This course traces the evolution of our own species from our immediate human ancestors, through the beginnings of vertebrate life. What makes us similar (or different) to other vertebrates? The course tackles this question in two different ways. Firstly, we will gain an understanding of our own evolutionary history: what were some of the major transitions that impacted the trajectory of human evolution from humble beginnings in ancestral seas, through numerous mass extinctions, to the rise of human civilization.

Bees are an integral part of the natural world around us. However, recent media attention has highlighted the current "bee declines" sweeping our nation. Are bees still in decline? What are some measures that we can do to help populations? We will get to the bottom of this complex issue by exploring the biology of bees. By the end of this course you will be able to think like a bee and evaluate the challenges facing bee populations. Students will be engaged in a collaborative learning environment that will promote critical thinking skills and communication methods.

What do artists and scientists have in common? Not much, according to conventional wisdom. However, in light of the growing number of artists co-opting scientific practices like biotechnology, we must reconsider the intersection of these two fields. This seminar will investigate the processes by which artists and scientists engage with the world. Special emphasis will be placed on two key overlaps in the approach of these disciplines: input, the ways in which artists and scientists collect and interpret information; and output, how these observations are communicated to a broader audience.

Climate change is real, and today the earth is warming at a rate which has never been seen before. In this seminar course, we will see why the earth is getting hotter with every passing day, how scientists are studying this change and how we can predict the future of the earth's climate system. You'll also learn how humans activities are leading to global warming, and what can be done to reverse our impact on the earth's climate.

An exploration of computer science for first-year CMPSCI majors, focusing on a single topic. Sections 1 and 3 demonstrate computing principles through the history of video games. Sections 2 and 4 investigate the history of computing and its impact on the modern economy. Section 5 explores affective computing, which addresses systems and methods for emotion recognition, emotion expression in virtual agents and robots, and emotion modeling and affective agent architectures.

An exploration of computer science for first-year CMPSCI majors, focusing on a single topic. Sections 1 and 3 demonstrate computing principles through the history of video games. Sections 2 and 4 investigate the history of computing and its impact on the modern economy. Section 5 explores affective computing, which addresses systems and methods for emotion recognition, emotion expression in virtual agents and robots, and emotion modeling and affective agent architectures.

Chronological survey covering pre-jazz, ragtime, blues, New Orleans/Chicago, early swing, swing, bop, the '50s (cool, hardbop, thirdstream), '60s, '70s, '80s to present, through lectures, listening, readings, writing, and live performances. Guest lecturers usually include many members of the music faculty. (Gen.Ed. AT, U)

Who will feed us when the food crisis meets climate change? Explore the food crisis: identify the causes, critique/analyze current approaches, and formulate/defend your ideas. Discover the implications of climate change colliding with the food crisis. Discuss the role of soils in mitigating these issues.

Carl Sagan lamented that, "We've arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science and technology. And this combustible mixture of ignorance and power, sooner or later, is going to blow up in our faces.

We'll explore controversial topics within the food industry such as GMOs, artificial sweeteners, colors and flavorings. Why are certain ingredients used/needed and what are their potential risks? We will also look at perceived risks within the food supply including food-borne illness, toxicology, and industrial contamination. By the end of this seminar, students will be better able to evaluate scientific evidence about food safety.