Prerequisites: ANTH 150 or ANTH 151 or ANTH 262 or BIOL 100 or BIOL 101 or BIOL 106; Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Forensic Anthropology has been popularized in recent years by a range of popular media. But what can human remains really tell us? In this class, we will review the methods used by physical anthropologists to study the human skeleton and critically examine the array of information that can actually be scientifically extracted from human skeletal remains. Based on this knowledge, we will analyze the biological and cultural information bones may yield about past human populations. Available for General Education, Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences or Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. In-depth examination and interpretation of astronomical discoveries occurring at the time the course is taught. Reading includes both background material and current periodicals accessible to upper division, General Education students. Likely areas of discussion include spacecraft exploration of the solar system, satellite observations of high-energy radiation from space, exotic astronomical objects (e.g., double quasars, black hole candidates), and new cosmological data. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. No prior knowledge of biology is required. This course popularizes the processes of biological evolution, evidence that evolution has occurred, dips into how evolution guides research, and serves as a conceptual theme and sketches evolutionary history retrospective from humans. Not for credit in the Biology major. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. For non-science majors to acquaint them with the classification, behavior, ecology and distribution of the more important plants and animals of Southern California. Lecture 3 hours. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. This course is a study of dinosaurs and the world in which they lived from the time of their first appearance to their extinction. The evolutionary patterns exhibited by dinosaurs are explored via an examination of their spatial and temporal distribution through time, considering connections to the evolving Mesozoic world’s paleogeography, paleoclimate, and paleo-environment as interpreted from the rock record. Topics include dinosaur origins, anatomy, reproduction, diets, diversity, and classification, as well as a survey of other vertebrate animals that lived at the same time. Hypotheses for dinosaur extinction are compared and contrasted. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.) (Cross-listed with GEOL 324.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Not for credit in the Biology major. From the shore to the depths, analysis of the diversity of life in the world’s oceans with emphasis on the Southern California biota. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Our influence on the environment and the influence of the environment on us. Lecture 3 hours. Meets the Lifelong Learning requirement. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)
Prerequisites: BIOL 100, or BIOL 101 and BIOL 101L, or BIOL 102/L, or BIOL 106 and BIOL 106L, or BIOL 107 and BIOL 107L and completion of the lower division writing requirement. Available for Biology minor credit but not for Biology major. Description of biological events leading up to ovulation, emission, conception, implantation and pregnancy, and the resulting stages of human development, including placenta development and birth, with a discussion of biological aspects of genetic counseling, birth defects, miscarriage, and abortion. Lecture 3 hours. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisites: BIOL 100 and BIOL 100L, or BIOL 101 and BIOL 101L, or BIOL 102/L, or BIOL 106 and BIOL 106L, or BIOL 107 and BIOL 107L passed with grades of “C” or better and completion of the lower division writing requirement. A non-technical introduction to current topics in genetics and their impact on society and life. Students will learn about the application of genetics to agriculture, environment, human health, and medicine. Students will understand issues pertaining to genetic engineering, cloning, gene therapy, stem cells, etc. Not for credit in Biology major. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Basic concepts, experimental approaches and the therapeutic potential of human embryonic stem cells, human adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine will be discussed in this course. The politics and ethics of this emerging field of medicine and how these will affect you will be a major component of this course. This course emphasizes active student participation. Meets the Lifelong Learning requirement. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Corequisite: CM 336L. The purpose of this course is to give the students an overview of design and construction delivery systems for high-performance green buildings. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) will be discussed in detail. Sustainability evaluation systems will be reviewed. This course will focus on LEED-NC (new construction) requirements. Meets the Lifelong Learning requirement. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Provides a perspective and framework for evaluating a broad and dynamic range of environmental issues, from bioterrorism to global warming to restaurant grading systems. This wide-ranging and topical course provides an overview of the field of Environmental and Occupational Health, including such major subject areas as environmental diseases, food safety, hazardous materials and waste management, vector control, and water and air pollution. Not open for credit for students taking EOH 356A and EOH 356B. Meets the Lifelong Learning requirement. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. This course aims to provide a common experience to all GE Honors students and lay a critical foundation for integrative, critical and reflective thinking. The team-taught course adopts an interdisciplinary perspective and asks students to carefully evaluate the means by which knowledge is gained across different disciplines. Students will explicitly consider how logic and evidence operate across fields of study to move us closer to answering humanity’s central questions. Available for General Education, Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences or Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or GEOG 101A or GEOG 103 or GEOG 103A or ASTR 152 or GEOL 100 or GEOL 110 or GEOL 122; Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Explanations of rain, wind, smog, etc. Basic principles of energy transfer. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: GEOG 316L. Introduction to the principles of environmental geography with special emphasis on the connections between human activities and the physical (natural) environment. Emphasis will be placed on identifying the historical and contemporary impact of humans on the natural environment. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or GEOG 101A or GEOL 101; Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Analytical and descriptive study of physical processes responsible for development and evolution of Earth’s surface features. Aspects of local geomorphology will be observed on field trips. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)
