Spring 2026 Course Search

Modern Guitar — MIN4224.01

Instructor: Hui Cox
Days & Time:
Credits: 2

Modern Guitar is a one on one private lesson.  Occasionally if two students are about the same level the class will accommodate two students at a time.

It is expected that a firm grasp of all the concepts taught in Beginning and Intermediate Guitar are fully understood.

If you haven’t taken these classes you would have to audition to receive the instructors permission to demonstrate skills.

Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism (with Lab) — PHY4327.01

Instructor: Tim Schroeder
Days & Time: M/Th 10:00AM-11:50AM, W 8:30AM-12:10PM (Lab)
Credits: 5

How does influence travel from one thing to another? In Newton’s mechanics of particles and forces, influences travel instantaneously across arbitrarily far distances. Newton himself felt this to be incorrect, but he did not suggest a solution to this problem of “action at a distance.” To solve this problem, we need a richer ontology: The world is made not only of particles, but also of fields. As examples of the field concept, we study the theory and applications of the electric field and the magnetic field.

Stars and Galaxies — PHY2106.01

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

All but a handful of the objects you see in the night sky are stars in our Galaxy, the Milky Way. Although we know about these stars only from studying their light, we know today that they are not just points of light, but large, gravitationally‐bound balls of plasma governed by the laws of physics. Stars, together with dust, gas, and dark matter, are found in larger structures – galaxies. In turn, galaxies, are located in even larger structures called galaxy groups and galaxy clusters.

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 when it travels through different materials? How do humans sense light both in and outside of the visible spectrum? How does our perception of color affect how we interpret our world?

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 fundamentals that underlie sound and is designed to serve as an introduction to those who are interested in going further.

Robotics and STEM Education: A Workshop — EDU2107.01

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Days & Time: FR 10:30am-12:20pm
Credits: 1

In this course, students will gain experience with using simple programmable robots and how they can be utilized in STEM education. The focus of this class will be on learning and designing lessons for K-12 students utilizing these robots. This class is accessible for students at all levels of computer programming experience (including none). 

Intermediate Ear Training — MTH4284.01

Instructor: Joseph Alpar
Days & Time: MO,TH 1:40pm-3:30pm
Credits: 4

In this course, students will develop skills in aural perception, learning to visualize, sing, and notate music through melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic exercises. Students will learn to identify key signatures, intervals, 7th chords, triads, key relationships, common cadences and phrase structures, larger forms, tempo markings, and more.

Special Projects in Advanced Japanese — JPN4801.01

Instructor: Ikuko Yoshida
Days & Time: TU,FR 10:30am-12:20pm
Credits: 4

This course enables students to undertake the research essential for composing their thesis or completing a project within their field of study or area of interest. Enrollment requires the submission of a comprehensive project proposal to Ikuko Yoshida, which must include a project title, a brief description, a list of relevant preparatory courses, and clearly articulated objectives and goals. 

Digital Book Project: Analyzing Social and Cultural Values in Japan — JPN4404.01

Instructor: Ikuko Yoshida
Days & Time: TU,FR 8:30am-10:20am
Credits: 4

This fourth-term Japanese course is purposefully designed to enable students to create digital books that promote cultural understanding among Japanese children. The curriculum begins with students engaging with short stories and Japanese animations to analyze expected behaviors and communication styles among Japanese children. Additionally, students examine social and cultural values in Japan—focusing on how these values are conveyed and how gender roles are represented in children’s literature and media.

Representation of Cultural Values in Japanese Children’s Books — JPN4219.01

Instructor: Ikuko Yoshida
Days & Time: MO,WE,TH 8:30am-9:50am
Credits: 5

In this second-term Japanese course, students will explore Japanese cultural values and create digital books that reflect Japanese values. Students will read Japanese children’s books and watch children’s TV shows to examine how social and cultural values are portrayed and taught. Based on their analysis and understanding of Japan's social and cultural values, students will write their own digital storybooks, which aim to teach children about embracing cultural differences as a final project.

Life and Death: Buddhism in Modern Japanese Films — JPN4604.01

Instructor: Ikuko Yoshida
Days & Time: MO,TH 1:40pm-3:30pm
Credits: 4

In this sixth-term Japanese course, students will examine how Buddhism influenced Japanese thought on the afterlife and analyze how Japanese views on the relationship between life and death are depicted in Japanese films.  In the first seven weeks of the course, students will examine and discuss the history, beliefs, and deities of Buddhism, as well as their influences on society.  In the second half of the term, students will analyze how death and the common theme of reincarnation are depicted in different genres of Japanese films, such as love stories and

Advanced Observing Projects — PHY4326.01

Instructor: Hugh Crowl
Days & Time: MO 3:40pm-5:30pm
Credits: 2

Students will observe using the telescopes at Stickney Observatory for a series of astronomical observing projects. After a range of initial assigned projects designed to acquaint students with the capabilities of the observing equipment and astrophysically interesting observations, students will propose and carry out their own observing projects looking at astrophysical phenomena of interest to them. As this is a projects class, it is expected that students will be able to devote significant time (mostly at night) observing on their own or in small teams.