Science 101: Intro to Natural Sciences
- Course type: Self-paced
- Available Lessons: 171
- Average Lesson Length: 8 min
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Eligible for Credit: Yes
Earn transferable credit by taking this course for credit.
-
Watch a preview:
chapter 1 / lesson 1Early Atomic Theory: Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford and Millikan

Course Summary
Science 101: Intro to Natural Sciences has been evaluated and recommended for 3 semester hours and may be transferred to over 2,000 colleges and universities. When you're finished with the course, you can apply for transfer credit, which can save you time and money on earning your degree.To Start This Course Today
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25 chapters in Science 101: Intro to Natural Sciences
Course Objective
The course objective of Science 101 is to cover topics in physical and biological science, such as the properties of matter, the fundamentals of thermodynamics, atmospheric science, foundations of biochemistry, cell processes and anatomy.
Grading Policy
Your grade for this course will be calculated out of 300 points. The minimum score required to pass and earn real college credit for this course is 210 points, or an overall course grade of 70%. The table below shows the assignments you must complete and how they'll be incorporated into the overall grade.
Assignment | Possible Points |
---|---|
Quizzes | 100 |
Proctored Final Exam | 200 |
Total | 300 |
Quizzes
Quizzes are meant to test your comprehension of each lesson as you progress through the course. Here's a breakdown of how you will be graded on quizzes and how they'll factor into your final score:
- You will have 3 attempts to take each quiz for a score.
- The highest score of your first 3 attempts will be recorded as your score for each quiz.
- When you've completed the course, the highest scores from your first 3 attempts at each quiz will be averaged together and weighed against the total possible points for quizzes. For instance, if your average quiz score is 85%, you'll receive 85 out of 100 possible points for quizzes.
- After your initial 3 attempts, you can take a quiz for practice as many times as you'd like.
- You will need to pass each quiz with a score of at least 80% to earn course progress for the lesson. However, it is not necessary to earn 80% within the first three quiz attempts.
Proctored Final Exam
The proctored final exam is a cumulative test designed to ensure that you've mastered the material in the course.
- You'll earn points equivalent to the percentage grade you receive on your proctored final. (So if you earn 90% on the final, that's 180 points toward your final grade.)
- If you're unsatisfied with your score on the exam, you'll be eligible to retake the exam after a 3-day waiting period.
- You can only retake the exam twice, so be sure to use your study guide and fully prepare yourself before you take the exam again.
Items Allowed on Study.com Proctored Exam for Science 101:
- A non-graphing, scientific calculator
- Blank scratch paper
- Pen or pencil
Items NOT Allowed on Study.com Proctored Exam for Science 101:
- Graphing calculators
- Office programs, web browsers, or any programs other than Software Secure (including Study.com lessons)
- Textbooks (digital or physical)
- Mobile phones, headphones, speakers, TVs, radios
- Notebooks or notes
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Model the structure and describe the function of atoms
- Appraise the laws of thermodynamics
- Diagram the characteristics of planets in our solar system
- Differentiate between speed, velocity, and acceleration
- Illustrate the theory of relativity
- Diagram and explain the makeup of Earth's center and surface
- Label the organelles of a cell and illustrate the concepts of passive and active transport in cells
- Summarize basic biochemistry topics, including DNA, RNA, and anaerobic respiration
- Diagram how different types of waves are interpreted as sound or light
- Predict how different organisms, populations, and communities interact with each other and their environment
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Course Format
Science 101 consists of short video lessons that are organized into topical chapters. Each video is approximately 5-10 minutes in length and comes with a quick quiz to help you measure your learning. The course is completely self-paced. Watch lessons on your schedule whenever and wherever you want.
At the end of each chapter, you can complete a chapter test to see if you're ready to move on or have some material to review. Once you've completed the entire course, take the practice test and use the study tools in the course to prepare for the proctored final exam. You may take the proctored final exam whenever you are ready.
How Credit Recommendations Work
This course has been evaluated and recommended by both ACE and NCCRS for 3 semester hours in the lower division baccalaureate degree category. To apply for transfer credit, follow these steps:
- If you already have a school in mind, check with the registrar to see if the school will grant credit for courses recommended by either ACE or NCCRS.
- Complete Science 101 by watching video lessons and taking short quizzes.
- Take the Science 101 final exam directly on the Study.com site.
- Request a transcript to be sent to the accredited school of your choice!
- Check out this page for more information on Study.com's credit-recommended courses.
