Science and Mathematics

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Term
Time & Day Offered
Level
Credits
Course Duration

The Physics of Light and Color — PHY2114.01

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Days & Time: TU 8:30am-12:10pm
Credits: 2

The physics of light and color initially appears simple: light is a wave and the wavelength of light determines color. While this basic physical description of light is easy to state, going deeper quickly opens up large range of questions. How do different wavelengths of light combine to make colors? How does light from different sources interfere? How does light change path

The Physics of Sound — PHY2278.02

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Credits: 2
Physically, sound is simply the compression of air around us. However, this relatively simply description obscures a much richer understanding of sound. From how different sounds are generated and perceived to how different sounds can combine to make something new to how to design acoustically pleasant spaces, the physics of sound plays a key role. This course is about the

The Physics of Sound — PHY2278.02

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Days & Time: TU 8:30am-12:10pm
Credits: 2

Physically, sound is simply the compression of air around us. However, this relatively simple description obscures a much richer understanding of sound. From how different sounds are generated and perceived to how different sounds can combine to make something new to how to design acoustically pleasant spaces, the physics of sound plays a key role. This course is about the

The Process and Ethics of Using Hacked and Leaked Data — CS4139.01

Instructor: Michael Corey
Credits: 4
The advent of big data has also led to the advent of big data leaks. As the size of data leaks the ability to research, learn from, and report on these leaks has likewise become increasingly complicated. Beyond the technical ability to analyze this data, there are questions of cyber security when dealing with data of unknown provenance. Thirdly, there is the thorny question of

The Same and Not the Same: A Close Reading of Primo Levi's "The Periodic Table" — CSL2134.01) (cancelled 5/8/2024

Instructor: John Bullock
Credits: 2
Primo Levi studied chemistry in Italy in the 1930s, where he witnessed the rise of fascism. As a Jew, he learned to navigate the treacherous path of being the Other from childhood, but that was little preparation for what was to come. Sent to Auschwitz in 1944, he survived and went on to become one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. His memoir, The Periodic Table,

The Sins of Nature: The Dark Side of Animal Behavior — BIO2141.01

Instructor: Blake Jones
Credits: 2
Nature is often violent and unforgiving, but few understand the extent to which animals engage in behaviors that, if judged by human ethical standards, would be considered malicious, immoral, or even evil. This provocative course will challenge our understanding of morality through the lens of non-human behaviors. Throughout this course, you will uncover the ecological and

The Theory and Practice of Hardware Hacking — CS4121.01

Instructor: Andrew Cencini Hugh Crowl
Credits: 4
This class will focus on the fundamentals of electronics and how we can use our understanding of electronics to build internet-connected systems that measure and/or interact with the environment around us. Students will learn the fundamentals of electronics and circuits and hardware/software programming, and then apply that knowledge to group and individual projects, such as

The World Ocean — ENV2205.01

Instructor: Chelsea Corr
Credits: 4
Covering 70% of Earth’s surface, it is no surprise that the ocean is an important component of the natural Earth system. However, what might be surprising is that the role of the ocean extends well beyond sustaining the global water cycle and marine ecosystems. For instance, the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the surface ocean is the first step to moving carbon to long

Thermal and Statistical Physics — PHY4108.01

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Credits: 4
In the wake of the Industrial Revolution, physicists developed thermal physics as a way of improving the efficiency of steam engines. At nearly the same time, the development of statistical physics gave birth to an understanding of how large ensembles of particles interacted. We will study both the macroscopic (“Thermal”) and microscopic (“Statistical”) view of systems and the

Thermal and Statistical Physics — PHY4108.01

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Days & Time: MO,TH 10:00am-11:50am
Credits: 4

In the wake of the Industrial Revolution, physicists developed thermal physics as a way of improving the efficiency of steam engines. At nearly the same time, the development of statistical physics gave birth to an understanding of how large ensembles of particles interacted. We will study both the macroscopic (“Thermal”) and microscopic (“Statistical”) view of systems and

