This mostly non-mathematical presentation of optics leads us to an appreciation of the logic and beauty behind the behavior of light. Starting with the fundamental properties of light, we pass through the geometric optics of reflection and refraction, and the wave optics of interference and diffraction to the clarity of particle waves, lasers, holography, and special relativity. This Wintersession seminar on optics has a section on understanding the physics that makes laser holograms and lasers work. Ideas from familiar phenomena help us see the connections between everyday life and the abstract ideas of optics and physics.

Elective

Deception, manipulation, reproduction. Life, death, or something in-between. What does it mean when cowbirds move into your neighborhood? Can plants cause animals to have bizarre sexual practices, for their benefit? Are most wasp species pest colonies that torment humans, or parasitoids that benefit ecosystems? This course will focus on the intimate relationships within ecology, morphology and behavior in the evolution and diversification of plants, animals, and other living things. Symbiosis (pl. symbioses) is when different species live together. Sometimes both benefit (mutualism), but often one benefits at a cost to the other (e.g., parasitism). The focus of this course will be to observe and study examples of the myriad of ecological interactions that involve symbioses. We will examine the structures and relationships that exist in a variety of ecosystems and learn to understand why things look (or act) the way they do. The basic biology of many types of organisms will also be covered. We will consult diverse scientific literature and films, and conduct (solo) forays into nature. Coursework will combine lecture, discussion and presentation; weekly readings; frequent homework assignments; final synthesis.

Elective

Advanced and basic topics in the physical sciences are explored in this class. An overview of space-time and the expanding universe is followed by topics in: light quantum, the atom, and quantum physics. Other topics include wave-particle duality, gravity, time, black holes, and the special and general theories of relativity. Then we examine the unification of physics through the emerging result of (super) string theory which in spite of the incompatibility between general relativity and quantum mechanics harmoniously unites (and also requires) these conflicting theories. The already non-intuitive dimensions of space-time beautifully expand in the quantum geometry of string theory.

Elective

For many of us, the planted and cultivated landscape of urban environments captures our attention. However, the city greenscape is so much more than that. All around us seeds have found their way into spaces created in the cracks and crevices formed within seemingly impermeable urban surfaces. If ignored, and left undisturbed by human activities for any length of time, they transform the soil and set in motion processes of succession which eventually can create urban woodlands. Through this course, we will discover what those species are, and discuss how their growth habits and life cycles are particularly well suited to growth and reproduction in urban environments. What benefit these plants could potentially provide has long been ignored, and we will assess the ability of various species to sequester carbon, filter air, slow stormwater runoff, and provide the cooling effects of shade, as well as habitat, cover, and food for wildlife. Students will learn to identify common urban plants, and create a personal herbarium collection of 15 species. Through a combination of sketches and photographs, the class will document where species are growing within the urban environment. To highlight and bring attention to the ecological role these tenacious wild plants play, students will be asked to explore ways in which plant growth habits can be applied to their own work. The class will be organized around a combination of independent outdoor field work in all weather, and remote synchronous lecture. Students studying remotely will be required to identify and locate wild plants growing in urban contexts within their own communities. Support for plant identification will be given to all students through shared photographs and the use of localized plant identification apps and field guides.

Elective

The goals of this course are threefold:

(1) to explain how the natural world works, and how humans physically change and are changed by some of its processes

(2) To emphasize how society understands, evaluates and confronts the dangers posed by these natural processes

(3) To encourage students to view the unique sets of problems caused by flooding, earthquakes, tsunami, climate change and other earth functions as challenges demanding intelligent and creative solutions that they are equipped to deliver.

Case studies of recent natural disasters and design solutions will be discussed, and students own creativity and concepts for potential design solutions will be employed. No prior science background is required.

