Meets the following requirements: ES   

This course is aimed at scientific literacy.  We examine topics that are frequently discussed in the news, and learn the fundamental concepts that are critical for understanding these current areas of research.  Reading (and listening) material is garnered from a diversity of sources including the science section of The New York Times, National Public Radio, Science News, as well as the other side of science in the news such as The National Enquirer.  We compare how ideas are reported in each of these places, and compare the popular reports with some of the original scientific papers.  After determining the differences and similarities between primary and secondary literature, we discuss the implications of these differences for the citizen.  In addition to lecture times, there is a lab section in which specific topics can be further illustrated with living material or specific skills such as graphical interpretation can be addressed.  Evaluation is based on a journal, oral presentations, two papers, and a final exam. 

Level: Introductory/Intermediate.  *ES*