science_testtubes
 

Natural Science Course Web Sites

Fall Term 2013 Courses

CS-0142/IA-0142/NS-0142: Innovations for Change: Problem Solving for the Future

Worried about climate change and how we will live sustainably in the future? Join us to brainstorm and assess solutions together. This will be a course for first year students interested in learning how to evaluate potential solutions to current local and global environmental and social problems. The course will be co-taught by faculty across the curriculum at Hampshire and will include both large lectures and breakout working groups. The course will be divided into modules focused on specific problems and potential solutions, such as how the arts can help educate and engage the public in making positive changes for sustainable living; whether a cap-and-trade system can reduce carbon emissions efficiently and equitably; why humans are so resistant to changing our habits; or how we might ameliorate losses to biodiversity due to climate change. In addition to engagement in readings, lectures, discussion and activities, small teams of students will be expected to explore a problem in greater depth.


Go to the course website.


NS-0104: Optics and Holography

This course is an introduction to fundamental principles of optics as applied to image formation and holography. Each student will have a chance to produce two white-light visible holograms in our lab, as well as to undertake an individual project dealing with three dimensional image reproduction, holography, or more broadly defined optical phenomena. Topics will include geometric and physical optics, the nature and propagation of light, vision and color, photography, digital imaging, the Fourier transform and holography. Aesthetic considerations will be part of the course as well. Class will meet for one hour and twenty minutes twice a week, plus a lab of at least three hours for experimental investigations and holographic imaging. Projects will likely require more laboratory time. Advanced students wishing to help in the labs and pursue independent work should see the instructor.


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NS-0112: Puzzles and Paradoxes

It has been argued that puzzling is as intrinsic to human nature as humor, language, music, and mathematics. Zeno's paradoxes of motion and the liar and heap paradoxes ("This sentence is false," "Does one grain of sand change a non-heap into a heap?) have challenged thinkers for centuries; and other paradoxes have forced changes in philosophy, scientific thinking, logic, and mathematics. We'll read, write, and talk about the Riddle of the Sphinx, the Minotaur's Maze, the Rhind papyrus, Pythagorean mysticism, Archimedes' wheel, Fibonacci's rabbits, Durer's magic square, Konigsberg's bridges, Lewis Carroll, Sam Loyd, E.H. Dudeney, Mvbius's band, Maxwell's Demon, Schrodinger's cat, Hempel's raven, the theorems of Kurt Godel and Kenneth Arrow, the Loony Loop, Rubik's cube, the Prisoner's Dilemma and the unexpected hanging, Russell, Berrocal, Christie, Escher, Borges, Catch-22, Sudoku, Gardner, Coffin, Kim, Smullyan, and Shortz. Recreational mathematics will pervade the course, and we'll grapple with irrationality, pigeonholes, infinity, and the 4th dimension. We'll discover, create, classify, share, enjoy, and be frustrated and amazed by lots of visual illusions, mechanical, take-apart, assembly, sequential, jigsaw, word, and logic puzzles. We'll hone our problem-solving skills and consider the pedagogic and social value of puzzles. Armed with examples and experience, we might find some possible answers to "what makes a puzzle 'good'?" and "why do people puzzle?"
Go to the course website.


NS-0121: Human Biology

Students in this course will learn about the biological function of selected human organs and systems through the study of actual medical cases. Not all human systems will be covered, but students will gain a good understanding of how diseases affect the body and how they are diagnosed. Working in small teams, students will develop diagnoses for medical cases through reviewing descriptions of patient histories, physical exams, and laboratory findings. A human biology text, medical texts on reserve, and Internet resources will help students track down information they need to solve these medical mysteries. Students will also learn to find and read scientific research articles on topics of their choosing and will learn to write analytical reviews of these articles. These reviews will form the basis of final papers in which students choose particular diseases or treatments to investigate in detail and present their findings to the class.

ATTENTION: CLASSROOM CHANGED TO CSC 333 (Third floor south)!


