First-Year Seminars: Science and Investigation
The world changes quickly. To understand the world around us, we will need to dedicate ourselves to the process of investigation and discovery. These first-year seminars embody the curiosity that lies at the heart of higher education and provide opportunities to explore the interconnected nature of our world, our culture, and our lives.
FS-BIOL 1300-001 "Global Change and You: Climate, Diversity, and Food"
Laura Mydlarz, Department of Biology
Temperatures are rising. Natural disasters are becoming more extreme. The world is changing all around us. By understanding how these changes will impact our lives, we’ll be better able to prepare for the future. In this course, we will take a look at the science behind current issues such as biodiversity, conservation, food production, climate change, and resource use to explore the ways our world is changing.
Who should take this course? Students interested in a variety of science fields from microbiology to environmental science, conservation, public policy, food, marine ecosystems, law, or politics.
FS-MANA 1300-001 "Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise: From Stressed First-Year Student to Successful Student"
James Campbell Quick, Goolsby Leadership Academy and Department of Management
Have you ever felt stressed out? Dumb question, huh? At some point, all of us have had to deal with stress. Stress is great in emergencies and during peak performance events, like sports. But too often, stress is misunderstood and mismanaged, causing people to suffer, become sick, and perform poorly. Mastering the mind-body stress response can dramatically improve health, performance and well-being. In this course, we’ll explore the definitions and causes of stress and protective measures to prevent stress and increase your chances for success.
Who should take this course? Any student coming to college will be dealing with stress, so this class might be a good chance to gain a strategic advantage over others in your courses. Additionally, students interested in business, psychology, physiology, medicine, nursing, athletic training, working out, or alternative medicine.
FS-MATH 1300-001 "Topics on Classical Mathematics in the Modern Day"
Barbara Shipman, Department of Mathematics
Math. Maybe you love it. Maybe you fear it. Regardless of your feelings on it, math is everywhere, affecting the ways that we live our lives every day. In this course, we’ll take an in-depth look at the way that classical mathematics continues to change our world, from the mathematics of knots to the arithmetic underlying bar codes, ID numbers, modern medicine, even nature! No special mathematical training is needed for this course. Just come prepared to be amazed by the magic of mathematics that permeates our modern day world.
Who should take this course? Students interested in science, engineering, business, mathematics, physics, or anyone who just loves to solve problems and explore the world around them.
FS-UNIV 1300-001 "My Information Nation: How Information Access Defines Who We Are and What We Become"
Mary Jo H. Lyons, Department of Information Literacy
The religious philosopher Sir Francis Bacon once said, "Knowledge is power." Never before has that adage been more true than in today's hyper-connected world. The struggle for democracy highlighted by the Arab Spring has shown us the power of information to inspire change and to promote equality and democracy. The heavy-handed censorship practiced by dictators and repressive regimes has demonstrated the inequality that can develop when information is withheld. Whether intentional or not, our nation is often divided between the information haves and have-nots. In this course, students will not only analyze various issues related to information access, but they will also engage with a community services organization that supports less privileged and disempowered individuals. Students will witness the impact of information inequality and will also work to mend these consequences to make a difference in the community.
Who should take this course? Students interested in community service, social work, psychology, politics, current events, business, history, sociology or those interested in helping to make a difference in the lives of others.