Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

Nov 26, 2024

Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Department of Natural Sciences

The Department of Natural Sciences (DNS) is charged with the responsibility of providing instruction to students majoring in traditional sciences, as well as providing the general education component of all the non-science programs. It does so with the realization that in order to prepare students to face the ever-changing, complex society in which we live, it is necessary to do more than teach them a number of facts and train them in a variety of skills. This is done by offering a challenging curriculum that exposes students to innovative teaching and hands-on experiences.

The DNS offers degrees in biology, chemistry, geography, geology, and physics. Sequences of quality academic courses are provided to prepare students for graduate studies in the discipline and the school of their choice, as well as for a variety of scientific careers, including elementary and secondary school teaching. In addition, it is believed that an educated person in modern society requires a basic understanding of science. Courses designed to accommodate this need are incorporated in all major programs and are available to students desiring a liberal arts experience in the sciences.

Biology Program

Biology 160 • 678-839-6547
http://www.westga.edu/biology/

Professors:

A. Edelman, J. Hendricks, M. Johnson, W. Kenyon, M. Mitra, S. Molesworth-Kenyon, D. Morgan, G. Payne (Chair), N. Pencoe, S. Swamy-Mruthinti, C. Tabit, H. Zot

Associate Professors:

H. Banford, J. Fisher, F. Fontanella

Senior Lecturers:

E. Duckett, M. Hullender

Lecturer:

D. Brooks

Admission to B.S. in Biology Program

To be admitted into the B.S. program in Biology, students must have completed at least 30 hours with a cumulative GPA (including all transfer credit) of 2.5 or better. The criteria for declaring a major in the B.S. in Biology are as follows:

The standard for declaring a major in Biology shall be the cumulative GPA as calculated by UWG from all academic courses on a student’s transcript at the end of the most recent semester in which 30 or more academic hours have been completed.
A student with fewer than 30 academic hours can elect to declare a major in the B.S. in Biology program. This entitles the student to follow the Biology program of study under the supervision of a professional adviser of the Advising Center.
A student who has completed a minimum of 30 academic hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater can declare a major in Biology. This entitles the student to earn a B.S. in Biology degree under the supervision of a faculty adviser of Biology.
A major in Biology who reaches 30 academic hours with a cumulative GPA less than 2.5 is advised to meet with an adviser in the Advising Center and submit an action plan that includes specific steps to improve GPA. A major in Biology will be deferred to the first semester in which the student’s GPA reaches or exceeds the standard as described above.
In transferring from another major, a student who has accumulated at least 30 academic hours with a cumulative GPA less than 2.5 is advised to meet with an adviser in the Advising Center and submit an action plan that includes specific steps to improve GPA. A major in Biology will be deferred to the first semester in which the student’s GPA reaches or exceeds the standard as described above.
In transferring from another institution, a Biology major who has accumulated at least 30 academic hours can declare a major in Biology at UWG.
The B.S. in Biology program imposes no other GPA restrictions. However, all students must meet minimum institutional GPA requirements for graduation.

Learning Outcomes and Expected Results

Students will use concepts, principles, and knowledge to demonstrate mastery in at least three of the following four subject areas: 1. cell biology; 2. molecular biology and genetics; 3. organismal biology; 4. population biology, evolution, and ecology.
Students will use critical thinking skills or problem based learning skills to demonstrate mastery of the scientific method as it pertains to experimental design, data analysis, or interpretation of experimental data.
Students will communicate scientific information through the acquisition, organization, or presentation of scientific information in written form.
Students will communicate scientific information through the acquisition, organization, or presentation of scientific information in oral form.

Chemistry Program

TLC 2135 • 678-839-6485
https://www.westga.edu/chemistry/

Professors:

S. Basu-Dutt (Associate Dean, College of Arts, Culture, and Scientific Inquiry), M. Fujita (Program Coordinator), A. Gaquere (Assistant Vice President of Education Abroad), J. Hansen, F. Khan, P. Ray, S. Slattery

Associate Professors:

V. Geisler, M. McPhail

Assistant Professor:

L. Leslie

Lecturer:

H. Wallace

The Chemistry Program offers a variety of tracks leading to a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Chemistry degree. Students planning careers in chemical industry or graduate study in chemistry or biochemistry are recommended to obtain a degree certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The non-ACS tracks offer students the opportunity to develop a broad background in preparing for a variety of careers in the area of business, engineering, law, or for entering professional school in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and pharmacy.

The following tracks are available for students wishing to pursue a Chemistry degree:

Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry (ACS Track)
Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry (Non-ACS Track - General Option)
Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry (Non-ACS Track - Business Option)
Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry (Non-ACS Track - Professional Preparation Option)

All of the B.S. Chemistry degree tracks offer courses in the basic areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry and are supplemented by chemistry electives. Modern scientific instrumentation is available and incorporated into all courses of the curriculum.

