Subject: USNA

Term: Spring 2016

USNA 204: The Evolution of Scientific Ideas (100/5854)

TR 04:30-05:45 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Burgess-Van Aken, B

Scientific understanding has evolved over the years. There are very few beliefs about the natural world that have remained intact over the past few centuries, or even the past few decades. The chief goal of the course will be to give students an understanding of how scientific ideas change and how newer ideas supersede the old. Questions to be investigated include: What is Science? How do disciplinary scientific communities (physicists, chemists, biologists, etc.) form and identify themselves? How does the community of scientists within a discipline come to a consensus that it is time to adopt a new paradigm: What scientific, social, political, and cultural factors come into play during the periods of transition? The course will be in seminar format. The students will be given opportunities to explicitly develop critical thinking skills (the specific skills to be developed will be selected by the class from an explicit list) and writing and speaking skills. Class meetings will be used to share their research results and to study the assigned texts and papers. The students will be required to demonstrate their understanding in a variety of ways.

USNA 211: Einstein, Space and Time (100/11036)

TR 10:00-11:15 AM Jan 11-Apr 25

Kriessler, J

This course will explore the profound changes in our conception of space and time brought about by Einstein's theories of special and general relativity. As a University Seminar, it will also integrate writing and discussion about these topics into the class and explore the philosophical and technological context in which the ideas were developed.

USNA 228: Time (100/5890)

TR 01:15-02:30 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Kernan, P

This seminar course will explore the nature of time from many stances, including those of Psychology, Biology, Technology and Philosophy. Yet time is central to Physics, and in Physics we will orient our explorations of time. Our understanding of time has sharpened a great deal in the last few centuries, the most obvious markers being Newton's Absolute time, which remains entrenched in modern culture, and its subsequent physical overthrow by Einstein's relativity. Given the physical primacy of Einstein's time, many questions arise: How malleable is the concept of time? Is there a fact of time? Can the present be defined? The past? The future? The successes of modern Cosmology lead us to ask: Was there a beginning of time? Will time end? The symmetry of fundamental physical laws with respect to the direction of time, counterpointed by asymmetric phenomena, lead to: Is there a master arrow of time? Is the flow of time an illusion? In this course we will investigate what "Time" is telling us about the natural world and ourselves.

USNA 247: Epidemics in Human History (100/5889)

MW 04:00-05:15 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Maguire, M

This course will examine the role of epidemics (of all types) in human history. Disease has shaped our society in many ways and continues to do so. Despite the plethora of antibiotic and antiviral drugs since 1940, 90% of the decrease in (First World) infectious disease is due to simple public health measures and better hygiene. But overuse of antibiotics increasingly is causing the rapid evolution of "superbugs" that threaten new plagues and epidemics. Both historical and modern epidemics of plague, smallpox, Salmonella, cholera, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS will be examined. The interaction of these epidemics with societies and how the epidemics influence society, cultures, art, and literature will be major topics of discussion. The course is primarily discussion with short student presentations. In addition, 3-4 short "Front Lines" talks by and discussion with CWRU and University Hospital clinicians will explore today's realities of epidemics, infection, and antibiotic resistance in the United States, Uganda, South Africa and elsewhere.

USNA 249: Restoring the Great Lakes: Opportunities and Challenges (100/11223)

TR 06:00-07:15 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Odenbrett, G

This seminar will focus on the issues and methods of restoring the Great Lakes, with particular emphasis on public action and decision-making processes. Students will learn about the environmental history of the lakes, as well as current challenges to improving water quality and related aspects of the ecosystem. Technical experts, field trips, and other informational resources will enable seminar participants to engage in lively debates on the best ways to address those challenges. Opportunities for observation of and/or direct collaboration with key stakeholders in the restoration process will enhance students' understanding of the processes by which key environmental decisions are made and implemented.