Prerequisites: A lower division science course from Physical Geography, Geological Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, or Biology; completion of the lower division writing requirement. From a geographical perspective, comprehension of environmental hazards, their spatial distribution, their magnitude and frequency of occurrence and human perception of environmental hazards. Course emphasizes impact of environmental hazards on land utilization, settlement patterns, economic development and transportation systems. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Study of the relationship between humans and the Earth and the application of geology to environmental problems. Topics include geological hazards, pollution, mineral and energy resources, land use planning and environmental impact. 3 hours lecture, field trips. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. This course is a study of dinosaurs and the world in which they lived from the time of their first appearance to their extinction. The evolutionary patterns exhibited by dinosaurs are explored via an examination of their spatial and temporal distribution through time, considering connections to the evolving Mesozoic world’s paleogeography, paleoclimate, and paleo-environment as interpreted from the rock record. Topics include dinosaur origins, anatomy, reproduction, diets, diversity, and classification, as well as a survey of other vertebrate animals that lived at the same time. Hypotheses for dinosaur extinction are compared and contrasted. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.) (Cross-listed with BIOL 324.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. A comprehensive introduction to the application of geoscience to criminal investigations and forensic problems solving. The course explores the use of geological evidence (rocks and minerals, soils, geochemistry, etc.) to aid in forensic investigation. Students review case studies in criminal justice, national security and environmental contamination. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Investigations of aspects of California geology. California-related topics may include: plate tectonic history, earthquakes, geologic hazards, geology of national parks, climate record and hydrogeology. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. In-depth analysis of the factors and problems related to the use and misuse of drugs and their effect on the health and welfare of the individual, family and society. Meets the Lifelong Learning requirement. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Fundamentals of nutrition, emphasizing practices and problems related to consumer and health. Credit not allowed for both HSCI 337 and FCS 207. Meets the Lifelong Learning requirement. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Exploration and analysis of the issues that define public health. Economics, politics, history, theory, organization and contemporary practice methodologies are probed in light of such topics as infectious and chronic diseases, maternal and child health, drug abuse, ethnic health, mental health, nutrition, poverty and sexually transmitted infections (disease). Available for General Education, Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences or Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Exploration of sports science, including how the human body functions during exercise and sports performance. Application of functional anatomy, biomechanics and neuro-motor control to fundamental movements involved in sports. Measurement and assessment of sports performance using readily available technology. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. This course addresses two areas at once: the nature of human language and how linguistics and its practitioners study it. It provides students with opportunities to systematically examine and analyze aspects of human language, of which–as we all are–they have been largely unaware. From learning, applying, and questioning the methodologies underlying these analyses, students develop critical insight regarding the framework and mechanisms of scientific study, as they look at the subfields of linguistic inquiry that crucially engage with these. Importantly, students will come away not only with knowledge from the science of language but also with an appreciation of the central role of scientific inquiry, and developing skills for recognizing and formulating fruitful questions. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Determining what a written text or spoken utterance exactly conveys is nowhere more important than in the area of the law where subtle differences in wording can have drastic consequences in people’s lives. This course examines how language is used and interpreted in legal settings by applying insights from the linguistic fields of semantics, pragmatics, discourse analysis and sociolinguistics. The course has lifelong relevance for every citizen, since we can expect to sign contracts, receive a jury summons or engage in many other ways with the law and legal documents. The course emphasizes active student participation and an explicit connection between theory and practice. Students will be expected to apply their acquired knowledge to practical and—wherever possible—current societal issues. Meets the Lifelong Learning requirement. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of lower division writing requirement. Course includes exploration of the history, processes, methods, and models of technological innovations and inventions. This includes evaluations of global contributions, creator diversity and technological failures. Critical assessments of technological innovation and invention, include evaluation of and drawing conclusions of whether the innovation is feasible or not. Not available for credit toward an Engineering degree. Meets the Lifelong Learning requirement. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Addresses philosophical issues central to the life sciences, with particular attention to the social implications of contemporary biological theories. Topics may include the existence of biological laws, the distinction between natural and social kinds, and the relationship between biology and technology. The course also introduces basic concepts in philosophy of science, such as demarcation, scientific explanation, and the scientific method, which are necessary for examining the above issues. Available for General Education, Area 3B Humanities or Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. This course is currently taught entirely and only online. History and development of the science of sound and music, physical concepts necessary for the study of wave motion, mechanics of the construction of sound and musical tones, and basic physical principles involved in the production of sound in instruments and the human voice, including studies of the production of language. A good understanding of the composition of sounds and musical tones is obtained without detailed mathematics through experiments carried out in the home or other locations using the student’s computer with installed software. A final project is required. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Why do ice skaters spin faster when they pull their arms in? Why does a golf ball have dimples? How does a baseball pitcher make a ball curve? Why does a quarterback throw a spiral? These and similar questions can be understood via the laws of physics. In this course, students use sports to explore the laws and concepts of physics: kinematics, dynamics, momentum, angular momentum, energy, and power. For each physics concept studied, students explore real-world applications in sports. At the end of the course, students will embark on a project where they apply what they learn to a situation in their favorite sport. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. This course introduces students to the biology of sex, gender, and sexual orientation. Students will gain an understanding of the biological determinants of sex, including the role of specific genes on human development and how hormones influence gross anatomy as well as brain development. Students will learn how to critically assess scientific literature and how the scientific method can be used to address issues of sex and gender. The biological evolution of sex from asexual to sexual reproduction will be discussed and students will be exposed to current hypotheses of the biological basis of sexual orientation. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (W.I.)
Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. This course investigates scientific and religious modes of understanding the world, evaluating the claim that they offer distinct yet complementary perspectives. Students will explore the dynamic interplay between science and religion in real-world contexts, across time and throughout cultures. Using this global perspective, students learn to critically reflect upon how their assumptions about science and religion are impacted by socio-cultural circumstances, and consider how scientific research enriches our understanding of religious thought and experiences, and vice-versa. Available for General Education, Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Upper Division. (I.C.) (W.I.)