Left of Boom: The Chemistry of Disasters, Manmade and Natural

Catalog description

This is a general course designed for students from the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) and other undergraduates who are not affiliated with CEHC but who are interested in the subject matter. It focuses on the basic chemical principles underlying environmental and manmade events that threaten the security of our society. In particular, chemical principles behind events like fires, explosions, chemical and biological weapons and radiation will be discussed and analyzed. The class will examine how understanding of basic chemical principles will help us be prepared for these potentially life-threatening events and guide us on how to mitigate their consequences. The course includes a lab component that will provide a hands-on experience under controlled and supervised settings. Three lectures and one lab period per week. Does not yield credit toward the major or minor in chemistry.