Experimental Courses
CS440X SOFTWARE SECURITY ENGINEERING
An introduction to the pitfalls and practices of building secure software applications. Topics will include threat modeling,secure software development, defensive programming, web security and human-computer interaction issues that affect security. The course focuses on the application level with minor attention to operating-system level security; network-level security will not be covered. Assignments will involve uncovering security holes in software, implementing secure applications, and reading papers. The course is intended for upper-level Computer Science majors who expect to be writing applications with a security component. All students will be required to sign a pledge of responsible conduct at the start of the course.
Recommended Background: CS3733 and CS3013 or their equivalents are essential. CS3041 and CS3043 are strongly recommended. The course assumes nontrivial experience with C and Unix, familiarity with operating systems and filesystems, and experience with web technologies used to create interactive applications. Basic understanding of networks and client-server architectures would behelpful.
CE460X HAZARDOUS AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
This course will cover concepts and techniques for handling hazardous and industrial wastes. Regulations governing hazardous waste, water & soil remediation concepts, and the fundamentals of waste treatment processes will be discussed. Instruction will be provided through lectures, fieldtrips, practitioner seminars, and class problem solving sessions. Recommended background: ES 3004 and CE 3059.
CE203X. Software Applications in Civil Engineering.
This course introduces Civil Engineering students to fundamental software applications in civil engineering. The course covers the principles of basic 3D software environments, object creation and manipulation, assemblies of objects, surface and terrain modeling, building modeling, geographic and building information databases. Emphasis is given to the adaptability of this software to changes in design and to the production of graphic design documentation. Application software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Revit will be used in this course.
CE1030 is recommended as a background for this course.
STS122X. Global Wealth, Power, and Technology.
There is a great discrepancy in the distribution of wealth, power, and technology throughout the world, the source of which is a question that has intrigued sociologists, economists, and anthropologists for over a century. Some authors claim that environmental conditions operating since the pre-historical period account for differences in the rate of technological innovation and wealth accumulation. Others stress the legacy of colonialism and cultural, social, economic, or intellectual differences in their explanations of current differences in wealth and power by continent.
Students will explore the controversy by reading anthropological and culture studies as well as excerpts from more technology and biology driven views of human history. Both native and western accounts of pre-industrial cultures will be considered.
Teams examining different case materials will compare notes via written and oral presentations. By this means the class will work towards a synthesis of how all these factors combine to produce the pattern of inequality evident as one compares nations and continents today.
ECON210X. International Economics.
This course examines the theory of international trade and the policies followed by governments with respect to trade of goods and services among nations. Theoretical considerations will include the gains from trade under classical and modern assumptions and the impact of various measures used by governments to either restrict or promote trade. Policy considerations will include U. S. trade policies and the role of the World Trade Organization. Additional topics may include trade and the environment, NAFTA, U.S.-China trade, international financial markets, and the determination of exchange rates.
Recommended background: ECON 1120.
BME20XX. Measurement and Data Analysis for Biomedical Engineering.
Measurement and Data Analysis for Biomedical Engineering. Cat. I (1/3 unit). This course is an introduction to the fundamental aspects of measurement and analysis of experimental data often encountered in biomedical engineering. Topics will cover the basic aspects of measurement errors and uncertainties, elements of a measurement system, calibration and response of measurement systems to various inputs, hypothesis testing and design of experiments, basic statistical methods for experimental data processing and uncertainty analysis.
Recommended background: MA 1022, introductory physics courses such as PH 1120 or PH 1121, although previous experience with a programming language is not assumed, students will be expected to learn basic MATLAB and Microsoft Excel programming through homework and laboratory exercises.
HI234X. Popular Culture and Social Change in Asia.
Godzilla, Bruce Lee, anime, fried rice, sushi, Hello Kitty, Toyota. All of these have become part of our American lives, but where did they come from? In this class we will explore the popular cultures of East Asia to better understand the influences that have shaped the region’s late twentieth century and contemporary societies. Focus area will vary, but will be either China (including its diaspora communities) or Japan; genres studied might include film, literature, song, advertisements, video games, manga, anime, etc. We will attempt to link the individual cultural phenomena studied to both internal and external influences, situating popular culture within transnational currents and exchanges when appropriate. No prior knowledge of Asian history is required for this class.