Elective

This course, taught by zoological medicine veterinarian Dr. Lucy Spelman examines how we interact with animals-both domestic and wild-and how, in turn, these interactions affect us. Each week we focus on a different species, working our way up the taxonomic tree from corals to gorillas. We study the animal's basic biology, including its anatomy, natural history, and ecology. We consider the role it plays in human society, including as companions, as food, and, as sources of medicine and spiritual inspiration. We study how human activity is affecting its health and the ripple effect on our own health. We explore how agriculture, climate change, emerging diseases, habitat loss, hunting, and trade are driving many species to extinction. In the process, we discover that while many human-animal interactions are positive, many more are problematic, and that although we have solutions for most of these negative interactions, we often fail to implement them. Examples include excessive antibiotic use in cows, the continued loss of wetlands threatening frogs, and, the increasing number of coyotes favored by urban landscapes. We explore some of the underlying reasons for this inaction. In their final project, students identify a problematic human-animal interaction and explore solutions. This course is designed to encourage you to explore the range of biological complexity in the animal world, the many ways we interact with animals, both domestic and wild, and, the scientific basis of the interconnectedness of health. You will also have the opportunity to explore solutions for problematic human-animal interactions; it is possible to live in balance with animals if we make informed decisions. The material presented will challenge you to learn more about animal classification, zoology, ecology, food animal science, veterinary medicine, public health, and conservation biology. For your final project, you will research a problematic human-animal interaction, explore potential solutions, and create a work of art or design that inspires others to take action.

Elective

Evolution is the process by which living organisms change over generations of time. This course examines how evolution occurs through natural selection, mutation, and genetic drift, beginning with the search for the origin of species (speciation) by artist-naturalists Charles Darwin, Alfred Wallace, and Henry Bates. Their observations of animal diversity (species variation, island geography, and mimicry) provided evidence for common descent within the animal kingdom, and led to the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection. Studies of the fossil record paleontology yielded more evidence. Eventually, the genetic basis of evolution was explained by Gregor Mendel's discovery of heritable traits, later named genes. Today, studies of evolution continue on a molecular scale with DNA and RNA (genomics) and proteins (protenomics). Students will be graded based upon responses to study questions, participation during class discussion, performance on two written exams and a project on scientific visualization.

Elective

Has the unfathomable diversity of insects ever fascinated you, but left you wondering where to begin? This is a basic course in entomology for the natural historian and artist. All orders of Class Insecta will be introduced, with both field and lab components whenever possible. Basic insect morphology and ecology will be covered for most orders, with opportunities for artistic rendition and use of both live and dead specimens as models. Students will learn basic insect anatomy and taxonomy for the identification of insects to order-level. Elements of insect ecology will infiltrate everything we look at, in both the field and the lab. Emphasis will be placed on the major orders (beetles, flies, butterflies/moths, etc.); the minor orders will be covered to varying degrees, but this can be adjusted according to the class consensus. Coursework will include field collecting trips, observation and drawing of specimens using a microscope, identification quizzes, and a course project that will emphasize the creation of materials for educational outreach. Additionally, students will finish with their own curated insect collection identified to order-level (or beyond, if student desires).

Elective

In this course we will examine the major psychological theories of color, form, depth, and motion perception. To this end, we will explore the nature of light and optics, the structure of the eye and visual pathways of the brain, and the sensory and cognitive processes which mediate visual perception. The roles of learning, memory, imagination, as well as social and cultural factors will be explored. There will be weekly class discussions of readings as well as individual presentations on various topics, some quizzes, a final paper and final class presentation.

Elective

We frequently hear about animal (and plant) species that become common nuisances in urban areas, and we hear about how natural habitat loss leads to the disappearance of other species-not to mention the emergence of new diseases. This course will approach the area of urban ecology from a natural science perspective. We will learn about a broad variety of North American organisms (vertebrate, invertebrate, plant and pathogen), from diverse habitat types, and their ecological patterns and processes with regard to urbanization. We will also conduct field experiments to evaluate certain patterns in our greater Providence landscape for ourselves. Ultimately, how do urban wildlife patterns affect the lives of our species, Homo sapiens? Coursework will include frequent readings, outdoor field trips, observational chronicling and group discussions.

Elective

Cape Town, South Africa is predicted to be the first major city to run out of water. Day Zero, when the taps will run dry, is expected in Spring 2018. How did we get here, and how do we fix it? Learn the science behind the planet's water and how humanity interacts with it. We will examine the causes and results of drought, salt-water contamination of wells and streams, shrinking aquifers and more. The goals of this course are threefold:

(1) To clarify how water works in earth's systems

(2) To outline how humans interact and leave their mark on every step of these cycles

(3) To encourage students to understand these water issues as challenges in need of the intelligent and creative solutions that they are equipped to deliver.

