Fall 2017 Offerings
Courses numbered in the 390’s and 490’s are offered only once or twice and focus on a specialized topic. These courses are rarely appropriate for first-year students.
Please consult WebAdvisor for the days, times, and locations of these sections.
CMPSC 390 Data Analytics
Professor Bonham-Carter
An introduction to computational and analytical methods for finding patterns in large data sets. Using statistical procedures that they design and implement in programming environments, students extract knowledge from financial, political, scientific, and other data sources, exploring the issues of power and privilege that emerge from their discoveries. Students also learn to contrast their own perspectives with the ones identified by their analyses, reflecting on the ethical consequences of using the power that originates from computationally derived knowledge. During a weekly laboratory session students employ state-of-the-art statistical software to complete projects, reporting on their findings through both written documents and oral presentations. Prerequisite: CMPSC 111.
ENVSC 390 Climate Change Policy
Professor Bethurem
A survey of climate change policy from the local to the international scale. Students explore the political, social, economic, and historical aspects of climate change in order to understand the obstacles and opportunities involved in creating effective environmental policy at multiple scales of governance. Students gain a basic understanding of climate change science as a foundation for the analysis of enacted or proposed policy solutions while exploring innovative local-level action around the world. Prerequisite: ENVSC 110
GHS 492 Culture and Health
Professor Silva
An advanced level seminar-style class that explores the role of cultural and social factors in health and medicine. Using both theoretical texts and specific case studies, students learn to analyze health practices within specific historical, cultural, institutional, and political contexts. Students examine the ways in which health, disease, and medicine function as contested terms that privilege certain visions of individuals and institutions over others with real-world consequences. Prerequisites: GHS 130 and permission of the instructor. Not open to first-year students.
INTDS 395 Learn to see: Lean Six Sigma
Professor O’Brien
An introduction to Lean Six Sigma concepts and tools for creative problem-solving. Lean Six Sigma applies the scientific method to diagnose and solve problems in a wide variety of professional settings. Student apply the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) approach to case studies, conduct experimental design, and use analytical skills and basic statistical concepts to make data-driven decisions and interpretations. Students gain experience with project management and teamwork in a research-based environment. A semester-long group project is required. Not open to first-year students. Credit: two semester hours. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
NEURO 490 Human Perceptual Processes
Professor Connell
An examination of current scientific research and knowledge on human perceptual processes with a focus on vision and touch. Students explore the link between neuroscience and psychology in understanding human perception, behavior, and neural processing through presentations, discussions, and lecture. Prerequisites: One Psych 150-level course, and Bio 385 or Psych 206/207. Corequisite: Neuro 495 Laboratory in Human Perceptual Processes.
NEURO 495 Lab – Human Perceptual Process
Professor Connell
A series of laboratory demonstrations and experiments in perceptual processes. Students learn how to appropriately handle EEG/EOG equipment, record electrophysiological data, pre-process electrophysiological data, and collect behavioral data. The lab is designed to complement material in NEURO 490. One 2-credit laboratory period per week is required. Credit: Two semester hours. Co-requisite: NEURO 490 Human Perceptual Processes.