Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences (7 credits)

Natural Sciences courses introduce students to the methods of various science disciplines. They provide an understanding of the current scientific knowledge of the world, how that knowledge is secured, and how scientific knowledge changes over time.

Select two courses, one of which must be taken with its corresponding laboratory (L) course:

  • ANTH 2141 – Our Place in Nature: Introduction to Biological Anthropology (4) – Evolutionary theory; primates; primate and human evolution; population genetics; human variation; osteology; bioethics.
  • ANTH 2141L – Our Place in Nature: Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab (0) – Two-hour laboratory session per week. In-depth discussion and debate of assigned readings and anthropological issues presented in lecture and films; hands-on experience with human osteological material, skeletal material of living primates, and casts of major fossil primates and hominids.
  • BINF 1101 – Introduction to Bioinformatics and Genomics (4) (includes both lecture and lab) – Introduction to the genomics perspective in the life sciences, combining a general introduction to genomic technologies and the bioinformatics methods used to analyze genome-scale data with a presentation of real world scientific problems where these technologies are having an impact. The lab component provides hands-on experience with biological sequence and structure databases, using small-scale projects to introduce students to the world of bioinformatics research.
  • BIOL 1110 – Principles of Biology I (3) – Introduction to biology for non-majors. Fundamental principles of life with a human emphasis. Not accepted toward the Biology major.
  • BIOL 1110L – Principles of Biology I Laboratory (1) – Not accepted toward the Biology major.
  • BIOL 1115 – Principles of Biology II (3) – Continuation of BIOL 1110 for non-majors. Fundamental principles of life with a human emphasis.
  • CHEM 1111 – Chemistry in Today’s Society (3) – For students not majoring in a Physical or Biological Science, Engineering, or science-oriented preprofessional program. The role of chemistry in society and the impact of chemistry on society. An introduction to the chemical concepts needed to understand many of the numerous scientific problems confronting society today. Three lecture hours and one Problem Session hour per week. Students who have received credit for CHEM 1251 may not enroll in CHEM 1111 or CHEM 1111L.
  • CHEM 1111L – Laboratory in Chemistry (1) – Laboratory exercises to demonstrate what chemists do, techniques used in the laboratory, and the limitations inherent in any laboratory experiment. Students who have received credit for CHEM 1251 may not enroll in CHEM 1111L.
  • CHEM 1112 – Chemistry in Today’s Society (3) – Continuation of CHEM 1111. Does not qualify as a prerequisite for any other chemistry course. Three lecture hours and one Problem Session hour per week. Students who have received credit for CHEM 1252 may not enroll in CHEM 1112 or CHEM 1112L.
  • CHEM 1112L – Laboratory in Chemistry (1) – Continuation of CHEM 1111L. Students who have received credit for CHEM 1252L may not enroll in CHEM 1112L.
  • CHEM 1200 – Fundamentals of Chemistry (3) – Primarily for students with little or no chemistry background who intend to take CHEM 1251. Introduction to the basic concepts, problem solving skills, and language of chemistry. Develops relationships between chemical formulas and equations, and explores calculations dependent upon these. Students who already have credit for CHEM 1251 with grade of C or above may not take CHEM 1200 for credit. CHEM 1200 will not fulfill chemistry degree requirements.
  • CHEM 1203 – Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry I (3) – Qualifies as a prerequisite only for CHEM 1204. Fundamentals of chemistry and selected topics from inorganic chemistry. Three lecture hours and one Problem Session hour per week.
  • CHEM 1203L – Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry I Laboratory (1) – Laboratory investigations into the nature of inorganic compounds.
  • CHEM 1204 – Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry II (3) – Selected topics from organic and biochemistry. Does not qualify as a prerequisite of any other chemistry course. Three lecture hours and one Problem Session hour per week.
  • CHEM 1204L – Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry II Laboratory (1) – Laboratory investigations into the nature of organic and biochemical compounds.
