FACULTY & STUDENT RESOURCES
Environmental Courses
Core
Foreign Cultures
Foreign Cultures 93. Pathways through the Andes--History, Culture, and Politics in Andean South America - (New Course) 2073
G. Urton Spring Tu., Th., 1-2:30, and a weekly section to be arranged
The Andes of South America is a region of exceptional environmental diversity--from the Pacific coast to the high peaks and down into the Amazonian forest. Within this complex environment, Pre-Columbian civilizations arose and fell until the Incas united the region into an empire, which fell to Europeans in 1532. From the European invasion to the present day, Andeans have made their own history in contact with their neighbors and nations around the globe. This course will explore Andean cultures and societies from Pre-Columbian civilizations to the modern, dynamic Latin American nations of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile.
Historical Study
Historical Study A-12. International Conflict and Cooperation in the Modern World 5129
S. P. Rosen and M. J. Hiscox Spring M, W, F., 10, and 90-minute weekly section
An introduction to the theory and history of world politics. Why do states wage war? Why do they cooperate? Have the answers changed historically? Are economic globalization, ecological interdependence, and global civil society eroding state sovereignty? Or do nationalism, protectionism, and power politics firmly limit world order? The course begins with the Peloponnesian War, the European state system, imperialism, the rise of free trade, and the two World Wars. It continues after 1945 with the Cold War, the spread of democracy and human rights, trade liberalization, international law, ecological cooperation, nuclear weapons, civil strife, and rogue states.
Historical Study B-45. The Darwinian Revolution 8691
J. Browne Spring M, W., 11, and a weekly section TBA
An examination of the intellectual structure and social context of evolutionary ideas as they developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, with particular emphasis on Darwinism as a major transformation in Western thought. Topics include an introduction to origin stories in different cultures; the natural history tradition in the West; evolutionary thought before Darwin; key aspects of Darwin’s ideas; the comparative reception of Darwinism in Britain, US, Germany, Russia and France; social Darwinism, eugenics and racial theories; early genetics and biological determinism; the search for the gene; and religious controversy.
Quantitative Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning 46. The Visual Display of Information: The Art of Numbers 9479
A. A. Goodman Spring Tu, Th, 1–2:30, and a weekly section TBA
This course focuses on the insight into quantitative information offered by graphs, tables, charts, maps, and other illustrations. We analyze which of these tools are best for communicating what kinds of data, and why. Ideas about causality, approximation, statistical significance, credibility, and dimensionality will be addressed by analyzing real data and their display. The data will be drawn from medical, astronomical, social-science, aerospace, financial, and geographic examples. Approximately one-quarter of the course will focus on web and live presentations of data. Much of the course’s philosophy is based on the work of Edward Tufte.
Quantitative Reasoning 50. Medical Detectives 5707
K. B. Michels Fall M, W, F., 9, and a weekly section TBA
Why is there confusion in the scientific community as to whether butter or margarine is worse for your health? How do epidemiologists find out whether cell phone use increases your risk for brain cancer? What is your risk of contracting diabetes? Discover how researchers draw on quantitative skills to detect causes of acute disease outbreaks and chronic diseases. This course introduces the techniques and methods for empirically based analyses, decisions, and actions in the context of current public health problems.
Science
Science A-24. The Dynamic Earth 3744
R. J. O'Connell Spring M., W., F., 10, a weekly section TBA, and one three-day camping field trip during Reading Period.
A discussion of physical processes that formed the Earth and govern its continuing evolution. How internal workings shape the planetís surface, producing volcanism, earthquakes, and the uplift of mountains. The course describes the theory of plate tectonics; reviews the observations and phenomena that led to the hypothesis; describes methods of deducing the present state, composition, and structure of the Earthís interior; discusses the age and the thermal state of the Earth and the evidence for the flow and mobility of the interior. Students are encouraged to think critically, and to appreciate the uncertainties in current models and hypotheses. Note: Expected to be omitted in 2008-09. Enrollment: Limited to 100.