USNA 260: Life in the Past (100/10894)

MW 02:00-03:15 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Ricca, B

This course will focus on how we learn, discover, and make conclusions about life in the deep past. What types of life were present? And how can we understand their extinction? A principal focus will be how extinctions in North and South America have affected both the land and its animals and, consequently, the course of human development. We will look at megafauna from the local area in conjunction with the "Extreme Mammals" exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, read about the fossil boom, study the Dodo, and look at scientific ways in which animals are currently being completely re-imagined via technology (computer bone/muscle articulation, eating habits, climate models, etc.). We will also look at the cultural ways in which we view these "dinosaurs" (movies, children's books, museum exhibits) and see if it helps or hurts our scientific and historical understanding of them. At heart, our main question will be: can you really understand a time, space and creature that has been extinct for millions of years? How? Why? And why do these "monsters" hold such fascination for us? Does their disappearance bode well of the human race?

USNA 262: How I Learned to Love The Bomb (100/10893)

MW 09:00-10:15 AM Jan 11-Apr 25

Absher, A

Please note that you will not be able to add this class after January 15th without the consent of Dr. Absher.

USNA 265: Thinking National Parks (100/11026)

TR 11:30-12:45 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Chilton, E

This seminar provides students an opportunity to explore U.S. national parks and their history of displaying both nature and culture. This discussion-based, writing- and research-focused class requires students to examine a park system that is both extraordinarily popular and rife with controversy. We begin with several recurring questions: Where did the national parks idea come from? How has the park mission evolved and adapted? Can parks be "read" as texts, and if so, how does our point of view determine what we see? How do parks arrange displays of cultural and natural worlds, and how do they display interactions therein? How can changing park philosophies be reflected in their physical apparatus and infrastructure? Students will participate in regular class discussions, occasionally lead these same discussions, complete formal writing assignments, and develop a final research project. The course readings will alternate between historical and present-day selections, so that we explore the history of U.S. national parks while simultaneously considering challenges and controversies that matter very much today. Early readings will include John Muir and Gifford Pinchot; current trends will be explored in the writings of William Cronon, Alfred Runte, and Jennifer Price, among many others. We will view significant portions of Ken Burns' recent PBS series The National Parks: America's Best Idea. The ultimate "text" for the class, however, is an actual national park. Each student will choose a national park as the basis for their semester-long project. Students will begin with description and history of their park, and then they will explore controversies or other issues in the park, developing their own argument. Next, students will have a chance to play architect/landscaper/park-superintendent, as they propose a change to the park that would address an existing problem or enhance the visitors' experience. Finally, students will gather these pieces into a single coherent project, submitting a 10-15 page final essay as well as producing an engaging class presentation.

USNA 272: The Thames Watershed (100/10892)

F 12:30-01:45 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Olbricht, E

Enrollment in this course is by permission only because of a mandatory trip to London, England over spring break. Students must apply to take the course through the study abroad website (http://www.case.edu/studyabroad/). The deadline for application and submission of a $200 deposit is December 1. There is a $1700 course fee which includes the deposit.

USNA 287J: Transportation in American Life (100/11166)

MW 04:00-05:15 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Hoeynck, J

We will explore the critical role of transportation in the development of our cities, regions, states, and nation. The course will consider the historic role of transportation, its current role, and what role it might play in the future. Transportation will be viewed in the context of national policies, overall political will, and our culture at large. Since colonial times, transportation, in its many forms, has been the subject of intense debate, governmental policies, as well as the subject of public and private investment. We will see how certain individuals and groups used ego, power, and wealth to use transportation for shaping the nation's commerce, travel patterns, and physical appearance. We'll also see the evolution of government and business in transportation decisions and funding. Finally, because of transportation's daily impact, we will look at current issues as part of every class. We will especially focus on the transportation issues of northeast Ohio, a microcosm of national transportation issues. Some of these issues include funding, decision-making, land use, "suburban sprawl," and economic development. We'll also look at transportation issues specific to the University Circle area such as the Health Line and the proposed "Opportunity Corridor."

