How to read course descriptions
Arizona International College
Natural Science and Mathematics (AISM)
101. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Analysis (3) I II Designed to introduce first year students to interdisciplinary thinking through the concepts, methods, and approaches of more than one field in the natural sciences. Topics may vary each year but will always address the applicability of scientific principles to contemporary issues that face citizens in the local and global communities. P, consult AIC instructor.
121. Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (4) I Explores chemistry of biological molecules, the molecular workings of cells, and a biochemical look at diseases such as the common cold, AIDS, and depression. The interaction between science and society will be discussed, including topics such as genetic engineering and medical ethics. Weekly labs with investigative exercises with DNA, enzymes, and other biological molecules. P, AISM 101 or equivalent. Consult AIC instructor.
122. Biology of Organisms and the Environment (4) I II Building on the foundations of knowledge and skills from AISM121, this course explores the functioning of plants and animals and how they adapt to and interact with their environment. Topics include physiology, genetics, development and reproduction, and ecology. The central organizing principle of the course is evaluation, as a way of understanding individual organisms and the diversity of life on earth. The course will include consideration of contemporary social issues such as health care and environmental ethics. Field trip. P, AISM 121 or equivalent. Consult AIC instructor.
131A. Principles of Chemistry (4) I The first of a two-semester sequence covering essential concepts and methods in chemistry, including bonds, the relationship between structure and properties, stoichiometry, kinetics, and equilibria. Class discussions will include environmental and ethical issues such as the Bhopal explosion and water use in the west and southwest. Weekly labs will include investigative exercises applying principles learned in class and development of skills, including technical writing. P, AISM 101 or equivalent. Consult AIC instructor.
131B. Principles of Chemistry (4) I The second of a two-semester sequence covering essential concepts and methods in chemistry, including bonds, the relationship between structure and properties, stiochiometry, kinetics, and equilibria. Class discussions will include environmental and ethical issues such as the Bhopal explosion and water use in the west and southwest. Weekly labs will include investigative exercises applying principles learned in class and development of skills, including technical writing. P, consult AIC instructor.
135A. Calculus I (3) I Introduction to calculus with emphasis on understanding and problem solving. Concepts are presented graphically as well as algebraically. Elementary functions, their properties and uses in modeling; the key concepts of derivative and definite integral; techniques of differentiation, using the derivative to understand the behavior of functions; applications to optimization problems in physics, biology, and economics. P, pre-calculus or consent of instructor. Consult AIC instructor.
135B. Calculus II (3) II Techniques of symbolic and numerical integration, applications of the definite integral to geometry, physics, economics and probability; differential equations from a numerical, graphical, and algebraic point of view; modeling using differential equations, approximations by Taylor series. P, pre-calculus or consent of instructor. Consult AIC instructor.
190. Applied Introduction to Statistics (3) I II Students in this class will learn the basic techniques of descriptive statistics and statistical inference. The applications will center on themes that are developed within the first year cluster. P, consult AIC instructor.
199. Independent Study (1-4) P, consult AIC instructor.
220. Molecular Genetics in a Social Context: Darwin to Dolly (3) II This course is intended to provide 200-level students with an integrated understanding of the genetics, biochemistry, molecular genetics and molecular biology that form the basis of the biological revolution caused by genetic engineering. P, consult AIC instructor.
290A. Special Topics: College Algebra (3) II This course is not applicable for mathematics majors or minors. It deals with basic concepts of algebra, linear equations and inequalities, relations and functions, quadratic equations, and system of equations. P, two entrance units in algebra or an acceptable score on the math readiness test. Consult AIC instructor.
299. Independent Study (1-3) I II P, consult AIC instructor.
301. Evolutionary Ecology (4) I II An introduction to the principles of ecology from an evolutionary perspective. Investigative field exercises are used to illustrate principles and teach problem-solving by application of experimental design, data collecting, and quantitative analysis of results by basic statistical tools (chi square, t test, linear regression, correlation). P, consult AIC instructor.
399. Independent Study (1-3) I II P, consult AIC instructor.
499. Independent Study (1-3) I II P, consult AIC instructor.