Free University Project

Natural Sciences
Partial Update: Nov. 3, 2003

Exam type:
CLEP: 120 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes.
Typical credits: 6 units

The CLEP Exam

The CLEP General Exam in Natural Sciences is one of five General Examinations. It is very broad in scope, divided into two major parts Biological Sciences and Physiocal Sciences. It is similar to a one year survey course taught at many colleges. It can be a real challenge as you have to answer 120 questions in 90 minutes. It tests not only facts but also understanding.

NOTE: There is no online course that appears to relate directly to this exam. I have drawn from several courses and exhibits that seem to reflect the content required on the CLEP. Featured faculty and their home pages can be found at the end of this page.

(I didn't promise you a rose garden. See disclaimer.)

The topics in bold face are those The College Board indicates will be found on the exams. The percentages given after the main topic headings are only approximate. Always contact The College Board for the latest information. (Click on test descriptions.)

Getting Started

Here is one way that you can begin. (If you haven't read a general step-by-step guide, this might be a good time. See also How to Budget Your Time)

Access to a good encyclopedia is a must: in book form, CD-ROM or online. You will gain familiarity with an overview of the course material and an introduction to concepts, key individuals and vocabularly specific to the Natural Sciences. You can start with the Columbia Encyclopedia

Here are topics that you should definitely look up before you begin using other materials:

Biological Sciences

Chemistry

Physics

Other Physical Sciences

You might also want to look at the handout How to Study Math and Science from the University of Texas.

Using the Free University Project Study Guide

A) Read the Introductory Material suggested in the Study Guide.

B) Read the material in the first two or three topics in the Study Guide. In order to stay focussed, only follow those links within the lectures and outlines that seem to be directly related to the subject matter at hand. Take your own notes. If you print out the material, highlight key definitions and concepts for review. Add your own marginal notes.

C) Read corresponding material in a textbook of your choice.

D) Read the next two or three topics as you did in B)

E) Take the on-line quizzes.

Repeat the cycle. Periodically take time to review; do suggested exercises; take a practice CLEP exam and review areas of weakness.

Remember to keep your journal up to date.

Study Guide

Introduction

General Introduction

  • Chapter 1 What is Science? (Wyckoff)
  • Founders of Natural Science: from Ancient Times to the Enlightenment

    Biological Science 50%

  • Atomic and nuclear structure and properties, elementary particles, nuclear reactions -- 7%
  • Chemical elements, compounds and reactions, molecular structure and bonding -- 10%
  • Heat, thermodynamics, and states of matter; classical mechanics, relativity -- 12%
  • Electricity, magnetism, waves, light and sound -- 4%
  • The universe, galaxies, stars, the solar system -- 7%
  • The Earth, atmosphere, hydrosphere, structure features, geologic process, and history -- 10%

  • GLOSSARY (Online Biology Book)
  • Glossary (The Muesum of Paleontology) - large multivolume virtual glossary
  • Glossary of Biological Terms

    Look up the following in an encyclopedia

    Introductory Biology

  • INTRODUCTION: THE NATURE OF SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY (Online Biology Book)
  • Themes in the Study of life (Fleck) Lecture Notes

    A major series of lecture notes that covers much of the material can be found at Online Biology Book produced by Prof. M.J. Farabee
    Tip: Print out this table of contents page and use it to keep track of your studies. Note on the page the date you completed each chapter.

    Additional links, arranged by subject, can be found in our Study Guide for the CLEP Subject Exam in General Biology

    Ecology

  • Biodiversity and Conservation A hypertextbook by Peter J. Bryant
    12 chapters; used in a course at the University of California, Irvine.

  • Environment On-Line CREST's Experimental Internet Global Environment Education Center.

