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Fall 2017 Courses
General Education Courses
ASTR 122 Birth & Death of Stars
Our star, the Sun, is the source of all the energy necessary to sustain life on our world. Students will study the birth, evolution and death of stars in the Milky Way galaxy, with a particular emphasis on the underlying science behind stellar and galactic evolution, the observational aspect to astronomy and our knowledge of how the Universe operates. The interplay between technology (telescopes, space observatories) and knowledge gained about the stars is a key theme to the course.
Scott Fisher, CRN 10970, MWF 1600-1720, 4 credits
Syllabus
BI 132 Introduction to Animal Behavior
We will explore behaviors found in a variety of animals and mechanisms behind them, how they develop, their evolutionary history, and what functions they might serve. Hands-on activities allow us to ask questions about animal behavior and design experiments to search for answers. Examples will be used to illustrate concepts in animal behavior and serve to develop an appreciation for the many interesting things that animals do to survive and reproduce. We will also examine the methods with which scientists study these behaviors. Students will better understand how science works and become comfortable evaluating scientific information, a skill required by all people whether or not they pursue a career in the sciences.
Debbie Schlenoff CRN 11048 TR 1200-1320, 123 GSH, 4 credits
Syllabus
BI 150 The Ocean Planet
Much marine life is easily observed from shore – if one pays attention. Using field trips early in the course, and then facilitated use of field guides and discussion, the course will introduce the general foundations of marine biology, and help students discover the natural world, and their own ability to absorb it and learn about it, even if they are not scientists. Students will work in groups to develop case studies on topics such as oil spills and oil spill response, marine reserves, management of fisheries, and oceans and human health.
As a Science group satisfying course, BI 150 provides an introduction to the foundations of marine biology and introduces scientific reasoning and methodology. In particular, it introduces the natural history of the Oregon coastal environment and helps students differentiate between information obtained using the scientific method and other kinds of information that may also be relevant to solving environmental problems.
Michelle Wood CRN 16390 MW 1600-1720, 112 LIL, 4 credits
Syllabus
CH 111 Introduction to Chemical Principles
Take a moment and look around you. Chemistry is everywhere in our modern society—providing adequate food, clothing and shelter to designing cleaner and more efficient sources of energy, developing new materials for modern medical diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, and creating new modes of communication and data storage. It’s truly amazing how the behavior of atoms, molecules, and ions determines the world we have to live in, our shapes and sizes, and even how we feel on a given day. CH 111 is an introductory chemistry course designed for students with a limited background in chemistry. In addition to lectures, there will be classroom activities, demonstrations and study assignments designed to help you develop the critical thinking skills necessary for a successful chemical adventure.
Randy Sullivan, CRN 16986 MTWR 1200-1250, 123 PAC, 4 credits
Syllabus
CH 114 Green Product Design
This course illustrates how chemists play a central role in developing the knowledge and tools for society, to meet our basic needs for new materials, energy, clean water and food and to address the important challenges of protecting human health and the environment. This course focuses on integrating green chemistry with product design, journalism and communications and sustainable business practices and takes a systems approach to designing greener consumer products. You will gain the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to analyze technical challenged facing you today and in the future.
Julie Haack, CRN 16196 TR 1200-1350, 117 KH, 4 credits
Syllabus
GEOL 101 Earth’s Dynamic Interior
We will build understanding of how past societies adapted to widespread and often dramatic changes in their foods and fuels, and more importantly, how our current society can learn from their successes and failures in addressing contemporary global energy questions. Principles of thermodynamics, geology, and ecology establish a scientific context for consideration of coal and petroleum formation, the dilemmas faced by ancient agricultural societies, the usefulness of fossil fuels in creating mechanical energy and the resulting explosion of growth in the Industrial Revolution, and the transformation of industrialized societies into city-dwelling populations. These considerations lead us to the present day, in which developed societies utterly depend on fossil energy, limits to petroleum and impending climate change are widely acknowledged, and volatile debates pit environmental preservation against natural gas, oil, and coal extraction.
