Interdisciplinary Studies
IDSC 100. Paradigm Shifts: New Views on Abrupt Climate Change In this seminar we will explore changing views on the capacity of Earth's global climate to exhibit rapid and unpredictable change. We will closely examine historical climate data, case studies of abrupt change, and climate systems. We will also consider some larger issues concerning the nature of knowledge and belief, with a focus on how scientific communities arrive at "truth" and how people change their minds. This course will be linked to another first-year seminar (IDSC 100-02) on new views on the mind-brain relationship, with shared readings and class periods on contemporary paradigm shifts in science. 6 cr., S/CR/NC, MS, Fall—T. Ferrett
IDSC 100. Measured Thinking: Principles of Quantitative Reasoning
This course is designed to strengthen students' ability to participate in and contribute to public, professional, and disciplinary discourses that incorporate uses of empirical data and other numerical information. We will address basic values, concepts, and procedures of quantitative reasoning and use our skills to assist community organizations. Topics will include the role of empirical evidence and quantitative literacy in contemporary life, the evaluation of data and the statistical assessment of research, research design and measurement, and ethical standards in quantitative reasoning. 6 credits cr., S/CR/NC, SS, Fall—N. Lutsky
IDSC 100. Paradigm Shifts: New Views on the Mind-Brain Relationship In this seminar we will explore changing views on how the brain works: How it responds to environmental events, how it repairs itself following damage, and how our own thoughts influence the chemistry, physiology, and anatomy of our brains. We will also examine some larger issues concerning the nature of knowledge and belief, with a focus on how scientific communities arrive at "truth" and how people change their minds. This course will be linked to another first-year seminar (IDSC 100-01) on new views on abrupt climate change, with shared readings and class periods on contemporary paradigm shifts in science. 6 cr., S/CR/NC, MS, Fall—L. Wichlinski
IDSC 209. Writing Science This course will explore how scientists communicate. Focused on communication expected in the sciences. The assignments will range among math and natural science disciplines, using data, graphics and text for a variety of purposes. Students should expect reading, writing, and speaking assignments tailored to a variety of audiences, including professional scientific audiences and the broader community. This course is intended for students who have taken at least one introductory mathematics or natural science course. 6 cr., ND, Spring—C. Blaha