 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Spring 2002 Seminars FRES 1010:
Symmetry (77-726) Can a single topic be explored from the perspectives of different intellectual disciplines? Symmetry is such a topic: it is studied in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and art. In this seminar, we will explore symmetry from a mathematical viewpoint and from an artistic viewpoint. We will use our explorations as a springboard for examining similarities and differences in the nature of knowledge in mathematics and in visual art. This seminar is suitable for all intellectually curious students; no special background or aptitude is assumed. Sybilla Beckmann is the Sandy Beaver Teaching Associate Professor of Mathematics. She considers mathematics to be an artistic endeavor and has even created mathematical artwork. She is currently writing a mathematics book for prospective elementary school teachers. Diane Edison is an Associate Professor of Drawing and Painting. She believes in cross disciplinary approaches to learning as a means of providing rigor in the classroom. She is represented by the George Adams Gallery in New York City and has art work in the American Embassies in Moscow and Chad. FRES 1020: Science Goes
to Hollywood (27-780) Many members of the public learn about the methods and history of science through popular culture, particularly movies. For this seminar, students will watch five motion pictures dealing with science and analyze through written papers and oral discussion how these movies present science. Each student will write a short paper on each film to be turned in before the class discussion. There will be no exam. Edward J. Larson is the Richard B. Russell Professor of American History. He specializes in the history of science, including the impact of science on American culture. He won the 1998 Pulitzer Prize in History for his book Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate over Science and Religion.
FRES
1010: Science as a Human Endeavor (57-725) Science is typically portrayed as a coldly rational discipline combining logical deductions with experimental evidence to learn nature's secrets, according to the "Scientific Method". We will explore the human side of science and the scientific method, demonstrating that scientists in fact use a wide variety of approaches, requiring as much intuition and even artistic creativity as the arts and humanities. We will discuss scientific criteria for testing and accepting a hypothesis and illustrate some of the ethical dilemmas that can arise in the search for scientific "truth". Professor Anderson is an electrochemist and analytical chemist with a particular interest in chemical oxidation/reduction processes in the soil and water environment. He earned a B. A. in Chemistry from Kalamazoo College in 1967,learning German during a semester abroad in Erlangen, Germany, and a Ph. D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 1974. He joined the UGA Chemistry Department faculty in 1979. FRES 1010: Biology
in the News (97-730) Students will read and discuss articles in the popular and scientific press about current issues in biology. We will discuss both the scientific and the social implications of these issues. Recent examples of such topics include biorationale pesticides, advances in biomedicine, and controversies in the human genome project. Joe Crim is an endocrinologist whose research interests focus on receptor biology and the roles of neuropeptides in the physiology of insects. He serves on the National Science Foundation Integrative Animal Biology panel and has received the Sandy Beaver Award for Teaching. His courses include introductory Biology for Majors and Endocrinology. FRES 1010: Edible
Invertebrates (87-735) Have you ever been called "spineless?" For
the majority of animals on the planet this would not be an insult.
Invertebrates (animals without backbones) form the base of most
food chains, and a number of predators, including humans, like to
eat them. In this seminar we will explore the biology of different
invertebrates as we prepare them for a meal. Participants will be
expected to have an adventurous palette! Bill Fitt is a Professor of Ecology and earned his Ph.D. at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He studies the ecological physiology of marine invertebrates, with an emphasis on symbioses and larval development. Specialized topics include physiology and mariculture of giant clams and bleaching of reel corals. FRES 1010: Science
and Human Values (57-739) "Every college student should be able to answer the following question: What is the relation between science and the humanities, and how is it important for human welfare?" So writes E. O. Wilson in Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge. Using short essays/excerpts of diverse authors as a starting point for discussion, this class will explore various answers to Wilson's question. Claiborne Glover has a B.A. in English from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Rochester. He is Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His research focuses on protein phosphorylation as a regulatory mechanism in fungi. He teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in biochemistry and genomics. FRES 1010: Conservation
Biology (07-776) Miller Plant Sciences Several topics in the general area of conservation biology will be examined by reading selected papers and discussing their results. Some topics to be covered will be habitat modification, loss of biodiversity, extinction, conserving genetic diversity, and restoration. Special emphasis will be given to the effects of invasive species on natural ecosystems. Jim Hamrick is a plant evolutionary biologist with wide interests in the areas of plant population genetics and conservation biology. His main research interests are studies of the levels and distribution of genetic diversity in natural plant populations. Recent work has involved genetic studies of tropical trees, columnar cacti and invasive plants.
