Sensors and Society

Catalog description

Sensors and Society is a multidisciplinary, project-based course in which students design sensor technologies to address real-world societal, medical, environmental, or global challenges. Working in collaborative teams, students integrate principles from chemistry, biology, engineering, data analysis, and the humanities with entrepreneurial and ethical perspectives. The course emphasizes problem identification, community and market research, feasibility and cost analysis, and iterative design. Students engage with guest speakers from academia, industry, and entrepreneurship, gain exposure to laboratory and prototyping environments, and explore the responsible use of emerging tools such as artificial intelligence in research and design. Throughout the semester, students critically examine the societal impact, ethical implications, and global relevance of technological innovation. The course culminates in a presentation and project pitch that synthesizes technical design, market considerations, and social responsibility.