Scientific Literacy

Scientific literacy is crucial for understanding the issues that affect the future for all people, locally, nationally, and globally. Drake students will gain a basic understanding of content, methods, and contributions of science through courses rooted in the content of the life/behavioral and physical sciences. Through significant exposure to experiment and theory, students will be able to meaningfully interpret and evaluate scientific information for personal and professional applications as engaged citizens. All courses that fulfill this AOI will engage students to achieve basic scientific literacy; individual courses will pursue the additional outcomes as appropriate to their disciplinary or interdisciplinary focus. Drake students will complete two courses in this area of inquiry, including one in the life/behavioral sciences and one in the physical sciences. At least one course taken for this AOI will include a laboratory or field experience. Students will be able to:

1. Apply the methods of science for the generation, collection, assessment, and interpretation of scientific date and/or phenomena.
2. Use scientific methods and ways of thinking to solve problems.
3. Describe scientific theories on cognitive and behavioral, intellectual, or physical development.
4. Articulate the interrelationship of the development of human societies with the natural world around them.
5. Articulate the relevance of science to the global community in order to serve as active stewards for the natural environment.

* Special rules for courses with SMCE prefix: SMCE courses integrate physical science, life science and math. The first SMCE course may be counted toward physical science or life science, but not both. A student taking two SMCE courses will be considered to have fulfilled the physical science, life science AND quantitative requirements. SMCE courses may be taken in any order.

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