Natural Sciences

• CAS NS 101: Integrated Science I
  Laboratory-discussion course. Foundational concepts of elementary dynamics, conservation laws, thermal transport, introductory electricity and magnetism, properties of light, atoms and molecules, the chemistry and properties of materials are introduced through laboratory experiments and computer simulations. These concepts and models are used to explain climate change and understand electric power generation. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking.
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  • Scientific Inquiry I
  • Quantitative Reasoning I
  • Critical Thinking
• CAS NS 102: Integrated Science II
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NS 101.
  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. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Scientific Inquiry II.
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  • Scientific Inquiry II
• CAS NS 540: Concepts in Physics I: Forces and Motion
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
  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
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NS 540; and consent of instructor.
  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
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NS 541; and consent of instructor.
  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
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NS 542; and consent of instructor.
  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
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NS 543; and consent of instructor.
  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 546: Concepts in Physics VI: Quantum Physics
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NS 545; and consent of instructor.
  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
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NS 546; and consent of instructor.
  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
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NS 547; and consent of instructor.
  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.
• CAS NS 549: Everyday Applications of Physics
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NS 548; and consent of instructor.
  For teachers. Covers the physics of everyday life. Real-world applications of physics are all around us, and specific examples of these applications are examined in detail. Discussion of pedagogy focuses on utility of inquiry-based learning. Cannot be taken for credit by CAS and GRS students.