Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: SCIENCE TODAY I: CONCEPTS IN PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Description: 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.

Long Title: SCIENCE FOR CHANGING TIMES II

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Description: 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.

Long Title: ATMOSPHERE, WEATHER, AND CLIMATE

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This course emphasizes the fundamental science of the atmospheric system. Among the subjects to be covered quantitatively are climate changes, solar radiation and the Earth's energy budget, atmospheric motions and circulation, clouds and storms, and atmospheric environmental concerns. Cross-list: PHYS 203.

Long Title: COMPUTATION IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Distribution Group: Distribution Group III

Credit Hours: 3

Description: The course introduces basic techniques for problem solving and visualization using computational environments such as Mathematica. Class will consist of self-paced modules covering topics in science and engineering that will be completed in Symonds II Lab. No previous programming experience is required or expected. Cross-list: COMP 110.

Long Title: NEW VENTURE COMMUNICATION FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: 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.

Long Title: PREPARING FOR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN FIVE COUNTRIES, MANY CULTURES

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: 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. Cross-list: ENGI 307.

Long Title: LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Independent Study

Credit Hours: 2

Description: Leadership communication is a two-credit course that meets for three hours weekly for ten weeks. 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 organization and persuasive strategies as well as stylistic and delivery techniques. In addition to writing and presenting, students will discuss readings and learn to give one another feedback. Students will draw on projects in their course work or extracurricular activities in selecting topics for major assignments. Students will also develop a statement of career and life goals and practice explaining these as qualifications to promote themselves for leadership roles. Cross-list: ENGI 309.

Long Title: PROFESSIONAL MASTER'S SEMINAR

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: A weekly seminar which serves to provide exposure to local industry leaders from the areas of oil and 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. Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: ENVIRONMENTAL LAB

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Laboratory

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Laboratory module offered in conjunction with CAAM 353 that illustrates applications of numerical analysis in the solutions of common environmental science and engineering problems. Instructor Permission Required.

Long Title: ENVIRONMENTAL CASE STUDIES

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Seminar bringing in outside speakers from the community to address environmental issues.

Long Title: PROFESSIONAL MS INTERNSHIP

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Independent Study

Credit Hours: 12

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

Long Title: PROFESSIONAL MASTER'S PROJECT

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Prerequisite(s): NSCI 510

Description: Professional master students present the results of their internship or independent project.

Long Title: CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1 TO 6

Description: 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 innovative methods using manipulatives and technology, problem-solving techniques, and motivational strategies. Curriculum development using the RUSMP Learning Plan. Assessment for elementary school classrooms.

Long Title: CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL MATHEMATICS

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1 TO 6

Description: Mathematics topics related to middle school mathematics that include number concepts, ratio and proportion, geometry, measurement, 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.

Long Title: CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN K-12 SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1 TO 6

Description: Contemporary topics in grades K-12 SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS instruction - covers both content and pedagogy. Multiple sections are offered. Each section focuses on specific areas of instruction at specified grade levels. All sections include field studies, inquiry, curriculum development and implementation of instructional strategies in the classroom. Students may enroll in different sections for repeated credit. These courses do not count toward graduate degrees in Natural Science. Cross-list: PFDV 586. Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1 TO 6

Description: 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: Seminar

Credit Hours: 3

Description: SEMINAR IN SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS ***** Seminar with a team of university faculty and community-based scientists (in fields such as medicine, space, energy, and the environment) to increase understanding of scientific principles as they are applied in the scientific community of Houston and as they relate to secondary school science.

Long Title: TOPICS IN CONTEMPORARY ALGEBRA FOR IN-SERVICE TEACHERS

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1 TO 6

Description: 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.