Alan Rempel, CRN 12613 TR 1000-1120, 100 WIL, 4 credits or CRN 12621 TR 1400-1520, 282 LIL, 4 credits
Syllabus
PHYS 152 Physics of Sound and Music
Practical course for students with interest in how musical sounds are created by various instruments and how they travel, are recorded, synthesized, and optimized by auditorium design. Specific families of instruments (e.g. woodwinds, brass, and strings) will be discussed. The concepts of standing waves, overtone series, and enclosures (e.g. instruments) to amplify and focus these waves form the basic foundation of the course. Other topics include the mechanics of how human hearing and voice work and musical temperament and pitch. Descriptions involve elementary math and simple algebra, though Fourier analysis is described and used in a purely utilitarian fashion. Many in-class demonstrations will be done to manifest the physical concepts that have been discussed in lecture.
Daniel Steck, CRN 14983 TR 1400-1550, 100 WIL, 4 credits
Syllabus
PHYS 161 Physics of Energy and Environment
A practical course for non-science majors to introduce the concepts necessary to understand and work with energy. We will learn what energy is, how it is transformed from one form to another (as, for example, from fossil fuels to electrical energy) and how it is used. We will be mostly interested in the relationship of energy to our everyday lives (other than eating), the environmental consequences of global energy consumption, and what this means for the future of our lifestyles. There is no question that major changes in our energy consumption habits will be forced upon us in our lifetimes. We will explore why this will happen and what some of the alternatives might be. The first part of the course will develop a reasonably thorough understanding of energy: mechanics (physics of motion), electricity and magnetism (most versatile form of energy) and thermodynamics (movement of heat). We will learn about mechanical power based on engines (heat, combustion, electrical or solar energy). The last part of the course will deal with our energy lifestyles. We will study the source of and use of fossil fuels, generation of electricity and nuclear energy. The environmental consequences (air pollution, global warming) of our energy use will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on practical examples and in-class demonstrations. Fundamental issues of physics will be discussed with a minimum of mathematics, but we will use high school algebra . Some calculations will be required for homework and some of the exam problems, so a standard calculator will be needed (but a special scientific calculator is not required).
Raghuveer Parthasarathy, CRN 16254 TR 1330-1520, 101 LLCS, 4 credits
Syllabus
PHYS 181 Quantum Mechanics for Everyone
Quantum mechanics (QM) is the theory of nature at its most fundamental level. Although the fruits of our understanding of QM, such as lasers and computers, are familiar technologies, the inner working of atoms and the behavior of electrons and photons are anything but familiar. This course treats the most important ideas of QM, using only basic algebra and geometry. Students will learn about the experiments that led to the creation of QM, explore the theoretical ideas of QM, and learn about modern applications such as quantum cryptography and quantum teleportation. The course employs active, inquiry-based teaching methods to improve creative and critical reasoning. Students will learn through hands-on in-class activities, including experimenting with lasers.
Michael Raymer, CRN 14985 TR 1300-1450, 107 KLA, 4 credits
Syllabus
PSY 407 NeuroEducation
In this introductory course students will be introduced to the biological, psychological, and sociological aspect of neuroscience in the classroom and the different influences on learning. A central focus will be the most prominent brain systems affecting learning and to explore these systems and their implications in educational and laboratory contexts. Selected learning disabilities, teaching methodologies and subject matter will be discussed.
Lauren O’Neil, CRN 16860 W 1000-1150, 257 STB, 3 credits
Syllabus
Courses For Science Majors
CH 221 General Chemistry I
Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes that it undergoes. It is a science that is central to our understanding of the natural world and it serves as a foundation for all other scientific disciplines. The General Chemistry sequence, beginning with CH 221, is designed for science majors and pre-professional students, and provides an introduction to the experimental and theoretical foundations of chemistry. Upon successful completion of this first course in the sequence, students will have an understanding of the basic scientific measurement system, chemical calculations, the components of matter, the use of formulas and equations in relation to chemical calculations, the major classes of chemical reactions, heat changes associated with chemical reactions and atomic structure. Interwoven throughout the sequence will be an emphasis on development of the problem solving skills fundamental for success in future science courses.
