Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: 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: WRITING PROFESSIONALLY IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 2

Description: Targeted to freshmen. To begin to develop a professional identity, students will learn to document research or clinical activities, interpret research findings, and summarize their work in the context of a research field. Course will address common errors made by students in laboratory courses. Data will be collected from virtual laboratory activities.

Long Title: SCIENCE FOR CHANGING TIMES

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 non-science and non-engineering 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: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Independent Study

Credit Hours: 0 TO 3

Description: Independent Study in an area of science with emphasis on scientific procedures and methods. Instructor Permission Required.

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 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. Cross-list: COMP 110. Repeatable for Credit.

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 AN INTERCULTURAL SETTING

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Prepares students to anticipate the roles, situations, and communication practices they might encounter when working as an engineer or health professional in a developing country. Course meets two Saturdays during the semester, once in January and once in February, and coursework finishes by March. Cross-list: ENGI 307.

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 in Natural Sciences. Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: SCIENCE POLICY, AND ETHICS

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: An introduction to the policy, ethics, politics, and legal issues that relate to science and technology - discovery and application. This course presents a framework for analyzing ethical issues in business and professional work. The course then explores the ways in which government policy and business practices can promote or inhibit advances in science and technology while influencing the ethical choices of the professionals involved. Case studies will be used.

Long Title: PROFESSIONAL MASTER'S PROJECT

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Professional master students present the results of their internship or independent project. Recommended Prerequisite(s): NSCI 510.

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. 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.

Long Title: SEMINAR IN SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS

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.

Long Title: MANAGEMENT FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Department: Natural Sciences Division

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This course is for graduate and undergraduate students who want to understand the basics of management in new and/or small technology-based businesses and is particularly relevant to students who are interested in careers in technology or entrepreneurial ventures. NSCI 610/ENGI 610 is team taught to provide insight into how technology oriented firms manage people, projects, accounting, marketing, strategy, intellectual property, organizations and entrepreneurship. Students active participation is essential. Students who take this course are eligible for MGMT 625. Cross-list: ENGI 610.