GENERAL EDUCATION CLUSTER

Course Code: GE-102 Course Title: Natural Sciences Credit Hours: 03 (2+1)
Introduction: Understanding of science - Science and scientific inquiry means, Nature of scientific laws and
theories. Related Example
Inquiry about the natural world in Prehistory and Antiquity:
Modes of inquiry in prehistory and antiquity
Science in the Medieval Era: China, South Asia, Mesoamerica, and Muslim Middle East
Introduction to various cultures of scientific inquiry that existed in China, South Asia and Mesoamerica. The
scientific culture of medieval China, South Asia, and Mesoamerica, the role of formal institutions of scientific
and technological development - shaped scientific inquiry in China.
Focus on the similarities and differences between the cultures of science across the world and the importance of
the scientific contributions of these cultures. Exposure to scientific contributions made by different peoples
around the world and how these contributions have led to the creation of the modern scientific method.
Introduction to Modern Scientific Method
Introduction to the concepts of inductive and deductive reasoning. Introduction of the hypothetico-deductive
model. From Basic understanding to modern science and explains the differences between hypothesis, theory and
law. Understanding what inductive reasoning has to offer and what flaws are associated with this form of
reasoning.
Physics and its sub-branches
What Physics is and what it entails. Different fields within Physics. Overview of the field of Physics
and how it’s related to all other fields. Key applications, and what the future of this field looks like.
Content as:
1. Measurement- Time, Length Precision and Accuracy, Significant figures
2. Motion in One Dimension: Kinematics with Vectors, properties of vectors, One dimension Kinematics.
3. Force and Newtons Laws: Classical Mechanics, Newton’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd law, Application of Newton’s
Laws in one dimension. Momentum-Linear Momentum, Conservation of momentum.
4. The Concept of Energy, Work and Laws of Conservation of Energy
5. Gravity, Gravitation, Origin of the Law of Gravitation, Newton’s Law of Gravitation
6. Wave Motion: Mechanical Waves, types, Sound Waves-its properties
7. Optics: Reflection, refraction and total internal reflection of light, Dispersion of light
8. Current and Resistance: Electric Current, resistance, resistivity, Ohm's law
9. Magnetic Field: basic concept.
10. Introduction to Nanoscience-basic Concept
Experiments: 1. To find the acceleration of a ball/sphere.
2. To demonstrate dispersion of light through prism
3. To Verify Ohm’s law (using wire as conductor).
4. To trace the magnetic field using a bar magnet
Chemistry and its sub-branches
1. What is Chemistry? Different branches of chemistry. Physical & Chemical Properties
2. Applications of chemistry in different aspects of life.
3. Atom & Ion. Element, Compound & Mixture
4. States of Matter-Solid, liquid, Gas & Plasma
5. Acid, Base & salts
6. Climate Change-Greenhouse effect, Acid rain, Ozone depletion
Human survival and infectious disease- What are infectious disease
7.
Pollution and its types
8.
Experiment:
1. Measurement of liquid sample by using glass apparatus.
2. Acid base titration

