Science Pre-Summer 2012
Science Pre-Summer 2012
The science requirement aims to develop critical awareness of the methods and limits of scientific inquiry, while fostering observational and analytical skills, particularly in reference to the natural world. When choosing a science course, students should make sure they have reviewed and met the specified prerequisites for the course prior to enrollment.
Students who are considering careers in science-related fields, including health-related professions, are urged to begin their study of science within the first semester or two after matriculation at GS.
To fulfill the science requirement, students must successfully complete three courses selected from the following Columbia departments or from the list of approved courses:
- Astronomy
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Earth and Environmental Sciences (Columbia department only)
- Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology
- Physics
- Psychology (Columbia courses PSYC W1001, W1010, and any 2200- or 2400-level course)
List of Approved Science Courses
The list of approved courses that fulfill the science requirement includes recommended sequences, science courses for non-science majors, and approved courses from departments not listed above and Barnard.
- Science C1000-Frontiers of Science satisfies both the QR requirement and one course of the science requirement when passed with a letter-grade of C or above.
The principal objectives of Frontiers of Science are to engage students in the process of discovery by exploring topics at the forefront of science and to inculcate or reinforce the specific habits of mind that inform a scientific perspective on the world. Sample topics include the evolution of human language, brain dynamics, global climate change, the nanoworld, and biodiversity, among others.
Frontiers of Science satisfies one of the three required courses of the science requirement for General Studies.
GS students interested in taking this course should have earned a minimum score of 16 on the GS Quantitative Reasoning Test and should also read the first chapter of the electronic textbook Scientific Habits of Mind at http://ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/mmt/frontiers/ and take the self-test prior to enrolling in the course.
Courses Designed For Nonscience Majors
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Astronomy [ASTR]
- C1234 The Universal Timekeeper: An Introduction to Scientific Habits of Mind I
- C1235 The Universal Timekeeper: An Introduction to Scientific Habits of Mind II
- C1403 Earth, Moon, and Planets
- C1404 Beyond the Solar System
- C1420 Galaxies and Cosmology
- C1610 Theories of the Universe: From Babylon to the Big Bang
- BC1753 Life in the Universe
- BC1754 Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology
- C1836 Stars and Atoms
Recommended Sequences
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Biology [BIOL]
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Computer Science [COMS]
- W1001 Introduction to information science
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Earth and Environmental Engineering [EAEE]
- E1100 A Better Planet by Design
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Earth and Environmental Sciences [EESC]
- V1001 Dinosaurs and the History of Life: Lectures and Lab
- V1003 Climate and Society
- V1011 Introduction to Earth Sciences I: Lectures and Lab
- V1012 Introduction to Earth sciences II: Lectures and Lab
- Note: Students electing to take EESC V1011 and V1012 as a sequence may begin the sequence with either course.
- V1030 Oceanography
- V1053 Planet Earth
- V1201 Environmental Risks and Disasters
- V1401 Dinosaurs and the History of Life: Lectures
- V1411 Introduction to Earth Sciences I: Lectures
- V1412 Introduction to Earth Sciences II: Lectures
- Note: Students electing to take EESC V1411 and V1412 as a sequence may begin the sequence with either course.
- W2330 Science for Sustainable Development
- W3018 Weapons of Mass Destruction
Recommended Sequences
-
Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology [EEEB]
- W1001 Biodiversity
- V1010 The Human Species: Its Place in Nature
- V1011 Behavioral Biology of the Living Primates
- Note: For students electing to take V1010 and V1011 as a sequence it is recommended, but not required, that V1010 be taken before V1011.
Recommended Sequences
-
Electrical Engineering [ELEN]
- E1101 The Digital Information Age
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Philosophy [PHIL]
-
Physics [PHYS]
Recommended Sequence
-
Psychology [PSYC]
- W1001 The Science of Psychology
- W1010 Mind, Brain, and Behavior
- Note: PSYC W1001 or W1010 must be taken as a prerequisite to any psychology course numbered 22xx or 24xx.
- Note: 2600-level psychology courses may not be used to fulfill the science requirement.
- W1001 and either W1010 or any PSYC course numbered 22xx or 24xx.
Recommended Sequence
-
Science [SCNC]
- W1800 From the Conservation of Energy to Energy Conservation
-
Statistics [STAT]
- W1001 Introduction to Statistical Reasoning
Additional Courses Approved for the Science Requirement
Most of the following courses have required prerequisites and/or require instructor approval. Prerequisite and instructor approval requirements can be found in the course descriptions for each course or on the department website.
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Astronomy [ASTR]
- Any 3-credit course numbered 2000 or higher
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Biology [BIOL]
- Any 3-credit course numbered 2000 or higher
-
Chemistry [CHEM]
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Computer Science [COMS]
- W1003 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in C
- W1004 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Java
- W1005 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in MATLAB
- W1007 Object-oriented Programming and Design in Java
- W1009 Honors Introduction to Computer Science
- W1003 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in C
- Any 3-credit course numbered 3000 or higher
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Earth and Environmental Sciences [EESC]
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Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology [EEEB]
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Mathematics [MATH]
- Any 3-credit course numbered 1100 or higher
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Philosophy [PHIL]
-
Physics [PHYS]
- F1201 / V1201 / W1201 General Physics: Without Calculus
- F1202 / V1202 General Physics: Without Calculus
- C1401 Introduction to Mechanics and Thermodynamics
- C1402 Introduction to Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics
- C1403 Introduction to Classical and Quantum Waves
- C1601 Physics I: Mechanics and Relativity
- C1602 Physics II: Thermodynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism
- Any 3-credit course numbered 2000 or higher
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Psychology [PSYC]
- Any 3-credit course numbered 32xx, 34xx, 42xx, or 44xx
- Note: These courses may serve as a second term of a recommended sequence starting with PSYC W1010 or W1001; see above.
- Note: 2600-level psychology courses may not be used to fulfill the science requirement.
- Any 3-credit course numbered 32xx, 34xx, 42xx, or 44xx
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Statistics [STAT]
- Any 3-credit course except C3997
Special Summer Program
The following special program fulfills two of the three terms of the science requirement.
-
Center for Environmental Research and Conversation [CERC]
- Summer Ecosystem Experience for Undergraduates (SEE-U): locations change yearly. Check with the center in the spring semester for details.
