Writing Requirements for Natural Science
Students pursuing a major in the Natural Sciences department must complete a minimum of 6 credit hours of general education WAC courses that are not part of students’ degree plans. Those credits may consist of DSU’s College Composition I and II, which are writing intensive, or transfer courses or credit considered equivalent according to SBHE placement and transfer policies. Natural Sciences majors must also complete an additional 12 hours of WAC/WID from the approved DSU courses listed below that includes 4 mandatory credit hours of writing intensive courses as indicated with an asterisk.
Biology programs:
BIOL 150L General Biology I Lab (1)
BIOL 151L General Biology II Lab (1)
BIOL 170 General Zoology (4)
BIOL 254 Introduction to Botany (4)
BIOL 305 General Microbiology (4)
BIOL 315 Genetics (4)
BIOL 330 Cell Biology (4)
*BIOL 390 Biology Research I (1)
BIOL 410 Animal Physiology (4) OR BIOL 454 Plant Physiology (4)
BIOL 415 Ecology (4)
BIOL 459 Evolution (4)
*BIOL 491 Biology Senior Seminar (1)
*SCNC 389 Scientific Writings and Reading (2)
Chemistry programs:
CHEM 420 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 461L Physical Chemistry I Lab (1)
CHEM 462L Physical Chemistry II Lab (1)
*CHEM 470 Spectroscopy (3)
*CHEM 491 Chemistry Seminar (1)
*PHYS 251L University Physics I Lab (1)
*PHYS 252L University Physics II Lab (1)
Composite Science Education program:
BIOL 150L General Biology I Lab (1)
BIOL 151L General Biology II Lab (1)
*BIOL 300 Environmental Biology (3)
BIOL 305 General Microbiology (4)
GEOL 320 Hydrogeology (3)
*PHYS 211L College Physics I Lab (1) OR * PHYS 251L University Physics I Lab (1)
*PHYS 212L College Physics II Lab (1) OR * PHYS 252L University Physics II Lab (1)
SCNC 315 Weather and Climate (3)
SCNC 389 Scientific Writings and Readings (2)
SEED 490S Secondary Education Science Methods (3)
Environmental Health program:
BIOL 150L General Biology I Lab (1)
BIOL 151L General Biology II Lab (1)
*BIOL 300 Environmental Biology (3)
BIOL 305 General Microbiology (4)
BIOL 306 Radiation Health (2)
*BIOL 325 Environmental Health Techniques (4)
BIOL 345 Parasitology (4)
BIOL 350 Solid and Hazardous Wastes (3)
*BIOL 355 Environmental Toxicology (3)
BIOL 360 Water and Wastewater (3)
BIOL 450 Epidemiology (3)
*BIOL 491A Environmental Health Seminar (2)
*SCNC 389 Scientific Writings and Readings (2)
Environmental Science program
BIOL 150L General Biology I Lab (1)
GEOL 320 Hydrogeology (3)
*PHYS 211L College Physics I Lab (1)
*PHYS 212L College Physics I Lab (1)
SCNC 315 Weather and Climate (3)
SCNC 389 Scientific Writings and Reading (2)
*SCNC 390 Science Research I (1)
Biology, Chemistry, and Composite Education Majors may substitute their required Teacher Education Portfolio as a writing practice equivalent to three hours of writing intensive credit at any level. Writing intensive credit may also be available through alternative means, such as completing other upper-level courses, including internships, which require extensive guided instruction and recursive practice in writing. Such alternative credit requires the student to submit a writing portfolio documenting the intensive writing accompanied by a program substitution form filed by the department Chair.