Science A-30. The Atmosphere 0477
S. C. Wofsy Spring Tu, Th, 10–11:30, and a weekly section TBA
The physical and chemical processes that regulate climate and the composition of the atmosphere are introduced, including mechanics, thermodynamics, radiation, chemical kinetics, atmospheric temperature and precipitation, weather and climate, human activity as a factor for change, influence of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel on the climate, modification of stratospheric ozone by industrial chemicals, air pollution, and acid rain. Note: expected to be omitted in 2008-09. Enrollment: Limited to 60.
Science A-35. Matter in the Universe 5923
R. P. Kirshner Spring Tu, Th, 11:30–1, and a weekly section TBA
The nature and history of matter revealed by astronomical observation and experimental physics. Explores the Big Bang and models of the universe, stellar evolution and supernova explosions, evidence for invisible matter, and the development of structure in the universe. Demonstrates the physical principles used to interpret astronomical data and to construct a model for the evolution of the universe on the microscopic and cosmic scales. Examines the way microscopic properties of matter determine properties of people, stars, galaxies, and the universe as a whole. Enrollment: Limited to 325.
Science A-36. Observing the Sun and the Stars 4775
J. E. Grindlay Fall Tu, Th, 11:30–1, and two 1-hour laboratory sessions (day and evening) TBA
Direct observations of the Sun and the stars to learn how we can understand the Galaxy and the Universe from stars, the basic building blocks. Students conduct visual observations to measure apparent motions of the Sun and stars, laboratory experiments with light and spectra, and make telescopic observations of the Sun and stars using modern instrumentation to explore their energy output, relative distances, temperatures and chemical composition, and something of their life histories. Lectures and readings discuss the physical nature and evolution of stars as well as how stars are organized in our both Milky Way Galaxy and the Universe. Note: Expected to be omitted in 2008–09.
Science A-43. Environmental Risks and Disasters 6001
B. J. Meade Fall M, W, F., 11, and a 60-minute weekly section TBA
An introduction to risks in the environment. Different types of hazards are analyzed and compared: natural disasters, such as tornados, earthquakes, and meteorite impacts; adverse health effects caused by exposure to radiation and toxic substances, such as radon, asbestos, and arsenic; long-term effects due to environmental change, such as sea-level rise and global warming. Emphasizes the basic physical principles controlling the hazardous phenomena and develops simple quantitative methods for making scientifically reasoned assessments of the threats posed by hazardous events, processes, and exposures. Discusses methods of risk mitigation and sociological, psychological, and economic aspects of risk control and management.
Science A-47. Cosmic Connections 6940
D. Charbonneau Fall M., W., F., 10, and a weekly section TBA
This course will examine the origin and evolution of stars and planets, and will consider connections between astronomical events and the conditions that seem necessary for life to develop. The underlying theme is that humans are a part of an evolving Universe and that our presence is linked to the cosmos at large. To tell this story, we must talk about how the Earth and the Sun came about, and ultimately how the Milky Way and the Universe were created.
Science A-50. Invisible Worlds: Micro- and Nanothings. Science, Technology, and Public Policy 5565
G. M. Whitesides and M. Prentiss Fall M., W., F., 10, and a weekly section TBA
What we perceive as "reality" is the best effort of our senses to interpret a deeper, largely invisible, reality that is unnervingly strange. This course will survey the world of very small things, objects with dimensions of nanometers and micrometers. The behaviors of these objects are often entirely counterintuitive; they can also be quite useful. Micro- and nanostructures are the basis both of fundamentally new science, and of ubiquitous technologies: quantum dots, computers, the biological nanomotors that power muscle, buckyballs, tools for examining single mammalian cells, lasers. The course will describe these objects and how they function; it will also touch on issues of commercialization, economics, public policy, and ethics that spring from the avalanche of discovery and invention in this area.
Science A-52. Energy, Environment, and Industrial Development 1387
F. H. Abernathy Spring M, W, F., 11:30–1, and a weekly section TBA
Prerequisite: Students are expected to have a background of high school algebra and trigonometry.
Uses the historical background of industrial development from the New England Industrial Revolution as the framework for studying the technical aspects of succeeding waves of industrial development. Study and understanding of the underlying technologies will develop the technical knowledge and computational skills to prepare citizens to make informed numerical estimates of energy use and environmental consequences of current and proposed energy and industrial systems. Principles of physics and chemistry are worked into the course as dictated by the topics.