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NS-0122/NS-0322: Sustainable Landscaping Practicum

Combining ideas, principles, and practices from horticulture, ecology and landscape design, we will develop and implement a sustainable landscape plan for part of the Hampshire College campus. We will first visit and come to understand several different natural plant communities in the Pioneer Valley and learn about native plants in the landscape from experts at Nasami Farm. We will learn how to identify herbs, vines, perennials, shrubs and trees, and how to place them with regard to soil, water, nutrients and canopy structure. We will then map an area, identify invasive species to be suppressed, and design a multi-storied sustainable plan incorporating both human and ecological design goals such as interesting flowers, colors, improved sight lines, and incorportion of edible species. Writing for the course will include a site inventory and an analysis of plant environment and dynamics, as well as a documented plan. Students will be expected to put in hours outside of class time improving and maintaining our site. NS 322 students will supervise design and action teams of NS 122 students.
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NS-0123: Human Variation: Race, Science, and Politics

This course focuses on the science of human genetic and biological variation. How does variation come about in evolution?  Which variations have adaptive and functional significance and which are "just differences"?  What is the evolutionary explanation, distribution, and significance of human variation in, for example, sickle cell anemia, skin color and sports performance?  How are individuals grouped, how are differences studied, and to what purpose? How did the idea of "natural" races arise and how and why, despite key scientific flaws, does it persist?

This semester we will focus on the idea of race as a genetic construct versus a variously lived, social reality (how we are raced and racism) and, in particular, how race is used historically and today in biomedical research to explain health differences among races.  The main paper for this course will explore a health condition (or other pertinent variation) that differs by race and compare genetic and socio-political explanations.


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NS-0126/NS-0326: Water in a Changing Climate

Floods, droughts, and hurricanes have all been predicted to increase in response to climate change. How will these and other effects impact our access to freshwater? How will we adapt to these changing conditions? This class will cover a brief introduction to the science behind climate change predictions and look specifically at the impacts to the water cycle. We will also discuss how the ways in which we have changed the landscape affect our ability to respond to changes in water availability. Students will read and discuss primary literature, develop a research question and project, collect and interpret data (both in the field and the library), and learn the basic skills scientists use to analyze water-related issues.
Go to the course website.


NS-0153/NS-0353: Natural History of Infectious Disease

Did you ever wonder why Jewish grandmothers who make gefilte fish from Norwegian sturgeon so frequently are parasitized by tapeworms? Maybe not, but who gets parasitized, when, and by what is highly significant to understanding the history of humankind. In this seminar we will read and think about the failure of modern (Western) medicine to eliminate most of the tropical diseases of Homo sapiens. We will also introduce the workings of Hampshire College. We will read R.S. Desowitz's Federal Bodysnatchers and the New Guinea Virus (2002) and P.J. Hotez's Forgotten People, Forgotten Diseases, and other articles from the medical and scientific literature. Each student, for an evaluation, must write three essays and give one seminar on the public health, medical, social aspects of one of these parasitic diseases (malaria, schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis, kala-azar, Guinea worm, etc.) focusing on the disease in one particular tropical or subtropical country. You are encouraged to work in small groups on one parasite. All students are expected to participate in the seminar, to write three essays from the original literature, and to lead one seminar. During the seminar, we will spend time thinking and working on the skills needed for successful college-level work: reading, study habits, seminar skills, and writing. Collaborative work is expected throughout. Notes: Instructor permission is required for NS 353, not for NS 153.


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NS-0154: Science of Stress

Stress is a daily part of our lives that has become an intense subject of interest among scientists and the medical community. The body's responses to stress are linked to multiple health problems, but stress can also be overused as an explanation. In this course, we will examine the scientific evidence for the links between stress and human health issues such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and depression. This will include readings of primary scientific research papers and coverage of basic physiological mechanisms in humans and other animals. Students will learn techniques to measure stress, stress hormones and glucose regulation. In addition, as community service outreach, students will develop projects to explore the effectiveness of stress relief options in the college community.


