Course Schedule and Catalog

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Description: SCIENCE TODAY I: CONCEPTS IN PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY ***** This course is intended as an investigation of some of the major concepts in physics and astronomy that form the basis of our modern understanding of the universe. By focusing on scientific methodology and a few universal laws, the course will help students appreciate scientific discoveries and give them the conceptual understanding to form intelligent views of contemporary scientific issues. For non-science/engineering majors.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Description: SCIENCE IN THE MODERN WORLD II ***** A course designed to relate scientific principles and problems to modern times. The emphasis will be on the science of life and health.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Description: SCIENCE FOR CHANGING TIMES II ***** This course is designed for nonscience and nonengineering majors. In it, we will explore topics having a direct impact on our lives right now and in the future. These will include nuclear medicine, global warming, water pollution, the chemical industry, cloning and genetic engineering, health and fitness, and drugs. Learn to be an active and informed citizen.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Description: ATMOSPHERE, WEATHER, & CLIMATE ***** This course emphasizes the fundamental science of the atmospheric system. Among the subjects to be covered quantitively are climate changes, solar radiation and the Earth's energy budget, atmospheric motions and circulation, clouds and storms, and atmospheric environmental concerns. ***** Also offered as NSCI 203. ***** Instructor(s): Few

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Description: COMPUTATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ***** The course introduces basic techniques for problem solving and visualization using computational environments such as Mathematica and Matlab. Class will consist of a mixture of traditional lectures held in classrooms and self-paced modules covering topics in science and engineering that will be completed in Symonds II. No previous experience is required or expected. ***** Also offered as COMP 110.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: NEW VENTURE COMMUNICATION FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ***** Teaches students in science or engineering the skills needed to discover, communicate, and promote products and services based on technological innovation or scientific research. Students learn to innovate a product or service with social or commercial application, write an early-stage business plan, and give a 10-minute financing presentation. ***** Also offered as ENGI 305.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: PREPARING FOR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN FIVE COUNTRIES, MANY CULTURES ***** Prepares students to anticipate the roles, situations, and expected communication practices they would encounter in engineering firms or other businesses in the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Mexico, and the Middle East. ***** Also offered as ENGI 307. ***** Enrollment limited to 20.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Independent Study

Credit Hours: 1

Description: LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION ***** Leadership communication is a one-credit course taught in two parts. Each part lasts 7 weeks and involves 7 hours of classroom instruction and 5 hours of laboratory or small group studio work. Part 1 focuses on leadership writing; part 2 on leadership speaking. Each must be taken in a separate semester. Both parts must be completed to earn the credit hour. The course teaches writers and speakers how to explain ideas in the context of values for audiences with a variety of vested interests. The course covers organizational and persuasive strategies as well as stylistic and delivery techniques. Students will draw on projects in their course work or extracurricular activities in selecting topics for major assignments in writings and presentations. Students will also develop a statement of career and life goals and practice explaining these as qualifications for a leadership role during the course. A final presentation and written report involving a campus leadership project or activity will be required to complete the course and obtain a notation about leadership communication qualifications on the transcript.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 3

Description: SPECIAL PROJECTS ***** No description.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: PROFESSIONAL MASTER'S SEMINAR ***** A weekly seminar which serves to provide exposure to local industry leaders from the areas of oil & gas exploration, nanotechnology, and environmental management; introduce career management and business relations tools; further develop written and oral communication skills; provide a forum for students to present internship project results.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Laboratory

Credit Hours: 1

Description: ENVIRONMENTAL LAB ***** Laboratory module offered in conjunction with CAAM 353 that illustrates applications of numerical analysis in the solutions of common environmental science and engineering problems. Consent of professor is required.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: ENVIRONMENTAL CASE STUDIES ***** Seminar bringing in outside speakers from the community to address environmental issues.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Independent Study

Credit Hours: 12

Description: PROFESSIONAL MS INTERNSHIP ***** Supervised internship or project associated with pursued degree. ***** Exclusively for students in the Professional Master's Program. Repeatable for Credit.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 3

Description: SCIENCE, POLICY, AND ETHICS ***** An introduction to the policy, politics, ethics and legal issues that relate to science and technology- discovery and application. This course identifies ways in which government laws, regulations, programs and actions, as well as business policy and practices can promote or inhibit advances in science and technology and applications for the public good. Case studies will be used, and experts from various fields will be invited to meet with the class.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: PROFESSIONAL MASTER'S PROJECT ***** Professional master students present the results of their internship or independent project.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 3

Description: SPECIAL PROJECTS ***** No description.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3 TO 6

Description: CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS ***** Mathematical topics related to the elementary grades that include number and operations, geometry, probability and statistics, patterns and functions, and measurement. Hands-on experiences in innovatice methods using manipulatives and technology, problem-solving techniques, and motivational strategies. Curriculum development using the RUSMP Learning Plan. Assessment for elementary school classrooms.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3 TO 6

Description: CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL MATHEMATICS ***** Mathematics topics related to middle school mathematics that include number concepts, ratio and proportion, geometry, measurment, probability and statistics, variables, and functions. A problem-solving approach to teaching mathematics with an emphasis on the use of manipulatives and technology. Curriculum development using the RUSMP Learning Plan. Assessment for middle school mathematics classrooms.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1 TO 6

Description: CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN K-12 SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS ***** Topics related to science and/or mathematics instruction- both content and pedagogy-in grades K-8. Multiple sections are offered. Each section focuses on specific areas of instruction at specified grade levels. Current offerings include a section that focuses on middle school concepts of force and motion, one that addresses interdisciplinary science at the K-8 level with an emphasis on the Galveston Bay area, and another that addresses integration of science and mathematics related to concepts of measurement and problem-solving at the elementary and a different section for the middle school level. All sections include field studies, inquiry, curriculum development and implementation of instructional strategies in the classroom. More complete descriptions of individual sections may be viewed at www.bioc.rice.edu/precollege. Students may enroll in different sections for repeated credit. These courses do not count toward graduate degrees in Natural Science.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3 TO 6

Description: CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS ***** Mathematical topics related to high school mathematics that include geometry, probability and statistics, functions, limits, sequences and series, and number theory. A problem-solving approach to teaching mathematics with an emphasis on the use of manipulatives and technology. Curriculum development using the RUSMP Learning Plan. Assessment for high school mathematics classrooms.

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1 TO 6

Description: TOPICS IN CONTEMPORARY ALGEBRA FOR IN-SERVICE TEACHERS ***** Teaching beginning algebra with an emphasis on mathematical models and representations, variables and functions, and symbolic reasoning. Foundation concepts for secondary mathematics, algebraic thinking and symbolic reasoning, function concepts, relationship between algebra and geometry, and underlying mathematical processes. Use of manipulatives and technology. Curriculum development using the RUSMP Learning Plan. development and assessment strategies. These courses do not count toward graduate degrees in Natural Sciences.