Earth and Environmental Sciences - Freshmen

Course # HUSS 1051

Credits 4

Course Description

This course is an introduction to philosophy. It aims at providing students with the basic knowledge of philosophical theories, categories, and topics. We explore major philosophical discussions in the contemporary world ranging from epistemology to aesthetics. The course does not presume to dictate any philosophical doctrine, its purpose is to help students develop skills of reasoning, responsible decision making, and to spark their curiosity to things non-pragmatic. 

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Use philosophical categories accurately;
• Discuss philosophical issues responsibly (amicably and cooperatively);
• Untangle (latent) premises upon which (their own or others’) philosophical statements are made;
• Identify inconsistencies and potential errors that require attention and investigation;
• Take a systematic approach, to ensure that issues are viewed in a “bigger picture” and essentials are not overlooked;
• See the world through different eyes – with sharper awareness;
• Defend a stance in a debate reasonably (using arguments, relevant facts, knowledge of theories).
• Course Assessments and Grading

Course # HUSS 1203

Credits 3

Course description

This course explores the origin, doctrine, beliefs, and practices of the selected world religions.  Its lessons consist of an introduction to religion and the academic study of religion. Religions are taught by considering their historical and geographical origin. Students study major teachings and devotional practices including views of the absolute, ceremonial rituals, sacred experiences, founding, and sustaining stories. The course seeks to develop and promote an understanding of how global religious traditions reflect the social contexts in which they emerged, and in turn how the traditions affect and transform those societies as well. Throughout the course, students are challenged to think and write with sophistication, intelligence, and critical insight, and analyze primary and secondary sources about major religious traditions. The course has an underlying expectation of helping students to articulate and defend a point of view or thesis on matters of significance or controversy. Scientific study of religion prompts students to question the various aspects of doctrines, and beliefs, and at the same time appreciate the plurality of meaning and interpretations that the believing community attaches to their religion.

Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Describe the nature and diversity of world religions from a historical perspective.
• Assess various theories, concepts, and materials (e.g., written texts, oral reports, archaeological data) central to the academic study of religion.
• Describe how world religions form in their geographic, social, and historical contexts.

Course Assignments and Grading

Course # ECON 2012

Credits 5

Course Description

Information Technology is an introductory informatics course, which covers basic programming methods and tools used by researchers in arts to manipulate, manage and analyze relevant data in statistics. The focus of the course will be on the R programming language, which students will use to solve problem-sets in statistical analysis using real statistical data. Basic statistical functions like summary() and describe(), data visualization, and data manipulation techniques are introduced. This course analyses generic programming language concepts and techniques, and demonstrate their implementation in statistical analysis using R. The most relevant functions in data science, such as indexing, conditional statements, loops, customized functions, algorithm design, descriptive statistics, linear regression, decision tree, random forest, t-tests etc. are explained. The main goal of this course is to give students an understanding of the breadth of different programming applications. Students learn how to design and write effective code using R to perform routine and specialized data manipulation, management, analysis, and statistics tasks. The tasks will be accomplished by identifying and using existing R, R-Markdown packages as well as appropriate open-source software extensions.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, every student will be able to:

• Explain the theoretical concepts of different datatypes
• Conceptualize and create loops and if/else statements in R
• Create customized functions in R to handle results
• Manipulate data for descriptive statistical analysis in R
• Use R to perform mathematic calculations
• Use special packages, such as ggplot2, R -Markdown, plotly, to convert graphs and convert plain text to formatted text
• Use MS Excel for summarizing data, creating graphs & charts
• Using the packages dplyr, tidyr, shiny, randomForest, caret, e1071 and xgboost for various statistical analysis, data manipulation, graphing and creating machine learning algorithms. 

Course Assignments and Grading

Course # DMNS 1006

Credits 6

Course Description

Calculus is a foundational course at UCA. This introductory calculus course covers differentiation and integration of functions with applications. The course is designed in a way that provides students with a thorough grounding in concepts and applications, analytical techniques, and numerical methods of Calculus.

In this course, students will study mathematics that deals with the precise definition of a limit, compute limits graphically and algebraically, infinite limits and limits at infinity, continuity and one sided limits, basic differentiation rules and rates of change, Implicit differentiation, applications of derivative, computing indefinite integrals, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus,  techniques of integration, applications of integrals, logarithmic differentiation, inverse functions and derivatives of inverse functions, exponential functions, using exponential and logarithmic functions to model compound interest, exponential growth and decay,  functions of several variables and their applications.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Compute limits and derivatives of algebraic, trigonometric, and piece-wise defined functions
• Compute definite and indefinite integrals of algebraic and trigonometric functions using formulas and substitution
• Use the derivative of a function to determine the properties of the graph of the function and use the graph of a function to estimate its derivative
• Estimate a propagated error using a differential
• Solve problems in a range of mathematical applications using the derivative or the integral
• Determine the continuity and differentiability of a function at a point and on a set 
• Determine whether a function has an inverse function. Find the derivative of an inverse function.
• Use exponential and logarithmic functions to model compound interest, exponential growth and exponential decay
• Solve optimization problems involving functions of several variables
• Use R programming language to explore calculus concepts

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # EAES 1013

Credits 6

Course Description

Chemistry 1 introduces the fundamentals of chemical bonding, properties of matter, solution-phase chemistry, thermochemistry, equilibrium, kinetics, and nuclear chemistry. Chemistry at the microscopic and macroscopic level are explored with emphasis on an Earth and environmental context, including atmospheric chemistry, aqueous chemistry, and solid-state structure. Applications of chemistry in the modern world and its impact on humans and the environment will be explored throughout the course.

