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.

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)