Students may also elect to minor in chemistry.

Geography Program

Callaway 148 • 678-839-6479
https://www.westga.edu/georgaphy/

Professors:

G. DeWeese (Program Coordinator), H. Gerhardt, J. Seong, S. Rose, A. Walter (Associate Dean, University College)

Instructor:

A. Ivester

The Geography Program focuses on training and educating the next generation of environmental and sustainability professionals, geospatial analysts, urban and transportation planners, conservationists, meteorologists, and wastewater/stormwater managers. The discipline of Geography focuses on the spatial and temporal components of relationships between humans and the environment, which includes making sense of complex realities through critical thinking, field-based studies, and geospatial data analysis. Geographic knowledge can be applied to explain cultural and political conflicts, environmental policies and practices, human landscapes, and economic well-being. Modern geographical analysis typically involves cartographic and geospatial techniques (GIS) and both qualitative and quantitative methods.

The B.S. Degree in Geography offers concentrations in Sustainability, Geographic Information Systems, and General Geography (a combination of Human and Physical concentration). Human Geography emphasizes on urban, political, economic, cultural, and social processes; Physical Geography concentrates on biological and geomorphological systems and atmospheric (weather and climate) processes; Environmental Sustainability focuses on the interactions between society and natural systems; and GIS concerns geospatial technologies and spatial analysis.

Geography graduates are well-prepared for immediate employment in the private sector; for employment in government service at the local, state or federal level; for teaching careers; or for continued study in graduate school.

Geology Program

Professors:

D. Bush, B. Deline, R. Kath

Associate Professors:

M. Buzon (Program Coordinator), R. Currier, C. Mason, K. Tefend

The Geology program focuses on planet earth. Geology is the study of the earth, including the origin and history of the planet and its life forms. On a practical level geologists explore for natural resources, help society understand and mitigate natural hazards and guide environmental stewardship. Geology graduates are well-prepared for immediate employment in the private sector; for employment in government service at the local, state or federal level; for teaching careers; or for continued study in graduate school.

We are a welcoming, student-centered program with challenging programs of study that span a wide range of subject matter and techniques. Our program emphasizes hands-on learning and take students out of the classroom into the field whenever possible.

The B.S. Degree in Geology is designed for students planning professional careers as geologists either with or without a graduate degree.

Physics Program

Boyd 208 • 678-839-6485
https://www.westga.edu/physics/

Professors:

A. DeSilva, J. Hasbun, L. Lew Yan Voon

Associate Professors:

N. Chestnut (Program Coordinator), N. Sterling, J. Talbot

The Physics Program offers seven plans leading to the B. S. degree in Physics. These plans are Plan A, the general Physics major; Plan B, the dual degree (Physics and Engineering); Plan C, the Physics major with a business concentration; Plan D, the Physics Education major; and Plans E, F, and G, the various physics emphases.

Plan A is designed for students who desire to pursue graduate study in physics or career options for which physics is an excellent gateway.

Plan B, please see the Regents’ Engineering Pathway Program (REPP) website at: http://www.usg.edu/assets/academic_partnerships_accreditation/committee_docs/documents/REP_Pathways_Web_Page.pdf .

Plan C is designed so that students earn credit towards the master’s in business administration. In this plan, students obtain a B.S. in physics with a business concentration in four years. Students who are interested in entering the technological business world are thus enabled to complete their M.B.A. in the fifth year at West Georgia.

Plan D is a B.S. in physics education. As mandated by the Board of Regents, students interested in teaching at the secondary level must have a major in the area of their teaching interest.

Finally, plans E, F, and G are similar to Plan A but are specialized depending on the courses students choose in the major area. These three emphases are computational physics (plan E), electro-optics (plan F), and solid state physics (plan G). These plans are designed to make it easier for students to seek employment in specific industry positions. The physics faculty, as a whole, advise students in each of these areas.

PHYS 1111 and PHYS 2211 are beginning courses. After receiving credit for PHYS 2211 , a student may not receive credit for PHYS 1111 .

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the B.S. degree with a major in Physics will:

Be able to apply mathematical problem solving techniques in the upper level required courses such as modern physics and thermodynamics.
Be able to make basic physical measurements in the laboratory and analyze and interpret the results.
Be able to communicate effectively to a physics audience, through writing and public speaking.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Embedded Certificates

Stand Alone Certificates

Certificate of Less than One Year in Stream Restoration

Minor

Pre-Professional Studies

Pharmacy

Other