Non-Math Courses
    ECEN 1500 - Sustainable Energy
    ECON 1078 - Math Tools for Economists 1
    PHYS 1010 and 1020 - Physics of Everyday Life 1 and 2
    PHYS 1220 - Physics for Future Presidents
    PSCI 2074 - Quantitative Research Methods
    PSCI 3105 - Designing Social Inquiry
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ECEN 1500 - Sustainable Energy

This class teaches data analysis, estimation, and critical thinking in the context of sustainable energy issues.  Students are expected to have a high school algebra background.

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ECON 1078 - Math Tools for Economists 1

This class and ECON 1088 focus on the applications of mathematics to economics and the social sciences.  These courses are not appropriate for students who would like to continue on to further math classes.  ECON 1078 will fulfill the quantitative reasoning core requirement.

Topics for ECON 1078 include algebra, graphs, functions, financial mathematics, linear programing, and probability.  The course teaches math skills and logical thinking for use in economics.

ECON 1088 teaches calculus for use in economics.  Topics include derivatives, integrals, and their applications.  Students will be expected to have taken ECON 1078, or have an equivalent background.  ECON 1088 is NOT approved to fulfll the QRMS Core.

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PHYS 1010 and 1020 - Physics of Everyday Life 1 and 2

These courses are intended for a general liberal arts audience.  Students will be expected to be familiar with high school algebra (at least 1.5 years with grades of C or better), and should have some experience with high school physics or chemistry.  PHYS 1010 can fulfill the quantitative reasoning or natural science (non-lab) core requirements.  PHYS 1020 is the second semester continuation of PHYS 1010; it includes a lab, and the two course together form a natural science sequence.  Students should keep in mind that a course may not be used to fulfill multiple core requirements.

Physics of Everyday Life is intended to be a hands on experience for students.  Class attendance counts into the course grade.  The courses uses the CAPA homework system: CAPA is an internet-based homework system, where assignments are unique to each student, and are turned in through the computer.

The subject matter for Physics of Everyday Life, as described by its designer, is:
*  to have an interesting class that covers physics.
*  to begin to see science in everyday life.
*  to begin to understand that the universe is predictable rather than magical.
*  to see that questions or disagreements in science are settled by experiments.
*  to learn to think logically in order to solve problems.
*  to learn how things work.

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PHYS 1220 - Physics for Future Presidents

This course is intended for a general liberal arts audience.  Students will be expected to be familiar with high school algebra (at least 1.5 years with grades of C or better).

Students will learn quantitative reasoning skills in the context of scientific and technological issues facing citizens, policy makers, and politicians.

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PSCI 2074 - Quantitative Research Methods

PSCI 2074 is intended for political science majors, or students with majors in a related field (such as international affairs).  There is no formal mathematics prerequisite, but instructors have said, "an understanding of basic algebra is necessary."  

The topics for the course are the statistical techniques used in political science research: data collection, processing and evaluation.  PSCI 2074 is intended to be very practical and hands-on in approach, and includes instruction on the use of computers in research (techniques and uses of specific programs).  Students should expect to do quite a bit of reading, and term papers are sometimes required.

Note: students who are interested in a hands-on, basic level statistics course, but who are not interested in political science, should consider MATH 2510.

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PSCI 3105 - Designing Social Inquiry

PSCI 3105 is intended for political science majors, or students with majors in a related field (such as international affairs), particularly those interested in independent research or writing an Honors thesis.  There is no formal mathematics prerequisite, but instructors have said, "an understanding of basic algebra is necessary."  The topics for the course are the research designs and techniques of analysis used in political science research.  

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