Natural Science

NS 198 Seminar (.5 or 1)
A regularly scheduled series of seminars is an integral part of the Natural Science program. The purpose of the seminars is to broaden the student intellectually by exposure to presentations by outside speakers, faculty members, and students who have had significant field experiences. Four semesters (2 credit hours) of enrollment are required of Natural Science majors. Attendance by all Natural Science majors is greatly encouraged.

NS 200 Earth in the Cosmos (4)
This class allows for the exploration of the scientific method, the development of hypotheses, and an understanding of the physical universe through observation, investigation, and inference. The students will gain an appreciation for the physical mechanisms of the universe and the synergistic links between these processes, the natural sciences, and human culture.

NS 201 The Development of Life on Earth (4)
This course is designed to meet the life science requirement for non-science majors. Areas of emphasis are the cell, inheritance, evolution, animal anatomy and physiology, and ecology. Particular attention will be given to the human species and how it fits in the environment. A laboratory component is required.

NS 199, 299, 399 Independent Research
Independent research may be either project or research-oriented. Such topics are not a normal part of the curriculum and serve two needs: first, the student investigates an area of special interest; and second, the student works closely with a faculty member in planning, executing and evaluating the program.
-top-

NS310 Geographic Information Systems (4)
This course serves as an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) focusing on both the theory behind and application of GIS to a variety of fields. Applications in education, business, social sciences, and natural sciences will be covered through training using ESRI’s ArcGIS software. Two 50-minute lectures;
One 3-hour and 50-minute laboratory per week. Offered spring of alternate years.

NS 390 Art of the Exam (1)
A one credit hour course designed to prepare preprofessional science majors for the rigors of entrance exams. Attention is focused on GRE and MCAT formats. Topics include test tactics to improve performance on timed exams, reading comprehension and vocabulary, and preparation for the scientific portion of the GRE and MCAT tests. Actual timed exams including two hour tests are given, graded, and discussed. Prerequisites: Junior or senior status and permission of the instructor. Offered in alternate years.

NS398 Seminar in Environmental Topics (2)
In this seminar students will explore the difficult and often controversial issues surrounding environmental problems. Through readings, discussions, guest speakers, field trips, independent research, writing, and oral presentations, students will develop a clearer understanding of the underlying causes and long term
implications of some of the environmental problems facing the world today. Both local and global environmental problems will be examined in the seminar. Prerequisites: Biology major with minimum junior standing or permission of the instructor. Offered fall of alternate odd years.

NS 392 Global Sustainability (3)
This interdisciplinary course explores those factors that are key indicators of global environmental conditions including food/agriculture development, energy consumption/ production , atmospheric conditions and issues of hydrology, trends in biodiversity, and health, social and population concerns. Each of these concepts is observed not only from the perspective of current conditions but looking at the evolution of conditions from past to future. The course uses this knowledge base to support study of the shift from current condition to global sustainability and the roles of society, business and government in that cultural evolution. Prerequisites: Must have met general education science requirement or with permission of the instructor.

NS 394 Cooperative Education or NS 391 Internship
Natural Science faculty realize the value of a field-type experience in today’s educational curriculum. Faculty also realize that enabling a student to have a valuable educational experience at the on-site location, the basic courses which will allow the work experience to be an enlightening and expandable part of education must have been taken. The following criteria have been established by the Natural Science faculty for students desiring science credit while enrolled in cooperative education or an internship; (1) Students must achieve junior standing. (2) Students must not be on academic probation. (3) Students will meet with appropriate staff members of the Division and present a rationale indicating how the work experience will enhance their science education. If the rationale for cooperative education or an internship is acceptable and meets the criteria above, the staff will approve the proposal. Upon completion of the educational experience, the student will present a seminar for the faculty and students as a part of a regularly scheduled Natural Science seminar. Following the completion of the seminar presentation, the student will be graded.
-top-

NS491 Medical Laboratory Science Internship (30)
The medical laboratory science internship is the culminating experience consisting of 30 credit hours of combined didactic and laboratory training at an NAACLS accredited hospital. Material covered follows the standard curriculum recommended by the
American Society of Clinical Pathologists and may include: Bacteriology, Parasitology, Mycology, Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology, Urinalysis, and Phlebotomy, Cytogenetics, Molecular Diagnostics, and Laboratory Management. Students must meet the health and physical eligibility requirements as outlined by the training facility. Students will be evaluated separately by the training facility and by their internship supervisor at Defiance College. (Graded Pass/Fail)

NS 496 Readings
Through a reading program, a student may explore the literature of a specific field in preparation for a later independent research project or can fill a void in his/her background. In all cases, the program is directed toward some specific goal or purpose. The student must apply through a faculty supervisor.

NS398 Seminar in Environmental Topics (2)
In this seminar, students will explore the difficult and often controversial issues surrounding environmental problems. Through readings, discussions, guest speakers, field trips, independent research, writing, and oral presentations, students will develop a clearer understanding of the underlying causes and long term
implications of some of the environmental problems facing the world today. Both local and global environmental problems will be examined in the seminar. Prerequisites: Minimum of junior standing as biology major or have the permission of the instructor.

NS 499 Senior Capstone Project (2-4)
A senior capstone project is required of all Natural Science majors and can be completed by one of the following methods: The student shall complete an independent research project under the supervision of a Natural Science faculty member. During his/her senior year, the student will present the research during a Natural Science seminar. If circumstances preclude a student from completing an independent research project, the following method can be used to fulfill the requirement. During the junior year a student prepares a literature analysis and review of a specific topic approved by two Natural Science faculty members. During the senior year the student will present a Natural Science seminar covering the topic.
-top-