FRES
1010: Living Together: Interactions Between Species (27-732) Every species on this planet depends on other species for survival. In this seminar students will work in groups to research examples of species interactions and share their findings with the class in a discussion format. Students will select the topics and will be expected to read one introductory article per week. Marshall Darley is an Associate Professor of Biology, a Senior Teaching Fellow, a member of the UGA Teaching Academy, and instructor in introductory courses in organismal biology (BIOL 1104 & BIOL 1108). He is also interested in the biology of protists (algae and protozoa) and their evolutionary history. FRES 1010: Decoding the GMO
(Genetically Modified Organism) (47-733) Crop improvement is as old as the hills, but how we do it has changed dramatically over the years. In this seminar we will discuss how plant breeding evolved into genetic engineering, and how the issue became so complicated. Kelly Dawe is in the Department of Botany and Genetics where he carries out basic research on cell division in plants.
FRES 1010: Artificial
Intelligence - It's for real! (37-786) Ever since the development of the earliest mechanical devices, people have contemplated the notion of competing against a non-human opponent at some sort of game (from recreational gaming to warfare simulation and training games; Go and Chess are good examples). Today's modern "computer opponents" provide a wide array of stimulating and learning challenges for humans. Two major items distinguish modern computer opponents in all gaming genres, namely an immersive graphical user interface and "intelligent" computer opponents. The goal of this research seminar is to investigate the historical development of non-human opponent gaming with special emphasis on computer opponents. In addition, we want to focus on at least one specific computer game and investigate the development of an intelligent agent for us to compete against. An excellent gaming environment is provided in Microsoft's Age of Empires II: Age of Kings; considered one of the best real-time strategy games ever developed. We will use this game to develop our own intelligent players. Don Potter is Graduate Coordinator for the Artificial Intelligence Center, and Professor of Computer Science. His research and teaching interests include database management systems and artificial intelligence. He is currently working on several projects (funded by the USDA Forest Service) that focus on applying artificial intelligence techniques to forest management decision making.
FRES 1010: Rhyme
and Reason: Dialogues in the Global Village (97-775) In this seminar students will explore a range of contemporary issues --- from courtship to crime --- with peers from Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Africa, who are studying at UGA's American Language Program. The instructors will introduce cartoons, essays, songs, and films as social commentary. Working together, seminar participants will design a presentation, performance, or exhibit for the wider university community. Joan Kelly Hall is an associate professor in the department of Language Education. Her research and teaching interests include issues relevant to second and foreign language learning, such as bilingualism, intercultural communication, and sociocultural identity. Susan Gill teaches English to international students at the American Language Program. She illustrates and co-authors a series, A Novel Approach: A Guide to Using Literature and Film in the Classroom (University of Michigan Press), with colleagues.
FRES 1010:
Wildlife in the Suburbs: It's a Jungle Out There (77-791) Nationwide, many wildlife species have increased in abundance in urban and suburban areas, which has caused an increase in the interactions between wildlife and humans. Often these interactions are positive, but sometimes they are negative. Whether it's deer damaging landscape shrubbery, or vehicles colliding with deer, or alligators in swimming pools, or black bears in suburban land fills, the increasing occurrence of these interactions represents significant challenges to wildlife biologists and the American public. There are no easy solutions to these negative interactions because each situation entails numerous social, ethical, biological, ecological, and animal welfare issues. This seminar will focus on these issues surrounding the management of interactions between wildlife and humans in urban and suburban areas. Students will actively participate in the discussions based on the study of case histories involving interactions between wildlife and humans. Robert Warren is Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management in the Daniel B. Warnell School of Forest Resources. He has conducted extensive research on the ecology and management of wildlife populations, especially in parks and urban/suburban areas. He is a nationally recognized authority on the management of urban deer populations. FRES 1010: Global Warming
- What's Going on Here? (07-793) "There is now a consensus among the world's scientific community that human activities are having an effect on climate." --- J. Houghton (1997) For this highly interactive seminar, we will read and discuss some of the chapters of Houghton's book. Our focus will be on what we know and don't know about global change. Come to speak your mind and hear from others. This seminar should be of interest to students interested in both the scientific and policy implications of global warming. Patricia Yager received her Ph.D. from the University of Washington School of Oceanography in 1996. She has been an Assistant Professor of Marine Sciences at UGA since 1998. Her research focuses on how marine ecosystems respond and feedback to climate and she has done extensive fieldwork in the Arctic and Equatorial Atlantic Oceans. |
 |
 |
 |
