Natural Sciences Major (M)
The goal of the Department of Life and Earth Sciences at Concordia University Wisconsin is to develop competent scientists with a Christian worldview. The graduates of its programs will possess the current scientific knowledge and research/data interpretation skills so necessary for entering scientific or medical careers in industry, academia, or government. More importantly, they will be prepared to provide a Christian influence and ethical perspective to the debate on the science-related issues facing the world today.
The Natural Science Major is designed to accompany a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education for students preparing to teach high school science. Accordingly, it provides a wide-ranging background combined with an opportunity for an area of specialization. Students pursuing other careers in science, or intending to apply to graduate programs in science, generally should choose a more specialized major.
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod affirms that all of Scripture, including the creation account in Genesis, is the word of God, true, and authoritative for faith and life. Current conventional scientific theories that conflict with the account in Genesis might be studied in portions of this course. In no way should this be seen as endorsement of a non-authoritative view of Scripture by the course instructor or by Concordia University.
Program Learning Outcomes
The Student will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of and an ability to explain major biological and related scientific concepts (Knowledge Base of Biology and Related Sciences);
- Demonstrate the ability to appropriately collect and analyze data while utilizing laboratory equipment and procedures safely and effectively (Biological Procedures and Data)
- Develop investigative and critical thinking skills to explore complex questions and solve challenging scientific problems (Scientific Inquiry);
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate scientific information effectively to both scientists and non-scientists (Scientific Communication);
- Recognize how vocations in science provide opportunities for service to Christ and others and necessitate ethical behavior in all aspects of science (Vocation and Ethics) demonstrate an understanding of how/why a Christian sees evidence of God’s design in nature and how to be good stewards of His creation (God’s Design and Stewardship).
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements 1 | 45 | |
| Major Requirements | 51 | |
| Electives 2 | 24 | |
Minor: Optional | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
For transfer students, please see the Advanced Transfer Core.
- 2
For Secondary Education Students, the credit total is 130
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| General Biology I (Science with a Lab) | ||
| Statistics I (MATH 205 for Biology Emphasis; MATH 128 for Chemistry/Physics Emphases) | ||
or MATH 128 | College Algebra | |
| Public Speaking (Communication) | ||
or COMM 201 | Interpersonal Communication | |
| Introduction to Writing | ||
| Courses Required for Secondary Education Students | ||
| Foundations of Education (Core Human Beings & Being Human requirement) | ||
| Human Relations for Teachers (Core Society and Culture requirement) | ||
| Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Science - Secondary (Required pedagogy class) 3 | ||
| Major Requirements | 23 | |
| General Biology I (taken in core) | ||
| BIO 142 | General Biology II | 4 |
| CHEM 141 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 142 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| PHYS 151 | General Physics I | 4 |
| or PHYS 171 | University Physics I | |
| PHYS 152 | General Physics II | 4 |
| or PHYS 172 | University Physics II | |
| SCI 275 | Cosmogony | 3 |
| Choose one environmentally-focused class | 3-4 | |
| Choose one of the following emphases: | 9-17 | |
Emphasis in Biology | ||
Emphasis in Chemistry | ||
Emphasis in Physics | ||
| Major Electives | 7-15 | |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
- 3
Requires Upper Division Status
Environmentally-Related Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 156 | Environmental Science | 4 |
| or PHYS 108 | Introductory Astronomy | |
| or SCI 195 | Meteorology | |
| or SCI 235 | Earth Science | |
| or SCI 246 | Oceanography | |
Emphasis in Biology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics I (taken in core) | ||
| BIO 146 | Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology (If BIO 191 is chosen, BIO 192 must be selected as a major elective) | 4 |
| or BIO 191 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | |
| BIO 244 | Botany | 4 |
| BIO 260 | Biology of Microorganisms | 4 |
| BIO 348 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIO 490 | Biology Senior Seminar (fall semester) | 1 |
| Total Hours | 17 | |
Emphasis in Chemistry
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| College Algebra (taken in core) | ||
| CHEM 241 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 242 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 225 | Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 425 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 491 | Chemistry Senior Seminar I | 1 |
| Total Hours | 17 | |
Emphasis in Physics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| College Algebra (taken in core) | ||
| Introductory Astronomy (must be selected as environmentally-focused course) | ||
| University Physics I (must be selected as major requirement) | ||
| University Physics II (must be selected as major requirement) | ||
| MATH 201 | Calculus I (must be taken before PHYS 171) | 4 |
| MATH 202 | Calculus II | 4 |
| CHEM 491 | Chemistry Senior Seminar I | 1 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Major Electives
7 elective credits are required for the biology/chemistry emphases, 15 for the physics emphasis. Major electives can be selected from any courses in the other emphases (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), additional courses from the environmentally-focused category, or selected from the following (prerequisites may apply):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 235 | Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
| BIO 192 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO 240 | Zoology | 4 |
| BIO 321 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 367 | Ecology of the Tropics | 3 |
| BIO 368 | Ecology of the Tropics-Lab | 1 |
| BIO 410 | Ecology | 4 |
| Other courses approved by the chair of the Department of Life and Earth Sciences | ||