The end-Cretaceous mass extinction, also known as the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary, occurred 66 million years ago and is one of the ?Big Five? mass extinctions in Earth history. The two leading hypotheses to account for the rapid and widespread loss of many terrestrial and marine organisms are: 1) impact by an asteroid, and/or 2) massive volcanism. An impact crater dating to the K/Pg event is preserved at the northernmost tip of the Yucatan Peninsula and fallout deposits from the impact are global and coincide with mass extinction.

This course introduces you to the Makerspace and to the project management skills needed to complete a semester-long project of your choice. You will identify a project of appropriate scope and create a week-by-week plan to deliver it on time. You will learn rapid prototyping technologies, including 3D printing and laser cutting, and utilize the makerspace equipment necessary to build your prototype. You will document your progress and present a final working model to the class.

Sequential or "comic" art is so much more than superhero comics! In this seminar we will learn a little bit about nonfiction comics as academic and popular texts, both as consumers of texts but also as writers and illustrators. Students will learn the basics of creating nonfiction comics of varying lengths, explore the academic applications of sequential art, and finally write their own mini comic 'zine on a non-fiction topic of their choosing, while also contributing to a collaborative class volume aimed at first year university students.

What are the secrets of college success? In this course, students will learn the evidence-based strategies that are key to student success. Drawing on research from education, cognitive psychology, and counseling, this course covers the fundamentals of how learning works. From building attention and focus, taking and using notes strategically, reading and decoding complex texts, managing time, and developing the wellness habits that sustain academic performance, students will receive an overview of the strategies necessary to reach their version of success.

In this course, you will learn about the science of learning and how to use it so you can learn more effectively and maintain that learning for the long term. The course will also explore (experientially) Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, emphasizing that learning is a collaborative process and profoundly influenced by social interactions and cultural context. Finally, the course will support you by exploring ways to find the joy in learning and how learning is enhanced by social interaction and collaboration.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create video content? Whether for television, film, social media, and beyond, the creative world of video production has opportunities across all industries. This seminar will explore the numerous paths available in this field along with the mindset of pursuing this subject matter throughout your collegiate career and professionally.

We'll explore the important and rewarding work of secondary educators in STEM fields, discuss the pros and cons of the teaching profession, and learn about the pathways to becoming a teacher offered at UMass.

How can computing, artificial intelligence, and technology impact sustainability and real-world challenges such as climate change? This seminar explores projects and research at the intersection of computing, AI, and sustainability, and how you can begin contributing now and in your future career! This seminar includes the same supportive elements as other FYS courses (e.g., student success and support resources, learning resource center, career advising).

This class will utilize General Chemistry content you are also learning this Fall in real world, food-based applications. You will have an opportunity to make and taste fermented foods in class as well as discuss a wide variety of topics relevant to first year students.

This course focuses on both preparing you to have a successful college career as well as exploring a specific topic/theme. As with any Faculty First Year Seminar, our course?s ultimate purpose is to demystify the college experience and to help you formulate and achieve your own goals. Of course, this class isn?t just about how to survive and thrive as a college student. We will also discuss plastics, how they are recycled, and their effects on the environment.