There are more than 200, 000 species of viruses that are unknown to us. How often do you come down with a nasty cold? What causes viruses to wreak havoc in an organism that is many orders of magnitude bigger than itself? Are viruses alive? Are viruses good or bad? This seminar will explore what viruses are and how they play an important role in human health (good/bad). We will address these questions and discuss how viruses are grown and studied in the lab. Additionally, the course will include visits to some labs at UMass that do exciting virus research.

Introduction to methodologies for analyzing, implementing, and evaluating public policy. Topics include research methods, participant observation survey research and questionnaire construction, research design, measurement theory and practice, and framing categories.

Cultural humility is defined as an ongoing process of self- reflection and self-critique. It entails working collaboratively with clients, and embracing difference. Cultural Humility empowers individuals to effectively engage in interpersonal relationships that are dynamically diverse and mutually respectful. Incorporating cultural humility as part of one?s lifestyle empowers the individual to recognize and redress power-imbalances that exist within their immediate social and organizational structures.

Image you are eating a veggie burger, but you cannot tell it from the beef burger. That is the advantage of modern food science. During this seminar, we will talk about tasty sustainable burgers, personalized nutrition foods, and 3D food printers. We will also explore together how nanotechnology, gene editing changing the foods we eat, and find out why gut microbiota and probiotics can enhance human healthy dramatically.

Microbes come in all shapes and sizes. Some microbes are tiny assassins lying in wait. Some make our Valentine's Day chocolates. Still other microbes are used by scientists to solve some of the world's most challenging scientific problems. We will explore the diversity of this microbial world and examine how microbes influence our lives in positive and negative ways.

Can we become superheroes by improving our bodily functions? In order to develop tools for the improvement of the human body, we need to understand its basic biology. In this course, we will look at the way the human body works by applying scientific literature to create your own imaginary superhero. We will discuss different topics about the human body, while also using the knowledge and inspiration we got from animals. With your imagination and science combined, you will create the next superhero.

Can we become superheroes by improving our bodily functions? In order to develop tools for the improvement of the human body, we need to understand its basic biology. In this course, we will look at the way the human body works by applying scientific literature to create your own imaginary superhero. We will discuss different topics about the human body, while also using the knowledge and inspiration we got from animals. With your imagination and science combined, you will create the next superhero.

Around the globe, bee populations are in trouble. As about one third of the human food supply is reliant on bee pollination, this in turn spells trouble for us. In this course, we will explore the incredible diversity of bees, the primary threats facing their populations, and the strategies scientists (including those at UMass Amherst) are developing to help bee populations.