Natural Sciences

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  • CAS NS 101: Integrated Science I
    Laboratory-discussion course. Elementary kinematics and dynamics, conservation laws, introductory electricity and magnetism, properties of light, atoms and molecules, the chemistry and properties of materials. Course work is closely tied to laboratory experiments. Laboratories include computer-based laboratory instruction and computer simulations.
  • CAS NS 102: Integrated Science II
    Laboratory-discussion course. Introduction to the evolution of stars, the universe, and planetary systems. Physical description of the planet Earth. Introduction to ecology, environmental science, evolution of life, organisms, and genetics. Students engage in laboratory experiments, group work, and computer simulations.
  • CAS NS 540: Concepts in Physics I: Forces and Motion
    For teachers. Mastery of Newtonian concepts including rectilinear motion, Newton's Laws, and conservation of momentum and energy. In order to build pedagogical content knowledge, historical and philosophical context is provided, and science education research on misconceptions in learning classical mechanics is introduced. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.
  • CAS NS 541: Concepts in Physics II: Rotation and Gravitation
    For teachers. Mastery of physics concepts including uniform circular motion, rotational motion, and gravitation. In order to build pedagogical content knowledge, a historical and philosophical context is provided, and related science education research on misconceptions in learning classical mechanics is also introduced. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.
  • CAS NS 542: Concepts in Physics III: Fluids and Theormodynamics
    For teachers. Mastery of concepts including fluids and thermodynamics. Connections between microscopic and macroscopic behavior as an example of physical science models. Concepts are discussed in historical and philosophical context to build pedagogical content knowledge. Pedagogy rooted in science education research. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.
  • CAS NS 543: Concepts in Physics IV: Electrostatics, Magnetostatics, DC circuits
    For teachers. Mastery of concepts including electric charge, electric and magnetic fields, and DC circuits. These topics are placed in historical and philosophical context to build pedagogical content knowledge. Discussion of pedagogy is rooted in science education research. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.
  • CAS NS 544: Concepts in Physics V: Waves and Optics
    For teachers. Mastery of concepts of the physics of waves and geometric optics. Concepts discussed in historical and philosophical context to build pedagogical content knowledge. Discussion of pedagogy rooted in science education research on students' misconceptions. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.
  • CAS NS 545: Concepts in Physics V: Electromagnetism
    For teachers. Mastery of concepts of electromagnetic induction, AC circuits, and physical optics. Concepts are discussed in historical and philosophical context to build pedagogical content knowledge. Discussion of pedagogy rooted in science education research on students' misconceptions. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.
  • CAS NS 546: Concepts in Physics VI: Quantum Physics
    For teachers. Mastery of the foundations of quantum physics, such as blackbody radiation, the photoelectric effect, and wave-particle duality. Concepts are discussed in historical and philosophical context to build pedagogical content knowledge. Discussion of pedagogy is rooted in science education research. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.
  • CAS NS 547: Concepts in Modern Physics II: Special Relativity and Related Topics
    For teachers. Mastery of the foundations of Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity and applications to nuclear and particle physics, and to astronomy and cosmology. The development of understanding of space and time, and the pedagogical issues that arise are addressed. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.
  • CAS NS 548: Computer Modeling of Physical Phenomena
    For teachers. Covers use of simulations to model classical physical phenomena and investigations of nonlinear dynamics and chaos. Discussion of education research on the classroom use of computer simulations, and the history and pedagogical challenges of nonlinear dynamics. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.

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