  • CHEM 1251 – General Chemistry I (3) – A principles-oriented course for science and engineering majors. Fundamental principles and laws of chemistry; the relationship of atomic structure to physical and chemical properties of the elements. Topics include: measurements, chemical nomenclature, reactions and stoichiometry, thermochemistry, atomic structure, periodicity, bonding, and molecular structure. Three lecture hours and one Problem Session hour per week. Students may attempt CHEM 1251 a total of three times. Withdrawing from the course after the Add/Drop deadline constitutes an attempt as does receiving any letter grade. Students who have received credit for CHEM 1251 may not enroll in CHEM 1111 or CHEM 1111L. Students who have received credit for CHEM 1251 with a grade of C or above may not enroll in CHEM 1200.
  • CHEM 1251L – General Chemistry I Laboratory (1) – Experimental investigations involving the fundamental principles and laws of chemistry. Students may attempt CHEM 1251L a total of three times. Withdrawing from the course after the Add/Drop deadline constitutes an attempt as does receiving any letter grade. Students who have received credit for CHEM 1251L may not enroll in CHEM 1111L.
  • CHEM 1252 – General Chemistry II (3) – Continuation of CHEM 1251. Topics include: gas laws, liquids and solids, solutions, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Three lecture hours and one Problem Session hour per week. Students may attempt CHEM 1252 a total of three times. Withdrawing from the course after the Add/Drop deadline constitutes an attempt as does receiving any letter grade. Students who have received credit for CHEM 1252 may not enroll in CHEM 1112 or CHEM 1112L.
  • CHEM 1252L – General Chemistry II Laboratory (1) – Continuation of CHEM 1251L. Students may attempt CHEM 1252L a total of three times. Withdrawing from the course after the Add/Drop deadline constitutes an attempt as does receiving any letter grade. Students who have received credit for CHEM 1252L may not enroll in CHEM 1112L.
  • ESCI 1101 – Earth Sciences-Geography (3) – Basic geographical principles and processes in physical geography and the earth sciences: geographic locational methods, earth-sun relationships, earth radiation balance, atmospheric temperature and pressure, interpretation and simple forecasting of weather from mapped data, interpretation of soil-moisture and evapo-transpiration balances, soil, climate systems, and biomes.
  • ESCI 1101L – Earth Sciences-Geography Laboratory (1) – Experimental study and investigation of the basic principles and processes in physical geography and the earth sciences; geographic locational methods, earth-sun relationships, earth radiation balance, atmospheric temperature and pressure, interpretation and simple forecasting of weather from mapped data, interpretation of soil-moisture and evapotranspiration balances, soil, climate systems and biomes. Note: Although the laboratory and lecture sections of ESCI 1101 are taught as separate courses, it is strongly recommended that students take ESCI 1101L concurrently with ESCI 1101. Students with scheduling problems or students not fulfilling the University science and technology requirements may take the lecture without the laboratory. Students fulfilling the University science and technology requirements must either: (a) Take ESCI 1101 and ESCI 1101L concurrently; or (b) Take ESCI 1101L in a semester subsequent to taking ESCI 1101.
  • GEOG 1103 – Spatial Thinking (4) (includes both lecture and lab) – An overview of spatial thinking fundamentals and how geospatial technology can be used to illustrate these notions. Spatial thinking combines: (1) concepts of space, (2) tools of representation, and (3) processes of reasoning, to better structure spatially explicit phenomena, and generate hypothesis to understand and explain those issues. Emphasizes various aspects of spatial thinking as a way of addressing spatially explicit phenomena applied to an array of disciplines.
  • GEOL 1200 – Physical Geology (3) – A study of the basic geological principles and processes in the earth sciences; the earth as a planet; treatment of physical processes shaping the earth; earth materials and landforms.
  • GEOL 1200L – Physical Geology Laboratory (1) – Experimental study and investigation of the basic geological principles and processes in earth science; minerals, rocks, earth materials, and landforms. Off-campus field trip required. Note: Although the laboratory and lecture sections of GEOL 1200 are taught as separate courses it is recommended that students take GEOL 1200L concurrently with GEOL 1200. Students with scheduling problems or students not fulfilling the UNC Charlotte science and technology requirements may take the lecture without the laboratory. Students fulfilling the UNC Charlotte science and technology requirement must either: (a) take GEOL 1200 and GEOL 1200L concurrently or (b) take GEOL 1200L in a semester subsequent to taking GEOL 1200. One lab period of three hours per week.
