BSSE General Science 1430 study guide
BSSE General Science 1430 · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
BSSE General Science 1430 is a broad-knowledge science credential for candidates who need to demonstrate command of foundational science across several disciplines rather than deep specialization in one. It suits students finishing preparatory coursework, adult learners returning to science, and professionals in technical or educational roles who want documented evidence of general scientific literacy. The BSSE General Science 1430 study guide has 10 sections and about 3,226 words.
01Scientific Inquiry, Measurement, and the Nature of Science
Scientific inquiry is a cycle of question, hypothesis, prediction, controlled experiment or observation, data analysis, and revision. Know the vocabulary: independent variable (what the experimenter changes), dependent variable (what is measured), control group (no treatment, for comparison), constants (everything held fixed), and confounding variable (an uncontrolled factor that offers an alternative explanation).
344 words, about 2 min02Matter, Atomic Structure, and Chemical Reactions
Matter is classified as pure substances (elements, compounds) or mixtures (homogeneous, heterogeneous). Distinguish physical changes (state, shape, dissolving) from chemical changes (new substances, bonds broken and formed).
344 words, about 2 min03Forces, Motion, Energy, and Waves
Newton's laws anchor mechanics. First law: an object at rest or in uniform motion stays that way unless a net force acts (inertia).
341 words, about 2 min04Electricity, Magnetism, and Modern Physics
Electric charge comes in positive and negative; like charges repel, opposites attract. Static electricity involves charge transfer by friction, conduction, or induction.
344 words, about 2 min05Earth's Structure, Plate Tectonics, and Geological Processes
Earth has layers: crust (thin, rocky), mantle (solid but slowly flowing, source of magma), outer core (liquid iron–nickel, generates the magnetic field), and inner core (solid iron–nickel). The lithosphere (crust plus rigid upper mantle) is broken into tectonic plates that ride on the asthenosphere.
303 words, about 2 min06Weather, Climate, and the Atmosphere
The atmosphere is layered: troposphere (weather, temperature decreases with altitude), stratosphere (ozone layer, temperature increases with altitude), mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Air pressure decreases with altitude.
330 words, about 2 min07Astronomy and the Solar System
The solar system: four inner terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars), an asteroid belt, four outer gas/ice giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune), and the Kuiper belt beyond. The Sun is a main-sequence star powered by hydrogen fusion in its core, producing light and heat.
336 words, about 2 min08Cell Biology, Genetics, and Evolution
Cells are the basic unit of life. Prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes have both.
290 words, about 1 min09Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Health
Major systems and their functions: circulatory (heart, blood vessels, blood transport, gas exchange), respiratory (lungs, alveoli for gas exchange), digestive (breakdown and absorption of nutrients), nervous (signal transmission, brain and spinal cord), endocrine (hormones regulating metabolism and growth), musculoskeletal (support and movement), excretory (kidneys filter blood, regulate water and salts), and immune (defense against pathogens). Homeostasis maintains stable internal conditions - temperature, pH, blood glucose, water balance - through feedback loops.
294 words, about 1 min10Ecology, Environment, and Natural Resources
Ecology studies interactions among organisms and their environment. Levels of organization: organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere.
300 words, about 2 min