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Academic Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Courses
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Liberal Arts: Mathematics and Science |
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LAMS200 The Universe 3 cr.
A study of how the basic laws of physics and astronomical observations lead to an understanding of the universe as a whole.
Prerequisites: FRSM100
Lecture/Seminar
Culturally Diverse Content
All College Elective
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LAMS203 Physics of Music 3 cr.
This course uses principles of physics to understand musical instruments, scales, and chords. Required background: students must be able to find notes from written music on an instrument of their choice. The course draws upon algebra.
Prerequisites: FRSM100
Lecture/Seminar
Culturally Diverse Content
All College Elective
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LAMS206 Biomimicry 3cr
Biomimicry is the study of the structure and function of biological systems as models for the design and engineering of materials. In this course, students become acquainted with basic concepts in biology, physics and engineering. Building upon this foundation, the course treats how designers solve design problems by mimicking nature.
Prerequisites: FRSM100
Lecture
Sustainability Content
Undergraduate Elective
Fall & Spring
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LAMS208 Bacteria Assassins 3cr.
Almost everyone has taken antibiotics at some point during their lives and we read every day about deadly “superbugs” that are resistant to antibiotics. But what does this resistance mean and how did we get here? The course examines the antibiotic resistance problem and an often-touted possible alternative, bacteriophages. Bacteriophages are viruses of bacteria and were discovered exactly 100 years ago during the First World War. Students examine and synthesize the biology, history, ecology, and applications of these two types of bacteria killers to better understand the treatment of bacterial infections today and what may come in the future. This course helps students understand current events and science relevant to their lives - such as on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance, emerging diseases (such as Ebola), and the human microbiome. No laboratory experience is required.
Prerequisites: FRSM-100
Lecture
Sustainability Content
Undergraduate Elective
Fall & Spring
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LAMS209 Wetlands Science and Policy 3cr
This course is intended as a rational approach to
wetland conservation balanced with responsible
development. People need to live somewhere and to
draw water from somewhere. But wetlands serve
many vital functions and oftentimes are highly
valuable ecosystems that should be protected. In
the course, students gain an interdisciplinary
knowledge of wetland definitions, classification
systems, origins, and natural processes of
wetland environments. We discuss wetlands across
the globe, including boreal, temperate, and
tropical climates. We investigate hydrology,
soils, and vegetation and their relationship to
ecosystem processes, societal values, and
management. We examine human use, modification,
exploitation, jurisdictional delineation, and
management options, along with legal and
political aspects of wetlands. This is a broad
course, also encompassing forestry, coastal
management, energy, climate change, agriculture,
history, and ecosystem succession. We will
attempt four optional field trips, weather
permitting, in our field experience weekend.
Prerequisites: FRSM-100
Lecture
Spring
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LAMS211 Energy in the 21st Century 3cr
Oil, gas, and coal are polluting, non-renewable
resources and society must reduce their
dependence on these fossil fuels. Alternative
energies are non-polluting, renewable and are
therefore highly desirable. This course takes a
non-traditional approach in that it includes the
benefits of fossil fuels, and delves into the
stumbling blocks to implementing the following
alternative energy technologies: hydropower,
wave power, biomass, solar, geothermal, wind,
hydrogen and nuclear energies. Science,
technology, policy, and societal concerns will be
discussed in a seminar style where students are
responsible for researching and presenting each
type of energy. We will also discuss the “smart”
use of energy, as well as the storage,
transportation, housing, and consumption of
energy. We will conclude by discussing and
creating potential policies for the expedited
phasing in of alternative technologies, including
regional, strategic, health, safety, and
environmental concerns. Students will leave the
course with a depth of understanding of the
technological and policy-based obstacles to
alternative energy but also having a clear
understanding of the pressing nature of this
transition.
Prerequisites: FRSM-100
Lecture
Spring
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LAMS240 Biological Form and Function 3 cr.
An examination of the importance of shape, or form, to biological function. Students explore selected examples at several levels of organization (molecule, cell, individual, community) in a variety of organisms (viruses, bacteria, plants, fungi, invertebrate and vertebrate animals, embryos and mature forms). The course teaches fundamental concepts of biology and prepares students to compare biological and artistic form and function.
Prerequisites: FRSM100
Lecture/Seminar
Culturally Diverse Content
All College Elective
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LAMS267 Natural Disasters in a Global Environment 3cr
Do you have an interest in what causes natural
disasters? Come join us! Natural disasters
currently cost the world United States $175
billion USD per year. Fortunately, we have the
knowledge to significantly reduce these
costs.Unfortunately, political and cultural
trends will cause disasters to occur more
frequently and ferociously. This course provides
an overview of the causes, locations, and effects
of natural disasters. You can learn about:
earthquakes,volcanoes, tsunami, wildfire, floods,
landslides, pandemic diseases, hurricanes,
tornadoes, famines and droughts,meteorite
impacts, and climate change. We will investigate
recovery and rebuilding efforts and how loss of
life and
property damage can be minimized by implementing
scientific knowledge, through the lens of
historical case studies, as well as lively,
hands-on labs, and field trips!
Prerequisites: FRSM-100
Lecture
Fall
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LAMS320 Environmental Science 3 cr.
A study of the principles of ecology, a science intertwining many biological and physical science disciplines. The course distinguishes the scientific, technological, and social domains. It treats complex human impacts and environmental concerns (such as biodiversity, population size, food and energy resources, air and water pollution, waste management, recycling, and sustainability) and raises issues of environmental ethics, risk assessment, and policy planning.
Prerequisites: FRSM100
Lecture/Seminar
Culturally Diverse and Sustainability Content
All College Elective
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LAMS322 Animal Sex, Biodiversity and Gender 3cr.