No prior science background is required.

Elective

For much of what we in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere call winter, the trees around us appear lifeless. But are they? Dormancy in trees is a slowing of metabolic function, brought on and maintained by a combination of temperature and day length. Each species has a different response. The shortest day of the year marks a turning point for the plant world, as from that pivotal point day length steadily increases. So what are trees doing in January and February? How do they mark the passage of time, and know when to awaken? During the five-weeks of Wintersession, you will regularly observe and sketch a single tree, from root to bud. Through close observation you will come to understand your tree and how its various parts function in all weather. Class lectures and reading will inform your observations. In addition, samples of a variety of species will be brought inside so we can observe their responses to warmer temperatures. Each species' response will be documented through sketches and measurements of change in bud size, and emersion of leaf and/or flower. By observing the response of different species to increases in ambient temperature, we will become more informed about the implications of dramatic fluctuations in winter temperatures for trees in the future.

Good design is key for life on this planet, moving away from destructive, colonial and extractive practices, to center natural healthy systems within our design process is again required. Through an interdisciplinary design lens of art, culture, and nature, students will observe natural phenomena and investigate potential design solutions for current environmental issues and potential future impact, considering the breadth of the natural world - from form to regeneration.

This course introduces various aspects of design in natural systems, including materiality of form, biomimicry, environmental and social systems, biophilia, life cycle analysis, regeneration, and indigenous science. Specific case studies will be considered as well as the view of how different cultures design toward their physical surroundings. As we develop a regenerative design practice, this will require us to embrace the complexity of a system’s interaction, and in taking a systems approach of the life cycle of the product in mind, we will begin to unpack the relationships of form, design, and potential impact. This course will provide a foundational understanding of nature as model, mentor, and measure of design success, with an emphasis on practical skills to inform projects designed for regenerative impact.

This course is a required prerequisite for the Future Structures Spring Studio courses and is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Group. Prior scientific knowledge is not required, but a willingness to engage in the tools, technologies and literature of scientific disciplines is. Students' research may be shared with the sponsor during the duration of the course.

Good design is key for life on this planet, moving away from destructive, colonial and extractive practices, to center natural healthy systems within our design process is again required. Through an interdisciplinary design lens of art, culture, and nature, students will observe natural phenomena and investigate potential design solutions for current environmental issues and potential future impact, considering the breadth of the natural world - from form to regeneration.

This course introduces various aspects of design in natural systems, including materiality of form, biomimicry, environmental and social systems, biophilia, life cycle analysis, regeneration, and indigenous science. Specific case studies will be considered as well as the view of how different cultures design toward their physical surroundings. As we develop a regenerative design practice, this will require us to embrace the complexity of a system’s interaction, and in taking a systems approach of the life cycle of the product in mind, we will begin to unpack the relationships of form, design, and potential impact. This course will provide a foundational understanding of nature as model, mentor, and measure of design success, with an emphasis on practical skills to inform projects designed for regenerative impact.

This course is a required prerequisite for the Future Structures Spring Studio courses and is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Group. Prior scientific knowledge is not required, but a willingness to engage in the tools, technologies and literature of scientific disciplines is. Students' research may be shared with the sponsor during the duration of the course.

The goal of the course is to explore how fundamental questions in philosophy, psychology, and medicine are currently being addressed by research in modern cognitive neuroscience. This course will examine the relationship between the brain and cognition by focusing on topics including perception, attention, memory, language, emotions, decision-making, mental representation, knowledge, and intelligence. Interactive participation will be encouraged as students investigate these topics by actively engaging in experimental design, debates, and demonstrations. Throughout the course, the future of cognitive neuroscience will be discussed including how developments in the field will influence society and the ethical implications of these advancements.

Elective

Lead in city water, Mercury in fish, boil water advisories in Southern RI, PCB's, PAH's, BPA and more.  In this class, we will examine a variety of types of water pollution - how pollutants get into the water, what they do there and how they have been traditionally treated/removed.  We will examine emerging techniques for finding and mitigating water pollution, and brainstorm design solutions of our own.  We will review case studies, and take field trips to water treatment and sewage treatment plants. No prior science background is required.

Elective