31 courses with the subject SCI, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
SCI 1111Modeling and Simulation of the Physical World2
This course provides an introduction to mathematical modeling and computer simulation of physical systems. Working with a broad range of examples, students practice the steps involved in modeling and analyzing a physical system, learn the role of models in explaining and predicting the behavior of the physical world, and develop skills with the programming and computational tools necessary for simulation. Students work in a studio environment on increasingly open-ended projects, and learn how to present their results, with an emphasis on visual and oral communication. (This course is taken with MTH1111.) SCI. Concurrent Requisites: MTH1111.
Foundation Topics in Physics classes (SCI X199) typically cover an introductory topic in Physics and are intended to enhance and expand the selection of offerings from semester to semester. SCI.
SCI 1210Principles of Modern Biology with Laboratory4
Most of the course material is concerned with our current understanding of the fundamentals of life at the molecular and cellular level. Concepts and information from the disciplines of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, evolutionary and cell biology contribute in different ways to provide a coherent view of the components, processes, interdependencies, and other properties common to all organisms. The structure and regulation of genes, properties and synthesis of proteins, and the organization and communication between cells and multi-cellular organisms are essential elements for cellular growth and differentiation that will be studied in detail. Special topics to be considered include, but are not limited to, human genetics, molecular medicine, cancer biology, evolution, genomics, synthetic biology, and ethical implications of the applications of biological research. Students will gain experience with research methods and scientific reasoning through laboratory section experiments, written laboratory research summaries and from other project work. SCI. Concurrent Requisites: SCI1210 L. Hours: 4-3-5.
In this survey course we learn fundamental principles of biology through a journey through the field from the molecular to systems levels. We examine different classes of biological problems and interactions across multiple scales through reading and discussion of primary and secondary literature in the field. We draw on examples from the environment, microbiology, biomimicry, and current events. Through analysis of numerous examples we uncover key principles of biology, a toolkit of which can be applied towards examining and solving multifaceted problems. Projects include examination of biology in the context of systems and exploration of ways in which biology informs interdisciplinary problem solving. Through projects and work in the laboratory students develop a practical and foundational understanding of biological principles and practice. SCI.
This class addresses the engineering grand challenge of “Engineering Better Medicinesâ€. In this class, students will learn to apply concepts and laboratory skills that are currently used in biological research to solve problems in health and disease and drug discovery and development. Students will also develop skills in technical writing and oral communication, and they will gain experience with the basics of designing, conducting and evaluating laboratory experiments. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the larger societal context in which biological concepts, tools and research play a role in everyday life and medicine, and how societal context shapes the advancement of research in biology and medicine. SCI.
SCI 1250Six Microbes that Changed the World with Laboratory4
Penicillium. Vibrio cholerae. Escherichia coli. Yeast. The Archaea. Microbes surround us, and impact our lives, our health, our societies, and our environment. Research with microbes, the smallest of all living creatures, has enabled discovery and understanding of the fundamental workings of life, opens up rich historical narratives of diseases and cures, and may provide sustainable solutions to problems we face from bioremediation to bioenergy. We will use six influential microbes as a window into a rich study of the interactions between science and societal context. This course connects biological concepts and historical knowledge through discussions, integrated assignments, presentations, and hands-on laboratory activities. Let's explore the thrill of biology and history, together. SCI. Concurrent Requisites: AHSE2150.
SCI 1260The Intersection of Biology, Art and Technology (IBAT)4
This project-based course will encourage participants to cross boundaries between art, biology and technology with hands-on projects inspired by contemporary and historical work in these fields. How might biology inform art practice and how might art inform biology? What role does technology play in advancing or restricting each field and how might art and biology inspire technological breakthroughs? What are the implications of being able to change the genome of an organism? What is art anyway? These are just some of the questions we will pursue during this course. We will begin the course with an investigation of the phenomena of climate change and consider what steps we might take individually and collectively to contribute to the sustainability of the planet. Visualization technologies such as the scanning electron microscope (SEM) will be utilized to observe and create artworks. Final student-designed projects are informed by biology, art and technology and encourage deep exploration and integration of these topics. Laboratory studies will enhance an understanding of biology and its relation to technology as well as providing a possible means to create art. We will delve into a variety of written works, films and video resources, and listen first-hand to practitioners in these areas about the challenges and rewards of interdisciplinary work in fields that most would regard as unrelated. The goal by the end of the course is to acquire an attitude that allows fluid movement from one field to the other in thinking and doing so as to garner creative strength not possible from study of each field alone. SCI. Concurrent Requisites: AHSE2160.