CHE310X. Fundamentals and Applied Colloid and Surface Chemistry.
A colloid is a state of matter having a large surface area per unit volume, and is operationally defined to include particles from several nanometers to a few microns. In this course, we will learn how the chemical and physical nature of the interface between the components determines the stability of the colloidal system. Specific topics may include: intermolecular and surface forces; Solid-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces: thermodynamics, condensation, capillary action, contact angles, adsorption from solution, monolayers; Self-assembly in solution: micelles, bilayers, microemulsions, phase behavior. Colloidal dispersions: surfactants, emulsions, foams, stability. For each type of system, we will discuss the relevant quantitative models for describing the interfacial phenomena, such as modeling the thermodynamics involved in forming a self-assembled system, or modeling the electrostatic and van der Waals interactions between colloidal particles in a solution. Applications will be chosen from several industries, such as cosmetics, clinical diagnostics, drug delivery, and environmental remediation. The recommended background is familiarity with material covered in the general chemistry sequence, and some calculus.
MA196X. Knowing with Certainty: Mathematical Proofs in Contemporary Mathematics.
This course is an introduction to mathematical thinking aimed not only at the beginning mathematical sciences or actuarial mathematics major, but also at students seeking to further their mathematical interests and those simply curious about mathematical logic and reason.
Students in the course will learn to explain, justify, defend, disprove, conjecture and verify, both verbally and in writing, mathematical ideas. The course will also survey the role of proofs and related constructs in contemporary mathematics and other parts of science. Topics may include computer-generated proofs, logic programming, the role of proofs in physics, the Kepler Conjecture, and Fermat's Last Theorem.
Recommended background: at least 1/3 unit of mathematics
IMGD400X. Artificial Intelligence for Interactive Media and Games.
Advanced software design and programming techniques from artificial intelligence are key contributors to the experience of modern computer games and virtual environments, either by directly controlling a non-player character or through more subtle manipulation of the environment. This course will cover the current state of the art in this area, as well as prepare students for the next generation of AI contributions. We will study the application of AI techniques such as search, planning, machine learning, emotion modeling and natural language processing, to game problems such as navigation, strategy, believability and narrative control. Students will implement several small AI demonstration systems and a major group project.
Recommended Background: IMGD 4000
This course will present students with an introduction to general concepts of mammalian biology with particular focus on human structure and function. Contemporaneous issues of homeostasis, ergonomics, adaptation and health will be discussed in the context of today's emerging environmental and inter-organism impacts on the quality of life. Scientific background will underscore student opportunities to think critically, both from the perspective of the individual, and the interface between the individual and his/her immediate and global environment.
BB210X. Environmental Biotechnology.
This course will explore applications of biotechnology to issues of environmental importance. The course is designed for majors in Biology and Biotechnology and for students in other majors who wish to learn about this contemporary topic. Topics to be considered will include: basics of biotechnology; microbes in the environment; environmental monitoring; bioremediation; biofuels; agricultural biotechnology; marine biotechnology; urban myths.
Recommended background: High school biology, including basic cell biology and genetics, and high school chemistry; BB 1035. BB 2550, BB 2002, and BB 2920 would be useful.
BME311X. Physiology and Engineering.
Cat. I
This course provides students with an understanding of mammalian physiology and the engineering aspects of different physiological systems. The course will have both a lecture and laboratory portion. The laboratory portion will provide the students with the ability to analyze and interpret data from living systems, as well as hands-on experience with a living mammalian system and modeling/simulation of real physiological systems. The course will focus on a number of organ systems that may include cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal. Engineering principle that include biomechanical, bioelectrical, and biofluids will be applied to physiological systems.
Recommended background: A knowledge of biomechanics (BME 2504), biological transport (BME2604) and bioelectric foundations (BME 2204).
CHE / CE399X. Transport and Transportation in the Environment.