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NS-0202: Chemistry I

In this course we will learn the fundamental chemical concepts of composition and stoichiometry, properties of matter, the gas laws, atomic structure, bonding and molecular structure, chemical reactions, and energy changes in chemical reactions. Considerable time will be devoted to learning the use of the periodic table as a way of predicting the chemical properties of elements. We will also emphasize application of those chemical principles to environmental, biological, industrial and day-to-day life situations. No previous background in chemistry is necessary but a working knowledge of algebra is essential, both because students will be expected to develop skill in solving a variety of numerical problems and because it is essential for understanding some of the subject matter. In the laboratory, basic skills, techniques of qualitative and quantitative analysis, and use of modern chemical instrumentation will be emphasized. We will also do two project-based labs, learn to understand the scientific methodology, and learn how to write scientific research reports. Chemistry I is the first term of a two-term course in general chemistry.


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NS-0204: Physics I

The beginning of a three-semester sequence in Physics, this course will concentrate mainly on mechanics with applications to astronomy. Topics will include, kinematics and dynamics in one and two dimensions, planetary motion, conservation of energy and momentum, rigid bodies and rotation, and relativity.

   The course is calculus based and may use computer modeling --if you wish-- but its education experimenting emphasis is on "flipping" the classroom to develop real understanding as well as numerical facility. It is highly recommended that students take calculus BEFORE or in the same semester that they begin this course. Weekly laboratory/field work is required. The labs are grouped into major projects. Evaluations will be based on class participation, problem sets, and laboratory project reports.

"Flipping" means you will watch a world famous instructor give the lecture as homework; this allows you to go over and over those parts which need clarification. You then write leading questions for those parts you want to know more about-- those questions are your admission ticket, and in the class we play, work and have fun with the physics you have learned!

 


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NS-0207: Ecology

The science of Ecology investigates the distribution and abundance of organisms and their interactions with biotic and abiotic environments. This course will serve as an introduction to major areas of ecological study: population, community, and ecosystem ecology. Topics will include how populations are distributed in and limited by their environments, how organisms interact, how niches are determined, how ecosystems are structured, and how energy and nutrients flow through the biotic environment. A basic text in ecology as well as primary literature will guide lectures and discussions. We will include direct investigations of ecological phenomena in natural environments, and participants should be prepared for working in field conditions. Students will present their work in written and oral form.


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NS-0214: Principles of Sustainable Farming

Agricultural sustainability is rooted in the viability of each individual farm. Ecologically and socially responsible farming practices can only be successful within the structure of a farm business that relies on effective resource management, efficient food production, and sales. Thus anyone interested in achieving sustainability through small scale, organic, local farming must first understand how farms function and then consider how to integrate sustainable practices to maximize positive impact. This course will consider the kinds of farming we see in our local area, and the guiding principles that farmers use to set up and structure their farming operations for success. Along the way, we will cover the sciences that inform farm management decisions and principles. Focus areas in farm management will be crop planning, crop rotation, soil fertility, insect and disease control, direct marketing, business structure/money management, cover crops, local/organic/sustainable/IPM, greenhouse management, winter production, and farm ecosystems. Focus areas in the sciences will be insect life cycles/ecology, soil science, plant physiology, and crop pathogens. Coursework will include visits to nearby farms, discussions, readings, short assignments/papers on specific topics, and the option for independent work. Jarrett Man is a current owner/manager of The Kitchen Garden, former manager of Stone Soup Farm and Red Fire Farm, and an alum of Hampshire.


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NS-0217: Ecological and Cultural History of Food

How and why did the foods we eat today get here? Who first thought of domesticating corn or wheat, and how did they do it? How have the ways food is grown changed over time and in different parts of the world? The central theme of this course is the relationship between human cultures and food systems over time. The course considers the ways in which the cultivation of food is both shaped by the ecosystems in which it is grown and changes that ecosystem, both positively and negatively. In addition the course asks how political and social forces affect how food is grown and distributed. Students will discover how an understanding of these dynamics influences our contemporary relationship to the foods we eat. Issues such as the conservation of biological and cultural diversity; the development and sustainability of local ecological knowledge; the loss of top soil and ways in which it can be rebuilt using both innovative and traditional farming methods; the effect of climate change on agriculture; and political policies concerning agriculture, trade and the environment will all be addressed in the course and in students' individual research projects.