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 3. Identify the sources of air pollution in your area. Write down your suggestions to reduce these
pollution sources.
Biology and its sub-branches
What Biology is and what it entails. Different fields within Biology. Overview of the field of Biology,
primarily its concerns with the properties of life and living systems on earth.
Content as:
1. Cell Structure: Type of cells, Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells, Differences between animal and
plant cells.
2. Cell cycle and cell division
3. Human Skeleton: Role of skeletal system, Bone and cartilage, components of human skeleton.
4. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
5. DNA and RNA. Recombinant DNA Technology.
6. Pollution: Types, Consequences and control.
Experiments:
1. Identify and draw labeled diagrams of different bones of the human skeleton from real specimens, models
or charts.
2. Observation and recording the breathing rate at rest and after exercise.
3. To grow and study bread mold.
4. Demonstration of Phenomenon of Imbibition.
Note: At least two (02) Experiments (from above mentioned list of experiments of the Physics,
Chemistry, and Biology OR related to the above-mentioned course outlines of the Physics, Chemistry,
and Biology) will be performed/demonstrated in Lab/as classroom Activity as per available resources
of the concerned departments.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
Introduction week 1:
● Richard Feynman’s Comments on Science (http://www.feynman.com/science/whatis-science/)
● Hawking,S, Mlodinow, L (2008). A Briefer History of Time. Bantam Books, - Chapter 3: Nature of a
Scientific Theory
● Chalmers, A., 2015. What Is This Thing Called Science? 4th ed. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company,
Inc., pp.24-47.
Inquiry about the natural world in Pre-history and Antiquity:
Paleolithic and Neolithic Period
• James E McClellan III and Harold Dorn (2016) Science and Technology in World History: An
Introduction. Second Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press – pp 39- 45, 55-62
• World’s Oldest Calendar - https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-historyarchaeology/lunar-calendar-
0012340
• Ishango Bone - https://www.naturalsciences.be/sites/default/files/Discover%20Ishango.pdf
• Kalokol Pillar’s Site - http://www.chaz.org/Arch/Turkana/Namoratunga/ASI_Kalokol.html 3
Antiquity
• McClellan III and Dorn (2016) pp 83-89 (Babylonian), 95-103 (Hellenic), 107- 111 (Hellenic) 114-
123, 125-133 (Hellenistic).
Science in the Medieval Era: China, South Asia, Mesoamerica, and Muslim Middle East
● China : Mclellan and Dorn, pp 170 – 201
● South Asia : Mclellan and Dorn, pp 201 – 218
● Mesoamerica Mclellan and Dorn, pp 219 – 247
● Muslim Middle East Mclellan and Dorn, pp 150-169
● Carey, S., 2011. A Beginner's Guide to Scientific Method. 4th ed. Boston: Clark Baxter, pp.1-7, 29-45. 7

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● Chalmers, A., 2015. What Is This Thing Called Science? 4th ed. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company,
Inc., pp.77-99.
Physics and its sub-branches
● Feynman, R., Leighton, R. and Sands, M., 2010. The Feynman Lectures On Physics. 1st ed. New
York: Basic Books.,pp.
● Paul G Hewitt, 2015, Conceptual Physics, 12th Edition., City College of San Francisco, Pearson
● Rovelli, C., Carnell, S. and Segre, E., 2015. Seven Brief Lessons On Physics.
1st ed. Allen Lane, Penguin Books Ltd.
● Whiteson, D. and Cham, J., 2020. What Are The Basic Constants Of The Universe?. [podcast]
Explain the Universe. Available at: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-daniel-and-jorge-explain-
t-29862087/episode/what-are-the-basic-constants-of-62715327/ [Accessed 23 November 2020].
● Resnick, Halliday, Krane, Fundamentals of Physics. (latest edition), Wiley publishing
● T.I Awan, A. Bashir, A, Tehseen (2020), Chemistry of Nanomaterials: Fundamental and
Application, Elsevier Publishing.

Chemistry and its sub-branches

 Raymond Chang, General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts, 2008, McGraw [1]Hill, 5th
Edition.
 H. Eugene, Bruce. E, Patrick Woodward, Chemistry: The Central Science, 2017, Pearson,
14th Edition
 Nivaldo J, Chemistry in Focus, 2018, 7th Edition.
 Ralph H. Petrucci, F. Geoffrey, Jeffry. D, Carey, General Chemistry: Principles and Modern
Applications, 10th Edition
 Scerri 2011, The Evolution of the Periodic System. The Scientific American.
 Environmental Chemistry-Manahan (7th Edition), Manahan, Stanley E
Biology and its sub-branches
 Campbell, N.A. 2002. Biology. 6th Ed. Menlo Park, California: Benjamin/Cummings Publishing
Company, Inc.
 Ernst Mayr (1997) This is Biology: The Science of the Living World. Harvard University Press,
Cambridge, Massachusetts: C h 1-4, Ch 6
 Dev, Sukhendu (2015) Unsolved problems in Biology – The state of current thinking. Progress in
Biophysics and Molecular Biology, 117: 232-23
 Miller, S.A. and Harley, J.B. 2005. Zoology, 6th Ed. (International), Singapore: McGraw-Hill.
 Hickman, C.P., Roberts, L.S. and Larson, A. 2004. Integrated Principles of Zoology, 12th Ed.
(International), Singapore: McGraw Hill.
 Timeline of important advances in medical biotechnology-
https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2020/09/08/biotechnology-timeline-humans- manipulating-genes
-since-dawn-civilization/
 Breakthroughs that will change medicine -
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a4180/4303407/

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