USNA 287K: Human Research Ethics: Scientific Truth vs. Cultural Belief (100/5883)

MW 09:00-10:15 AM Jan 11-Apr 25

Householder, M

Scientific breakthroughs in genetics, neuroscience, and behavioral psychology have allowed us to learn more about ourselves than ever before. But how much do we really want to know - and who gets to decide? Is DNA our destiny? Should the quest for scientific knowledge trump cultural belief? How does society balance risk to a few in the face of the needs of the many? Using a blend of historical documents and literary examples, we will examine the evolution of the ethical standards that govern how doctors experiment on their patients. We will also debate the hard choices that medical researchers make when the quest for scientific truth intersects with cultural belief. Finally, we will apply what we have learned to find solutions to real-world ethical problems in medical research.

USNA 287U: Energy - The Great Challenge Ahead (100/5920)

MW 12:30-01:45 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Scherson, D

Among the greatest challenges we face today is to find means of meeting our energy requirements without jeopardizing the environment or fostering geopolitical conflicts. This course investigates what we can do both individually and collectively to tackle this energy challenge. The questions we will consider include: To what extent is the world aware of the energy challenge and its environmental implications? What is already being done to meet this challenge? What role can technology play in addressing it? What research can we be doing now to help predict the future of our energy needs and potential environmental impacts? By investigating these questions, students will develop a fuller and more precise understanding of the energy challenge, as well as generate possible solutions. Students may not receive credit for both USNA 287U and USNA 288L.

USNA 287W: Dieting: Dogma, Facts, Fads (100/10890)

TR 01:15-02:30 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Sterne, S

Americans spend billions annually on diet products and lifestyle plans, many of which promise that we can "Lose 30 pounds in 30 days!" or "Eat anything and still lose weight!" While such claims sound too good to be true, millions of Americans buy into these rapid weight-loss plans, quick fixes, and popular diets. How have misinformation and mythology trumped scientific evidence when it comes to identifying strategies for sustainable weight and health management? How can we use physiology to separate advertising hype from scientific fact? In this seminar, students will learn to distinguish between rapid weight-loss fad diets and sustainable long-term diet and lifestyle plans. Using a basic understanding of human physiology, we will research and evaluate the safety and efficacy of a variety of dieting strategies. Topics include gross analysis of the normal physiological mechanisms of weight loss; evaluation of the rationale and components of popular diets; consideration of behavioral, cultural, and economic factors influencing popular weight management trends; and analysis of the feasibility and sustainability of these practices for population in the CWRU community.

USNA 287Y: Large Scale Energy Storage (100/11007)

MW 05:00-06:15 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Savinell, R

In our wired society, energy storage for the distribution of electric energy is a major "game changer." Efficient and economic large-scale energy storage will help facilitate the growth of renewable energy in the market, as well as increase the overall efficiency of our current electric energy resources. So what needs to happen before we can begin to enjoy these benefits? This course will examine the broad challenges of large-scale energy storage. In what ways do our current technologies prevent us from storing large amounts of energy efficiently and conveniently? How has the marketplace helped or hindered technological improvement? How might government policy encourage advancements in energy storage technologies? Major topics of the course include the global and US energy outlook; the relationship between energy storage, delivery, and use; the role of energy storage for renewable energy implementation; characteristics and challenges of different energy storage technologies; the potential political, public policy, economic, and environmental impact of large-scale energy storage; and approaches to energy storage in other parts of the world. Although this course is designed for students from all disciplines, all students will be expected to do some quantitative analysis.

USNA 287Z: Simple Harmonies, Complex Meanings: Music, A Human Obsession (100/10887)

MW 12:30-01:45 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Scherber, R

Throughout history and across cultures, the act of creating and enjoying music remains a prominent and defining element of the human species. What is its purpose and role within our lives? To what extent do we actively and passively engage with music on a daily basis? Do perceptions of music differ from individual to individual and culture to culture, or can we consider music to be a universal language? This course will utilize neurological findings and representative case studies to examine the cognitive processes associated with the perception of music and to investigate the basis of our obsession with music. Topics may include the development of musical preference, how societal influences affect our perception of music, and the role of expertise in the consumption of music.