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NS-0221: Animal Physiology

This course will cover physiology of organ systems within animal phyla with special emphasis on physiological adaptations of organisms to their environment. Topics will include osmoregulation, temperature regulation and neural, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive and endocrine function. One focus will be on cellular and molecular mechanisms common across systems and phyla. We'll also examine unique adaptations to extreme environments. Knowledge of basic biology and chemistry is not required but is recommended. Students will engage in class problems, lectures, and reading of text and primary scientific literature.
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NS-0223: Field Naturalist

The majority of this class will be held outside. Each week we will visit a different field site and spend the afternoon untangling the natural history of the landscape at that location. We will examine how plant and animal communities in western Massachusetts are shaped by processes such as geology, hydrology, weather, fire, and human land use. Students will be expected to learn skills in species identification and landscape interpretation. Class work will include a final group project as well as weekly assignments. We will meet in all weather conditions, and full participation and attendance at every class is mandatory. Students must be prepared to eat lunch in the field, must come with a sense of adventure, and must be eager to spend considerable time in forests and swamps.
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NS-0255: Watershed Hydrology

How does water move through the landscape? What can we learn from studying streams and rivers? Students will explore topics in hydrology and watershed management. Areas of focus will include hydrologic cycle/water budgets, watershed characteristics, groundwater hydrology, aquatic ecosystems, and urban hydrology. Students will get their hands and feet wet in the lab and around Hampshire's campus, read and discuss primary literature, analyze data in teams, and learn basic skills scientist use to analyze water-related issues. In addition to gaining an understanding of hydrological processes, students will collect and analyze hydrologic data from a local watershed and develop a comprehensive watershed management plan. This course is suitable for upper-division students as well as first-year students with basic science background and an interest in water resources.
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NS-0257: Astrobiology: Ethics to Exoplanets

Are we alone in the universe? The essence of that question has likely been a source of inspiration since the dawn of humanity. The modern science of astrobiology is a transdisciplinary study of extraterrestrial life in the universe drawing from active research in astrophysics, biology, chemistry, and geology. A microbiologist, an astronomer, and a planetary scientist have teamed up to take you through this inter-disciplinary course, where we will look at the history of extraterrestrial debate and analyze the science behind astrobiology. We will investigate the properties of life as we know it and extrapolate these properties to consider the potential for simple life forms to exist on Mars and elsewhere in our solar system, to the possibility of intelligent life on habitable planets near distant stars, and finally the implications of extraterrestrial life to life on Earth.


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NS-0260: Calculus in Context (Calculus I)

Calculus provides the language and some powerful tools for the study of change. As such, it is an essential subject for those interested in growth and decay processes, motion, and the determination of functional relationships in general. Using student-selected models from primary literature, we will investigate dynamical systems from economics, ecology, epidemiology and physics. Computers are essential tools in the exploration of such processes and will be integral to the course. No previous programming experience is required. Topics will include: 1) dynamical systems, 2) basic concepts of calculus-- rate of change, differentiation, limits, 3) differential equations, 4) computer programming, simulation, and approximation, 5) exponential and circular functions. While the course is self-contained, students are strongly urged to follow it up by taking NS 316-Linear Algebra or NS 261-Calculus II to further develop their facility with the concepts. In addition to regular substantial problem sets, each student will apply the concepts to recently published models of their choosing.
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NS-0262: Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the study of the molecules and chemical reactions of life. Considering the vast diversity of living organisms, one might also expect them to be composed of significantly different biomolecules, and to use unique mechanisms for obtaining energy and communicating different biological information. To the contrary, the principles and language of biochemistry are common to all life: in general, the same chemical compounds and the same metabolic processes found in bacteria exist in organisms as distantly related as whales. To fully appreciate life, people should consider their biochemistry. Classroom topics will include the structure and function of proteins and carbohydrates, metabolism and bioenergetics, but will not include nucleic acids. Prerequisite: none, but Organic Chemistry is desirable.


