Natural Science Course Descriptions

NSC 210: Principles of Environmental Science, 4 credits

This course is designed to give an overview of basic environmental principles.  Concepts central to the biological and physical sciences will be covered to provide a background for understanding the environment.  The basic environmental issues of human population growth, biodiversity and energy use and their role in the well being of the environment will be highlighted.  This material will provide a good foundation for sound decisions regarding environmental issues.

Goals And Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the interrelationships of ecosystems and biodiversity and the basic ecological principles governing them. 
2. Understand the impacts of over utilization of natural resources and the impacts of human population growth on those resources. 
3. Understand the implications of the interdisciplinary issues involved in environmental decision making. 
4. Understand the basic tenets of sustainable development.
5. Understand the ecological, environmental, and political ramifications of continued use of fossil fuel energy resources and alternative energy technologies. 
6. Understand the production, sources, and impacts of pollutants of soil, water, and air. 
7. Examine the scientific impact of major environmental problems.

NSC 401: Environmental Science, 4 credits

This course is designed to give an overview of environmental issues as they relate to human population growth, use of natural resources, and sustainable development. The issues of water and air pollution, including global warming, ozone depletion, and acid precipitation, soil contamination, the biodiversity crisis, energy consumption, and solid waste management will be addressed. Concepts central to biology and ecology will be covered to provide a background for understanding the overall impact of these environmental issues. This material will provide a good foundation for sound decisions regarding environmental issues.
Prerequisite: Junior Status

Goals And Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the interrelationships involved in natural systems and the basic ecological principles governing them.
2. Understand the impacts of over utilization of natural resources and the impacts of human population growth on those resources.
3. Know the history of environmental degradation and some of the significant people involved in the conservation movement in this country.
4. Know the various types of ecosystems that occur worldwide, their characteristics, and the major environmental problems facing each.
5. Understand the implications of science, economics, public policy, and ethics involved in environmental decision making.
6. Understand the ecological, environmental, and political ramifications of continued use of fossil fuel energy resources.
7. Have examined alternative energy technologies, which will minimize environmental degradation.
8. Understand the production, sources, and impacts of pollutants of soil, water, and air.
9. Know the impacts, both environmental and economic, of major global problems such as acid precipitation, ozone depletion, and global warming.
10. Understand the current trends of species extinction due to human actions, and the ecological, economic, medical, and moral implications of the degradation of biodiversity.
11. Know the importance of recycling and the impact that has on solid waste management.
12. Understand the basic tenets of sustainable development and their influence on resource utilization, environmental degradation, and economic growth on a global basis.

NSC 402: Oceanography, 4 credits

This course will provide a broad presentation of oceanographic concepts and processes, including exploration, physical, chemical and biological aspects. Current societal issues pertaining to the world’s oceans will also be presented.
Prerequisite: Junior Status

Goals And Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the origin and Earth structure as it relates to the world's oceans.
2. Be able to identify the major ocean basins and their relationship to coastal countries.
3. Understand the origin and types of ocean sediments.
4. Understand the relationships between the atmosphere and oceans.
5. Understand the principles involved in ocean circulation and currents.
6. Understand the dynamics of waves and tides
7. Have examined the interaction with coastal dynamics and communities.
8. Have examined both pelagic and benthic biological communities and the interrelationships.
9. Have examined the human uses and abuses of the world's oceans.

NSC 403: Field Ornithology, 4 credits

This course will provide the student with an overview of the scientific study of birds and the important contributions to the field made by amateur birders. The course will focus on the field identification of local and regional species plus an overview of worldwide groups. In addition, course content will include ecological, behavioral, and biological topics including anatomy, territoriality and nesting, migration, trophic interactions, and conservation. The recreational and economic impacts of bird watching and feeding will be addressed.
Prerequisite: Junior Status

Goals And Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Be able to identify at least 100 species of local or regional birds by sight or sounds.
2. Know characteristics of the 26 Orders of birds worldwide.
3. Know the basic anatomy of birds, including skeletal structure, feather types, and basic "geography" of a bird's body.
4. Understand the complicated process of migration.
5. Understand the complexities of bird behavior as they relate to courtship, reproduction, territoriality, and nesting.
6. Understand why many species of migratory songbirds are experiencing population declines, and how conservation efforts are trying to reserve this trend.
7. Know how bird populations are monitored through bird banding, censuses, and counts, and how birds, in general, act as indicators of environmental health.
8. Understand the ecological interactions surrounding Michigan's Endangered Kirtland's Warbler.
9. Know the recreational and economic impacts of activities such as birding, bird feeding, and nest box projects.
10. Be familiar with bird related publications, including magazines, journals, books, and field guides, and with birding related websites.
11. Learn biographical sketches of several important people, both at the amateur and professional levels, involved in birding and the study of ornithology.
12. Know how to use field guides, binoculars and spotting telescopes to enhance the enjoyment of birding.

NSC 404: Ecology, 4 credits

Students study and become familiar with the geology, indigenous plants, animals, and various ecosystems representative of the region, and identify the relationships involved between the living and nonliving factors in their environment.
Prerequisite: Junior Status

Goals And Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the origin of nomenclature and the logic behind classification systems.
2. Become familiar with the abiotic components and cycles that support our environment.
3. Be able to differentiate between organisms within the various Kingdoms by identifying major morphological traits.
4. Learn the basic anatomy of lower plants, higher plants, insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
5. Observe and understand the interrelationships involved in natural systems.
6. Learn about the various biomes and ecosystems of planet earth.
7. Become familiar with basic ecological terminology.
8. Gain a new respect and perspective of the environment.