All of them integrate principles from physics, chemistry and biology.  Anyone who hopes to work on these current issues or in these emerging fields and in many other areas will need to be flexible and knowledgeable about  working across the boundaries that traditionally separate these areas of scientific knowledge.

How is that sort of intellectual flexibility to be gained? 

The faculty members of the Joint Science Department strongly believe that the place to begin is right at the beginning of a student’s curriculum with an integrated introductory course that asks the question “How do we understand nature?” from the perspectives of biologists, chemists and physicists.

The Joint Science Department, because of its multidisciplinary structure, is uniquely well suited to offer such an innovative and stimulating course  Physicists, chemists and biologists work side by side in the Keck Science Center, conducting research and offering a rich undergraduate science curriculum.

The Course

Beginning in the fall semester of 2007, we will offer a year-long introductory lecture-laboratory course that integrates discussion of major principles and key findings in chemistry, biology, and physics.

This intensive two-semester sequence will replace the  three year-long introductory courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. 

Limited enrollment will ensure that the educational experience is thorough and comprehensive for the individual student, so admission to the course will be by application.  This course will be most appropriate for students with a strong high school background in calculus and science.

This integrated course will be appropriate for students interested in going on to major in biology, chemistry, physics, or any of a number of interdisciplinary fields such as biology-chemistry,  neuroscience or molecular biology.  While open to pre-medical students, that course of study will not be the focus of this class. Likewise, students interested in engineering may be better advised to take the other introductory courses.

Benefits: Faster Progress

This single integrated “double” course will take the place of three standard individual year-long courses in chemistry, biology and physics while requiring only the amount of time that would otherwise be devoted to taking any two of the standard courses in the same year. Students will thus be accelerated in their progress through a science major. Consequently, they will be prepared to move into advanced courses in their chosen discipline earlier than if they had taken the separate discipline-specific introductory courses.

Other Benefits

Students who complete both semesters of the course will be given preference for Interdisciplinary Research Fellowships funded from the NSF grant in support of research with faculty members during the summer.

Arranging study abroad opportunities will also be easier for science majors who take this course because they will have more flexibility in their schedule during the sophomore and junior years.

Why now?

The development of this course is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation through its Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Talent Expansion (STEP) Program.  This program was created in response to the Undergraduate Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Education Improvement Act (H.R. 3130) passed by Congress in 2001. This legislation recognizes the crucial role that science and technology play in our economy and seeks to improve American economic competitiveness by encouraging undergraduate students to major in a natural science field. 

For more information contact:

Tel: 909 621-8298

Fax: 909 621-8588

Prof. Newton Copp

Prof. Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert

Prof. Adam Landsberg

Prof. Katie Purvis-Roberts