I. ASCRC General Education Form
Group
XI Natural Sciences
Dept/Program
Science
Course Title
Prerequisite
Course #
General Science: Earth and Life Science
Science 225 and
Credits
Math 130 or equivalent
SCI U 226N
5
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Kevin
Murray
Instructor
Phone / Email
Date
9/18/08
4495
kevin.murray@mso.umt.edu
Program Chair
Andrew Ware
Dean
Gerald Fetz
III. Description and purpose of the course: General Education courses must be introductory
and foundational. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
Integrated lectures, laboratory exercises, and field trips on topics in earth and biological science
for prospective elementary school teachers and the non-scientist. A two-hour laboratory
session is required each week and one or two Saturday field trips.
IV. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
1. Courses explore a discipline in the natural
This course is designed specifically to
illustrate connections and inter-relations
sciences and demonstrate how the scientific
between the life processes (biology) and
method is used within the discipline to draw
scientific conclusions.
earth physical processes (geology).
Lab experiments involve collection of and
2. Courses address the concept of analytic
uncertainty and the rigorous process required to analysis of complex abiotic/biotic systems,
description of results and comparison with
take an idea to a hypothesis and then to a
other students.
validated scientific theory.
3. Lab courses engage students in inquiryMicroscopic investigations, simple
based learning activities where they formulate a dissections, field collections and analyses in
hypothesis, design an experiment to test the
lab, laboratory notebook.
hypothesis, and collect, interpret, and present
the data to support their conclusions.
V. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
Compare and systemically evaluate concepts
1. Students will understand the general
ranging from plate tectonics vs. continental
principles associated with the discipline(s)
drift, natural selection vs. acquired
studied.
characteristics, terrestrial vs. extra-terrestrial
origins of life.
2. Students will understand the methodology and Design experiments to test effects of abiotic
conditions on biological function (plant
activities scientists use to gather, validate and
growth and soil conditions), identify unknown
interpret data related to natural processes.
mineral/rock specimens.
Lab experiments involve collection of and
3. Students will detect patterns, draw
analysis of complex abiotic/biotic systems,
conclusions, develop conjectures and
hypotheses, and test them by appropriate means description of results and comparison with
other students.
and experiments.
Understand electromagnetic spectrum, energy
4. Students will understand how scientific laws
conservation/transformation, properties of
and theories are verified by quantitative
living vs. non-living systems.
measurement, scientific observation, and
logical/critical reasoning.
5. Students will understand the means by which Formal laboratory activities address
analytic uncertainty is quantified and expressed scientific measurement and the uncertainty
in the natural sciences.
associated with the measurements.
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. ⇓ The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
*Please note: As an instructor of a general education course, you will be expected to provide
sample assessment items and corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.