Concurrent CH 227 or 237 recommended.
Prerequisite: MATH 111
Deborah Exton, CRN 11392 TWRF 1000-1050, 150 COL, 4 credits
Tom Greenbowe, CRN 11360 TWRF 1100-1150, 150 COL, 4 credits
Syllabus
CAS 409 Practicum Science Literacy Program Scholar
In this practicum, Undergraduate Science Literacy Program Scholars will help co-teach general education science courses with direct supervision from a faculty mentor. Students will be paired with a faculty mentor and Graduate SLP Fellow in a teaching team. Students will attend a weekly science education journal club to explore theories of science education and help develop and implement classroom activities and assessments to support student learning.
Required journal club attendance
Elly Vandegrift, CRN 11299 R 9-950, 217 LISB, 2 credits or CRN 11300 F 13-1350, 217 LISB, 2 credits
Winter 2018 Courses
General Education Courses
ASTR 121 The Solar System
Over the past 20 years there has been an explosion in our understanding of the contents, formation and evolution of the Solar System, mainly due to numerous NASA missions and probes. The study of the characteristics of the other planets has provided tremendous insight and understanding of Earth and the changes under our influence. This course, specifically designed for non-science students, will explore the science behind our exploration of the Solar System providing students with a background to be able to make informed choices as citizens and voters on issues related to our environment and the future of science research.
Scott Fisher, CRN 21582, TR 1400-1550, 115 LA, 4 credits
Syllabus
BI 123 Biology of Cancer
We tend to think of cancer as a single disease that affects many different tissues or organs. However, cancer is really a collection of over one hundred diseases that show various clinical manifestations, but have similar underlying causes and effects: the normal genetic controls of cell division malfunction, allowing a cell to undergo unbridled proliferation. Students will explore the underlying genetic causes of cancer; factors, including lifestyle choices that increase cancer risk; the detection and diagnosis of cancers; and contemporary therapies to mitigate or cure cancers. Finally, the detection and diagnosis of various cancers, how our natural immune defenses respond to cancerous cells, and the therapies to cure or mitigate cancer, both traditional and experimental will be explored.
Alan Kelly, CRN 21652, MWF 1500-1550, 100 WIL, 4 credits
Syllabus
BI 130 Intro to Ecology >3
This course is designed to introduce non-major students to the concepts and issues related to the science of ecology. We begin with two lectures on evolution and natural selection because these ideas are central to all fields of biology, particularly ecology. The rest of the course is divided into three general units: (1) Population ecology: we study different models of population growth and factors that regulate population growth in various organisms, including humans. (2) Community ecology: we study ways in which two or more species interact and apply these ideas to current issues such as invasive species and loss of biodiversity. (3) Ecosystem ecology: we study ecosystem processes such as energy flow and nutrient cycling between various ecosystem components. These are done using a case study such as tall grass prairie ecosystems, fire, and bison grazing.
Tobias Policha, CRN 27542, TR 1400-1520, 180 PLC, 4 credits
Syllabus
HPHY 112 The Science of Health
Causes of U.S. mortality and morbidity have changed dramatically in the last one hundred years. Compared to infectious diseases at the turn of last century, lifestyle factors contribute to the vast majority of premature death and disease. In this course, students will consider the extent to which exercise, diet, drug and sexual choices impact immediate and long-range health. While examining the public impact of health choices such as physical activity, fad diets, and tobacco use, students will also be encouraged to integrate course concepts of disease prevention into their personal practices. Great emphasis will be placed on critical examination of health messages, fads, and misconceptions and that abound in popular culture. The course format is lecture and small group discussion. This course satisfies a group requirement for SCIENCE and is open to all majors.
Robin Hopkins, CRN 26736 TR 1600-1720, 220 HED, 4 credits
Syllabus
PHYS 162 Solar and Renewable Energies
Students will explore current technical choices for electricity and transportation fuels. We will look at sources of alternative and renewable electricity generation such as wind, solar technologies, geothermal turbines, ocean wave devices, and ocean thermal electric conversion. We will also deal with the viability and feasibility of biorefining (e.g. grains based ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, algae production of biofuels) as an effective replacement for gasoline as our main transportation fuel. Issues of over consumption and the vital role that energy conservation plays for the immediate future will also be discussed.
