Department of Natural Science

A course in descriptive astronomy in which emphasis is placed upon the basic principles involved. Lectures and laboratory. Lab fee. Offered yearly. 

An introduction to the fundamental principles of biological activity and scientific methodology. Lecture and laboratory. Lab fee. Offered Fall and Spring Terms.

Not accepted for major or minor credit. A study of the principles of biology focusing on human issues, including diseases, impact of human population on ecosystems, physiological functions of the human body, and role of biotechnology in our society. The ethical aspects of various issues will be discussed. Lecture and laboratory. Lab fee.

Student cannot take BIO 105 and BIO 106.

Not accepted for Biology major or minor credit. This course is an introduction to the basic principles of biology focusing on humans as biological creatures. Topics include anatomy and physiology, physical fitness, nutrition, genetics, health, disease, human evolution, and human ecology. Lecture only. Meets the GEP requirements for Natural Science and Wellness.

Student cannot take BIO 105 and BIO 106.

This course is designed to provide students with a general understanding of how the human body functions. Topics include its levels of organization and the structure and function of the major organ systems. This course is not acceptable in programs requiring two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology (e.g., Pre-Nursing, Pre-Med, and most Allied-Health Professions programs).  Not accepted for Biology major and minor credits. Lab Fee.

This course introduces students to the variety of plants that live locally and form much of the spring bloom. Lectures will cover a broad range of general botany and ecology topics. Weekly laboratories will be held outdoors at a variety of plant habitats. Students will learn many of the local plants during laboratory, and they will perform field experiments and collect ecological data. Lecture and laboratory. Not accepted for major or minor credit. Lab fee.

First-Year Seminars (FYS) constitute a common and academically significant experience in a student’s first year at Converse. All incoming first-year students are required to take a 3- or 4-credit hour FYS course in the fall semester, choosing from a variety of discipline specific topics. Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix, but with a common course number.  Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix but with a common course number. Special emphasis is given to cultivating critical thinking, effective speaking, and writing skills. 

Selected topics in introductory level biology.  Four hour course will have a laboratory component. Some offerings may be eligible for major or minor credit. Special topic: Human Nutrition will meet the GEP requirement for wellness. Lab Fee.

This is a general introduction to biology for all students, non-majors and potential majors. It serves as a natural science general education class. The course covers concepts and principles in the areas of organismal biology evolution, biodiversity, and ecology. Lab Fee.

This is a general introduction to biology for all students, non-majors and potential majors. It serves as a natural science general education class. The course covers concepts and principles in the areas of genetics (heredity and molecular biology), cell structure and function (Metabolism), and other areas. Lab Fee.

A study of the morphology, taxonomy, and physiology of representative types from the Animal Kingdom. Lecture and laboratory. Lab fee. Offered Fall Term.

An introduction to plants, their activities, and their relationship to humans. Lecture, laboratory, and field trips. Lab fee. Offered alternate Spring Terms.

A study of both gross and microscopic anatomy of the organ systems of the human body with emphasis on the relationship between form and function. The laboratory portion will involve study of the anatomy of all the organ systems using models, histological slides and skeletal materials, as well as dissection of preserved non-human mammals. Lecture and laboratory. Lab fee. Offered alternate Spring terms or as needed. Students may not receive academic credit for both BIO 205 or BIO 305.

This is one course of a two-part physical chemistry sequence that studies the underlying physical concepts important to chemistry. This course goes in-depth to study the mathematical relationships and physical interpretations of those relationships. Topics include the properties of gasses, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics. Lecture and laboratory format. Offered alternate Spring Terms.