IAI General Education Physical Science Course Descriptions
Courses can be take from the same identifier as long as the course outcomes are different.
Shortcuts to course description subsections:
L- Following the number designates laboratory courses
Physics
P1900: General Education Physics (3-5-semester credits)
A course that examines the concepts and methods of physics, with topics selected from mechanics, fluids, heat, electricity and magnetism, optics, waves and modern physics.? Policies on the acceptance of AP credit vary among academic programs and from institution to institution, so AP credit toward the GECC or major requirements is not guaranteed. A score of 3 or higher on the AP Physics 1 and Physics 2 exams may be considered as equivalent to successful completion of postsecondary courses approved for IAI GECC P1 900. Feb 2016
Description Revised Spring 2016 - 06/22/2016
P1900L: General Education Physics
(3-5 semester credits)
A laboratory course that examines the concepts and methods of physics, with topics selected from mechanics, fluids, heat, electricity and magnetism, optics, waves and modern physics.? The panel has compared the IAI GECC P1 900L descriptor against the AP Physics 1 and Physics 2 exams and determined there is not a match as there is no method for documentation of lab activities or contact hours. Feb 2016
Description Revised Spring 2016 - 06/22/2016
P1901: Physics and Society
(3-5-semester credits)
A course that examines the influence of physics on society through the study of contemporary issues such as energy, health, environment, and other applications of physics to everyday life. The panel has compared the IAI GECC P1 901 descriptor against the AP Physics 1 and Physics 2 exams and determined there is not a match. Feb 2016
Description Revised Spring 2016 - 06/22/2016
P1901L: Physics and Society
(3-5-semester credits)
A laboratory course that examines the influence of physics on society through the study of contemporary issues such as energy, health, environment, and other applications of physics to everyday life. The panel has compared the IAI GECC P1 901L descriptor against the AP Physics 1 and Physics 2 exams and determined there is not a match as there is no method for documentation of lab activities or contact hours. Feb 2016
Description Revised Spring 2016 - 06/22/2016
P2 900: Calculus-based Physics I
(4-5-semester credits)
Topics include: mechanics (kinematics, Newton's 3 laws, work and energy, conservation of linear momentum, angular momentum, rotational dynamics, gravitation and Kepler's law, and harmonic motion), electricity and magnetism (charge; electric field and potential; resistance, capacitance, and inductance; RCL circuits; laws of Gauss, Ampere and Faraday; magnetic properties; and Maxwell's equations), heat and fluids (laws of thermodynamics, ideal gases and thermal properties, Kinetic theory of gases, and fluid mechanics) and optics. Policies on the acceptance of AP credit vary among academic programs and from institution to institution, so AP credit toward the GECC or major requirements is not guaranteed. A score of 3 or higher on the AP Phsyics C: Electricity & Magnetism exam may be considered as equivalent to successful completion of postsecondary courses approved for IAI GECC P2 900. Feb 2016
P2900L: Calculus-based Physics I
(4-5 semester credits)
A laboratory course - Topics include mechanics (kinematics, Newton's 3 laws, work and energy, conservation of linear momentum, angular momentum, rotational dynamics, gravitation and Kepler's law, and harmonic motion), electricity and magnetism (charge; electric field and potential; resistance, capacitance, and inductance; RCL circuits; laws of Gauss, Ampere and Faraday; magnetic properties; and Maxwell's equations), heat and fluids (laws of thermodynamics, ideal gases and thermal properties, Kinetic theory of gases, and fluid mechanics) and optics. The panel has compared the IAI GECC P2 900L descriptor against the AP Phsyics C: Electricity & Magnetism exam and determined there is not a match as there is no method for documentation of lab activities or contact hours. Feb 2016
Chemistry
P1902: General Education Chemistry(3-5 semester credits)
A course emphasizing the general principles and theories of chemistry, including fundamentals of inorganic chemistry, atomic structure and states of matter, bonding, stoichiometry, acid-base concepts, periodicity and solution chemistry. A course included within this descriptor may also include organic and biochemistry topics. Policies on the acceptance of AP credit vary among academic programs and from institution to institution, so AP credit toward the GECC or major requirements is not guaranteed. A score of 3 or higher on the AP Chemistry exam may be considered as equivalent to successful completion of postsecondary courses approved for IAI GECC P1 902. Feb 2016