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NS-0265: Statistics

This introductory course covers descriptive and inferential statistics, with examples drawn from the fields of ecology, agriculture, public health, and clinical medicine. The approach will be applied and hands-on; students will collect and analyze data as a class, design and carry out small individual projects, complete twice-weekly problem sets, and read and interpret data from the literature.  We will use the statistical software program, Minitab, as well as  Excel.  Topics include description, estimation, and basic techniques for hypothesis testing: z-scores, t-tests, chi-square, correlation, regression, one-way and two-way analysis of variance, and odds ratios. More advanced techniques such as multi-way anovas and multiple regression will be briefly noted. We will also discuss the role of statistics in the scientific method and the philosophy of science, although the emphasis of the course will be on practical applications in design and analysis.


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NS-0273: Chemistry and Physics of Solar Energy and Energy Storage Technology

Chemistry and physics of solar energy and energy storage technology Harvesting energy from the sun has become an important element in implementing a sustainable energy future. The basic components of a solar electricity system, photovoltaic cells and batteries, are undergoing dramatic innovative development, and the 60-100% annual growth rate of solar electricity generation indicates that photovoltaic technology has become an affordable and practical sustainable energy source. This course will examine the chemistry and physics of photovoltaics and batteries, as well as recent research developments promising higher efficiency, lower cost, and new possibilities for implementation. We will consider these devices from a basic scientific point of view, perform simple experiments to elucidate their properties, read the current literature on the design, fabrication, and deployment of these devices, and explore how they work in energy systems . Students will propose and carry out a final project demonstrating their understanding of these ideas.


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NS-0296: Zymurgy

This fermentation science course is designed to familiarize students with the current topics and procedures in brewing science. This upper-level course requires previous course and laboratory work in chemistry and microbiology. The course will focus on the study of the fundamental and applied sciences related to the use of microorganisms as production and processing agents. Specifically, we will examine the technological and biochemical aspects of the brewing process, including raw materials, malting, mashing, fermentation and maturation. In addition to lectures and discussion on the readings, the course will include extensive laboratory work. Students will work in small groups on a focused research project. Prerequisites: cell or molecular biology, chemistry, microbiology or gene cloning.
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NS-0299: Learning Activity Projects

Students in Learning Activity Projects compile lists of learning activities based on their independent work during the semester. Each student will write a title, description and self-evaluation for every learning activity to be officially recognized for Learning Activity Projects credit. The student must also secure a signed evaluation of the work, written by someone familiar with both the subject matter and her/his course of study. The subjects of the learning activities need not be restricted to a particular discipline, school of thought, or arena of creative work. Students are encouraged to collaborate with others in their courses of study, for example, by joining student-led Experimental Program in Education and Community (EPEC) courses or informal learning groups.
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NS-0314: Organic Chemistry II

Last semester we began our exploration of organic structure, reactivity, and spectroscopy. This semester will continue that journey, examining aromatic molecules, carbonyl compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds, pericyclic reactions, and organometallic chemistry. The emphasis will be on mechanism and synthesis, along with relevance of the chemistry to biology, medicine, society, and environment. By the end of the semester you will have a solid intuitive sense of how organic molecules react and how to manipulate them in the lab. Just as importantly, we will strive to understand the importance of the field of organic chemistry in the past, present, and future. Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry I.
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NS-0315: Elementary Theory of Numbers

Number theory is the branch of mathematics that deals with the properties of whole numbers. This is an area in which simplicity and complexity meet in an astonishing way. Therefore, in this course you will be presented with problems that, in most cases, are very easy to state, but whose degrees of difficulty range from very easy to incredibly difficult. We will focus on learning the tools and techniques that are used to attack problems in the field and beyond. By following an inquisitive approach in this exploration of the theory of numbers, we will help sharpen problem solving skills, the basic weapon of a professional mathematician. You will also learn and apply basic principles used in mathematical research. Topics include divisibility, primes and factorization, congruency, arithmetical functions, quadratic reciprocity, primitive roots, Dirichlet's series, and other topics at our discretion and as time permits.


