Science, Health, and Medicine Courses

Do you have a fascination with the Weather Channel? Are you interested in a non-mathematical treatment of the principles of meteorology and climatology? In this course, you will be introduced to the excitement of weather as it happens, by working current weather data delivered via the Internet. The course objectives are to develop a working understanding of general meteorological and climatological processes, develop an understanding of the spatial and temporal variability of these processes, and begin to understand how these factors influence the climate of a region. The course covers the composition and structure of the atmosphere, the flows of energy to, from, and through the atmosphere, and the resulting motions produced from small to planetary scales. The physical principles of atmospheric phenomena are stressed in the understanding of weather's impact on humans, particularly with sever weather, as well as climate change.

The course examines the various aspects of health care delivery in the United States and other countries. The course will provide the student with a critical analysis and overview of health care delivery focusing on factors impacting its access, quality and cost.

From the human genome project and cloning to hormone replacement therapy and antibiotic resistance, new issues involving human health as science discovers more about the causes and treatment of human diseases increasingly confront us. Our ability to manage our health depends on our understanding and appreciation of the biological concepts underlying these issues. This course will examine some of these contemporary issues and the underlying biological concepts through readings from a variety of Web resources.

Our relationship with the Earth is changing at an unprecedented rate. The pace of change is accelerating not only from our advancing technology, but also from world population growth, economic growth, and increasingly frequent collisions between expanding human demands and the limits of the Earth's natural systems. It appears that catastrophe looms ahead unless major changes are made in a short period of time. Or does it? Fortunately, human beings are capable of changing their behavior and values, which are then reflected in changes in national and international priorities. Such changes happen when people are confronted with new information or new experiences. This is a discussion and debate style course. The objective is to introduce students to controversies in environmental policy and science. The readings, which represent the arguments of leading environmentalists, scientists, and policymakers, reflect a variety of viewpoints and have been selected for their liveliness and substance. They are organized topically around major areas of study within environmental studies, and include environmental ethics, water resources, energy, global climate change, and population.

This course will explore many aspects of the ecology of the earth. Ecology is the study of the interaction of organisms with their environment. The environment includes both physical (global air patterns, soils, etc.) and biotic (competition, predation, etc.) parameters. Specifically, the course will explore the paleohistory of the earth, biomes of the world, the physical forces of today's biosphere, the dynamics of natural communities and populations, and the global effects of man's presence on planet earth.

A study of the distribution of the world's energy resources and a look at alternative sources of energy such as wind, tides, geothermal, synfuels, solar and nuclear power. Environmental issues including air and water pollution, solid waste, pesticides, toxic substances, etc., will be addressed as will new techniques for finding and evaluating earth resources utilizing satellite data and the internet.

Contemporary approaches to the study of mental health emphasize disorders of the brain as the source for abnormal thinking and behavior. This course examines the ethical considerations inherent in this approach as it applies to the development of new treatments. The major objectives of the course include: an understanding of the journey from basic to clinical research; a familiarity with the ethical issues surrounding animal and human clinical research; the challenges that come with industry-sponsored research; and the ethical concerns with proposed treatments for psychological disorders in the future that may include cloning, gene-therapy, and stem cell research.

Students will become acquainted with the impact that fossils and paleontology have had on the history of the earth. It was the fact that fossils were finally accepted as a record of ancient life that began to change the way that 17th century naturalists looked at the world. The fundamental notions of change and evolution of natural systems has forever affected man's view of the world and fossils, which, in particular, document worlds before man. The history of interpretation of fossils in the argument for evolution, and the use of fossils in modern biology and geology will be examined.

The course will examine the state of health care in the United States and explore how quality is defined in light of it. A brief overview of the structure and processes of health care delivery will be presented followed by a review of the various methods for defining and establishing quality in health care in our society. The role and influence of health care providers (medical and insurance companies) on individual choices will also be examined. Specific issues facing society related to health care decision-making will be reviewed and then related to how and who interprets the concept quality.

Aspects of plants that make them useful to people from an economic and social perspective. The structure, chemistry, genetics and ecology of plants are examined. Products derived from flowers, seeds, fruits, stems, leaves and roots are analyzed in light of past, present and future needs of the world community.

This course examines the relationship between light and human health. Topics will include: the aging visual system, light and the circadian system, yellow jaundice, vitamin D deficiency. A specific focus of the course will be hands on" experiences of light as it is used for human health."

Human beings receive over 80% of their information about the spatial environment through vision. The mechanism by which this visual environment is revealed to us is light. It is the quality of that light, in all of its manifestations, that has inspired mankind for thousands of years. Ranging from the philosophical statement I see, which has more to do with the act of understanding than the process of seeing, to the psychological aspects of certain three dimensional visual illusions that work, based solely upon stored mental information on the location of our sun and the resultant cast shadows; light has both inspired and guided our relationships with the world that surrounds us. So strongly interwoven is this relationship that it passes for the commonplace. This course seeks to explore and clarify the inter-relationship between man and light. Individual/team investigations will concentrate on the use of light and color to create sophisticated themed environments. The TCU Center for Lighting Education will be used to support the actual demonstration of and investigations into the use of various types of electric lighting devised, ranging from simple track fixtures to computer controlled fixtures that can change color, lighting position, and pattern.

A non-mathmatical introduction to recent developments in astronomy and astrophysics: how the Universe began and how will it end, the age of the cosmos, the origin of galaxies, the birth, life and death of stars; stellar and galactic black holes, millisecond pulsars, supernovae, comets, and quasars, and the worlds of the solar system. Questions to be pondered include: Where and what is the missing mass? Is there intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe? Are we in danger from a comet or meteor colliding with earth? Where and how did life originate? The latest discoveries by the Hubble Space Telescope, Cassini-Huygens, and other space missions are also discussed.