Revised descriptor - 11/11/2022 – added clarification to allow organic and biochemistry content within the course description. Effective Spring 2023
P1902L: General Education Chemistry
(3-5 semester credits)
A laboratory course emphasizing the general principles and theories of chemistry, including fundamentals of inorganic chemistry, atomic structure and states of matter, bonding, stoichiometry, acid-base concepts, periodicity and solution chemistry. A course included within this descriptor may also include organic and biochemistry topics. The panel has compared the IAI GECC P1 902L descriptor against the AP Chemistry exam and determined there is not a match as there is no method for documentation of lab activities or contact hours. Feb 2016
Revised descriptor - 11/11/2022 – added clarification to allow organic and biochemistry content within the course description. Effective Spring 2023
P1903: Chemistry and Society
(3-5 semester credits)
Examines the influence of chemistry on society through the study of contemporary issues such as health, environment and other applications of chemistry to everyday life. The panel has compared the IAI GECC P1 903 descriptor against the AP Chemistry exam and determined there is not a match. Feb 2016
P1903L: Chemistry and Society
(3-5 semester credits)
A laboratory course that examines the influence of chemistry on society through the study of contemporary issues such as health, environment and other applications of chemistry to everyday life. The panel has compared the IAI GECC P1 903L descriptor against the AP Chemistry exam and determined there is not a match as there is no method for documentation of lab activities or contact hours. Feb 2016
P1904: General Education Organic Chemistry
(3-5 semester credits)
Fundamental principles of organic chemistry, including general aspects of structure, bonding and nomenclature. Stresses the correlation of structure to physical properties and chemical reactivity. May include commercial and/or biological applications of organic compounds. The panel has compared the IAI GECC P1 904 descriptor against the AP Chemistry exam and determined there is not a match. Feb 2016
P1904L: General Education Organic Chemistry
(3-5 semester credits)
A laboratory course that studied the fundamental principles of organic chemistry, including general aspects of structure, bonding and nomenclature. Stresses the correlation of structure to physical properties and chemical reactivity. May include commercial and/or biological applications of organic compounds. The panel has compared the IAI GECC P1 904L descriptor against the AP Chemistry exam and determined there is not a match as there is no method for documentation of lab activities or contact hours. Feb 2016
Earth Science
P1905: Earth Science
(3-5 semester credits)
Examines basic principles and concepts of earth sciences. Concepts may be drawn from 1 or more of the following: geology, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy or climatology.
P1905L: Earth Science
(3-5 semester credits)
A laboratory course that examines basic principles and concepts of earth sciences. Concepts may be drawn from 1 or more of the following: geology, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy or climatology.
Astronomy
P1906: Introduction to Astronomy
(3-5 semester credits)
Examines astronomical phenomena and concepts, including the solar system, stars and galaxies, planetary motions, atoms and radiation and the origin and evolution of the universe.
P1906L: Introduction to Astronomy
(3-5 semester credits)
A laboratory course that examines astronomical phenomena and concepts, including the solar system, stars and galaxies, planetary motions, atoms and radiation and the origin and evolution of the universe.
Geology
P1907: Introduction to Geology
(3-5 semester credits)
Examines basic geologic principles from a physical or historical perspective. Includes such topics as the formation of rocks and minerals; internal and external processes modifying the earth's surface and phenomena; and the evolutionary history of the earth, including its life forms, oceans and atmosphere.
P1907L: Introduction to Geology
(3-5 semester credits)
A laboratory course that examines basic geologic principles from a physical or historical perspective. Includes such topics as the formation of rocks and minerals; internal and external processes modifying the earth's surface and phenomena; and the evolutionary history of the earth, including its life forms, oceans and atmosphere.