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NS-0350: Structure and Function: Microscopy Research Methods

The cutting edge of biology and technology is headed in the direction of microscopes. Microscopes provide beautiful data about complex systems in a variety of mechanisms. However, the results can often be difficult to interpret. In this course, we will study microscopy examples that have contributed greatly to our understanding of biology. We will use a few different types of microscopes and study the physics behind the image. Additionally, we will process and analyze new microscopy data from real research laboratories to contribute to the cutting edge of research.


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NS-0388: Advanced Methods in Molecular Biology

This course is intended for Div III and advanced Div II students who are committed to proposing, developing, or carrying-through research projects involving techniques commonly used in a molecular biology lab. Students will learn intermediate to advanced approaches, protocols, and strategies for molecular biology. Depending on student projects, methods may include advanced PCR (inverse, nested, multiplexed, primer-based mutatagenesis), qPCR, genomic and cDNA library construction, RNA and protein expression, hybridization methods, cloning and transformation strategies, imaging, cell-tissue culture, bioinformatics, and assessment of genomic variation. Readings will draw from primary literature, and students will present project reports in written and oral formats. Students may explore projects in development of, or in conjunction with, Div III work or independent studies. Selected students will develop projects in preparation for TAing a spring lab course in basic molecular biology methods. Prerequisites: Methods in Molecular Biology or equivalent lab experience is required.
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NS-109T: Agriculture, Food and Health

This hands-on course examines food in the broadest sense, from its production in the field to its complex role in health promotion and disease prevention. Students learn basic principals of agriculture, plant science, nutrition and epidemiology, with an emphasis on the original research linking food and food production to human health. Readings for the class are drawn from the primary and secondary scientific literature and from agriculture and nutrition textbooks. Students also assist with the weekly vegetable harvest on Hampshire's organic farm.  This is an ideal course for students who are serious about scientific inquiry, community service and a few hours of farm work each week.


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NS-124T: HIV/AIDS: 30 Years Later

When the HIV virus was first identified as the cause of AIDS, people never imagined there would still be no cure 30 years later. In this seminar, we will read about the milestones of HIV research and discuss why finding a cure or vaccine has proven to be very difficult. Students can expect to learn about the life cycle of the HIV virus, methods of transmission, current tools for research, and social and political issues associated with the epidemic. We will examine different approaches to studying HIV and assess what is still unknown about its biology. At the end of the course, students will use what they have learned to develop their own ideas for curing AIDS.

Please note: This is a science course. We will have discussions about the social and political aspects because they are important in understanding why biology is not enough in the fight against AIDS. However, the focus of assignments will mostly be on biology. 

 

 

 


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NS-125T: Ecology of New England Old Growth Forests

Not long ago, in the mid-1800s, the landscape of New England was primarily rolling farmland. Stands of trees covered less than 20% of Massachusetts. Now the reverse is true, and over 80% of the land is covered with young woods. The same kinds of trees are back, but the forests are substantially different and the impacts of human activity remain. Yet hidden within our second and third growth forests are patches of trees that were never clear-cut and in some cases were not cut at all. In those places, called "old growth" forests or "historic woodlots," we can get a glimpse of what the pre-colonial woodland might have been like. We can study forest ecology in the absence of direct human disturbance. The significance of old woods and the ecology of the plants, animals, and soil organisms found on sites undisturbed by intense human activity are "hot" topics among conservationists and forest managers alike. In this course, we will visit old growth sites, learn how to identify, age, and census trees, and how to read the history of a site. We will locate and map special trees, soils and plants. We will examine the literature on both the social and ecological significance of old trees and old soils. Students will complete group or individual projects.
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NS-137T: Sex, Death and Teeth: Life Stories Recorded in Teeth