Course learning outcomes

At the end of this course the students should be able to:

• Discuss how chemistry makes powerful contributions to understanding and managing the Earth, environment, and human society.
• Describe the basic chemical principles.
• Apply equations to quantitatively describe aqueous systems, systems at equilibrium, ideal gases, and the thermochemistry of a system.
• Predict molecular structure based on a chemical formula and write chemical equations that describe simple reactions in aqueous solution.
• Practice virtual laboratory work (online experimental procedures)

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # HUSS 1117 

Credits 3

Course Description 

This 8-week and 3-credit-hour course is designed to equip first-year students with essential communication skills tailored for success in professional and workplace settings. Through interactive lectures, practical exercises, case studies, collaborative projects, and a dedicated module on multimodal texts, students will develop a solid foundation in effective communication strategies, adapting their skills to various professional contexts. The course emphasizes written, verbal, nonverbal, digital, and multimodal communication techniques, preparing students to navigate diverse workplace scenarios and excel in their future careers. 

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills suitable for professional contexts.
• Utilize nonverbal cues to enhance interpersonal interactions and convey professionalism.
• Employ digital communication tools and platforms proficiently in workplace settings.
• Analyze and adapt communication strategies to address diverse workplace challenges.
• Collaborate efficiently within teams to achieve common communication goals.
• Create and interpret multimodal texts, incorporating visual, audio, and textual elements.

Course # HUSS 1035

Credits 3

Course Description

This course is designed to develop learners' proficiency in the Tajik language, targeting the beginner independent user level, specifically low A1/A2 levels, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Tailored for non-native speakers, the course comprises 16 lessons, each lasting 90 minutes. The initial two lessons focus on acquiring the Tajik alphabet and its transcription. Additionally, there are two assessment lessons – one mid-term and one final test. The core of the course, spanning 12 lessons, covers everyday topics and dialogues, essential vocabulary and key phrases, and includes brief grammar lectures to understand basic Tajik language rules. These lessons are complemented with exercises to reinforce the material learned. Homework assignments further consolidate learning. The course adopts a conversational approach, emphasizing spoken language to enhance oral fluency while also developing written skills.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• Understand and use simple vocabulary, sentences, expressions, and basic phrases useful for everyday life;
• Participate effectively in a daily conversation using appropriate language and understand the main ideas in short oral communications in common everyday context;
• Ask grammatically structured questions related to basic needs and respond appropriately using short phrases and sentences;
• Demonstrate through face-to-face conversations comprehension of simple words and phrases used in common everyday context;
• Write simple sentences containing learned vocabulary and using appropriate grammatical structures;
• Use a variety of simple and some complex sentences when speaking;
• Read and understand the main idea of and get some additional information from authentic written and oral texts focused on everyday topics;
• Effectively communicate basic needs in a culturally appropriate manner;
• Gain a basic view of Tajik language structure.

Course assessment and grading

Course # HUSS 1036

Credits 3

Course Description

This course aims to help students achieve an overall Tajik language proficiency, leading to Intermediate user language defined as low B1/B2 levels on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The course is designed for students who are familiar with the Tajik language. It will assist them to develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills to confidently use the language in various everyday life situations. The course will mainly be text - thematic based instruction. Each session will include intermediate level texts and related exercises. The texts are intended for reading comprehension and the related exercises are for developing students’ speaking and presentation skills. The content of some texts includes information about Tajik culture and literature. The remaining tasks are for developing writing skills, learning advanced vocabulary and solving puzzles. Students will be asked to keep a vocabulary notebook of new words learnt during the lessons. Three lessons will be dedicated for reviews before each test. The course has two mid-term and one final test. Every lesson is reinforced by exercises for homework to consolidate and strengthen the teaching materials covered during the lesson.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Use appropriate vocabulary, sentences, and expressions in everyday life;
• Extract the main idea of and some additional information from authentic written and oral texts focused on everyday topics;
• Utilize appropriate language expressions and structures to actively engage in daily conversations, ensuring accurate interpretation and understanding of the core themes and in extended dialogues
• Write complex and extensive paragraphs using appropriate grammatical structures;
• Use a variety of complex sentences when expressing one’s thoughts in both oral and written forms.

Course assessment and grading

Course # HUSS 1037

Credits 3

Course Description

The course aims at developing and refining students’ language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It assists students to practice and be able to confidently use Tajik language in a variety of settings, including social, professional and academic ones, aligned with the upper-intermediate level.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• Express ideas fluently, accurately and appropriately at an upper-intermediate level
• Articulate clear questions and ideas in class discussion
• Prepare, organize, and deliver engaging oral presentations
• Interpret complex texts, speeches and interviews
• Write clear and well-structured paragraph to express their points of view
• Identify the main idea(s), specific details; summarize and paraphrase information in a text
• Utilize suitable communication techniques (i.e. formal and informal) in both oral and written communications
• Write short essays, using introduction, body and conclusion
• Demonstrate appropriate level of grammatical accuracy and lexical range in their speech and written works.

Course assessment and grading