In recent years several studies have refuted the pristine myth or commonly held view that indigenous societies in the Americas had minor impact on their natural environments. Rather than living in harmony with nature indigenous peoples typically altered their environments, often extensively. In some cases, the results of these modifications are still visible today. This course examines the multiple ways indigenous peoples of the Americas modified their natural environments past and present. Specific themes include: settlement impact on the environment; the role of population growth and decline; environmental perception through place naming; indigenous mapping of their environments; and, environmental modification through agriculture (the creation of Amazonian dark soils, terracing, raised fields, etc.). Finally, the course will analyze and evaluate current efforts in the Americas to preserve the environment by protecting indigenous lands through participatory mapping.

A broad, integrated view of infectious disease in humans within the context of society and history. Development of medical science and technology, effects of disease in society, and conduct and limitations of historical inquiry will be examined.

The field of parapsychology includes phenomenon such as telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, ghosts and hauntings, spirit communication, and near-death experiences. The claim by many parapsychologists is that these paranormal occurrences have been studied with rigorous research methods, and that there is considerable evidence to support their existence. This course will weigh the evidence for parapsychology by tracing the history of psychical research from the dawn of spiritualism to the present day use of the ganzfeld technique. We will discuss the careers of famous psychics as well as the contributions of many noted parapsychologists. The methods and results from parapsychological studies will be evaluated in the context of the approaches used by researchers in the natural sciences. This course will address the following important issues: are testimonials useful evidence to support the existence of these phenomena; do fraudulent claims preclude acceptance of the field; can parapsychological research findings be replicated; do probability and chance help explain paranormal events; how have magicians and skeptics affected the perception of parapsychology in the scientific community and the general public. The objective of this course is to present perspectives from both believers and skeptics such that in the end, each student can make up his/her own mind as to the strength of the evidence.

The physiological changes that take place in the body as a result of acute and chronic exercise. Specifically, the concepts of physical fitness, conditioning programs, wellness, body composition, nutrition, risk factor reduction and the influence of exercise on disease and aging are investigated.

Teaches students how to think critically about psychological research on sex, violence, and aggression. The course goal is to educate intelligent consumers of media information and misinformation, teaching them to separate scientifically valid from invalid claims that such factors as genetics, biochemistry, socialization practices, sex differences, ambient temperature, alcohol, television, movies, and video games affect interpersonal violence and aggression.

The course examines current biological issues in Public Health through lectures, readings, class discussion and debate. Issues such as vaccines, food safety, use of genetically modified plant crops, environmental toxins, bioterrorism and emerging diseases are examined.

Teaches students how to think critically about psychological research on romantic attraction and close relationships. The course goal is to educate intelligent consumers of media information and misinformation, teaching them to separate scientifically valid from invalid claims about the causes and consequences of initial romantic attraction, deepening close relationships, sex differences, problems that occur within close relationships, and effective versus ineffective strategies for resolving conflicts in close relationships.

Science, Scientists and Society is a cross-disciplinary course in the natural sciences. It will acquaint you with the workings of science and scientists by examining recurring themes and selected episodes of science. We will consider the nature of the scientific enterprise and how science differs from or is similar to other areas of human endeavor, such as art, religion, philosophy, economics, etc. After taking this course you will have a better understanding of science and how it works and of the complex relationship between science and the intellectual, cultural and social milieu in which it is practiced. You will learn the nature of scientific explanation and the limits of scientific understanding.

Explores holistic women's health in the contexts of history, culture, science. Examines the influence of race, gender, age, and class on women's embodied experiences and women's health. Reviews effect of oppression and influence of power and privilege on systems and processes. Analyzes the impact of social construction of gender on women as consumers and providers of health care. Reframes contemporary systems to challenge prevailing social values and actions; suggests alternative practices and research agendas. Promotes women's ownership and self-agency in naming misogyny, understanding health behaviors and selected problems; identifying choices in prevention and care. Introduces global considerations in women's health.

This course introduces students to the central ideas in the field of social psychology and the significance of these ideas in providing explanations for criminal behavior and related phenomena. Additionally, classic social psychological theory and research are examined and utilized to understand offenders, victims and criminogenic environments. The course emphasizes the integration and application of course content to understand contemporary criminological issues such as the youth crime and violence, treating and controlling sex offenders, victim recovery and well-being, media influence on violence and aggression, and the nature of serial, mass, and family murder.

What is deviance? From a sociological perspective, deviance is a matter of social definition, interpretation, and reaction. This seminar examines the story of deviance, a story involving the struggle between rule breakers and those who seek to define them as outside normative boundaries. The goal is to introduce students to substantive topics and scholarly work within the sociology of deviance while providing an opportunity for discussion and critique. Special emphasis will be place on the interactional dynamics involved in defining and managing deviance and the development of deviant careers.

Dinosaurs have held the public imagination for almost 200 years now. Beyond an intrinsic interest in animals that lived in an unimaginably distant time, dinosaurs and dinosaur paleontology figured greatly in the development of concepts of geologic time and biology from the Renaissance on and are still centered in the public's appreciation of 'science'. This course will take students through a tangled web of emergent concepts of time, organisms and 'public relations' through the last 300 years or so, focusing on the tangible and intangible impressions that dinosaurs have made on modern civilizations.

Students who take this course will explore not only the theories that purport to explain why people laugh but also a number of practical, social, rhetorical, and psychological uses for wit and humor. The work of the course will revolve around readings of works about humor, analyzing works of humor, and writing essays related to this topic, including one essay in which students attempt to write humorously and then, using several theories of humor, analyze to what extent they have succeeded or failed.