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Course Criteria
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4.00 Credits
How do the eyes and brain of higher mammals (including humans) deal with visual information originating in the outside world? Starts with brief survey of mammalian brain neuroanatomy and cell-level neurophysiology (nerve conduction, synapses). Covers neurophysiology of the visual path from retina to cortex, with emphasis on transformations in information that occur at each successive level. Studies main components of visual perception: form, color, movement, depth, and considers the bearing of these on art.
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4.00 Credits
Advances in materials and energy technology have paced the development of Society from the Stone Age to the present. Today, we are facing an over-reliance on fossil fuels, a growing population, and its consequences on Global Warming. Starting with our current and anticipated future energy needs, this course, which includes substantial weekly laboratory content, explores the role of materials in evolving alternative energy technologies as well as their impact on worldwide resources.
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4.00 Credits
Plants and animals imitate one another and their surroundings to escape notice and avoid predators. This seminar explores the evolution of mimicry and camouflage using case studies that reveal the range of visual, behavioral, acoustical, and chemical means by which this deception is accomplished.
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4.00 Credits
Germs are responsible for the disruption of whole civilizations and for the maintenance of the ecological balance on planet Earth. Explores the importance of germs as causative agents of disease in humans, animals, and plants and emerging diseases. Investigates why epidemics occur, the role of germs in the control of the ecological balance on Earth -- how microbes affect the cycling of elements, and climate control. Are there dangers to inserting microbial genes into crops?
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4.00 Credits
Combating the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has thus far proven to be a formidable task. This seminar looks at the molecular organization of the virus and the various strategies it uses to manipulate the host cell for optimal replication. The seminar will also focus on the approaches used by HIV to evade the various defense mechanisms in place within the host cell. Wide range of techniques- from structural biology to systems biology- will be discussed.
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4.00 Credits
Focuses on mathematical, computational, and historical aspects of calculating pi. Many great mathematicians, including Archimedes, Newton, Gauss, and Euler, worked on the problem. Explores a wide variety of methods for computing pi and their implementation in Mathematica on a personal computer. Geometry and calculus used to prove the correctness of these methods and assess their accuracy, and then methods used to calculate pi to a large number of decimal places.
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4.00 Credits
This course explores state-of-the-art research, tools and measurements used to investigate and predict climate change through ongoing studies at the Harvard Forest's 3,000 acre outdoor laboratory in Petersham, MA. The seminar consists of three weekend-long field trips (Friday evening-Sunday) to the Harvard Forest and a final on-campus meeting. Students develop skills for evaluating, discussing, and presenting the ecological evidence for climate change, including feedbacks between forests and the atmosphere and long-term impacts on forest ecosystems.
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4.00 Credits
Explores the properties of galaxies and the basic observations that lend support to the current cosmological model, the hot Big Bang, and recent observations that indicate that the Universe might even be accelerating. Topics covered include the internal structure and dynamics of galaxies, cosmological models, the determination of the cosmic distance scale, observations of large-scale structure in the universe, quasars, galaxy formation, and the age, size, and fate of the universe. Seminar includes a class project.
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4.00 Credits
Objectivity is important in carrying out scientific research, yet it is clear that there are elements of creativity and politics than shape the practice and communication of science. This course explores how individual creativity and political behavior influence scientific pursuits in molecular biology. Harold Varmus' memoir "The Art and Politics of Science" is read and discussed, followed by diverse activities, including viewing and discussing films that broach scientific topics, e.g. "DNA Story" and "GATTACA".
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4.00 Credits
Plants are remarkable organisms: they convert the sun's energy into chemical bonds that provide food for the biosphere's consumers, including humans. This seminar focuses on questions related to the effects of climate change on the world of plants. We will discuss impacts of climate change on the ecology of both natural and managed ecosystems and ask how these impacts may influence human societies and the health of our planet. Climate change skeptics are welcome.
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