P1908: Environmental Geology
(3-5 semester credits)
Examines human interaction with geologic processes and hazards, including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, subsidence, hydrology and flooding; occurrence and availability of geologic resources, such as energy, water and minerals; and land use planning, pollution, waste disposal, environmental impact, health and law.
P1908L: Environmental Geology
(3-5 semester credits)
A laboratory course that examines human interaction with geologic processes and hazards, including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, subsidence, hydrology and flooding; occurrence and availability of geologic resources, such as energy, water and minerals; and land use planning, pollution, waste disposal, environmental impact, health and law.
Physical Geography
P1909: Physical Geography
(3-5 semester credits)
Emphasizes elements of the physical environment, including atmospheric, climatic, hydrologic and geologic processes; the spatial variations of these processes; and the inter-relationship between these processes and the human environment.
P1909L: Physical Geography
(3-5 semester credits)
A laboratory course that emphasizes elements of the physical environment, including atmospheric, climatic, hydrologic and geologic processes; the spatial variations of these processes; and the inter-relationship between these processes and the human environment.
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Meteorology
P1910: Introduction to Weather and Climate
(3-5 semester credits)
Examines basic principles of weather and climate systems. Includes such topics as solar radiation, clouds, precipitation, weather forecasting, severe weather, climate change, and the impacts on society.
NEW DESCRIPTOR - Created 10/29/2021 - Available for New Submissions - Spring 2022
P1910L: Introduction to Weather and Climate
(3-5 semester credits)
A laboratory class that examines basic principles of weather and climate systems. Includes such topics as solar radiation, clouds, precipitation, weather forecasting, severe weather, climate change, and the impacts on society.
NEW DESCRIPTOR - Created 10/29/2021 - Available for New Submissions - Spring 2022
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Interdisciplinary
P9900: General Physical Science
(3-5 semester credits)
Expands students’ understanding of methods of scientific inquiry by emphasizing the fundamental principles of two or more of the physical science disciplines of chemistry, physics, geoscience and astronomy.
REVISED 04/24/2015
P9900L: General Physical Science
(3-5 semester credits)
A laboratory course that expands students’ understanding of methods of scientific inquiry by emphasizing the fundamental principles of two or more of the physical science disciplines of chemistry, physics, geoscience and astronomy.
REVISED 04/24/2015
P9901: Environmental Science
(3-5 semester credits)
Examines the use of scientific inquiry to address humans’ dependencies and impacts on the physical environment. Uses concepts and methods from physical science disciplines (some combination of chemistry, physics and earth and space science) and includes a breadth of topics such as cycles (carbon, water, etc.) and systems, population and economic development, energy resources, natural resources (water, food, minerals), waste, land use, pollution (soil, water and air), global climate change, environmental policy, environmental ethics and personal accountability.(Environmental science courses with a biology focus should use the L1905 identifier, and two-semester physical science/ life science interdisciplinary courses should use LP900 and LP901.) Policies on the acceptance of AP credit vary among academic programs and from institution to institution, so AP credit toward the GECC or major requirements is not guaranteed. A score of 3 or higher on the AP Environmental Science exam may be considered as equivalent to successful completion of postsecondary courses approved for IAI GECC P9 901. Feb 2016
P9901L: Environmental Science
(3-5 semester credits)
Examines the use of scientific inquiry to address humans’ dependencies and impacts on the physical environment. Uses concepts and methods from physical science disciplines (some combination of chemistry, physics and earth and space science) and includes a breadth of topics such as cycles (carbon, water, etc.) and systems, population and economic development, energy resources, natural resources (water, food, minerals), waste, land use, pollution (soil, water and air), global climate change, environmental policy, environmental ethics and personal accountability.(Environmental science courses with a biology focus should use the L1905 identifier, and two-semester physical science/ life science interdisciplinary courses should use LP900 and LP901.) The panel has compared the IAI GECC P9 901L descriptor against the AP Environmental Science exam and determined there is not a match as there is no method for documentation of lab activities or contact hours. Feb 2016