Science Honors Courses
The College of Sciences and the University Honors College have developed special courses for academically talented, highly motivated undergraduates interested in sciences or mathematics. The courses offer enriched content, small class size and team projects. They are taught by some of Washington State University's best science and mathematics faculty.
Honors Calculus: Math 182 and 183
Honors Calculus courses are limited to 20-25 students.
The level of difficulty remains approximately the same as
in corresponding non-honors courses, and the same topics
are covered. The faculty give increased attention to
conceptual development, methods of reasoning and problem
solving, historical examples, contemporary applications,
and the role of computers and technology. Good
mathematics performance and a semester of calculus is
required before enrollment.
Contact the Mathematics Department at (509) 335-3926.
Honors Chemistry 115/116
A special version of the normal introductory chemistry
sequence for science majors, Chem 115 and 116 are
designed for students with strong high school math and
science backgrounds. The courses offer more open-ended
and challenging lab experiments, access to special
equipment not yet available in larger classes and the use
of computers to collect and process data. Students
planning to major in chemistry, or to take at least two
semesters of chemistry for another major, should consider
these classes.
Contact the Chemistry Department at (509) 335-2325.
Honors Geology 180
This introductory course is for highly motivated students
interested in planet earth and the environment. Geology
180 covers the concepts covered in regular Geology 102,
yet focuses on field exposure, individual research, and
extensive writing. Mineralogy, volcanoes, weathering and
erosion, geologic time and the fossil record are studied.
Students are introduced to research on the Internet and
have access to computers. Geology 180 provides an
enriched learning experience for high ability students
interested in the physical sciences.
Contact the School of
Earth and Environmental Science at
(509) 335-3009.
Honors Physics 205
The Physics Department offers this Honors course for
students interested in a calculus-based physics course
(mechanics, sound, and heat). The course offers a small
class designed for highly motivated students who would
like to take advantage of a higher level course, more
personal attention, and direct involvement in
experimental demonstrations. The class stresses problem
solving, in depth understanding of physical concepts, and
includes exercises on computers using Mathematica that
provide deeper insight into assigned problems and
questions.
Contact the Physics and Astronomy Department at (509) 335-1698.
Honors Science 298 and 299
These
classes use an integrated approach that emphasizes the
nature of science as a unique way of understanding the
natural world and how science differs from other ways of
knowing. Over the course of two semesters, these classes
develop theories from an array of scientific disciplines
(including geology, biology, astronomy, chemistry and
physics) in a way that emphasizes the role of empirical
evidence and argumentation in advancing our understanding
of natural processes.
Contact the College of Sciences at (509) 335-5548
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