In this course, students will learn to make quantitative relationships between human activities and the effects on water, soil, and air in the environment. Students will learn the scientific and engineering principles that are needed to understand how contaminants enter and move in the environment, and to help develop solutions to environmental problems. Topics to be covered may include water quality engineering (including microbial interactions), air quality engineering, and hazardous waste management. Recommended Background: familiarity with transport phenomena, such as in ES 3004 (Fluid Mechanics) and ES 3002 (Mass Transfer), and familiarity with reaction kinetics and reactor design, such as through CHE 3201 (Kinetics and Reactor Design). Background such as CE 3059 (Environmental Engineering), CE 3060 (Water Treatment), or CE3061 (Wastewater Treatment) is suggested.
ES280X. Environmental Impacts of Engineering Decisions.
Engineering decisions can affect the environment on local and global scales. This course will introduce students to concepts that will make them aware of the ramifications of their engineering decisions, and is intended for engineering students of all disciplines. Specific topics the course will cover include: environmental issues, waste minimization, energy conservation, water conservation and reuse, regulations (OSHA, TSCA, RCRA, etc.), lifecycle assessment, risk assessment, sustainability, design for the environment, and environmental impact statements. Energy and mass balances will be applied to activities that impact the environment. Instruction will be provided through lectures, practitioner seminars, and a term project.
Intended audience: all engineering majors desiring a general knowledge of the environmental impacts of engineering decisions.
Recommended background: elementary college chemistry; second year students.
ID120X and ID121X. Great Problems Seminars.
This is a two-term sequence of first year seminars designed to serve as an introduction to university-level studies in the context of important topics and issues. These seminars will introduce students to project work and research and will focus on themes of current global importance. The goal is to engage first year students with current events, societal problems and human needs while developing critical thinking, information literacy, and evidence-based writing.
Each seminar will be developed and guided by a team of faculty with expertise in the engineering/science and humanistic/social aspects of the problem. The specific themes and projects for the seminars will be defined by the faculty team. Students in the pilot phase of the Great Problems Seminars will receive 1/3 unit of credit in Science or Engineering and 1/3 unit of credit in Humanities or Social Science, depending on the topics and the affiliation of the faculty delivering the seminar.
MA101X. Calculus I for Biology and Management.
This course covers many of the topics of basic calculus, including functions, limits, derivatives and an introduction to integrals. The emphasis, however, is on concepts and applications relevant to the managerial and life sciences. A particular aim of the two-term sequence, MA101X-MA102X, is to build a foundation for courses in statistics. Appropriate technology will be introduced.
This is a terminal calculus sequence and is not recommended for students whose majors require one or more of MA 1023, MA 1024, and MA 2051. Academic credit can not be obtained for both MA101X and either of MA1021 or MA1020.
MA102X. Calculus II for Biology and Management.
This course is a continuation of MA101X and introduces topics such as numerical integration, functions of several variables, partial derivatives, double integrals, and introductory differential equations. Applications include the normal distribution, least squares linear regression, and growth and decay problems. The course involves the use of appropriate technology. Recommended background: MA 101X.
As mentioned in the course description of MA101X, this course is not recommended for students whose majors require one or more of MA 1023, MA 1024, and MA 2051. Academic credit can not be obtained for both MA102X and either of MA1022 or MA112X.
MA112X. Calculus II - Semester Version.
The main topics for integral calculus (MA1022) are covered in this course: the concept of the definite integral, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and integration techniques. As applications of integral calculus we will use computations involving area, volume, arc length, center of mass, work, and force, as well as exponential growth and decay. Logarithmic and exponential functions are of fundamental importance in the study of calculus and will be studied in depth. Arithmetic and geometric sequences and series will be studied in preparation for Calculus III. Also some of the key historical events in the development of integral calculus are looked into including Archimedes' work on the definite integral and the controversy over the Fundamental Theorem. Technology will be used as appropriate to support the material being studied. This course, which extends for 14 weeks and offers 1/3 unit of credit, is designed for students who do not have a strong math background.
Although the course will make use of computers, no programming experience is assumed.
Students may not receive credit for both MA 112X and MA 1022.
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