and 60 credits completed
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:
1. Understand the origin of nomenclature and the logic behind classification systems.
2. Become familiar with the abiotic components and cycles that support our environment.
3. Be able to differentiate between organisms within the various Kingdoms by identifying
major morphological traits.
4. Learn the basic anatomy of lower plants, higher plants, insects, reptiles, birds, and
mammals.
5. Observe and understand the interrelationships involved in natural systems.
6. Learn about the various biomes and ecosystems of planet earth.
7. Become familiar with basic ecological terminology.
8. Gain a new respect and perspective of the environment.
NSC 4060 Science and Technology 3 credits
A science course aimed at the non-science major. An overview of various scientific disciplines
and processes, the creation and commercialization of scientific knowledge, and the impact of
scientific discovery on business and society. The course provides students with basic
information necessary to work in a technology-based environment. Pre-requisite: NSC 2100
and 60 credits completed
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:
1.
Identify scientific concepts and laws related to mechanics, electricity, energy
transformation, thermodynamics, chemical reactions, biology and genetics.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Demonstrate a comprehension of key technologies by understanding fundamental
scientific concepts.
Explore the structure and properties of materials and nano-particles, including properties
of gases, liquids and solids for organic and inorganic materials.
Relate scientific knowledge to the fields of general technology, biotechnology and
renewable energy
Evaluate the impact of scientific and engineering discovery on the field of
business
Assess the impact of intellectual property and patents pertaining to innovation in science
and technology and their role in business.