This course explores the vast diversity of reproductive and mating strategies, sex roles, gender and sexuality in animals and nature. This course takes an integrative and comparative approach to survey the diverse morphological, behavioral, physiological and ecological aspects of sex and reproduction. The course treats the evolution of sexual and asexual reproduction, focusing on ecological and evolutionary factors that influence and constrain biodiversity. Students critically examine the scientific evidence that supports and questions the framework of sexual selection and alternative theories. Students consider and evaluate traditional and emerging forms of scientific communication regarding evolutionary biology and sexual diversity.
Prerequisites: FRSM100
Lecture
Sustainability Content
Fall & Spring
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LAMS324 Sustainabilty Science 3 cr
What is the nature of sustainability? How can we learn from and with nature, its biological
diversity and ecosystems, to become more resilient? Practical examples, field visits,
readings, and discussions will give students the opportunity to learn about emerging
interdisciplinary sciences and solution-driven technologies based on green chemistry and
biomimicry. Through explorations of the water-energy-food nexus, adaptations to climate
change, and sea level rise, students can explore how we can become self-sustainable in the era of
Anthropocene. The intention of the course is to give students a greater understanding of how
science can inform public policies. In addition, attention will be paid to how science relates to
art and design making, and vice versa.
Sustainabilty Content
Fall and Spring
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LAMS325 Desert Science Travel Course 3cr
This domestic travel course will provide an introduction to the biodiversity of flora and
fauna of the deserts of the Southwest U.S. through on-site immersion, camping and field
explorations. This course is a hands-on, novel exploration of the integration of science,
nature, and art. Through scientific methodology, close observation, and art-making in the field,
we will conduct research on ecological, behavioral, and morphological aspects of desert
flora and fauna in their natural habitats. The unique wildlife and distinct habitats of the
Southwest deserts have long been a source of wonder and inspiration for naturalists,
biologists and artists. The starkly varied environments of the Chihuahuan and Sonoran
Deserts (in NM and AZ) offer a unique opportunity for artists to get hands-on biological research
experience in some of the world’s most unique ecosystems. The Chihuahuan and Sonoran Desert
regions have the highest levels of species endemism in North America (over 2000 species of
plants and animals found only in these eco regions). This course takes an interdisciplinary
approach by creatively combining various methods of field biology data collection and art-making
to conduct novel, collaborative Field BioArt research. The Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts’
pristine, unique, and abundant wildlife is made accessible by the well managed and protected
National and State Parks in New Mexico and Arizona. The natural habitat will be our
studio+lab to develop and explore innovative, creative methods of biological inquiry and
hybrid, experimental art.
Prerequisites: LALW-100 & FRSM-100
TRAVEL COURSE
Sustainabilty Content
Fall Only
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LAMS326 Experimental Biology and Hybrid Research 3cr.
This course will provide an introduction to experimental biology and biological research in a
laboratory setting. This course is a hands-on, novel exploration of organismal and experimental
biology through scientific methodology, close observation, experimental design, and data
collection. We will conduct morphological, physiological and behavioral research on various
flora and fauna in a lab work space. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach by creatively
combining various methods of experimental biology data collection and art-making to conduct novel,
collaborative BioArt and hybrid research. The lab+studio will facilitate the development and
exploration of innovative approaches to biological inquiry using various observational,
descriptive, experimental methods, including data dissemination/science communication.
Prerequisites: FRSM-100
Fall Only
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LAMS400 Directed Study Math/Science 3 cr.
A Liberal Arts directed study is a research project selected by a student in a Liberal Arts discipline. Typically, the study results in a research paper of thirty plus pages or the equivalent, as agreed upon by the faculty member supervising the project. Because of its advanced nature, a Liberal Arts LAMS directed study is open only to seniors and is limited to one per semester. No more than two Liberal Arts directed studies may be counted toward Liberal Arts degree requirements. Students seeking to register for a LAMS directed study must execute a directed study proposal form that describes the proposed project, includes a bibliography, and describes the final project. Liberal Arts directed studies proposals require the approval of the Liberal Arts Department chair.
Prerequisites: FRSM100
Lecture/Seminar
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LAMS401 BioAesthetics and the Human Animal 3cr
This course explores aesthetics in nature and the
evolutionary processes of sensory drive and
natural and sexual selection. The course will
critically examine both anthropocentric and
ecological schemes on the aesthetic diversity of
nature, focusing on the creative agency of
non-human organisms and objective and subjective
models of inquiry. The course evaluates and
challenges historical,contemporary and emerging
perspectives on what is art, who/what can create
it, and on interactions between the science and
art. Through a combination of discussion, guest
lectures and collaborative projects students will
explore various topics focused around the
biological and evolutionary bases of creativity,
art and design.
Prerequisites: FRSM-100
Seminar
Spring
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LAMS402 Eating and the Environment 3cr
Eating and the Environment focuses on the impact
that our daily food purchases and consumption
make on the environment and our health. In the
class, we will examine major themes related to
both industrialized and sustainable agriculture,
including: soil resources and pollution; water
and air pollution; pesticides, herbicides and
fertilizers; the farm bill; tropical
deforestation; food additives and nutritional
supplements; food safety and emerging infectious
diseases; meat and dairy sustainability
ramifications; GMOs; and climate change. This
course gives students the tools they need to
understand what constitutes environmentally
friendly and healthy food. Choosing these leads
to a higher quality of life in many ways. There
is no bigger impact on Earth than agriculture.
And food consumption has the single largest
impact on our health.
Prerequisites: FRSM-100
Seminar
Spring
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