Natural Science Courses

Foundational Curriculum

SCIE 102 Introduction to Scientific Thought This course focuses on our changing conception of the universe, the rise of the various physical sciences, and the development of the scientific method.

SCIE 104 Descriptive Astronomy A study of astronomy beginning with its historical roots and leading to our current understanding of the universe. Major developments are placed in their historical and philosophic context by appropriate study of original works. Students also study the night sky and methods used by astronomers, by means of activities outside the classroom.

SCIE 192 Introduction to Biology Introduction to fundamental characteristics of living matter from the molecular level to the ecological community, with emphasis on general biological principles. Introduces basic chemistry of life, along with the diversity, structure, and function of living organisms. This course has no prerequisites and satisfies the College core requirement in science. There is no lab component. This course is not intended as a prerequisite for further study in the health sciences. (3 credits)

Advanced Courses

SCIE 204 General Physics I Introduction to mechanics and thermodynamics. Topics in mechanics include Newton’s laws of motion; physical concepts of mass, velocity, acceleration, motion, energy, and work; conservation laws, oscillatory motion and application of mechanics to simple problems. Co-requisite: MATH 201 or permission of the instructor.

SCIE 205 General Physics II Continuation of SCIE 204. Topics include fluids, thermodynamics, geometric optics, electricity and magnetism. Prerequisite: SCIE 204 or permission of the instructor.

SCIE 306 General Physics III Continuation of SCIE 205. Topics include wave motion, the nature of light and optical phenomena, special relativity, atomic and nuclear physics. Prerequisite: SCIE 205 or permission of the instructor.

SCIE 204L-205L, 306 L Laboratory for General Physics I, II & III Students conduct experiments illustrating the physics discussed in the classroom and learn and practice principles of data acquisition and data analysis. (Required with SCIE 204-205, 306) (1 credit hour per semester)

SCIE 391 and SCIE 391L Anatomy and Physiology I. This course is for those students intending to pursue further study in the health sciences. It is the first course in a two-semester sequence that satisfies an Anatomy and Physiology prerequisite for many health science programs and medical schools. Students should be prepared to commit to both semesters. Lab component is required. Prerequisites: High school biology. (4 credits)

86

SCIE 392 and SCIE 392L Anatomy and Physiology II. This course is for those students intending to pursue further study in the health sciences. It is the second course in a two-semester sequence that satisfies an Anatomy and Physiology prerequisite for many health science programs and medical schools. Lab component is required. Prerequisites: SCIE 391 and SCIE 391L. (4 credits)

SCIE/PHIL 420 Philosophical Issues in Modern Science The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the basic scientific discoveries of the 20th century regarding the origin of the universe, the existence of a creator, and the immaterial nature of man and how they relate to the Thomistic understanding of the same issues. Topics include “Big Bang” cosmology, anthropic coincidences, human mind and the computer, quantum mechanics and reality, and philosophical issues in contemporary evolutionary biology.

SCIE 490-99 Special Topics or Directed Studies in Physics A topic chosen according to the interests of the students and the instructor, such as Mechanics, Continuum Mechanics Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism and Quantum Theory.

87

Modern Languages

The study of language itself -its grammatical structure, syntax, and lexicon -is essential to the discipline of the liberally educated mind. A knowledge of foreign languages provides the student with a greater understanding of his own language and aids him in developing greater precision and effectiveness in discourse. Furthermore, a knowledge of classical or modern languages opens vistas for the student of history, literature, philosophy, and theology largely closed to the monolingual student.

The study of foreign languages also is vital to the undertaking of any form of advanced scholarly work, important to many types of governmental and professional research, and valuable in the acquisition of knowledge of current events and new developments around the world. Most graduate programs leading to the doctorate require a knowledge of at least one ancient and one modern language in addition to English. Language study likewise puts the student in touch with some of the richest treasures of the Catholic heritage. Consequently, every student at Christendom College is required to develop a reasonable proficiency in at least one language other than English, by taking first and second years of Latin, French, Greek or Spanish.

Audio-lingual, reading, and writing skills are developed in the modern language courses, including up-to-date conversations, translations into and from the language under study, memorization, readings, and intensive grammar study. The goal of each course is to make the student as intimately and totally conversant with the foreign language as is possible without living within the foreign culture itself. Courses earn three credit hours each semester, unless otherwise noted.

French

FREN 101-102 Elementary French I & II Introduction to French as a spoken and written language. Includes extensive oral and written practice of the basic grammatical structures.

FREN 201-202 Intermediate French I & II Continues extensive practice of grammatical structures and vocabulary building through directed conversations, readings, and compositions. N.B.: Successful completion of FREN 201 or the permission of the Academic Dean is the prerequisite for entrance into FREN 202.

FREN 390-399 Special Topics or Directed Studies in French Literature Specially designed courses of readings in French prose, poetry, and drama.

Spanish

SPAN 101-102 Elementary Spanish I & II Introduction to Spanish as a spoken and written language. Includes extensive oral and written practice of the basic grammatical structures.

SPAN 201-202 Intermediate Spanish I & II Continues extensive practice of grammatical structures and vocabulary building through directed conversations, readings, and compositions. N.B.: Successful completion of SPAN 201 or the permission of the Academic Dean is the prerequisite for entrance into SPAN 202.  

88