This integrative course in the sciences is a multidisciplinary exploration of one of the more pressing, current issues of health and society: obesity. It reviews basic energy consumption, usage, and storage, as well as the biological, historical, social, psychological, and health issues related to obesity and its treatment. The economic impact of obesity on health care, employment, travel, and the diet and food industries is also examined. Students gain an overall perspective on the impact that body mass has on society.
(Written Communication and Civic Responsibility)
This integrative course in the sciences is an introduction to basic ecological principles governing the relationship of natural resources to modern society. Selected topics emphasize the importance of the interrelationships between the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences in the understanding of environmental problems, and the suggestion of possible ways of dealing with them.
(Written and Oral Communication and Responsibility for Civic Life)
Several off-campus field trips.
This integrative course in the sciences is a multidisciplinary exploration of forensic science as used to prove issues in law enforcement and the American legal system. Basic scientific concepts underlying a variety of types of forensics are explored. Students learn the rules regarding crime scene investigation, introduction of forensic evidence in the court system, and how court challenges affect the administration of justice.
(Written Communication, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving.)
This integrative course in the sciences is a multidisciplinary exploration of plagues, epidemics, and AIDS. It reviews historical, social, political, and scientific views of the current AIDS epidemic. Basic scientific concepts are covered in an effort to allow students to develop an understanding of the disease based on fact. Students will develop a personal perspective on AIDS and their role in the epidemic.
(Written and Oral Communication and Critical Thinking)
This laboratory course provides students with an exposure to medical science relative to the biology of AIDS. Emphasis is also placed on the student’s role in public awareness related to the epidemic.
This interdisciplinary course explores the connection between science and fine art, with a specific examination of the role science plays in the creative process. The physics of light and color are studied, as well as how humans use sight to perceive images. The formulation of an artist’s materials and their application for the creation of a work of art are explored. The significance of scientific discoveries to developments in art, both past and contemporary, is examined.
(Written Communication and Critical Thinking)
This course provides an introduction to the interactive relationship between technology
and society. Students will study technological advancement as social change, not simply
to monitor the transformations of our society but also to understand why they occur and what their consequences are.
(Critical Thinking and Oral and Written Communication)
An introduction to some of the methodologies of complementary and alternative medicine. Study of a selection of the claimed physiological and chemical bases of these methods, together with an introduction to elementary concepts of statistics that can be used to read the research literature and scientifically assess the efficacy of a therapy. An introduction to the economic, sociological, psychological, and political impacts of these forms of medicine on the patient and the overall field of medicine.
(Written and Oral Communication and Critical Thinking)
