2013-14 Catalogs
BA in General Science
Coordinators: Theresa Theodose, 408 Science Building, Portland, and Robert Kuech, 507 Bailey Hall, Gorham
Steering Committee: Professor: Sanford (Environmental Science); Associate Professors: Theodose (Biology), LaSala (Physics), Novak (Geosciences), Kuech (Teacher Education)
The general science major at USM serves students with a strong interest in teaching middle school science by providing a strong science background reflecting the Maine Learning Results. General science is also appropriate for students who seek an interdisciplinary, integrated science experience rather than a major in just one science discipline.
Each of three options provides a combination of courses from several areas of science. For a particular option, that discipline is more rigorously represented with coursework equivalent to that required for a minor in that discipline at USM. A capstone course stresses the interdisciplinary nature of the major. Options for study are available in life sciences, physical sciences, and earth sciences. Students enrolled in the physical sciences major may choose to minor in either chemistry or physics.
Program Requirements
Acceptance into this program is contingent upon admission to USM and successful completion of the University's writing and mathematics proficiency requirements.
Graduation requirements include a minimum GPA of 2.50 and completion of one of the three options listed above (44.5-49 credit hours depending upon the option/track). A student must receive a C- or better in any course, including lab courses, for the course to count toward the major.
Option A. Life Sciences (42 credits)
Required courses:
BIO 105, 106, 107 Biological Principles
CHY 110 Chemistry, Life, and the Environment
ESP 101, 102 Fundamentals of Environmental Science
PHY 111, 114 Elements of Physics
BIO 217 Evolution
BIO 200 or higher electives (10 credit hours)
SDM 405 Science Capstone
Select one:
AST 100, 103 Astronomy
GEY 100, 101 Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Moving Plates
GEY 103, 101 Floods, Glaciers, and Changing Climate
GEY 105, 106 Ocean Planet
Option B. Physical Science (43-46 credits)
Required courses:
BIO 101, 102 Biological Foundations
CHY 113-116 Chemical Principles
PHY 121, 114, 123, 116 General Physics
Select one:
AST 100, 103 Astronomy
GEY 100, 101 Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Moving Plates
GEY 103, 101 Floods, Glaciers, and Changing Climate
GEY 105, 106 Ocean Planet
ESP 101, 102 Fundamentals of Environmental Science
Option B with a Minor in Chemistry (46 credits)
CHY 251-254 Organic Chemistry
CHY 231, 232 Analytical Chemistry
SDM 405 Science Capstone
Option B with a Minor in Physics (49 credits)
PHY 211 Non-Classical Physics
PHY 240* Intermediate Laboratory*
PHY 3XX One 3-credit additional physics course at the 300 level or higher
SDM 405 Science Capstone
*Calculus A and B are prerequisites
Option C. Earth Science (42 credits)
BIO 101, 102 Biological Foundations
CHY 113, 114 Chemical Principles
GEY 100, 101 Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Moving Plates
or GEY 103, 101 Floods, Glaciers, and Changing Climate
PHY 111, 112, 114, 116 Elements of Physics
SDM 405 Science Capstone
Select one:
AST 100, 103 Astronomy
GEY 105, 106 Ocean Planet
ESP 101, 102 Fundamentals of Environmental Science
GEY 200 or higher electives (13 credit hours)