Dean Livelybrooks, CRN 25508 MWF 1100-1150, 100 WIL, 4 credits
Syllabus
PHYS 171 The Physics of Life
What are you made of? This simple question both puzzles and fascinates scientists. It is easy to list you “components” – cells, bones, muscles, etc. – but this is neither interesting nor illuminating. What is it about your flesh that makes you “squishy?” Would you be better off with a skeleton of wood rather than bone? If you shrank a whale to the size of a bacterium, could it swim the same way? These questions bring together concepts from a variety of disciplines, mixing together biology, chemistry, and physics. Students will explore topics in biophysics and biomaterials using readings, discussions, and hands-on activities to study the physical properties of biological materials, as well as the constraints these properties place on living organisms.
Raghu Parthasarathy, CRN 26871 TR 1400-1550, 100 WIL, 4 credits
Syllabus
Courses For Science Majors
BI 212 General Biology II: Organisms
This course is about the development and physiology of plants and animals and focuses on those aspects of physiology that seem to be universal across the enormous range of organisms that have evolved on our planet. We cover the topics of temperature regulation and the constraints imposed by temperature on organism level adaptations, mechanisms of short and long range transport in plants and animals and the constraints that geometry and the nature of diffusion impose on body plans, plant and animal nutrition (including the biology of appetite and the remarkable complexity of soil). We study the five senses and optical illusions by way of the nervous system, and the mechanisms by which plants seem to act as though they had a brain as they respond to various features of light. We cover the topic of development, by which single celled zygotes become complex and diverse organisms with a special emphasis on the genetics of development. Throughout we investigate the roles of natural selection on the physiological features of plants and animals.
Mark Carrier, CRN 21683, MWF 1000-1050, 150 COL, 4 Credits
Syllabus
BI 322 Cell Biology
The cell is an amazing, complex and dynamic unit of life. This course explores various aspects of how eukaryotic cells carry out their many basic functions while interacting with their environment. Students learn how defects at the cellular level lead to disease states, examine the primary literature, and consider experimental design and analysis. By the end of the course, students can model the dynamic nature of cellular processes, explain the function of organelles, communicate how defects at the cellular level lead to disease states and could be targeted for specific therapies, develop testable hypotheses based on provided information, design experiments to test hypotheses, and analyze and interpret provided data.
Nicola Barber, CRN 21707, TR 1400-1520, 220 CHA, 4 credits
Syllabus
BI 484 Molecular Evolution
In this course we explore how evolution occurs on a molecular scale. Guided largely by discussion of primary research, students will gain an understanding of the forces and mechanisms by which genes, genomes, and proteins change over time. As an upper level course, students will both assimilate and apply knowledge in molecular evolution to evaluate and propose new areas of investigation in the field. We will cover classical studies as well as recent research using cutting-edge genetic and molecular approaches. Topics include mutation, genetic drift, tests of natural selection, molecular phylogenetics, evolutionary genomics, evolution of protein function, gene regulation, and chromosome evolution.
Matt Barber, CRN 26940, TR 1400-1550, 201 CON, 4 credits
Syllabus
CH 222 General Chemistry II
Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes that it undergoes. It is a science that is central to our understanding of the natural world and it serves as a foundation for all other scientific disciplines.The second course in the sequence, CH 222, is designed for science majors and pre-professional students, and provides an introduction to the experimental and theoretical foundations of chemistry. Upon successful completion of CH 222, students will have an understanding of molecular structure and chemical bonding, the properties of gases, liquids and solids, changes of physical state, solutions and solubility, and reaction rates. Interwoven throughout the sequence will be an emphasis on development of the problem solving skills fundamental for success in future science courses.
Concurrent CH 227 or 237 recommended.