USNA 288A: Facts from Fictions (100/11024)

MWF 11:30-12:20 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Effron, M

Every day, people who are not trained scientists nevertheless learn--or think they learn--scientific facts by reading or watching various kinds of fictions. For example, they might learn about forensic science from crime novels, human physiology from medical dramas, or technological advances from science fiction. What are the consequences of learning scientific knowledge by consuming fiction, rather than by observing the natural world directly? Is fiction a useful way to disseminate scientific ideas? Are there risks to learning this way? What about the reverse impact that fiction might have on scientific fact? Can fiction inspire or influence the advancement of scientific knowledge? This seminar examines the interrelationship between fiction and scientific fact, culminating in a research project in which students investigate an example of a fictional "fact" that potentially could be made into real technology or scientific knowledge. Students also will be asked to consider the consequences of turning the fiction into fact. To pursue this line of thinking, we will read not only the primary materials that create this knowledge, but also secondary materials that evaluate that knowledge and how it is used.

USNA 288B: The Green Energy Transformation in Germany (100/11006)

TR 02:45-04:00 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Yang, P

This seminar introduces students to the development and successes of green technologies in Germany. We will examine the proactive development of renewable energy and energy conservation technologies, commonly referred to as Energiewende, that was started by the German Green movement and promoted by Germany's innovative renewable energy policies. We will consider such questions as: What are the implications of this German success story, both for the US and the rest of the world? What lessons can be applied to other situations? What factors might limit the utility of those lessons? In the process of our investigation, we will examine such important issues as globalization, resource finiteness, and sustainability challenges, including economic crises, climate change, energy insecurity, and global competition.

USNA 288C: Physics for Future Innovators & World Leaders (100/11229)

MW 03:00-04:15 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Caner, E

We live in an increasingly technological society. Advances in technology improve our lives in countess ways, but they sometimes produce problems and challenges that are so complex that the average business or political leader cannot understand them--and therefore cannot make effective decisions to address them. Whether the problem is what to do about climate change, how to identify investment-worthy energy sources, how to provide sufficient and sustainable food and energy to the world's population, or how to determine if an investment trend is a dangerous bubble, we will find better solutions if we have leaders who have an adequate understanding of basic physical principles and how physical "laws"--such as conservation of energy, exponential growth and decay, and gravity--can dictate the sagaciousness or feasibility of various solutions and applications. This course is designed to equip students with that knowledge. Using very little math, we will consider how an understanding of basic physical principles related to energy, force, space, electromagnetism, waves, and exponential growth can help us make sense of some of our most pressing technological problems. In addition, we will also examine issues related to the social uses of technology, including realistic timelines for technological development, incremental versus radical improvements, rapid estimation, identification of need, cost-benefit analysis, identifying spin in news reports, intellectual property rules, and ethical citation of sources. Class time will consist of group discussion, student presentations, and "Fermi Problems" (complex, creative problem solving with order-of-magnitude estimations).

USNA 288G: Sense and Sensibility: Sensing, Information, and Control (101/10918)

TR 04:30-05:45 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Kolacinski, R

The control of systems has been crucial to technology development since antiquity and has been the key to ushering in some of the biggest transformations of the world including the industrial revolution, the age of aviation, and the modern computer era. Control systems permeate our world and many of the technologies we take for granted and modern life as we know it would not be possible without them. This seminar examines the questions of "What is the role of feedback control in both creating technology and understanding the natural world?" and "How have these roles evolved and interacted with one another?" To this end, beginning with control in antiquity and early industrial control systems and continuing into the present, the design and implementation of feedback to regulate system behavior and control programs to direct processes will be explored. Early industrial control systems corresponding to feedback control systems and control programs, respectively, and their continued evolution will be traced and the impact of their integration in the modern era will be used to expose the roles of observation, information, and computation in achieving control objectives. Finally, this seminar will address the future of control systems including the incorporation of new design paradigms such as biomimetic and biologically-inspired control systems, their application to large scale systems and networks, and the new understanding of biological systems engendered by these new developments and applications.

