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NSCI 1000 - Freshman Science Seminar

An introduction to all aspects of majoring in College of Natural and Computational Sciences degree programs. Students learn how to take responsibility for their academic progress by learning how to plan course schedules and succeed in science courses. Career and graduate school information is also covered. Students participate in service learning project sponsored by science-related student organizations.

Credit: 1


NSCI 2000 - “Lessons” for Building Sustainable Communities

This course will allow students to develop critical thinking skills in a real-world environment. Students will refine these skills by addressing concrete community concerns through hands-on problem solving and through the application of a science-based approach to generate evidence–based sustainable solutions. This course will involve team problem solving and mentoring by upper-division students (see NSCI 3000). This course is designed to introduce students to investigating the sustainability of the HPU and local Hawai‘i communities and to identifying potential solutions to the problems these communities face.

Credit: 3


NSCI 2100 - Biotechnology: Problems and Solutions

Prerequisite: Any WC&IL I course.

Biotechnology uses biological principles or products to solve problems or produce valuable commodities. This course will cover the basic scientific principles involved and give non-science majors the knowledge and vocabulary they need to appreciate and evaluate the benefits and risks of biotechnology. Students will develop their ability to evaluate the competing influences and range of consequences involved in different types of biotech problems and solutions and to explore their own ethical and moral values and choices in these areas.

Credit: 3


NSCI 3000 - Building Sustainable Communities

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in any WC&IL II course.

This course will allow students to develop critical thinking skills in a real-world environment. Students will have an opportunity to refine these skills by addressing concrete community concerns through hands-on problem solving and the application of a science-based approach to generate evidence-based sustainable solutions. This course is designed to draw students into investigating the sustainability of the HPU and local Hawai‘i communities and, in perceiving the problems these communities face, to work with them to develop sustainable solutions for their concerns.

Credit: 3


NSCI 3950 - Natural Sciences Practicum

An introductory research experience for students interested in working on special topics under the direction of a science faculty mentor.

Credit: 1 to 3


NSCI 6110 - Graduate Seminar I

Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Graduate students develop skills and strategies for independent research. Students may attend scientific seminars at HPU or other venues as appropriate and prepare a written and oral presentation of their proposed thesis research.

Capstone course.

Credit: 2


NSCI 6112 - Graduate Seminar I

Prerequisite: NSCI 6110 Graduate standing.

This course follows NSCI 6110 Graduate Seminar I. The course is designed to help graduate students plan their thesis research project by writing a detailed proposal outlining their proposed research projects. This will include describing a problem, developing a testable hypothesis, designing a sampling and analytical plan, and developing a time-line for data collection and analysis.

Credit: 1


NSCI 6120 - Graduate Seminar II - Thesis Presentation

Prerequisite: NSCI 6110. Graduate standing.

MSMS students attend scientific seminars at HPU or other venues as appropriate, evaluate scientific styles, practice presentation techniques, and present a seminar on their completed thesis research.

Capstone course.

Credit: 1


NSCI 6130 - Communicating Marine Science

This course is designed to give graduate students the skills necessary to communicate foundational scientific concepts and specific details of their research to diverse audiences in both oral and written format. To this end, students will practice their written and oral communication skills by completing in-class activities and written assignments.

Credit: 2


NSCI 6450 - Teaching Undergraduate Science

An introduction to the pedagogy of science teaching, including lesson planning, assessment, technology, and inquiry-based methods. The modern college classroom is high tech, experiential, and flexible, to match the needs of modern students. Engagement in classroom technology and field experiences will be used to introduce students to a diversity of teaching approaches.

Credit: 3


NSCI 6900 - Master's Research

Course Restriction: Graduate standing.

MSMS students do research towards their thesis under the supervision of a research mentor, contributing to the initial research proposal or to the master’s thesis. Variable credits.

Capstone course.

Repeatable up to 10 credits

Credit: 1 to 5


NSCI 7000 - Master's Thesis

Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

This course serves as a capstone course for the MSMS program. Students enrolled in this course will work closely with the instructor to improve their scientific writing skills. During this course students will develop a written thesis that describes their research in standard scientific format. Students are expected to enroll in this course after a majority of their thesis research is completed and as approved by the student’s thesis committee.

Capstone course.

Credit: 3