Deborah Exton, CRN 21953, TWRF 1100-1150, 150 COL, 4 credits
Tom Greenbowe, CRN 21954, TWRF 1500-1550, 150 COL, 4 credits
Syllabus
GEOL 462 Environmental Geomechanics
Application of fluid and solid mechanics to understanding processes in the earth and environmental sciences. Offered alternate years.
Alan Rempel, CRN 26973 MW 1400-1520, 254 COL, 4 credits
Syllabus
PHYS 205 Introductory Physics Lab
In this continuation of PHYS 204, students will engage with a practical exploration of the principles studied in general-physics lecture. Students apply measurement and analysis methods to experiments in mechanics, waves, sound, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics.
Billy Scannell, CRN 25529, Multiple dates/times offered, 13 WIL, 2 credits
Syllabus
PHYS 413 Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism
In this continuation of PHYS 412, students continue the study of classical electricity and magnetism. Students will use the tools of vector calculus to solve for the static and dynamic properties of electromagnetic fields. PHYS 413 includes time-independent current distributions (magnetostatics), magnetic properties of matter, and initial coverage of fully time-dependent problems. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze complex problems cutting across multiple domains of physics, communicate physics concepts orally and in writing, and understand principles and concepts of electricity and magnetism.
Stephanie Majewski, CRN 25564, MWF 1100-1150, 110 WIL, 4 credits
Syllabus
Spring 2018 Courses
General Education Courses
ASTR 121 The Solar System
Over the past 20 years there has been an explosion in our understanding of the contents, formation and evolution of the Solar System, mainly due to numerous NASA missions and probes. The study of the characteristics of the other planets has provided tremendous insight and understanding of Earth and the changes under our influence. This course, specifically designed for non-science students, will explore the science behind our exploration of the Solar System providing students with a background to be able to make informed choices as citizens and voters on issues related to our environment and the future of science research.
Scott Fisher, CRN 30874, 4 credits
Syllabus
BI 150 The Ocean Planet
Much marine life is easily observed from shore – if one pays attention. Using field trips to the Oregon coast early in the course, and then facilitated use of field guides and discussion, the course will introduce the general foundations of marine biology, and help students discover the natural world, and their own ability to absorb it and learn about it, even if they are not scientists. Students will work in groups to develop case studies on topics such as oil spills and oil spill response, marine reserves, management of fisheries, and oceans and human health. Students will learn foundations of marine biology and scientific reasoning and methodology and information that may also be relevant to solving environmental problems.
Michelle Wood, CRN 36206, MW 1400-1520, 4 credits
BI 160 From Brains to Intelligent Machines
A course designed for non-science majors to understand how the brain acquires information and drives behavior, and how scientists and engineers attempt to replicate these abilities in computers and artificial intelligence systems. Students will be introduced to the process of scientific reasoning and use those skills to discuss the neural processes behind learning, memory, decision-making, and thinking. Parallels will be made between the way the brain and computers process information and perform computations. Students will grapple with questions such as: What happens if our intelligent machines become too intelligent? What are the implications to society of intelligent machines and technologies for interfacing brains and machines?
Santiago Jaramillo, CRN 35852, MW 1600-1720, 125 MCK, 4 credits
Syllabus
GEOL 103 Evolving Earth
We will explore the geological history of the Earth with an emphasis on biological evolution, the fossil record, and factors involved in maintaining habitable surface environments. We will also discuss the geological time scale, geological maps and sections, and fossil recognition in the field and hands-on laboratories. We start with theories of the origin of the universe and solar system and proceeds through major events in the evolution of surface environments such as the oxygenation of the atmosphere, the evolutionary radiation of marine invertebrates, the rise of plants on land, major extinctions of trilobites and dinosaurs, and the evolution of humans and other mammals. Students will learn about carbon and sulfur cycles,icehouse, and greenhouse global paleoclimatic regimes and how they regulate the Earth’s air and water.