USNA 288N: Engineering Water (100/10891)

MWF 02:00-02:50 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Collins, S

The systems that deliver fresh, clean water and take away dirty water are marvels of engineering. The advancement of societies and improvement in the human condition is intricately linked to our ability to engineer water. Will there be enough drinkable water to satisfy future needs? What is the state of water treatment and delivery, and is it secure? What are the political and social implications of water scarcity? This course will explore the history of water supply, developments in infrastructure, and emerging technologies to meet water needs.

USNA 288O: Our Perplexing Universe: From Pluto to Cosmology (100/10889)

TR 11:30-12:45 PM Jan 11-Apr 25

Zehavi, I

Varied and extensive observations over the past century have dramatically changed our understanding of the universe and led to the current era of precision cosmology. Despite the immense progress, several key puzzles about the nature and makeup of the universe remain. How do we make sense of our universe? Why do these questions persist, even with our continued efforts and advanced technologies? In this course, we will consider many of the "big questions" about the cosmos, how our views of it have evolved, and speculate on some of the outstanding problems in modern cosmology. Our inquiry will range from Pluto's planetary status to the Big Bang model and the evidence for dark matter and dark energy, with a special emphasis on the challenge of elucidating these complex phenomena to a wide audience.

USNA 288R: Data Acquisition and the Internet of Things (100/11065)

MWF 10:30-11:20 AM Jan 11-Apr 25

Virnelson, R

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects or "things" embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity, which enable these objects to collect and exchange data. Example objects include garage door minders that send texts when we have forgotten to close them or cars that report driving habits to insurance companies. This class proposes to explore the question "What is involved in creating an 'Internet of Things' device and what might the future of the IoT look like?" Virtually everyone benefits from the Internet of Things, but for most individuals the IoT is little understood. The goal here is to demystify the IoT by engaging students in a guided hands-on IoT project that begins with data acquisition and concludes in a working device. Through the project, readings, and discussion, students will be challenged to consider a future world that is even more connected than today and to consider the practical, societal and ethical issues that the IoT creates.

USNA 288S: Sand to Smartphone: Silicon and its Applications (100/11066)

TR 08:30-09:45 AM Jan 11-Apr 25

Liu, C

Silicon is the second most abundant element found on our planet. Over the last century, science has allowed us to figure out how to take something as common as beach sand and to use it to create the sophisticated products on which our modern society depends. In this seminar we will explore the use of silicon in everything from transistors to complex microprocessors to smartphones to solar cells and sensors. We will seek to understand the following sorts of questions: What properties make this element so useful? What are the processes by which we take this material and turn it into the technologically sophisticated devices? How did people figure out that silicon could be used to make these advanced devices? Did they anticipate all these uses? Are there other materials that might in the future replace silicon for these purposes? What are the benefits and drawbacks of silicon relative to other materials? To help students more fully understand how silicon devices work, they will work in groups to design a simple device.

USNA 288T: Water in Science and Society (100/11193)

MWF 09:30-10:20 AM Jan 11-Apr 25

Adair, K

This course will investigate the science behind assessing water quality, the effects of poor water quality and poor availability on communities, and explore the competing interests for water resources. Using a framework of integrated natural resource management students will evaluate contemporary examples of water based social conflicts such as the construction of Belize's Chalillo Dam, farming and conservation efforts in Oregon and California's Klamath River Basin, and algal blooms in Lake Erie. Students will then use this framework to critically evaluate a contemporary issue of their choice.