  • GEOL 1210 – Earth History (3) – The origin and evolution of the earth’s major features: the beginnings and changes of the earth’s continents, atmosphere, oceans, and life forms, set in the vast context of geologic time.
  • GEOL 1210L – Earth History Lab (1) – Learn basic techniques used by geologists to interpret the history of life, changing surface environments and habitats, plate tectonic movement, mountain building events, and climate changes. Hands-on investigation of rocks, fossils, geologic maps, and more. Off campus field trip required. One lab period of three hours per week.
  • ITIS 1350 – eScience (4) – This course introduces the application of computational methods to scientific exploration and discovery in the natural sciences. Examples include modeling the spread of viruses, predator-prey relationship, the carbon cycle, and fish schooling. Both theory and practice of computational simulation and modeling techniques are examined as tools to support the scientific method. No computer programming knowledge is required. The course grade includes the student’s performance in ITIS 1350L. Must be taken concurrently with ITIS 1350L.
  • ITIS 1350L – eScience Laboratory (0) – Laboratory exercises that introduce computational tools and techniques that support scientific exploration and discovery in the natural sciences No programming experience is required. Performance in ITIS 1350L will be counted as a portion of the ITIS 1350 grade. Must be taken concurrently with ITIS 1350.
  • KNES 2168 – Human Anatomy and Physiology for the Health Professions (3) – Fundamentals of the anatomy and physiology of the human body for the health professions. May be taken as an equivalent of BIOL 2273.
  • KNES 2168L – Human Anatomy and Physiology for the Health Professions Laboratory (1) – The accompanying lab to KNES 2168. One laboratory period of three hours a week. May be taken as an equivalent of BIOL 2273L.
  • KNES 2169 – Human Anatomy and Physiology for the Health Professions II (3) – Continuation of KNES 2168. May be taken as an equivalent of BIOL 2274.
  • KNES 2169L – Human Anatomy and Physiology for the Health Professions II Laboratory (1) – The accompanying lab to KNES 2169. One laboratory period of three hours a week.
  • METR 1102 – Introduction to Meteorology (3) – A first look at various aspects of meteorology, including solar radiation, temperature, pressure and wind, stability, global circulations, precipitation processes, weather systems, severe weather, and current environmental issues. Basic physical principles, meteorological terminology, societal impacts, weather analysis and career options within the field of meteorology are explored.
  • METR 1102L – Introduction to Meteorology Lab (1) – Introduces atmospheric and weather phenomena, and allows students to analyze current and past weather events, use meteorological data to develop forecasts, and create contoured maps which are used to explain contemporary environmental issues.
  • PHYS 1100 – Conceptual Physics (3) – A discovery-oriented course which covers a broad spectrum of general physics at a conceptual level, making it a suitable science elective for liberal arts students. Topics include: states of matter, kinematics and dynamics of motion, force, energy and momentum, electricity and magnetism, waves, sound, and light.
  • PHYS 1100L – Conceptual Physics Laboratory (1) – Laboratory investigations illustrating experimental techniques and fundamental principles of natural phenomena. Three laboratory hours each week.
  • PHYS 1101 – Introductory Physics I (3) – First semester of a two semester algebra-based introductory sequence in physics. Introduction to the fundamental principles of natural phenomena. Topics include: kinematics and dynamics of particles, momentum, work, energy, conservation laws, and mechanics of rigid bodies. Knowledge of basic algebra and trigonometry is needed.
  • PHYS 1101L – Introductory Physics I Laboratory (1) – Laboratory investigations illustrating experimental techniques and fundamental principles of natural phenomena. Three laboratory hours each week. If a student has completed PHYS 2101L with grade of C or above in in a previous semester, the student is exempted from taking PHYS 1101L.
  • PHYS 1102 – Introductory Physics II (3) – Second semester of the algebra-based introductory sequence in physics. An introduction to topics in electromagnetism, optics, and nuclear physics. A knowledge of basic algebra and trigonometry is needed for this course.