Edward Davis, CRN 32402, MW 1000-1120, 123 GSH, 4 credits
Syllabus
HC 441H Bioinspired Design
In this class, we will study the topic of bioinspired design, the investigation of principles and functions found in biological organisms and systems. This cross-disciplinary, creative area of study can help us develop a mechanistic understanding of the natural world and can also lead to exciting new technologies. Class activities will primarily feature discussion of primary literature, mostly in natural science but with some forays into the social sciences. Grades will be based on class participation, written analysis of the papers we read, and a term project that includes both a research paper and a short in-class presentation.
Kelly Sutherland, CRN 32560, MW 1400-1550, 202 CHA, 4 credits
HC 441H Bread 101
Bread is a very complex medium, looking nothing like the original seed of grain from which it originates. Yet when we mix a few simple ingredients we are able to induce a transformation that results in an edible, highly nourishing, staple food product crucial for sustenance in many cultures. In “Bread 101,” students will explore with a team of faculty from the sciences and humanities the energy requirements, biomedical and biochemical aspects, and local and sociopolitical context of bread production. Students will read and discuss a variety of primary and secondary literature related to wheat production, the microbiological, chemical, and physical processes that transform wheat into bread, the energy cost of this transformation, and cultural implications of bread production. There will likely be a field trip and guest speakers. Course work will include active discussions, short essays, problem sets, and larger projects.
Elly Vandegrift, Judith Eisen, and Karen Guillemin, CR 32561, MW 1200-1350, CHA, 4 credits
Courses for Science Majors
BI 212 General Biology II: Organisms
This course is about the development and physiology of plants and animals and focuses on those aspects of physiology that seem to be universal across the enormous range of organisms that have evolved on our planet. We cover the topics of temperature regulation and the constraints imposed by temperature on organism level adaptations, mechanisms of short and long range transport in plants and animals and the constraints that geometry and the nature of diffusion impose on body plans, plant and animal nutrition (including the biology of appetite and the remarkable complexity of soil). We study the five senses and optical illusions by way of the nervous system, and the mechanisms by which plants seem to act as though they had a brain as they respond to various features of light. We cover the topic of development, by which single celled zygotes become complex and diverse organisms with a special emphasis on the genetics of development. Throughout we investigate the roles of natural selection on the physiological features of plants and animals.
Mark Carrier, CRN 30957, MWF 1100-1150, 180 PLC, 4 credits
BI 322 Cell Biology
The cell is an amazing, complex and dynamic unit of life. This course explores various aspects of how eukaryotic cells carry out their many basic functions while interacting with their environment. Students learn how defects at the cellular level lead to disease states, examine the primary literature, and consider experimental design and analysis. By the end of the course, students can model the dynamic nature of cellular processes, explain the function of organelles, communicate how defects at the cellular level lead to disease states and could be targeted for specific therapies, develop testable hypotheses based on provided information, design experiments to test hypotheses, and analyze and interpret provided data.
Annie Powell, CRN 30989, TR 1200-1320, 229 MCK, 4 credits
BI 374 Conservation Biology
Conservation biology is a multidisciplinary, applied science devoted to preserving the remaining biological diversity of our planet. Students study the foundational concepts and principles of conservation biology and use case studies and examples to illustrate these principles in practice. In this course, examine the causes and consequences of diversity losses; the genetic and evolutionary consequences of small populations; population viability modeling and other tools; and approaches to conserving diversity including reserve design, corridors, captive breeding, species reintroductions, and conservation laws.
Debbie Schlenoff, CRN 31007, MW 1200-1320 + Discussion, 4 credits
PHYS 206 Introductory Physics Lab
In this continuation of PHYS 204 and PHYS 205, students will engage with a practical exploration of the principles studied in general-physics lecture. Students apply measurement and analysis methods to experiments in mechanics, waves, sound, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics.
Billy Scannell, CRN 25529, 2 credits
PHYS 290 Foundations of Physics Lab
In this lab, students will engage with a practical exploration of the principles studied in foundational physics lecture courses. Students are introduced to laboratory measurements, reports, instrumentation, and experimental techniques in this applied physics lab.
Stephanie Majewski, CRN 34791, T 1000-1050 + Lab, 110 WIL, 1 credit