First-Year Seminars 110FJ - Celebrated Science

What do the Nobel Prizes have to do with everyday life? Are Nobel Laureates extraordinary scientists, or singled out from others equally worthy? Readings will include essays, short fiction, and scientific publications, from Nobel Laureates to Beatrix Potter. Students will look through microscopes, correspond with practicing scientists, and try many styles of writing. When the 2016 Nobel Prizes are announced in October, we will read press coverage to study how scientific discoveries are reported. Our semester will end at the time of the Nobel Awards ceremonies with a celebratory banquet. This course is open to all who are curious about the natural world; no science background required.

First-year students only, by placement.