Science and Technology in Contemporary Society

Catalog description

Scientific literacy may be defined broadly as understanding connections among concepts in the natural and social sciences, mathematics and technology. By breaking down traditional disciplinary barriers, this course will help students grasp connections between these disciplines, bridge the traditional barriers between disciplines, and understand that modern scientific inquiry and solutions more often than not involves a “systems” approach that spans various fields. This course consists of weekly in-class meeting, an on-line component, and required attendance at a pre-determined number of lectures held at the NY Academy of Sciences. Each student will be assigned a lecture in four different areas of science and technology. The first half of the course will involve a fixed curriculum covering specific topics. The second half of the course will involve presentations by students based upon their attendance at the NYAS lectures.