Thermal and Statistical Physics — PHY4108.01

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Credits: 4
In the wake of the Industrial Revolution, physicists developed thermal physics as a way of improving the efficiency of steam engines. At nearly the same time, the development of statistical physics gave birth to an understanding of how large ensembles of particles interacted. We will study both the macroscopic (“Thermal”) and microscopic (“Statistical”) view of systems and the

Thermal and Statistical Physics — PHY4108.01

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Credits: 4
In the wake of the Industrial Revolution, physicists developed thermal physics as a way of improving the efficiency of steam engines. At nearly the same time, the development of statistical physics gave birth to an understanding of how large ensembles of particles interacted. We will study both the macroscopic (“Thermal”) and microscopic (“Statistical”) view of systems and the

Topics in Video Game Programming — CS4113.01

Instructor: Justin Vasselli
Credits: 4
Video Game development draws on many different sub-disciplines of computer science.  The game engine that the game is built on is a combination of graphics and physics programming; non-player characters, both friend and foe, are driven by Artificial Intelligence;  network programming connects players from across the room to across the globe.  This course will

Topology — MAT4220.02

Instructor: Andrew McIntyre
Credits: 4
On the surface of a doughnut, there are fundamentally two different ways to wrap a closed path on the surface (through the whole or around the ring); every possible way is a combination of these two. This doesn’t depend on the exact dimensions of the doughnut. For another example, a loop of string tied into a trefoil knot can’t be deformed into a square knot. Topology can be

Understanding PFOA in Our Water — APA2158.01

Instructor: David Bond
Credits: 2
In 2014, the chemical Perfluorooctanoic acid (C8 or PFOA) was discovered in the drinking water in the Village of Hoosick Falls, NY. As concern over this groundwater contamination grew, other communities began testing their water for PFOA. As of March 2016, PFOA has been discovered in the groundwater of Petersburgh, NY, Merrimack, NH, and in North Bennington, VT (the public

Uses and Abuses of Statistics — MAT2103.01

Instructor:
Credits: 4
This course will attempt to answer the question "What is valid data -- and how do you know?" By looking at real life data sets, we will work on reading, assessing, and producing statistics as they relate to different fields. We will work to locate the source data, understand statistical language, and look at how the visual representation of data can change how we perceive facts

Vertebrate Physiology — BIO4115.01

Instructor: Blake Jones
Credits: 4
Physiology is the study of how organisms work. In this course we will focus on the integrative aspects of physiology of vertebrates. We will explore comparative, mechanistic, and functional aspects in the context of how various systems in various taxa are adapted to their environments. We will cover the physiology of selected systems, including skeletal, digestion, circulation,

Visualizing Science — CHE2249.01

Instructor: Dor Ben-Amotz
Days & Time: WE 2:10pm-4:00pm
Credits: 2

In this class we will explore the art and practice of scientific communication. This course is inspired by the work of Edward Tufte as well as a lifetime of experience in scientific research and presentation. Our aim is to learn how to create elegant explanations of complex ideas using pictures, charts, numbers and words. We will analyze

Women and Men: The Biology of the Sexes — BIO2203.01

Instructor: Elizabeth Sherman
Credits: 4
What are the biological differences between men and women and how do they come about? Beyond the obvious reproductive differences, do other biological differences influence the behavior of women and men? For example, not only do women and men differ in various sex hormone levels, but their brains are influenced in different ways by those hormones. To what extent are the

Women and Men: The Biology of the Sexes — BIO2203.01

Instructor: Betsy Sherman
Credits: 4
What are the biological differences between men and women and how do they come about? Beyond the obvious reproductive differences, do other biological differences influence the behavior of women and men? For example, not only do women and men differ in various sex hormone levels, but their brains are influenced in different ways by those hormones. To what extent are the

Your work: Explorations in Mathematics and/or Statistics — MAT4236.01

Instructor: Katie Montovan
Days & Time: TU 2:10pm-5:50pm
Credits: 4

In this experimental class, we will create space for you to pursue work within or near mathematics, statistics, data science, etc. This course is intended for students at a variety of levels of experience with a solid interest in following questions and curiosity to lead to a deeper understanding. You will lead your work, in collaboration and with the support of the class.