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Course Criteria
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3.00 Credits
K. Broekhuizen From Sherlock Holmes to the O.J. Simpson trial to CSI, forensic science has been portrayed in fiction, news media, and movies in various ways through the last century. How well do these portrayals capture modern forensic science This course explores the application of scientific principles and the scientific method to modern forensic science. The course includes discussions of many aspects of forensic science including the handling of forensic evidence and the crime scene, DNA evidence, fingerprints, and toxicology. Students have the opportunity to perform hair and fiber analysis, fingerprint analysis, organic separations and analysis, and other hands-on experiments. Applicable scientific literature is used to explore current issues in forensic science. Students write research papers evaluating the scientific validity of well-established forensic techniques and newly developed or controversial techniques such as forensic hypnosis, bite mark analysis, or polygraph testing. The final research paper involves analysis of the forensic evidence and techniques involved in a modern criminal case.
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3.00 Credits
This course is crosslisted as COSC 100/100L. For course description, see "Computer Science: Course Offerings."
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3.00 Credits
This course is crosslisted as ENST 100/100L. For course description, see "Environmental Studies: Course Offerings."
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3.00 Credits
C. Cardelús Our planet is currently undergoing a level of abiotic and biotic change that is unprecedented in recent history. There is widespread consensus in the scientific community that much of this change is anthropogenic. This course introduces students to the recent data on climate change and inferred causes and consequences of that change. Throughout the course, the way in which humans influence these changes and also the ways in which these changes impact humans are explored. The main focus of the course is the carbon cycle, specifically on human energy consumption, food production, and water use, and how they are linked to biodiversity loss. The many sides of issues (e.g., biofuels) are explored and debated throughout the course. The immediate consequences of global change are demonstrated in a required weekend fieldtrip to the Adirondacks in the third week of the classes to learn about the effects of pollution and climate on our local ecosystems.
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3.00 Credits
M. Wong Geologic disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, serve as dramatic reminders of the power of nature and the catastrophic impact that these disasters have on society. As recent events such as the 2003 tsunami in Sumatra demonstrate, these disasters can exact a terrible cost in both economic terms and loss of life. Society has a clear interest in understanding what causes these disasters and how to reduce their impact on human populations. Geology provides a scientific framework for understanding the potential risks and effects of geologic disasters. This course examines the science behind four disasters that pose major risks to society: floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and meteoric impacts. Students examine significant case studies to understand the types of data collected to study these disasters, ambiguities in the data, and how risk is estimated. Students also examine potential ways to reduce the damage caused by such hazards and the scientific, economic, political, and societal implications of these approaches.
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3.00 Credits
Joscelyn Godwin Have advanced civilizations existed before our own This course examines the evidence for and against, including the geological analysis of the Sphinx and the knowledge supposedly encoded in prehistoric structures. The will to believe and the thirst for mythic reassurance also contribute to the debate. The course aims to develop impartiality and critical skills based on scientific methods. There are some experiments in pre-technological science and mathematics.
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3.00 Credits
A. Robertson The central theme of this course - the ways and means of invention and discovery - is pursued using mathematics as its main tool. Exploring basic mathematical structures, formulating conjectures based on observations, and nullifying or verifying the conjectures is the approach used. Mathematics is only the language of investigation; this course emphasizes process over content. By the end of the course, students have a good foundation in the art of problem solving that should prove invaluable in all scientific fields. No mathematics beyond the high school level is assumed. Topics covered include plane geometry, interest theory, voting systems, sequence analysis, statistics, and global warming.
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3.00 Credits
A. Leventer This course addresses the fundamental question of why humans explore and investigates scientific achievements based on voyages of discovery. Advancements in all scientific endeavors - from continental scale exploration, to exploration of the natural history of our planet, to exploration of outer space - are examined as students read the adventures of great explorers, ranging from famous Antarctic explorers, to less well-known paleontologists, naturalists, and astronauts. The class investigates the complex and crucial relationship between exploration and science, as well as issues of leadership, team building, group dynamics, and personal faith. Laboratory sessions focus on examination of real samples, and the generation and interpretation of data; these labs are derived directly from the scientific investigations detailed in the course readings.
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3.00 Credits
F. Frey This course explores the many tasty, interesting, useful, mystical, and illegal uses of plants. Starting with basic plant biology, this course provides a framework for understanding where plant products come from, and then rapidly shifts to human-plant interactions. Course topics include the history of agriculture and its effects on land use and the environment, the origin of common crops, historical and modern human uses of plants, as well as the chemistry, pharmacology, and history of drug use. Current botanical issues such as transgenic crops, ownership of genetic stock material, and bioprospecting are discussed. Students emerge from this course with a new appreciation for what people eat, drink, smoke, and wear.
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3.00 Credits
C. Soja The fossil record reveals that Earth has experienced five cataclysmic events, or mass extinctions, which in each instance had a profound effect on its history by redirecting the course of evolution. As detectives attempting to solve the world's greatest murder mysteries, students of this course examine when each of these catastrophic events occurred, what caused ecosystems and evolutionary processes to be disrupted, why and where biological diversity was greatly diminished, and who survived to begin the evolutionary repair of life during subsequent recovery and radiation phases. In the final part of the course, students use their knowledge of these past events to hypothesize about and investigate the severity of the Sixth Extinction. The course addresses modern conservation practices and specific actions that hope to enhance the future existence of a biologically diverse planet.
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