    Physical science 50%

  • Atomic and nuclear structure and properties, elementary particles, nuclear reactions -- 7%
  • Chemical elements, compounds and reactions, molecular structure and bonding -- 10%
  • Heat, thermodynamics, and states of matter; classical mechanics, relativity -- 12%
  • Electricity, magnetism, waves, light and sound -- 4%
  • The universe, galaxies, stars, the solar system -- 7%
  • The Earth, atmosphere, hydrosphere, structure features, geologic process, and history -- 10%

    Introductory Chemistry

  • Definitions of Chemical Terms (Bemidji State University)
  • See also the Glossary on the General Chemistry Online (senese)

    Look up the following in an encyclopedia

  • a help page from North Wales (Chemistry and Physics)
  • Introduction (Senese)
  • First Things, First: Syllabus (Logan)
  • Introduction to Chemistry (Gladney)

    A prime source of lectures can be found at
  • General Chemistry Online (Senese)

    Additional links, arranged by subject, can be found in our Study Guide for the CLEP Subject Exam in General Chemistry

    Scan A Glossary of Physics Terms. Note that many of the terms, in addition to a brief definition, have links to more extensive explanations.

    Look up the following in an encyclopedia

    Introduction

    An interesting approach to the subject can be found at Galileo and Einstein by Michael Fowler.

    Lecture Notes in Physics

  • Describing Motion (U. Tenn.)
  • Falling Balls (U. Tenn.)
  • Position of a Falling Ball (U. Tenn.)
  • Newton's Third Law (U. Tenn.)
  • Chapter 2 What Causes Motion to Change? (Wyckoff)
  • Ramps (U. Tenn.)
  • Rotational motion (U. Tenn.)
  • Friction (U. Tenn.)
  • Power, Momentum (U. Tenn.)
  • Chapter 3 How Are Force and Motion Related? (Wyckoff)
  • Kinetic Energy (U. Tenn.)
  • Spring Scales (U. Tenn.)
  • Bouncing Balls (U. Tenn.)
  • The Sweet Spot (U. Tenn.)
  • Roller Coasters (U. Tenn.)
  • Air Pressure (U. Tenn.)
  • Chapter 4 What Are Some Properties of Water? (Wyckoff)
  • Water Distribution (U. Tenn.)
  • Siphons (U. Tenn.)
  • Fluids in Motion (U. Tenn.)
  • Lift and Drag (U. Tenn.)
  • Rockets (U. Tenn.)
  • Orbiting (U. Tenn.)
  • Heat (U. Tenn.)
  • Regulating Heat Flow (U. Tenn.)
  • Thermometers (U. Tenn.)
  • Phase Transitions (U. Tenn.)
  • Thermodynamics (U. Tenn.)
  • Heat Engines (U. Tenn.)
  • Entropy (U. Tenn.)
  • Oscillations (U. Tenn.)
  • Waves (U. Tenn.)
  • Standing Waves (U. Tenn.)
  • Sound (U. Tenn.)
  • The Doppler Effect (U. Tenn.)
  • Water Waves (U. Tenn.)
  • Chapter 5 What Causes Lightning? (Wyckoff)
  • Chapter 6 Are Electricity and Magnetism Related? (Wyckoff)
  • Chapter 7 What Is Light? (Wyckoff)

    Exhibits and Exercises

  • Animations requires ability to view QuickTime movies and support Java applets.

    Other Physical Sciences

    Look up the following in an encyclopedia

    Geology and Oceanography

  • Geology Good series of Lecture Notes
  • A Primer on Ocean Currents

    Meteorology

  • the weather world 2010 project. Click on Online Guides, then on Meteorology and go through the links. This is a rich, well illustrated site.
  • Weather:what foprces affect our weather (Annenberg/CPB Project Exhibit Collection)

    Geography

    See this virtual textbook (US only but covers the basic principles)

  • Geography USA Alan A. Lew - North Arizona University

    Review
    Use Earthplace by Michael J. Farabee to review specific topics

    Exhibits and Reference

  • Encyclopedia Smithsonian Not a general encyclopedia, but one which access the FAQs and other resources available on the Smithsonian site.

    • Links to faculty home pages
    NOTE: Please don't bug the professors. They have been generous enough just by taking the time and effort to put their material on the Web. And please don't e-mail responses to their tests. Such responses are limited to students actually enrolled in the class.

    Related On-Line Texts - to come

    Internet Resources - to come

    Good Luck!

    and let us know how you are doing.

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    Last update:June 12, 1999
    Partial Update: Nov. 3, 2003