The Academic Departments

• Department of Science Education
• Department of Astro-Geophysics
• Department of Biology
• Department of Geology
• Supplementary Courses

The Minor in General Science

Introduction

The minor in General Science is intended for individuals who do not teach science in a specific field (i.e., biology, geology, etc.). Such individuals usually do not have enough undergraduate science courses in a particular field of science but still meet the admission requirements with an adequate number of upper division science courses. Students who may fit this situation include elementary and/or general science teachers; speakers and/or writers who work for science research or education organizations, and others who are interested in the sciences.

Program Objectives

The ICRGS graduate who minors in General Science will be able to evaluate current scientific literature.

The ICRGS graduate who minors in General Science will utilize a variety of resources to continue building on his or her science and science teaching knowledge base.

The ICRGS graduate who minors in General Science will demonstrate a depth of scientific knowledge as it relates to perspectives on origins.

The ICRGS graduate who minors in General Science will be able to apply effective written and verbal communication skills that exhibit the qualities of a communicator who stimulates the thinking of the listener/reader.

Prerequisites for Admission

The entrance requirements include a Bachelor's degree in a field of science and/or science education and/or science teaching experience, with adequate science or science education preparation as described in the minor. An overall 2.75 undergraduate GPA (3.0 in science and science-related courses) is required for admission into the graduate program. Students whose overall GPA falls between 2.5 and 3.0 may be admitted on probation, which means they will not be officially admitted into the program until they have completed 9-12 quarter hours with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students whose overall GPA is lower than 2.5 may be required to take the general GRE, which must be passed with a score of 1000 (adding the verbal and quantitative scores).

Requirements for Graduation

Completion of the Science Education core, AG 501 (4.5 quarter hours) with AG 501L (3 quarter hours), BI 504 with laboratory (6 quarter hours), and GE 501 (4.5 quarter hours) with GE 505F (3 quarter hours) plus 7.5 quarter hours of electives. Electives can include the Supplemental Courses, and/or science courses for which candidates have met the prerequisites.

Courses

AG 501 Planetary and Stellar Astronomy
4.5 quarter hours

A survey of planetary and stellar astronomy, including aspects of the sky, time, coordinates, telescopes, and observational techniques. Topics include: early astronomy, light and telescopes, planet earth, motion and the moon, solar systems, planets, and star properties. (Prerequisites: SE 501 and/or permission of instructor)

AG 501L Planetary and Stellar Astronomy Laboratory
3 quarter hours

One week laboratory course offered on the campus of the University of South Carolina Lancaster (USCL) during the summer quarter, and includes access to the observatory of the Charlotte Amateur Astronomy Club which features a 24-inch Newtonian reflector, a 16-inch Cassegrain reflector, and a 6-inch Alvin Clark refractor. Topics include: lenses and telescopes, spectroscopy, earth’s orbital velocity, sunspots, the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, RR Lyrae stars, the Crab Nebula, Pulsars, structure of the Milky Way, the Hubble Relation, and quasars. (Prerequisites: SE 501, AG 501 or taken concurrently)

BI 504 Advanced Ecology with Laboratory
6 quarter hours

A model is presented for how the biosphere is designed, structured, and functions. Communities, ecosystems, and biomes are examined to see how they fit the model. Mankind's role in managing the earth is discussed and evaluated. Possible solutions to various environmental problems are evaluated. Field work is integrated with coursework. (Prerequisites: SE 501)

GE 501 Natural Disasters
4.5 quarter hours

Analysis of some of the most extraordinary geologic events that have affected the earth’s surface, including displacement processes (earthquakes, landslides, storm surges and tsunamis), nozzle and penetration events (caldera and summit eruptions, pluton intrusion, piping failure of natural dams, meteor impacts), and energetic granular flows (debris avalanches, debris flows, hyper-concentrated river floods, and pyroclastic flows). Focus is on eyewitness reports allowing geological classification and quantitative description. Mechanical analysis employs force vectors, energy balance, and work budgets with only occasional use of calculus. Probability analysis addresses potential threat to humans. This course is also appropriate for science educators needing broad experience with surface geologic processes. (Prerequisites: SE 501, and/or consent of instructor)

GE 505F Field Geology
3 quarter hours

Field explorations for science educators at selected geological locations in Southern California. Visits and instruction occur at shore-face strata sequence (Torrey Pines State Reserve), ancient delta of the Colorado River (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park), leading edge of the North American Plate boundary (San Andreas fault, Mojave Desert, and Owens Valley), craton-deposited marine flood strata (Sierra Nevada Mountains, Inyo Mountains and Mojave Desert), supervolcano structure and deposits (Owens Valley, Long Valley Caldera, Mammoth volcanic center, and Mono Craters), intrusive igneous structures (Peninsular Ranges Batholith, Sierra Nevada Batholith, and Independence dikes), and glacial landforms (Yosemite National Park). Maps, reports and rocks are supplied for the students prior to the field study. Students write a paper that stresses geologic skills of observing, classifying, measuring, interpreting and reporting. The nine-day field trip is offered in August. (Prerequisites: GE 501, GE 502)