Natural Sciences General Education Program
Mission Statement
The mission of the natural sciences general education program is to provide
students with an understanding and appreciation of the natural world from a
scientific perspective.
Science is a way of knowing. Its purpose is to describe and explain the natural
world, to investigate the mechanisms that govern nature, and to identify ways in
which all natural phenomena are interrelated. Science produces knowledge that is
based on evidence and that knowledge is repeatedly tested against observations
of nature. The strength of science is that ideas and explanations that are
inconsistent with evidence are refined or discarded and replaced by those that
are more consistent.
Science provides personal fulfillment that comes from understanding the natural
world. In addition, experience with the process of science develops skills that
are increasingly important in the modern world. These include creativity,
critical thinking, problem solving, and communication of ideas. A person who is
scientifically literate is able to evaluate and propose explanations
appropriately. The scientifically literate individual can assess whether or not
a claim is scientific, and distinguish scientific explanations from those that
are not scientific.
Foundations of the Natural Sciences Learning Outcomes
After completing the natural sciences general education requirements, students
will demonstrate their understanding of general principles of science:
1. Nature of science. Scientific knowledge is based on evidence that is
repeatedly examined, and can change with new information. Scientific
explanations differ fundamentally from those that are not scientific.
2. Integration of science. All natural phenomena are interrelated and share
basic organizational principles. Scientific explanations obtained from different
disciplines should be cohesive and integrated.
3. Science and society. The study of science provides explanations that have
significant impact on society, including technological advancements, improvement
of human life, and better understanding of human and other influences on the
earth’s environment.
4. Problem solving and data analysis. Science relies on empirical data, and such
data must be analyzed, interpreted, and generalized in a rigorous manner.
The Life Sciences Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate their understanding of the following characteristics
of life:
1. Levels of organization: All life shares an organization that is based on
molecules and cells and extends to organisms and ecosystems.
2. Metabolism and homeostasis: Living things obtain and use energy, and maintain
homeostasis via organized chemical reactions known as metabolism.
3. Genetics and evolution: Shared genetic processes and evolution by natural
selection are universal features of all life.
4. Ecological interactions: All organisms, including humans, interact with their
environment and other living organisms.
The Physical Sciences Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate their understanding of the following feature of the
physical world:
1. Organization of systems: The universe is scientifically understandable in
terms of interconnected systems. The systems evolve over time according to basic
physical laws.
2. Matter: Matter comprises an important component of the universe, and has
physical properties that can be described over a range of scales.
3. Energy: Interactions within the universe can be described in terms of energy
exchange and conservation.
4. Forces: Equilibrium and change are determined by forces acting at all
organizational levels.