In this project-focused course we will research how teeth provide insights into health, nutrition, diet, and origins. Teeth develop in utero and during early life, and then are nearly inert. Because teeth grow somewhat like trees (teeth also have growth rings), one can use teeth as windows onto past lifetimes and geological times. We will learn how to read the record of nutrition and health from tooth size, shape and chemistry. Examples of hands-on projects include gender differences in prenatal nutrition among the Maya, lead pollution in contemporary Egypt and Mexico, and the geographic origin of enslaved Africans. This course is particularly recommended for students with interests in anthropology, archaeology, public health, and nutrition.


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NS-141T: Pattern and Coat Color

Natural organisms provide an unparalleled palette for almost every color and pattern imaginable. Why do organisms have stripes and spots? Why blue or red? This course will explore how and why various colors and patterns are produced in the biological world. We will investigate biochemical, genetic (and epigenetic), developmental, and environmental mechanisms as well as simple mathematical models to explain their production. Additionally, we will link patterns/colors to their functions, such as defense, warning, camouflage, communication, mate attraction, etc. We will use both applied and primary scientific research literature to explore topics in these areas. Students will research specific aspects or questions and present their findings in written and oral format.


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NS-195T: Pollution and Our Environment

This course will explore environmental pollution problems covering four major areas: the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and energy issues. Several controversial topics, including acid rain, automobile emission, ozone layer depletion, mercury, lead and cadmium poisoning, pesticides, solid waste disposal, and problems of noise and thermal pollution will be addressed. We will emphasize some of the environmental issues affecting our immediate community, as well as those in developing nations. We will also do several project-based labs, gain understanding of scientific methodology, and learn how to write scientific research reports. Students are expected to engage in scientific inquiry and to view their investigations in broader context, to gain a clear sense of the scientific process, and to develop quantitative, oral and written communication skills. Class participation, satisfactory work on the required class projects, literature critiques, and laboratory/field reports are required for evaluation.

DISTRIBUTION: Physical and Biological Sciences (PBS)

CUMULATIVE SKILLS

Writing and Research Quantitative Skills Independent Work

TEXT:

Withgott and Brennan, "Environment: The Science Behind The Stories" [W&B, ESBS] 4e, 2010


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NS-1IND: Independent Study - 100 level

To register for an Independent Study with Hampshire College faculty you need to pick up an Independent Study form in the Central Records office and get the form signed by the faculty supervisor as well as your advisor.
Go to the course website.


NS-2IND: Independent Study - 200 Level

To register for an Independent Study with Hampshire College faculty you need to pick up an Independent Study form in the Central Records office and get the form signed by the faculty supervisor as well as your advisor.
Go to the course website.


NS-386I: New Ways of Knowing

From energy systems, to economic crises, to protection against terrorists; from supplying new food organisms, to drone warfare in the Middle East; our modern society turns to science for solutions. But the sciences also proliferate side effects -- ranging from toxic military pollution, through unforeseen biological disruption, to global warming & political backlash. Do we need "new ways of knowing" to address the personal/political problem of combining disciplinary excellence with social good? Participants study reconstructive knowledge and APPLY it to their own work. We read the instructor's two books and those of Foucault, Keller, etc., to help reconstruct what we each DO as knowledge workers -- our projects, concentrations & theses. The real-world efforts at ISIS (Institute for Science and Interdisciplinary Study) help launch creative discussion of our own work. Previous students commend this course for remarkable effects in divisional work, graduate school, and their professional lives. Prerequisites: some experience with critical analysis and a well-developed (undergraduate) field of excellence.
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NS-3IND: Independent Study - 300 Level

To register for an Independent Study with Hampshire College faculty you need to pick up an Independent Study form in the Central Records office and get the form signed by the faculty supervisor as well as your advisor.
Go to the course website.

 
 

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