University students do not have to be science majors to take advantage of the University’s programs in biology, chemistry and physics. All three of these science departments offer entry-level classes open to students of all majors.
“This is science literacy mostly. All the classes we teach at this level are science literacy,” physics professor Steve Kevan said.
The University requires that all bachelor of arts, science, and fine arts degrees include a minimum of 15 science credits.
Senior English major Gillian Barlow said she is taking Biology 122, Introduction to Human Genetics, to fulfill the science requirement.
“What’s more interesting than the actual mechanics of genetics to me is the ethical and practical implications of genetics,” Barlow said. “I’m glad this class integrates that.”
Kevan said he finds the University’s science requirement to
be relevant.
“Why should someone who’s not majoring in history want to know about history?” Kevan said. “They’re both important.”
Kevan is teaching the Essentials of Physics classes (PHYS 101, 102, 103) this year. The classes do not have to be taken in sequential order.
“These are conceptual courses,” Kevan said. “It’s like ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy’ of physics.”
Kevan said although the class uses almost no math, it does sometimes require small amounts of arithmetic and algebra.
“We tend to get a lot of math phobes in this class,” Kevan said.
Julie Haack, assistant chemistry department head and senior instructor, will teach Chemistry 111, Introduction to Chemical Principles, spring term. While this class is a prerequisite for major-level biology classes, it also meets general education requirements and is open to non-majors.
“Chemistry is really what we call a central science, and it impacts a lot of other fields,” Haack said. “Everything around us is
a chemical.”
Haack said students from various disciplines are able to integrate knowledge of chemistry with
their majors.
“They might get a unique idea for something to do or invent something different,” she said.
Some students use this interdisciplinary approach to add the natural sciences to their academic goals.
“I’m interested in sustainable business,” junior business major Taylor Gordon said on his way out of Physics 162, Solar and Other Renewable Energies. “I thought getting a better handle on the physics of sustainable energy products would give me a better idea of the business climate.”
Kevan said it’s rare for students to become science majors after taking basic science classes.
“Generally we get students who are interested in science, but not interested enough to take the plunge,” he said.
Haack estimated that out of every 100 students, only two come out of Chemistry 111 with the reaction, “Oh wow, I had no idea this was what I wanted to do with my life.” She said a far more common response is, “I had no idea chemistry was so accessible.”
“It’s kind of like opening the door and giving them a toolbox and saying, ‘Look at all the cool stuff you can do,’” Haack said.

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