Fall 2013 Dean's Scholars Honors Program Seminars

Evolution in Science, Religion and Politics: The social debate about evolution & intelligent design
Emerging And Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases
Technological Disasters
“Generation Flux” – Science and Knowledge in the Market and for the Common Good
Shaking the Foundation
Seminar for First-Year Dean’s Scholars
National and Global Issues
Biotechnology and Society
Pseudoscience and Public Perceptions of Science and Scientists
Speaking Seminar

Evolution in Science, Religion and Politics: The social debate about evolution & intelligent design

Unique Number: 48315
Instructor: DeLozanne, A.
Day/Time: Mondays 10:00 – 11:00 am
Location: WCH 1.110
Seminar Description: The teaching of evolution has stirred a lot of emotions in our country for many years.  We will look at the history of the evolution wars and some of the current social issues in a variety of documentaries, movies and popular media.

Emerging And Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases

Unique Number: 48320
Instructor: Field, L.
Day/Time: Wednesdays 10:00 – 11:00 am
Location: WCH 1.110
Seminar Description: Novel H1N1 Influenza, 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:  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 mid-semester, two students per week present their findings to the class in 20 minute PowerPoint presentations.

Technological Disasters

Unique Number: 48325
Instructor: Sitz, G.
Day/Time: Wednesdays 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
Location: WCH 1.110
Seminar Title: Technological Disasters
Seminar Description: Groups of 2-4 students will select a technological disaster, prepare a short presentation and lead discussion. The groups will be responsible for selecting some modest amount of material for distribution to the class before the presentation. The focus of the presentation should be on what happened and what the aftermath was, and the discussion should focus on what, if any, lasting changes resulted from the disaster.

“Generation Flux” – Science and Knowledge in the Market and for the Common Good

Unique Number: 48330
Instructor: Darwin, T.
Day/Time: Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: WCH 1.110
Seminar Title: “Generation Flux” – Science and Knowledge in the Market and for the Common Good
Seminar Description: As a college student, you are now living in a time of unprecedented challenges and opportunity (hence the term “Generation Flux”).  This seminar will help you understand these challenges and opportunities, why this makes your education in natural sciences even more valuable, and help you build a workable plan for doing what you care about, making a difference, and making a living.  The course draws from the educational platform of the nationally recognized Intellectual Entrepreneurship consortium as well as the “real world” experience of the instructor in business and non-profits.

Shaking the Foundation

Unique Number: 48335
Instructor: Laude, D.
Day/Time: Wednesdays 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: WCH 1.110
Seminar Title: Shaking the Foundation
Seminar Description: In honor of the 20th consecutive year of Dr. Laude running a DS Seminar, he will return to his very first DS seminar topic, allowing students to debate the topical issues of the day. On the first day of class students will complete forms in which they identify their beliefs or opinions on controversial topics of the day, and then defend them in debate.  The intention of the type of seminar is simple—it is not enough to believe something, even stridently, if you cannot withstand lively disagreement when an opinion is expressed.  It is hoped that by the end of the semester that every student in the class will have had the foundation of a strongly held view shaken just a little.

Seminar for First-Year Dean’s Scholars

Unique Number: 48340
Instructor: Hillis, D.
Day/Time: Thursdays 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Location: CBA 4.348
Seminar Title: Seminar for first-year Dean’s Scholars
Seminar Description: All first-year Dean’s Scholars should take this seminar.

National and Global Issues

Unique Number: 48355
Instructor: Sathasivan, K.
Day/Time: Mondays 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: GDC 2.402
Seminar Title: National and Global Issues
Seminar Description: Discussion on national and global issues of current interest such as economy, education, energy, employment, equality, health, human rights, research funding and security. Class format includes short presentations followed by discussion.

Biotechnology and Society

Unique Number: 48357
Instructor: Barrick, J.
Day/Time: Mondays 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: MBB 2.204
Seminar Title: Biotechnology and Society
Seminar Description: Recent advances in biological technologies may be outpacing our ability to fully understand their ramifications for society. We will examine landmark scientific papers and associated news coverage. Content will be roughly half understanding the science behind these technologies and half discussions of the ethical issues they raise. Topics will include the do-it-yourself biology movement, genetically modified crops, gene therapy, bio art, DNA origami, bioterrorism, resurrecting extinct species, bioprospecting, genome sequencing, cloning, and stem cells. Seminar Format: Each week a scientific paper and/or related news stories will be assigned for reading and 2-3 students will guide discussion during class. Later in the semester, additional topics will be chosen from current events.

Pseudoscience and Public Perceptions of Science and Scientists

Unique Number: 48360
Instructor: Stanton, J.
Day/Time: Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: WCH 1.110
Seminar Title: Pseudoscience and Public Perceptions of Science and Scientists
Seminar Description: Public perceptions of science will be analyzed with appropriate readings from the popular press.  In addition, pseudoscientific beliefs and their effects on popular culture will be studied.

Speaking Seminar

Unique Number: 48365
Instructor: Iverson, B.  
Day/Time: Mondays 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Location: WEL 3.260
Seminar Title: Speaking Seminar
Seminar Description: A speaking seminar course. 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.