NATURAL SCIENCES

CRN

 13113

Distribution

 E/G

Course No.

 NSCI 104

Title

Bio of Non-Infectious Disease

Professor

 John Ferguson

Schedule

 Tu Th 3:00 pm -4:50 pm HEG 106

Lab: Wed 1:30 pm -4:15 pm ROSE 305
This course, intended for the non-science major, will investigate several human non-infectious diseases in detail, using where possible actual case studies. A wide variety of problems will be covered, including inherited disorders, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and poisonings. Students will be expected to read each case before class and be prepared to discuss the manifestations, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of each case. Most case studies will come from the non-technical literature and will serve as paradigms of scientific methodology as applied to the diagnosis and rational treatment of human disease. Amplification of the physiological bases of the diseases will be provided through lectures and additional reading.

CRN

 13394

Distribution

 E/G

Course No.

 NSCI 130 Q course

Title

Chemistry of the Environment

Professor

 Craig Anderson

Schedule

 Wed Fr 10:00 am - 11:20 am ROSE 108

Fr 11:30 am - 12:50 pm HEG 204
A study of environmental problems and their relation to chemistry. The first part of the course concerns the atmosphere: its constituents, the greenhouse effect, ozone, and photochemical fog. The second part of the course concerns water: natural waters, acid rain, and drinking water. Laboratory experiments throughout the semester illustrate topics discussed in class. Chemical principles are introduced and developed during the course as needed, but facility with algebra is required.

CRN

 13114

Distribution

 E

Course No.

 NSCI 161

Title

Astronomy

Professor

 Peter Skiff

Schedule

 Tu Th 1:30 pm -3:00 pm HEG 102
An introductory course in astronomy and astrophysics, developing the current status of knowledge and theories of the solar system, individual stars, galaxies, and the interstellar medium. Theories of particular unique objects (quasara, pulsars, supernovae, X-ray stars, and black holes) will be discussed in terms of models of stellar, galactic, and cosmic evolution.

CRN

 13115

Distribution

 E/G

Course No.

 NSCI 182 Q course

Title

Acoustics/Physics/Music

Professor

 Matthew Deady

Schedule

 Wed 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm HEG 102

Lab A: Fr 10:00 am - 11:20 am HEG 107 Lab B: Fr 11:30 am - 12:50 pm HEG 107 Lab C: Fr 1:30 pm - 2:50 pm HEG 107

This laboratory course gives an introduction to the phenomena of acoustics, particularly aspects that are important in the production and perception of music. The physics of sound is covered in depth, and characteristics of acoustic and electronic instruments are discussed. Mathematical and laboratory techniques are introduced as needed. No specific science or mathematics background beyond algebra is assumed.

CRN

 13393

Distribution

 E/G

Course No.

 NSCI 183

Title

Sex and Gender

Professor

 Felicia Keesing

Schedule

 Tu Th 11:30 am - 12:50 pm ALBEE 106 Lab: Fr 1:30 pm -3:30 pm ROSE 305
Why are there so many differences in the social behavior of men and women? Why are there two sexes? Why do women get depressed more often than men but commit suicide less often? Why are women, on average, shorter than men? Why do they live longer? Students in this course, intended for non-scientists, will examine the biological basis of sex and gender. We will consider the evidence for hypotheses that attempt to explain differences in behavior between males and females, including data from behavioral studies on both humans and other animals. We will investigate the genetic and hormonal determinants of sex and gender, and we will consider the arguments for how and why sex evolved in the first place, and why we engage in sex when self-cloning has strong evolutionary advantages.

No specific science or mathematics background beyond algebra is required.

CRN

 13392

Distribution

 E

Course No.

 NSCI 202

Title

Field Study in Natural History

Professor

 William Maple

Schedule

 Tu Th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm HEG 308

Cross-listed: Environmental Studies

This course is designed to acquaint the interested nonscience student with the plants and animals that make the Bard campus their home, including trees and shrubs in their winter condition; foliage, animals, and animal tracks, and wildflower abundance and bird migrations in the spring. Although the course includes some lab work on preserved specimens, especially during severe weather, most class meetings are field trips. Participants must have clothing appropriate to the weather and terrain: good walking shoes or boots, warm clothing, and rain gear. Some Saturday field trips and early morning meetings may be required. Limited to ten students.

CRN

 13354

Distribution

 A/E

Course No.

 NSCI 227

Title

Science and Pseudoscience

Professor

 Peter Skiff

Schedule

 Tu Th 3:30 pm -5:00 pm HEG 102

Cross-listed: History and Philosophy of Science

The search for a demarcation between "science" and "pseudo-science" has generated many productive developments in the academic philosophy of science. These are also significant in "civilian" culture, as considerable damage, both civic and psychological, has surrounded adherence to alleged pseudosciences in both the recent and distant past. This course will take up number of well-studied twentieth century incidences of pseudoscience in physical science, probably including Blondet's N-rays Barkla's J-rays, Langmuir's criteria, Ehrenhaft's electrons, polywater, cold fusion, the fifth force, and other minimally controversial situations, as well as a few cases not yet clearly decided. No background in science or mathematics is required, as the contrasting orthodox scientific principles will be descriptively presented. Readings include selections from works by Gratzer, Holton, Gardner, Popper, and others, and studies in journals of History and Philosophy of Science.

CRN

 13391

Distribution

 E

Course No.

 NSCI 235 Q course

Title

Energy and Entropy

Professor

 Hilton Weiss

Schedule

 Mon Wed 1:30 pm -3:30 pm HEG 201
This course is an introduction to the concepts of energy and entropy and their implications in the physical and biological sciences. A semi-quantitative consideration of the factors that govern energy conversion and utilization and that predict the feasibility of physical, chemical, and biological changes.

CRN

 13117

Distribution

 E

Course No.

 NSCI 333

Title

Ecology of African Savannas II

Professor

 Felicia Keesing

Schedule

 Tu Th 1:30 pm -2:50 pm PRE 101

Cross-listed: AADS

Students will complete a scientific investigation on the ecology of African savannas. Data collected during an intersession trip to Kenya will be analyzed graphically and statistically, and students will prepare and deliver oral and written presentations of the results of their research projects. Classes during the semester will include coverage of basic statistics for data analysis, the evaluation and interpretation of scientific data, and the preparation of both written and oral scientific presentations. Students will be selected for this course through an application process at the start of each academic year. Any first-year students, sophomores, and juniors with some science background will be considered. NSCI 332 and NSCI 333 are non-divisible.

Prerequisite: Ecology of African Savannas I