Natural & Physical Sciences

Develop a background of knowledge in the natural and physical sciences

Contemporary citizen-scholars comprehend and appreciate how knowledge across a broad range of disciplines is developed and have a fundamental understanding of how the natural and physical sciences influences and integrates with other disciplines exposing them to the possibilities for wider thought and action. 

Required Credit Hours: 4-5 (including a lab)

Courses that satisfy the goal:

Here are the categories for the the Natural & Physical Sciences courses:

  • Natural & Physical Science: Course includes lecture and lab. This course fulfills this goal in its entirety.
  • Natural & Physical Sci LEC: Course is lecture only. Students completing these courses must also complete a lab (Natural & Physical Sci LAB).
  • Natural & Physical Sci LAB: Course is lab only. Students completing these courses must also complete a Natural & Physical Science Lecture (Natural & Physical Sci LEC).

Students may complete a lecture and a lab from different subject areas.

Additional options for achieving the goal: 

KU Core 34 Learning Outcome:

Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to leverage sources, methods, and arguments in the natural and physical sciences to deepen their understanding of, critically question, and effectively apply knowledge within these disciplines’ foundational ideas. Examples of relevant skills and learning might include laboratory methods, interpreting observations, statistical analysis and data modeling, the scientific method, or quantitative reasoning. 

Institutional Learning Goal (Creative Inquiry and Discovery):

Apply cognitive skills and a broad array of knowledge to promote inquiry, discover solutions, and generate new ideas and creative works.