  • PHYS 1102L – Introductory Physics II Laboratory (1) – A continuation of PHYS 1101L. If a student has completed PHYS 2102L with grade of C or above in a previous semester, the student is exempted from taking PHYS 1102L. Three laboratory hours each week.
  • PHYS 1130 – Introduction to Astronomy (3) – Introduction to space science, including the historical beginnings of astronomy; motions of celestial bodies; the solar system; optical and radio astronomy; structure and evolution of stars; galaxies; and cosmology.
  • PHYS 1130L – Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory (1) – Experimental investigations relating to the acquisition of and interpretation of astronomical data.
  • PHYS 1201 – Sports and Physics (3) – Fundamental physics concepts are introduced and discussed using only sports-related applications, primarily golf, baseball/softball, and auto racing. Specific physics concepts include forces, Newton’s Laws, conservation of energy, conservation of linear momentum, conservation of angular momentum, Bernoulli’s principle for fluid flow, centripetal force, vibrations and sound, and heat transfer. In addition, an understanding of materials characteristics are important to the discussions.
  • PHYS 1201L – Sports and Physics Laboratory (1) – Experimental investigations illustrating the physical principals related to sports activities. Laboratories include analysis of the physics involved in activities such as basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, hockey, and football.
  • PHYS 1202 – Introduction to Physics in Medicine (3) – An introductory level course that covers the basics physics principles behind technologies currently used in medicine. Examines topics in surgical instrumentation and medical imaging (e.g., the use of lasers in medicine, MRI, ultrasound, CT scanning, and nuclear medicine.)
  • PHYS 1203 – Physics of Music (3) – Fundamental physics concepts are introduced related to the production and interpretation of sound in musical instruments and the human voice. Specific concepts include forces, kinematics, energy, pressure, simple harmonic motion, fluids, traveling and standing waves, and acoustics. Relationship of physical principles to notes, scales, melody, harmony, rhythm, loudness, pitch, timbre, musical instruments, room acoustics, and recording.
  • PHYS 1203L – Physics of Music Laboratory (1) – Laboratory component covering topics introduced in PHYS 1203. Laboratories include the design and construction of wind and string instruments and percussion.
  • PHYS 2101 – Physics for Science and Engineering I (3) – First semester of a two-semester calculus-based introductory sequence in general physics. Topics include: kinematics and dynamics of particles, momentum, work, energy, conservation laws, simple harmonic motion, and mechanics of rigid bodies.
  • PHYS 2101L – Physics for Science and Engineering I Laboratory (1) – Experiments selected from motion on an inclined plane, circular motion, momentum and energy in collisions, torques, and conservation laws. Use of the computer for organizing, graphing and analyzing data.. If a student has completed PHYS 1101L with grade of C or above in a previous semester, the student is exempted from taking PHYS 2101L. Two laboratory hours each week.
  • PHYS 2102 – Physics for Science and Engineering II (3) – Second semester of the calculus-based introductory sequence in general physics. Topics include: electric charge, electric fields, and magnetic fields.
  • PHYS 2102L – Physics for Science and Engineering II Laboratory (1) – A continuation of PHYS 2101L. Experiments selected from series and parallel circuits, RC circuits, EMF and terminal potential difference, electromagnets, and magnetic induction.. If a student has completed PHYS 1102L with grade of C or above in a previous semester, the student is exempted from taking PHYS 2102L. Two laboratory hours each week.
  • PSYC 1101 – General Psychology (3) – A survey of the field including such topics as learning, emotions, motivation, personality, psychological testing, and abnormal behavior. Emphasis on psychology as a behavioral science. May be taken with or without the lab; however, concurrent enrollment with PSYC 1101L is strongly encouraged. A grade of C or above must be earned within two attempts to declare or continue with a psychology major.
  • PSYC 1101L – General Psychology Laboratory (1) – An introduction to laboratory equipment and procedures used in psychological science.. May not be counted toward completion of psychology major or minor.

You can find additional information about all General Education requirements in the catalog,