- Home
- Academic Calendars
- University Information: Mission/History/Accreditation
- Common Course Numbers
- Undergraduate Academic Programs
- General Education Program
- General Education Program Elements (Supplemental Information)
- Course Fulfillment
- Alternative Perspectives (A)
- Arts, Music, Theatre (AR)
- Capstone: Senior Seminar (SR)
- Christian Traditions (RC)
- Cross-Cultural Perspectives (C)
- Freshman Seminars (F) and (FW)
- Global Religious Traditions (RG)
- International Honors
- Literature (LT)
- Mathematical Reasoning (MR)
- Natural Sciences, Computer Science, or Mathematics (NS)
- Philosophy (PH)
- Physical Education (PE)
- Science and Scientific Method (SM)
- Social Sciences (SO)
- Writing Requirement (WR)
- Policies and Procedures
- Programs & Curricula
- Academic Internship/Cooperative Education
- Anthropology
- Art & Design
- Art and Communication, School of
- Arts And Sciences, College of
- Biology
- Business, School of
- Chemistry
- Children's Literature and Culture
- Chinese Studies Program
- Classics
- Communication and Theatre
- Computer Science and Computer Engineering
- Economics
- Education and Movement Studies, School of
- Engineering Dual-Degree Program
- English
- Environmental Studies
- First-Year Experience Program
- Geosciences
- Global Education Opportunities
- Global Studies
- History
- Humanities, Division of
- Individualized Major
- Instructional Development and Leadership
- International Honors Program
- Languages and Literatures
- Mathematics
- Movement Studies and Wellness Education
- Music
- Natural Sciences, Division of
- Nursing, School of
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Pre-Professional Studies
- Psychology
- Publishing and Printing Arts
- Religion
- Scandinavian Area Studies
- Social Sciences, Division of
- Sociology
- Social Work
- Statistics
- Women's and Gender Studies
- Writing
- Admission
- Tuition, Fees, and Payment Information
- Financial Aid
- General Education Program
- Graduate and Post Baccalaureate Programs
- University Policies
- Student Life and Campus Resources
- Contact Information and Rosters
- Glossary of Terms
- home /
- 2012 2013 /
- undergraduate program /
- program curriculum information /
- natural sciences division of
253.535.7560
www.plu.edu/nsci
nsci@plu.edu
The Division of Natural Sciences fulfills a two-fold purpose, preparing its majors for careers as science professionals and providing all students the grounding in the scientific awareness vital for being a citizen in the modern world and participating in a democracy.
To meet the first purpose, the six departments in the division offer rigorous programs in biology, chemistry, geosciences, physics, mathematics, and computer science and computer engineering. Inquiry-based learning is emphasized in laboratories, research courses, and capstone projects. The division-wide undergraduate research program supports one-on-one investigations with faculty in which students are immersed in all aspects of actually "doing" science.
To meet the second purpose, both major and non-major courses address the basic philosophy and methodologies of science. This encourages an awareness of the limitations of science as well as an appreciation for its benefits. Courses also attempt to place science and technology in its larger socio-cultural context, the connecting developments in one discipline with those in another and with influences outside the sciences.
Regardless of their major, students will find in the Natural Sciences Division a faculty devoted to teaching. Opportunities for close interactions abound, and the development of the whole person is a central concern.
As a division within the College of Arts and Sciences, the Division of Natural Sciences offers major programs in each department leading to B.A. and B.S. degrees, minor programs, and core courses that fulfill general education elements. The departments provide supporting courses for interdisciplinary programs within the sciences and for other schools of the university. Courses for B.A. in Education degrees with majors and minors in the natural sciences are available; see the Department of Instructional Development and Leadership section of this catalog for the specific degree requirements. See also the sections on Environmental Studies and on the Health Sciences (located in the Pre-Professional Programs section) for related programs.
Descriptions of specific course offerings and degree requirements offered within the Natural Sciences are listed under:- Biology
- Chemistry
- Geosciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computer Sciences
- Computer Engineering
Natural Sciences (NSCI)
Courses
The following course is offered under Natural Sciences. Other courses suitable for satisfying General Education (GenEd) program elements may be found in the listings for each of the departments in the division.
NSCI 210: Natural History of Hawaii - NS, SM
The Hawaiian Islands are an active museum of geology and tropical island plant and animal life. The islands, the most isolated in the world, have native plants and animals - 95 percent of which occur nowhere else. Students are expected to participate actively in daily lectures and fieldwork involving the geologic formation of Hawaii and its subsequent population by plants and animals, stressing the impact of human intervention. (4)
Last Modified: July 31, 2012 at 04:32 PM