Materials Science One Semester (Offered Second Semester)
and metacognition. Topics include rocks and minerals, geologic history and time, weathering, erosion, plate tectonics, fossils, mountain building, earthquakes, and volcanos, with a special focus on Michigan geology as our model to understand geologic processes when applicable. Throughout the course, students will be asked to keep physical specimens of rock types and minerals to showcase skills learned in the lab through an interview with the instructor at the end of the semester. Students will also be able to explore a geologic interest independently and present it in a format that they choose, such as a research or lab paper, poster, video, podcast, or presentation. Kinesiology: Biomechanics One Semester (Offered First Semester) Prerequisites: Biology or equivalent Kinesiology: Biomechanics will explore how the human body is built for movement and how the laws of physics apply to everyday and athletic activities. Students will study the structure and function of the skeletal system, joints, and muscular system, and learn how these systems work together to produce motion. The course will introduce key principles of biomechanics, including force, motion, leverage, balance, and energy transfer. Students will apply these concepts through movement analysis, examining real-life activities such as walking, running, jumping, and sport skills. Emphasis is placed on understanding human movement to improve performance, prevent injury, and appreciate how anatomy and physics interact in the living body. Kinesiology: Exercise Physiology & Motor Control One Semester (Offered Second Semester) Prerequisites: Biology or equivalent In Kinesiology: Exercise Physiology & Motor Control students will have the opportunity to explore the foundational principles of exercise physiology, focusing on how the human body responds and adapts to physical activity. Students will investigate the interactions between the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as how energy is produced and regulated during movement. Through the lens of human development, the course will also examine how physical performance and motor skills evolve with age.
Prerequisites: Chemistry or Physical Science, or equivalents Ever heard of materials science? It’s the field of science responsible for designing and redesigning products you interact with daily. How can we make it cheaper? More durable? Thinner? Work in space? Replace an organ? Why doesn’t a smartphone screen shatter easily? Why are newer hockey sticks more expensive than older ones? In this course, we will dive into the heart of materials science as we uncover the properties, behaviors, and applications of various solids that shape our everyday lives. From the gadgets in your pocket to the buildings that surround you, understand the magic behind materials through a hands-on, inquiry based learning experience. This is where science meets creativity and innovation. Five major units of study form the basis of this material science course: an introduction to material science, metals, ceramics and glass, polymers (plastics), and composites. A heavy hands-on, inquiry approach is used in this class. Learning will involve working in small groups, reading and writing as a means of learning, participation in demonstrations and activities, consulting community experts in materials, and analyzing current events in the context of materials science. Forensic Science & Biotechnology 1 One Semester (Offered First Semester) Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry or Physical Science, or equivalents Forensic Science is the application of science investigation to the criminal justice system. Through pattern recognition and analytical testing, evidence collected can be used to help paint the picture of truth. In this course, students will discover the basics of crime scene investigation, including crime scene processing and evidence analysis. Students will study famous criminal cases as they move through each unit. The type of evidence analysis focused on this semester will be more tailored to pattern recognition and physical science such as fingerprints, shoe prints, tire tracks, fired evidence, and blood spatter. The course will end with a dive into death investigation and simulated autopsies.
Geology One Semester (Offered First Semester) Prerequisites: Biology or equivalent
Geology is an introductory course covering materials and structure of the Earth and the processes acting on and, in the Earth, to produce change. This course will build on the science skills focused on by other science department courses with a heavy focus on using and interpreting models, scientific reasoning, and communication, including assessment on reflection
Electrical Engineering & Controls One Semester (Offered Second Semester) Prerequisites: Biology or equivalent
Electrical engineering and computer science is a broad category of computing and hardware applications. The topics of study will include circuits, semiconductors, hardware design and control, programming, and
2026-2027 ULS Curriculum Guide
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