Integrated Quantitative Science Program
Professor Parish (Chemistry)
Associate Professors Caudill (Mathematics and Computer Science), Fetea (Physics), Gentile (Chemistry), A. Hill (Biology), Kerckhove (Mathematics and Computer Science), Lawson (Mathematics and Computer Science), Stenger (Biology), Szajda (Mathematics and Computer Science)
Assistant Professor Lipan (Physics)
The integrated quantitative (IQ) science course is a first-year course for prospective science majors that provides an integrated introduction to biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science, with an accompanying integrated lab. It will approach scientific inquiry from multiple perspectives to develop the kinds of cross-disciplinary problem-solving skills that will lead to significant advances in human understanding. Each semester of the course will be organized around a guiding principle that integrates several concepts.
Instruction will be wholly integrated. An instructor from each of the five disciplines will be present for each lecture and presentation of the material will flow between disciplines. Topics for the course will be organized around broad conceptual areas (such as "State, Structure and Storage"), allowing each of the disciplines to be integrated into the discussion. Lab work will require skills from each of the disciplines and will take place in collaborative teams.
Purpose
The yearlong course is designed for high-achieving high school students who enjoy the challenges of solving tough problems, have completed high school calculus and are planning to major in any of the sciences or mathematics. For students planning to enroll in the pre-med program, IQ science meets three of the program's course requirements. Students are required to apply for the course. The application asks for a listing of high school science and mathematics courses with grades and level (honors, AP, IB, etc.) as well as a short statement indicating the applicant's interest in interdisciplinary science and motivation for taking the course.
Courses
The IQ Science course has a fall component and a spring component; each component consists of two 1-unit courses. Students who successfully complete one semester of the courses will satisfy both the Field of Study requirement in the Natural Sciences (FSNS) and the Field of Study requirement in Symbolic Reasoning (FSSR). Students who successfully complete both semesters of the course will earn four units toward graduation. The IQS courses may substitute for any of the following requirements: BIOL 199, CHEM 141, CMSC 150, MATH 231, and PHYS 131.
- BIOL 190 Integrated Science/Math/Computer Science 1 with Lab
- (See Biology section). Co-requisite: Math 190. 1 unit. (FNSB)
- MATH 190 Integrated Science/Math/Computer Science 2 with Lab
- (See Math section.) Co-requisite: Biology 190. 1 unit. (FSSR)
- CHEM 191 Integrated Science/Math/Computer Science 3 with Lab
- (See Chemistry section.) Prerequisites: Biology 190 and Math 190. Co-requisite: Physics 191. 1 unit. (FNSC)
- PHYS 191 Integrated Science/Math/Computer Science 4 with Lab
- (See Physics section.). Prerequisites: Biology 190 and Math 190. Co-requisite: Chemistry 191. 1 unit. (FNSP)
Courses
BIOL 190 Integrated Science/Math/Computer Science 1 with Laboratory
MATH 190 Integrated Science/Math/Computer Science 2 with Laboratory
CHEM 191 Integrated Science/Math/Computer Science 3 with Laboratory
PHYS 191 Integrated Science/Math/Computer Science 4 with Laboratory