Science A-54. Life as a Planetary Phenomenon 5680
D.D. Sasselov Spring Tu, Th, 11:30–1, and a weekly section TBA
This course considers the relationship between life and the planet on which it resides. It examines the scientific quest to understand where life might thrive beyond Earth. On Earth, life was born of planetary processes and has been sustained by plate tectonics and other physical processes. Through evolution, life has in fact emerged as a major influence on our planet’s surface. Fundamental features of terrestrial life and evolution are addressed in the context of astronomy, planetary physics, and chemistry. These, in turn, provide a basis for the exploration for other habitable planets, both within our solar system and in the greater universe.
Science B-23. The Human Organism 6581
J. D. Brain (Public Health), S. A. Shore (Public Health), R. L. Verrier (Medical School) Spring M, W, F., 12, plus two 2-hour labs and periodic section meetings to explore special topics in depth
The physiology and pathophysiology of the human body will be presented with special emphasis on cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, and reproductive biology. Besides learning human biology, students will identify critical determinants of their health, as well as the health status of diverse communities. Topics include not only the normal functioning of these systems, but also their responses to infection, injury, and environmental stress. Through lectures and laboratories, students will explore how their own body functions. The relative power of diagnosis and treatment of disease (medicine) versus primary prevention of disease (public health) in promoting health will be emphasized.
Science B-35. How to Build a Habitable Planet 7621
C. H. Langmuir Fall Tu, Th, 10–11:30, and a weekly section TBA
The steps involved in creation of our habitable planet: the Big Bang, origin of the elements, formation of minerals, origin of the solar system, formation of planets, origin of life, co-evolution of ocean, atmosphere, solid earth, and biosphere, development of plate tectonics, operation of the modern whole earth system, and climate regulation. Finally we consider the arising of intelligent life that can understand and influence the planetary system, and whether Earth may be a microcosm reflecting laws of planetary evolution that may be common to a class of planets throughout the universe, or alternatively may be a low probability accident.
Science B-53. Marine Biology 7050
R. M. Woollacott Fall Tu, Th, 1–2:30, and a two-hour weekly section/lab TBA, including one required fieldtrip.
Explores the life histories and adaptations of marine life and the ecosystems of the sea. Centers on the complex interrelationships of organisms, the diversity of various habitats, reproductive strategies, and speciation, as well as the interplay of currents, light, temperature, and nutrient supply on the distribution of life in the sea. Note: Expected to be omitted in 2008-09.
Science B-64. Feeding the World: Plants, Productivity, and Limits to Growth 2078
N. M. Holbrook, N. Tuross Spring M, W, F., 11, and a weekly section TBA
What is the capacity of our planet to feed the ever-increasing human population? How do we define a healthy human diet? Here we consider food as a biological resource and an ecological process, addressing such themes as the biological basis for agricultural productivity, the history of human innovation in increasing crop production, and the relationship between diet and health. Specific topics include plant and animal domestication, the efficiency of energy conversion by plants and animals, the biochemistry of food and digestion, the opportunities (and risks) associated with genetic manipulation and food preparation, and the challenges resulting from climate change.
Social Analysis
Social Analysis 10. Principles of Economics 3660
N. G. Mankiw, and members of the Economics Department Fall and Spring M., W., F., 12; Sections also meet at 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, or 2.
Introduction to economic issues and basic principles and methods of economics. Fall term focuses on microeconomics: how markets work, market efficiency and market failure, firm and consumer behavior, and policy issues such as taxation, international trade, the environment, and the distribution of income. Spring term focuses on macroeconomics: economic growth, inflation, unemployment, the business cycle, the financial system, international capital flows and trade imbalances, and the impact of monetary and fiscal policy. Note: Microeconomics (taught in the fall term) is a prerequisite for macroeconomics (taught in the spring term). Students may elect to take only the fall microeconomics course and receive a half-course credit. Taught in a mixture of lectures and small sections. No calculus is used, and there is no mathematics background requirement. Designed for both potential economics concentrators and those who plan no further work in the field. The Department of Economics strongly encourages students considering concentration to take the full-year course in their freshman year. This is a required course for all economics concentrators and a prerequisite for higher level courses in economics.
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