Department of Foundational Sciences

The mission of the Department of Foundational Sciences (FSCI) is to be a community of engaged faculty who offer academically excellent and pedagogically innovative classes in mathematics, chemistry, physics and statistics. We envision that all Galveston students will be challenged and successful in the high quality coursework we offer. Our faculty are proactively engaging the students with hands-on high impact learning experiences and support activities for their coursework.

FSCI advises for and facilitates minors supporting the Oceans and One Health degree and other programs on the Galveston Campus. The department offers the coursework needed for minors in Mathematics, and Chemistry, through the respective departments at Texas A&M. The department also facilitates the Secondary Education minor, which will lead to students in Marine Biology, Marine Coastal and Environmental Science or Oceans and One Health being certified for teaching life science, physical science, or chemistry for grades 7-12.

FSCI 281 Oceans and One Health Sophomore Seminar

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Science communications; including compilation and discussion of current topics related to human, animal or environmental health issues associated with coastal communities through weekly literature searches and readings; emphasis on scientific communication with peers in both oral and written forms. Prerequisite: Sophomore classification or approval of instructor.

FSCI 285 Directed Studies

Credits 1 to 6. 1 to 6 Other Hours. Directed studies and problems suited to analysis by individuals or small groups concerning special aspects of the coastal environment and human health. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

FSCI 289 Special Topics in...

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Other Hours. Study of selected topics in an identified area of foundational sciences. May be taken for credit up to eight hours. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

FSCI 334 One Health in Coastal Regions

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Exploration of One Health issues and the human-animal-ecosystem interface affecting populations in coastal regions; study of how these topics can be applied to address regional and global health and environmental challenges. Prerequisite: BIOL 111.

FSCI 360 Biochemistry

Credits 4. 4 Lecture Hours. Structure, function and reactivity of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids; role of pH in biochemical reactions; enzyme kinetics and regulation; membrane structure and function; overview of the metabolic pathways; carbohydrate metabolism; lipid metabolism; metabolism of nitrogen containing compounds; nucleic acid synthesis. Prerequisites: BIOL 112 or MARB 215, and CHEM 228; junior or senior classification.

FSCI 428 Coastal Development and Human Health

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. Exploration of public environmental health issues associated with urbanization in coastal areas; topics address population pressures on coasts, infectious and chronic disease, the natural and built environment, toxicology, sanitation, forms and media of pollution, and the application of environmental health science to coastal zone management. Prerequisites: CHEM 120 or equivalent; BIOL 112; junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.

FSCI 485 Directed Studies

FSCI 489 Special Topics in...

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Other Hours. Study of selected topics in an identified area of foundational sciences. May be taken for credit up to eight hours. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.

FSCI 491 Research

Credits 0 to 4. 0 to 4 Other Hours. Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in Foundational Sciences. Registration in multiple sections of this course is possible within a given semester provided that the per semester credit hour limit is not exceeded. May be taken for credit up to four hours. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.

Acero-Schertzer, Carmen E, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Miami, 1996

Adjei, Francis, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Texas at Dallas, 2017

Aronson, Carl Lawrence, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, 1999

Boulahouache, Chaouki, Instructional Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, Syracuse University, 2002

Brown, Philip R, Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2000

Galan, Jhenny F, Instructional Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Connecticut, 2006

Gard, Joel, Visiting Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Houston, 2023

Kang, Cong X, Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, The University of Texas at Austin, 1999

Luxemburg, Leon A, Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1987

Nair, Radhika P, Instructional Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Nevada, 2009

Qiu, Lin, Instructional Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Alabama, 2006

Rantschler, James O, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Alabama, 2003

Schwehr, Kathleen A, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2004

Shrestha, Khim Raj, Instructional Assistant Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, Syracuse University, 2015

Townsend, Grace L, Instructional Associate Professor
Foundational Sciences
MS, University of Houston at Clear Lake, 1983

Warren, Jesse T, Lecturer
Foundational Sciences
MS, University of Houston at Clear Lake, 2005

Yi, Eunjeong, Professor
Foundational Sciences
PHD, University of Houston, 2003