COURSE INDEX - LaGuardia Community College

Natural Sciences Department
SCG250 Environmental Science
4 credits; 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
Environmental Science is the capstone course of the Environmental
Science major. The course integrates biological, chemical and
physical concepts with service learning. Understanding the earth
as a dynamic system and addressing local environmental issues
will be emphasized. Lab and field analysis of locally collected
water, soil and air samples will be conducted as part of a team
research project.
Prerequisite: ENC/ENG101, MAT200, SCG150
Pre- or Corequisite: SCB260, SSE104, SSE250
SCB265 Fundamentals of Ecology
4 credits; 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
This course is a comprehensive introduction to ecology. Students
will be introduced to the kinds of questions asked by ecologists,
the principal concepts and theories that guide ecological inquiry
and the methods that are used to answer ecological questions. Particular
emphasis will be paid to population, community and
ecosystem level processes and both terrestrial and aquatic systems
will be considered. The practical component of the course will
include laboratory exercises as well as field work.
Prerequisite: SCB202, SCC202
Physical Sciences
SCP101 Topics in Physical Sciences
3 credits; 4 hours (2 lecture, 2 lab)
This course consists of a survey of the major concepts in physics,
astronomy, chemistry, and geology. The physics section includes
the theory of motion (kinematics); the law of conservation of
energy; different forms of energy, especially electrical and atomic;
and the laws of wave motion and optics. The astronomy section
deals with both planetary and stellar astronomy. The unit on
chemistry emphasizes the structure of atoms and their combination
into molecules. Finally, the segment on geology centers on the
theory of plate tectonics and how it is used to explain phenomena
such as earthquakes and volcanoes.
Prerequisite: CSE099, ENA/ENG/ESA099/ENC101, MAT095
SCP140 Topics in Astronomy
3 credits: 4 hours (2 lecture, 2 lab)
This course surveys modern astronomy with special emphasis on
recent developments in space and astrophysics. Among the topics
to be covered will be planetary astronomy and geology, the moon,
the possibility of life on other worlds, energy production in stars,
stellar evolution, pulsars, quasars, “black holes” and cosmology.
Laboratory periods will include field trips to planetariums and
observatories in the N.Y.C. area. Students should expect field trip
expenses of about $20.00.
Prerequisite: CSE099, ENA/ENG/ESA099/ENC101, MAT096
SCP201, 202 Fundamentals of Physics I and II
4 credits; 6 hours each (3 lecture, 1 recitation, 2 lab)
Fundamentals of Physics I and II are together a two-semester
sequence covering the basic laws of physics with an emphasis on
laboratory experience and mathematical solutions of problems.
This is a basic course for students intending to continue their
studies in the physical and biological sciences, since more
advanced courses in the natural sciences assume knowledge of this
material. Among the topics studied are: SCP201: The basic concepts
of mechanics; kinematics; Newton’s gravitation; conservation
of momentum and energy; heat, emphasizing the kinetic
theory; and electrostatics (charge, forces, fields, electrical energy.)
SCP202: The basic concepts of electrodynamics (currents and
magnetism, electromagnetism); optics (wave theory, lenses); and
modern physics (relativity, atomic theory, quantum mechanics.)
Prerequisite for SCP201: CSE099,
ENA/ENG/ESA099/ENC101, MAT096
Prerequisite for SCP202: SCP201
SCP231 General Physics I
4 credits; 6 hours (3 lecture, 3 lab)
This is the first part of a computer-based physics course intended
for students who want to major in science, computer science or
engineering. Computers will be used in the laboratory in
conjunction with traditional equipment for problem solving, data
collection, and analysis. Topics covered include vectors, Newton’s
laws, equilibrium, rectilinear motion, two-dimensional motion,
gravitation, Kepler’s laws, work and the work-energy theorem,
rotational motion, simple harmonic motion, the physics of fluids,
and heat. This course is the first course in a two course calculusbased
physics sequence (SCP231-232).
Prerequisite: CSE099, ENA/ENG/ESA099/ENC101, MAT201
SCP232 General Physics II
4 credits; 6 hours (3 lecture, 3 lab)
This is the second part of a computer-based physics course
intended for students who want to major in science, computer
science or engineering. Computers will be used in the laboratory in
conjunction with traditional equipment for problem solving, data
collection and analysis. Topics covered include waves, wave
motion, light propagation, geometrical optics, interference and
diffraction, electric field and potential, capacitance and dielectrics,
magnetic fields and forces, direct and alternating current, Ohm’s
law and electromagnetic waves. This course is the second course in
a two-course sequence (SCP231-232)
Prerequisite: MAT202, SCP231
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