Additional Information
Course Topics
Category | Objectives |
---|---|
Atomic Structure | Explore early atomic theory, the elements, the periodic table, atomic and mass numbers, ionic bonds, covalent bonds and the electron shell. |
Fundamentals of Matter | Delve into the physical and chemical properties of matter, states of matter and common chemical reactions. |
Introduction to Thermodynamics | Learn about various types of energy. Get information on the laws of thermodynamics and learn about energy diagrams in relation to heat and temperature. |
Mechanics of Physics | Study speed and velocity, acceleration and Newton's laws of motion. |
Introduction to Relativity | Gain an understanding of classical relativity, time dilation, space contraction and the relationship between distance and time. |
Fundamentals of Electricity | Examine electric charge, insulators and conductors, electric currents, Ohm's law and the fundamentals of electrical resistance. |
Introduction to Magnetism | Define magnetic force and magnetic field, and see how magnetic fields are created and how moving charges are influenced by magnetic forces. |
Fundamentals of Waves, Sound and Light | Get an overview of vibrations, sound waves, electromagnetic waves, light and color, reflection and diffuse reflection. |
Space, The Solar System and the Universe | Learn about theories on the origin of the universe and evidence for the Big Bang theory. Study the structure of the sun, how stars develop and the characteristics of our solar system's planets. |
Introduction to Atmospheric Science | Explore the forces that shape the Earth's surface, the atmospheric cycle and the water cycle. |
Geology Basics | Study erosion, earthquakes, landform diagrams, volcanoes and the rock cycle. |
Introduction to Molecular Biology | Examine the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. |
Cell Biology Fundamentals | Learn about osmosis, passive and active transport in cells, and the the structure and function of ribosomes, endomembrane systems, the cytoskeleton, mitochondria, chloroplast and plant cells. |
Introduction to Biochemistry | Explore the function of enzymes, enzymatic reactions, cellular respiration and dark reactions of photosynthesis. |
Molecular Genetics Overview | Gain an understanding of protein synthesis, transcription of mRNA from DNA, codon recognition, how mutations influence protein function and ways the environment impacts the rate of mutations. |
Cell Processes | Study the genome, the cell cycle, chromosomes, mitosis, meiosis, and asexual and sexual reproduction. |
Plant Biology Foundations | Get an overview of plant biology, with lessons on plant structure and their functions, reproduction and the life cycle of several types of plants. |
Human Anatomy Overview | Gain an understanding of all parts of the human body and how they function, including in the skeletal system, muscles, the circulatory system, the nervous system, the brain and the excretory system. |
Animal Reproduction, Growth and Development | Look at how various types of animals reproduce, including embryonic implantation and fetal development. |
Fundamentals of Genetics | Define terms related to genetics, including character, trait, chromosome and genotype. Look at the work of Gregor Mendel and his laws of heredity. |
Introduction to Ecology | Dig into the levels of ecology, ecosystems, food chains, predator/prey relationships and conservation biology. |
Basics of Evolution | Explore the theory of evolution, natural selection and adaptation. |
The Origin and History of Life On Earth | Learn about theories of the origins of life, major eras in Earth's history, the endosymbiosis theory and types of evolutionary change. |
Phylogeny and the Classification of Organisms | Gain an understanding of the scientific method of naming living things and look at the evolution of various types of life, including prokaryotes, plants, animals and humans. |
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What to Expect For the Exam
This Study.com course has been evaluated and recommended for college credit. Once you've completed this course, you can take the proctored final exam and potentially earn credit. Follow the steps below to take the exam.
Exam Steps
Pre-Exam Checklist
Before taking the exam, all of the following requirements must be met:
A College Accelerator Study.com membership. | |
Completed the entire Science 101: Intro to Natural Sciences course and achieved 100% Course Progress. | |
Not attempted to take this exam within the last three days. | |
Have available proctored exams in this month of membership. | |
Complete the exam readiness quiz. |
Please complete all of the pre-requirements in the Pre-Exam Checklist in order to take the exam.
Exam Process Details
1. Register For Exam
Registering for the exam is simple. First, be sure you meet the system requirements. Next, you'll need to agree to the academic integrity policy. Then just confirm your name and the exam name, and you're ready to go!
2. Download Software Secure
You'll receive an unique access code. Please write this down — you'll need it to take the exam. Then download Software Secure and follow the installation instructions.
3. Take Exam
The exam contains 50 - 100 multiple choice questions. You will have two hours to complete the exam, so don't start until you're sure you can complete the entire thing. And remember to pace yourself!
4. Get Exam Results
We will send you an email with your official exam results within 1 to 2 weeks.
Earning College Credit
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