Fall 2009 Dean's Scholars Honors Program Seminars

Speaking Seminar
Can Natural Science Better Inform our View of Cultural History
Thesis Preparation
The Nobel Prize
Science in the New York Times
Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases
Global Warming 101, What do We Know About It?
Ethics in Science
The Scientist as Rebel: Arguing about Things Scientists Should Care About
Seminar for First-Year Dean's Scholars

Speaking Seminar

Unique Number: 49320
Instructor: Iverson, B.
Day/Time: Mondays 3:00-4:00 pm
Location: WCH 1.110
Seminar Description: One of the most important skills a scientist can have is the ability to communicate effectively. Most of the key decisions that influence the launching and advancement of a scientific career will be based in large part on a presentation of some sort. That includes hiring, tenure decisions, promotions within companies, etc. This seminar will give you the basics on how to design and deliver strong presentations in which you establish your own scientific credibility, and leave the audience something they will remember.

Can Natural Science Better Inform our View of Cultural History?

Unique Number: 49323
Instructor: Shankland, M.
Day/Time: Mondays 11:00-12:00 noon
Location: TBA
Seminar Description: In this seminar we will read "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond (plus some critics thereof). Relying on insights from biology and medicine, we will explore how biogeography and species interactions have shaped human history, particularly the birth and spread of civilizations.

Thesis Preparation

Unique Number: 49372
Instructor: Buckley, T.
Day/Time: Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 pm
Location: WCH 1.108
Seminar Description: This seminar will help students prepare to write their Dean's Scholars Honors Thesis. Restricted to students completing their honors theses Spring 2009.

The Nobel Prize

Unique Number: 49330
Instructor: Gross, J.
Day/Time: Tuesdays 1:00-2:00 pm
Location: WCH 1.110
Seminar Description: Students will choose a Nobel Prize from Chemistry, Physiology/Medicine, Physics or Economics and present the work to the class. Typically, a reading chosen by the student (something like a Scientific American, Wired or Popular Science article) will be assigned the week before for background, and then the student will give a ~20-25 minute presentation on the work, why it is prize worthy etc.

Science in the New York Times

Unique Number: 49345
Instructor: Sitz, G.
Day/Time: Tuesdays 2:00-3:00 pm
Location: WCH 1.1108
Seminar Description: On Tuesdays the New York Times has a science section. You can read the Times on-line for free and get back issues through the library website (also free). You will read this section each week and come to the seminar prepared to discuss the articles. One time during the semester you are to lead a discussion of an article of your choosing.

Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases

Unique Number: 49322
Instructor: Field, L.
Day/Time: Wednesdays 9:00 - 10:00 am
Location: WCH 1.108
Seminar Description: Bird Flu! SARS! Mad Cow Disease! Bioterrorism! Emerging and re-emerging infectious are global public health problems. There are many factors that favor the development and spread of these diseases. This seminar explores basic concepts in infectious diseases and studies the factors that have led to the development of new infectious diseases and the re-emergence of older diseases once thought to be conquered. Seminar Format: Before Spring break, the ancient conflict between infectious microbes and their hosts is presented in a series of lectures. Students are then given the opportunity to choose an individual emerging or re-emerging infectious disease to study for the semester. After Spring break, two students per week present their findings to the class in 20 minute PowerPoint presentations.

Global Warming 101, What do We Know about It?

Unique Number: 49325
Instructor: DeLozanne, A.
Day/Time: Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:00 am
Location: WCH 1.110
Seminar Description: Is our planet heating up? Do we know why? We will have an unbiased discussion of the differing views about global warming. If possible, we will invite some experts from around campus to join us in this discussion.

Ethics in Science

Unique Number: 49340
Instructor: Reichler, S.
Day/Time: Wednesdays 1:00- 2:00 pm
Location: WCH 1.110
Seminar Description: Is Frankenstein responsible for the destruction caused by the monster he created? As scientists and researchers our job is discovery, but should we also be concerned with the appropriateness of our research methods and products? If we are not concerned about ethics in science, who should be? In this seminar we will discuss ethics in science, both in general as well as looking at scientific case studies.

The Scientist as Rebel: Arguing about Things Scientists Should Care About

Unique Number: 49335
Instructor: Laude, D.
Day/Time: Wednesdays 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Location: WCH 1.110
Seminar Description: Using the collection of essays of the same title (ISBN 1590172167), by noted physicist Freeman Dyson, the seminar will engage students in a series of spirited conversations directed by student-selected essay topics from the book. Among broad topical areas up for conversation are the role of the modern scientist in society, the responsibility of scientists in developing technologies that will destroy us, and fundamentals of how science interfaces with religion (and many many more!!). You can't read one of the enormously provocative essays by Dyson without immediately wanting to jump up and down in agreement or start yelling at him. The seminar, done well, will permit students to express themselves on these and many other topics enormously relevant to the thinking scientist.

Seminar for First-Year Dean's Scholars

Unique Number: 49350
Instructor: Cline, A.
Day/Time: Thursdays 3:30-5:00 pm
Location: TBA
Seminar Description: All first-year Deans Scholars should enroll in this seminar