SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES Acting Dean: Helen J. James Location: Science Lab, Room 611 \Telephone: 626-6159 General Education Courses are required of all students who receive a baccalaureate degree from Weber State College. The goal of the general education requirements of the School of Natural Sciences is to enrich the quality of the students personal life through learning. The natural sciences general education courses are designed: The School of Natural Sciences offers a comprehensive array of courses, programs and undergraduate degrees encompassing the biological, earth, and physical sciences. Courses are offered through two biological science departments: Microbiology- Botany, and Zoology; four physical science departments: Chemistry, Geography, Geology, and Physics; and the Center for Science Education. Programs are available in five undergraduate curricular offering categories: Liberal Arts, Pre-Professional, Professional, Technical Education, and General Education. Liberal Arts Programs (majors and minors) allow students to pursue in-depth study in the natural science discipline of one's choice. They also allow one to experience a more diverse education through broader study outside of the natural sciences. Liberal arts graduates are able to find employment in a variety of entry-level positions direcdy related to their major discipline. They are also able to move into graduate school or professional programs. Liberal arts graduates have the education for significant career ladder movement in their discipline fields. They also have the background to exercise unique job mobility to become entrepreneurs and pioneer new career directions. Pre-Professional Programs are designed for students interested in specific professional careers requiring additional education at professional schools elsewhere. Weber State College has an excellent record of graduates being admitted into professional school programs. Professional Teacher Education Programs are designed to meet the needs of students seeking certification to teach in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. A new Center for Science Education has been established in the School to enhance preservice teacher education programs in the natural sciences. Job opportunities for teachers with majors or minors in natural science disciplines are excellent. Technical Education Programs are offered to meet the needs of individuals seeking vocational and technical preparation required for skilled job-entry or reentry employment, as well as for career updating and occupational enhancement. Currently, we offer two Associate of Applied Science degree programs and a Certificate of Skill Proficiency. 1. To augment the student's understanding of accumulated scientific knowledge, the means of acquiring scientific knowledge, and the methods of expressing and conveying scientific knowledge to others; 2. To stimulate interests through exposure to new areas of investigation; 3. To instill an appreciation of the interrelationships among disciplines; 4. To stimulate growth toward a philosophy of life. Students planning to major or minor in the School of Natural Sciences should contact the appropriate department for assistance in planning their program. The details of the requirements for all majors and minors are listed with the respective departments. Students completing the teaching majors, minors, or emphasis will also work closely with the Center for Science Education and the School of Education. Students completing baccalaureate programs in the School of Natural Sciences may receive either the bachelor of arts degree or the bachelor of science degree. 128 Majors Botany* Chemistry* Geography* Geology Microbiology Applied Physics Physics* Zoology* Biology Composite** Earth Science Composite** Science Composite* Pre-Professional Programs Pre-Medical Pre-Dentistry Pre-Veterinary Medicine Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Agriculture Pre-Forestry Pre-Range Management Minors Botany* Chemistry* Geography* Geology* Microbiology Physics* Zoology* 1 and 2 Year Programs Chem Technician, AAS Chem Technician, Certificate of Proficiency Geological Tech, AAS * A teaching major or minor is also available. ** Teaching majors only. CENTER FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION Location: Lind Lecture Hall Telephone: 626-6160 Science education is concerned with the content, processes and attitudes of science. Within this context science education includes: (a) Science that is taught in elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities; (b) Science teacher education— both professional programs for preservice and inservice teachers; (c) Methodologies to help students learn science; and (d) Research in science education. The Center for Science Education attempts to address all these areas. The Center's activities can be categorized as follows: (a) inservice programs for elementary, secondary, higher education teachers and administrators; (b) enrichment activities for elementary and secondary students; (c) the education of science majors seeking certification to teach; (d) committed to establishing cooperative partnerships to strengthen science education at both the precollege and college level; (e) to provide and coordinate a materials resource center to help meet the classroom and laboratory science teaching needs of elementary, secondary, and college teachers; and (f) to develop and coordinate the dissemination of science information programs of general interest to the public. TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS The Center for Science Education has a special role in the education of science majors seeking a secondary education certification. The Center has a similar role for elementary education majors pursuing an emphasis in the natural science areas. Interested students should contact the Director of the Center for Science Education. In response to the need to increase the number of science teachers and the quality of graduates with science teaching certification, the Center's staff: 1. Teach and coordinate science courses for students pursuing elementary and secondary teacher certification in science; 2. Initiate and/or coordinate appropriate undergraduate science curriculum development; 3. Supervise and/or coordinate the supervision of student teachers in science; and 4. Recruit talented students into careers in the teaching of MUSEUM Location: Lind Lecture Hall Telephone: 626-6653 The Museum of Natural Science is an educational facility available to students in elementary and secondary schools, college students, and members of the community. Exhibits of interest include Plate Tectonics, Valley Glaciation, Continental Glaciation, The World of Neanderthal Man, the Grand Canyon District, Edward S. Curtis Indian Photographs, the Cougar/Eagle Diorama, the Ichthyosaur, Dimentrodon, Allosaurus, Sabertooth Tiger, Petroglyphs, sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals, fossils, and geological models. Teachers wishing instructional materials and/or activities concerning the Museum's exhibits should contact the Director of the Museum of Natural Science, 626-6653, 626-6174, or the Director of the Center for Science Education, 626-6160. The Museum is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Friday, except on holidays. PLANETARIUM Location: Lind Lecture Hall, LL203 Telephone: 626-6206 The Planetarium, featuring a 30-foot hemispherical dome, is used for instruction in undergraduate astronomy classes. It is also a science education facility featuring programs of interest to elementary students, secondary students, and the general public. For the general public, a program featuring some topic of current interest in astronomy is given one evening a week. Any teacher wishing instructional materials or wanting to set up an appointment for a class visit should contact the Director of the Planetarium, 626-7030, or the Director of the Center for Science Education, 626-6160. PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS Emphases: Pre-Dentistry Pre-Medicine Pre-Optometry Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Veterinary Medicine General Requirements: Students pursuing one of the following programs should satisfy the pre-professional requirements while completing an appropriate major or minor within the School of Natural Sciences. Students should work closely with both their pre-professional advisor and their academic major advisor. Since the course loads are typically heavy, and the requirements and application procedures vary among the programs, students should plan their academic strategies early and with full information. The Dean's office can provide the names of the program advisors. Student Services Requirements continued on next page 129