Standards for Natural & Physical Science Courses

MavEd Expectations: All MavEd courses must address the transferable learning outcomes and assess the transferable student learning outcomes using a common MavEd rubric embedded in Canvas, available for download into individual courses. In addition to these shared outcomes, courses approved in the Natural & Physical Science category must demonstrate the disciplinary expectations outlined below. These expectations provide guidance for course development and establish the minimum standards used by the Natural & Physical Science Subcommittee when reviewing proposals for MavEd approval.

MavEd Framework Requirements (p. 5-12): Breadth of knowledge courses are centered on the methodology of a given area (e.g., social sciences, humanities) while simultaneously reinforcing skills from at least one fundamental skills area (e.g., writing). Natural & Physical Science should reinforce quantitative or data literacy.

• Quantitative Literacy. Courses must include at least three graded assignments representing a meaningful portion of the course grade that apply math concepts, interpreting data, or solving quantitative problems. Mechanisms to ensure students reflect on their engagement with the fundamental skill must be included in the course.
• Data Literacy. Courses must include a variety of assignments that individually or collectively represent significant effort and point total that emphasize data management (collecting, organizing, managing data), data visualization, and date interpretation). Students should use one or more data management visualization tools (e.g. Tableau, Excel, Google data studio, geographic information systems).

Natural and Physical Science (4 credits). Students will investigate the physical and natural world through systematic observation, experimentation, and analysis, applying scientific methods and principles to demonstrate understanding of natural phenomena, processes, and laws governing the universe. Students must complete a lab as part of this requirement.

Attributes of a Natural and Physical Science Course

A Natural and Physical Science course will:

• Investigate natural phenomena, processes, systems, or laws through the scientific method and evidence-based reasoning or mathematical modelling.
• Explore the theoretical basis of scientific knowledge and how it relates to the objective universe.
• Apply scientific concepts, principles, theories, or methods to explain observations and solve problems.

• Understanding Natural Systems and Processes: Explaining the principles, laws, structures, and processes that govern the natural and physical world.
• Application of Scientific Knowledge: Applying scientific concepts, theories, methods, or findings to interpret contemporary issues, inform decision-making, or address real-world problems.
• Human and Environmental Interactions: Analyzing interactions among scientific, environmental, technological, and human systems and evaluating their implications for individuals, communities, and societies.

Natural and Physical Science Methods & Approaches

• Observation and Measurement: Systematic observation, measurement, and documentation of natural phenomena using appropriate scientific tools and techniques.
• Experimental Investigation: Designing, conducting, and interpreting experiments to test hypotheses, evaluate scientific explanations, and investigate natural phenomena.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation: Analyzing, visualizing, and interpreting scientific data to identify patterns, evaluate evidence, and draw conclusions.
• Modeling and Simulation: Using mathematical, conceptual, computational, or physical models to explain, predict, or investigate natural phenomena and scientific processes.
• Field Investigation: Collecting and analyzing data in natural, environmental, clinical, or applied settings to examine scientific questions and phenomena.
• Comparative and Classification Approaches: Identifying patterns, relationships, and distinctions among organisms, materials, systems, environments, or physical processes.
• Theory Application and Evaluation: Applying, evaluating, or refining scientific theories, principles, and laws to explain observations, solve problems, and understand the natural world.

Laboratory Requirement:

Students completing the Natural and Physical Science requirement must complete a laboratory experience as part of the required four credits. Natural and Physical Science courses may be offered in one of the following formats:

• An integrated lecture-laboratory course.
• A lecture course with a required laboratory corequisite.
• A lecture course without a laboratory component, paired with a separate laboratory course that satisfies the laboratory requirement.

For integrated lecture-laboratory courses and lecture courses with a required laboratory corequisite, a single MavEd proposal should demonstrate how the lecture and laboratory components collectively satisfy all MavEd standards and learning outcomes. Individual outcomes, methods, or assignments may be addressed in either the lecture or laboratory component, provided the combined experience satisfies all requirements.

For stand-alone laboratory courses that may be used independently to satisfy the laboratory requirement, the laboratory course itself must demonstrate how it satisfies all required MavEd learning outcomes and applicable Natural and Physical Science standards.

All laboratory experiences should provide students with opportunities to engage directly in scientific inquiry through observation, experimentation, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and communication of results.