Information found in this online edition of the 2008-09 catalog is unofficial and for informational purposes only. By authority of the dean of the College, some factual corrections to the printed version may appear here. The official document of record is the printed edition of the 2008-09 Catalog. For more information, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Scientific And Quantitative Reasoning (12 semester credits)
Just as liberally educated people have knowledge and appreciation of the humanities, creative arts, and social sciences, and have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, they also have knowledge and appreciation of science and know how to reason scientifically and quantitatively. Therefore a liberal education must include the study of mathematics and the natural sciences and an understanding of their methods of inquiry. Such understanding includes familiarity with the observational procedures employed by all of the sciences: as in laboratory and field work; the theories and methods that constitute the tools and subject matter of scientific research; and the quantitative, qualitative, philosophical, social, and aesthetic dimensions of work in the natural and social sciences.
All graduates from Lewis & Clark College are expected to gain experience in quantitative reasoning, ranging from making rough quantitative estimates to solving word problems using algebra and logic, understanding graphically presented information, and using modern electronic devices such as calculators and computers.
To foster this understanding and experience, students at Lewis & Clark College must complete at least two courses in natural science study and an additional course in quantitative reasoning.
The scientific and quantitative reasoning requirement can be fulfilled by taking at least one course that includes a laboratory component (selected from the Category A course list) and two courses that include a significant amount of mathematical and quantitative reasoning (at least one selected from Category B and the other selected from the Category B or C course lists). Courses fulfilling the requirement are listed below.
Category A: Science Laboratory*
(All students must take one course.)
Biology: 100, 115, 141, 151, and all courses at the 200 level that include laboratory
Chemistry: 100, 105, 110, 120, 210, and 220
Geology: 150 and 280
Physics: 107, 141, 142, 151, 152, and 201
Category B: Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning: Sciences*
(All students must take one course, and may take two courses.)
Chemistry: 100, 110, and 120
Environmental Studies: 220
Mathematical Sciences: all mathematics and computer science courses in the department except Mathematics 055 and 115
Physics: 105, 107, 110, 141, 142, 151, 152, 202, 205, 251, and 252
Category C: Quantitative Reasoning: Humanities and Social Sciences*
(Students may take one course.)
Communication: 260
Economics: 100, 103, 212, and 215
Philosophy: 101
Political Science: 201 and 252
Psychology: 200, 300, and 311
Sociology/Anthropology: 201
So that mathematical and natural science students acquire a breadth of understanding of the sciences as a whole, they are expected to take the Category A and B requirements from disciplines outside their major department. Also, students are encouraged to take a third course in Category C to broaden their horizons.
* To register for Category B and many Category A and C courses, the student must meet one of the following criteria: a) passing a quantitative reasoning proficiency examination administered during New Student Orientation or during the school year; b) receiving a SAT I math score of 630 or higher; c) receiving an ACT math score of 30 or higher; d) completing a high school calculus course with a grade of B or better; e) receiving a score of 4 or 5 on an AP exam in Calculus AB or BC, Computer Science, or Statistics; f) receiving a score of 5, 6, or 7 on an International Baccalaureate higher level or standard level mathematics exam; g) successfully completing Mathematics 055. Some courses in all categories have additional prerequisites. (See course descriptions.)