Fee based field trips include a caving expedition. I is an examination of the fundamental characteristics common to living things. Emphasis is placed upon studies of the cell, energy, metabolism, reproduction, heredity, ecology, phylogeny and the diversity of life. Laboratory exercises are selected to demonstrate basic biological concepts. Introduction to Chemistry begins with foundational concepts of the scientific method, measurement, matter and energy, elements and atoms, naming of compounds, and chemical reactions.
Emphasis is then place upon chemical composition and chemical quantities.
The covers atomic theory as it relates to chemical bonding. There is some discussion of the properties of gases, liquids, solids and solutions. The course covers the first 15 chapters of the text.