Integrated Science Studies, BS

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Program Description

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Integrated Science Studies provides students with a well-rounded and rigorous background across the core scientific disciplines of biology, geology, chemistry, and physics while conveying advanced information that spans the respective content areas. The program encourages students to think about the interdisciplinarity of science by emphasizing the fundamental tenets of each discipline, how they interact, how these interactions can be applied towards our understanding of the natural world, and the overall nature of science. Students in the program will gain an in depth understanding of established scientific hypotheses, theories, and laws while being encouraged to participate in the process themselves as they generate and test new hypotheses through participation in innovative research. 

Students will choose a concentration in the Agriculture, Pre-Health Professional, or Earth and Biological concentration. 

Earth and Biological Concentration:

The Earth and Biological Concentration focuses on the complex biological and physical systems that shape the world around us. The concentration is designed to ensure students gain a balanced understanding of the geological processes that have created the Earth as well as an in-depth understanding of the ecological and biological systems housed within. Students will gain comprehensive knowledge of how the two systems intermingle and influence one another. The Earth portion of the concentration develops understanding of the non-living environment while the Biological aspect engages the living world and corresponding ecological processes. Students in this concentration will have the opportunity to pursue their interests in the environment. 

Pre-Health Professional Concentration: 

The Pre Health Professional concentration delves deep into the anatomy and physiology of organisms with a special emphasis on preparing students for graduate and professional programs in health care fields. The coursework prepares students for such potential professional opportunities as Physicians Assistant, Medical, Pharmaceutical, Veterinary, or Optometry Schools. There is an ever increasing need for health care professionals and this concentration serves as a starting point for these in demand fields.

Agricultural Concentration:

The Agricultural Science concentration builds off of the strong foundation built by the ISS degree to prepare students for careers and/or graduate and professional programs relating to the field of agriculture.  Northwest Ohio is home to a thriving agricultural industry and the Lake Campus is situated in Mercer County, which currently ranks number 1 in total value of agricultural products sold (2012 data via USDA) in OH agricultural production.  Many of the students within this region have an existing interest in agriculture and this concentration will offer a unique opportunity to pursue this field of study.

Admission Requirements

Students must have: 

• 2.0 GPA

• 16 hours earned

• Grade of “C” or higher in one course in the chosen major

Upon admission, a student will be assigned an advisor at the Lake Campus who will help the student develop a program of study.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to effectively communicate the scientific method
• Students will have competency in the four core science disciplines
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in laboratory skills
• Students will demonstrate fundamental field techniques necessary to collect data for scientific research

Agriculture Concentration Learning Outcome:

• Students will develop a broad knowledge base in principles of agronomy, agroecosystems, and animal science. 

For more information visit:

• Integrated Science Studies, BS
• Lake Campus

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 40 Hours

ELEMENT 1: COMMUNICATION: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 2: MATHEMATICS: 4 HOURS

Required:

• MTH 2300 - Calculus I Credit Hour(s): 4

ELEMENT 3: GLOBAL TRADITIONS: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 4: ARTS/HUMANITIES: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 5: SOCIAL SCIENCE: 7 HOURS

Required:

• PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hour(s): 4
• PSY 1010L - Introduction to Psychology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

ELEMENT 6: NATURAL SCIENCE: 10 HOURS

Required:

• CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
• CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSES: 4 HOURS

Required:

• STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4

II. Departmental Core Requirements: 43 Hours

• BIO 1120 - Cells and Genes Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 1120L - Cells & Genes Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• BIO 1150 - Organisms and Ecosystems Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 1150L - Organisms & Ecosystems Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• BIO 2110 - Principles of Molecular and Classical Genetics Credit Hour(s): 3
• BIO 2310 - Evolution and Ecology Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 2310L - Evolution and Ecology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• CHM 2110 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 2110L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credit Hour(s): 2
• CHM 2120 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
• CHM 2120L - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2
• EES 2510 - Earth Systems Credit Hour(s): 4
• EES 2510L - Earth Systems Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• EES 2550 - Earth History Credit Hour(s): 4
• EES 2550L - Earth History Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0

•  

• PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
• PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1
• PHY 1120 - Principles of Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4
• PHY 1120L - Principles of Physics Lab II Credit Hour(s): 1

• OR

• PHY 2400 - General Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
• PHY 2400L - General Physics I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
• PHY 2410 - General Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4
• PHY 2410L - General Physics II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1

III. Departmental Requirements: 3 hours

• SM 4000 - Senior Capstone in Integrated Science Studies Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. General Electives: 2-6.5 Hours

At most 3 credits may be independent or field study.

Earth and Biological Concentration: 32 hours

Students in the Earth and Biological Concentration must take the following courses:

• BIO 3150 - Invertebrate Zoology Credit Hour(s): 5
• BIO 3150L - Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• BIO 4750 - Ichthyology Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 4750L - Ichthyology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• EES 3120 - Earth Materials Credit Hour(s): 4
• EES 3160 - Stratigraphy and Sedimentology Credit Hour(s): 4
• EES 3160L - Stratigraphy and Sedimentology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• EES 3180 - Water and the Environment Credit Hour(s): 3
• EES 3180L - Water and the Environment Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• EES 4190 - Paleobiology Credit Hour(s): 4
• EES 4190L - Paleobiology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• EES 4200 - Micropaleontology Credit Hour(s): 4
• EES 4200L - Micropaleontology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• EES 4420 - Paleozoic Vertebrates and Plants Credit Hour(s): 4

Pre-Health Professional Concentration: 27.5 hours

Students in the Pre-Health Professional Concentration must take the following courses:

• ANT 3100 - Human Structure and Function I Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3100L - Human Structure Funct I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• ANT 3120 - Human Structure and Function II Credit Hour(s): 4
• ANT 3120L - Human Structure and Function II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• BIO 2200 - Microbiology and the Human Environment Credit Hour(s): 4
• BIO 2200L - Microbiology of the Human Environment Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• BIO 3140 - Molecular Biology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3.5
• BIO 3140R - Molecular Biology Laboratory Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
• BMB 3850 - Biochemistry Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3
• BMB 4001 - Fundamentals of Biochemistry Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3410 - Lifespan Development Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PSY 3910 - Behavioral Neuroscience I Credit Hour(s): 3

Total: 120 Hours

Agricultural Concentration: 28 Hours

• EES 3120 - Earth Materials Credit Hour(s): 4
• EES 3180 - Water and the Environment Credit Hour(s): 3
• EES 3180L - Water and the Environment Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
• FAS 2030 - Introduction to Animal Science Credit Hour(s): 3
• FAS 2040 - Introduction to Agronomy Credit Hour(s): 3
• FAS 3200 - Sustainable Agriculture Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
• FAS 3210 - Nutrient Management Credit Hour(s): 3
• FAS 3320 - Agronomic Industries and Business Practices Credit Hour(s): 3
• FAS 3500 - Animal Nutrition Credit Hour(s): 3
• FAS 3510 - Introduction to Animal Health and Physiology Credit Hour(s): 3