SCI 1270BCB: Biomes, Climate Change, and Biodiversity4
Biology, by definition, is the study of life. In this course we will travel from the biosphere to the molecular level as we learn about how life works and the intersections between global warming and the resultant changes to climate that affect all organisms that inhabit planet Earth. Student experience will preference hands-on project-based learning including an experiential learning opportunity in the biology laboratory, in the kitchen laboratory learning how to prepare nutritious meatless meals, and there may be opportunities for fieldwork. There will be several student designed projects that encourage creativity and depth of understanding of topics of interest. Basic principles of genetics, evolution and molecular biology will form a framework for comprehensive understanding and from which biodiversity will be studied and biomes understood. Appreciation for the diversity and kinship of all living organisms is one important outcome and it also requires that all of us understand the obligation to stewardship of the earth through efforts to mitigate climate change and make room for wildlife. This course is for anyone interested in the sustainability of our planet from the perspective of biology. As such the course content is inextricably linked to topics such as environmental justice, agricultural practices, and human population growth. This course will fulfill the biology requirement, or it can be used as an E: Sustainability concentration elective. SCI. Hours: 4-3-5.
This topics course provides flexibility in offering our foundational biology course. Reference semester registration materials for specific offerings. SCI.
SCI 1310Introduction to Chemistry with Laboratory4
This course introduces students to the fundamental aspects of aqueous and solid state chemistry. Topics include stoichiometry, gas laws, atomic structure and bonding, atomic theory, quantum theory, acid/base chemistry, solubility, electrochemistry, kinetics, thermodynamics, and reaction equilibria. SCI. Hours: 4-3-5.
Paper technology is a nascent, ultra low-cost detection platform that has promise to address several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In this course, we'll learn (or re-learn!) the chemistry and material science foundations that make this technology work. This will happen through weekly laboratory experiments; about mid-course we will design a class project to advance paper technology together. The course is a means for people to learn: Foundational chemistry and materials science; Collaboration and Innovation; Laboratory skills and Self-directed and Team-based learning skills. SCI. Hours: 2-4-6.
SCI 1399Paper Panacea Sustainability theory; holism; system dynamics principles
transformational action; UN SDGs 3 Good Health and Well-Being, 5 Gender Equality, 10 Reduced Inequalities, 17 Partnership for the Goals SCI1420 (p. 78) Metals, Mining, and the Sustainability theory; UN SDGs 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, 8 Decent Environment Work and Economic Growth, 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 10 Inequalities, 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, 15 Life on
SCI 1410Materials Science and Solid State Chemistry4
This laboratory-based course introduces students to the relationships among structure, processing, properties, and performance of solid state materials including metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and semiconductors. Topics include atomic structure and bonding, crystallography, diffusion, defects, equilibrium, solubility, phase transformations, and electrical, magnetic, thermal, optical and mechanical properties. Students apply materials science principles in laboratory projects that emphasize experimental design and data analysis, examination of material composition and structure, measurement and modification of material properties, and connection of material behavior to performance in engineering applications. SCI. Hours: 3-3-6.
This course explores materials science through the lens of metallic materials and their environmental and social impacts. From iron and aluminum in mechanical structures, to cobalt and rare earth metals in electronics and renewable energy applications, today's technologies rely on metals and alloys for their unique physical and chemical properties. Metals are part of a larger technological system, however, with complex social, environmental, political, economic, and ethical implications. Through a series of projects, students in this class will explore the technical processing, microstructure, and behaviors of metallic materials, while researching and discussing sustainability issues related to mining operations, raw material processing, and recycling and disposal. We will critically examine the social and environmental costs of the metals industry and metallic products, and consider our professional and ethical responsibilities as scientists, engineers, designers and global citizens to address larger problems or initiate positive change. Teams will implement self-directed projects guided by their own interests and goals, and produce a range of project deliverables that reflect an interdisciplinary understanding of metallic materials and their impacts. SCI. Hours: 6-0-6.
This course explores materials science and solid-state chemistry through the lens of plastics and their environmental and social impacts. The world is creating plastic materials at a staggering rate, with annual global production approaching 400 million tonnes. While plastics play critical roles in health, food packaging, transportation, and construction, the exponential demand for plastics raises significant questions about the human and ecosystem impacts of polymeric materials. For example, only small fractions of plastics are recycled, and recent policy shifts have left many countries struggling to manage their plastics waste streams. Through a series of self-directed team projects, students in this class will explore technical and contextual issues related to plastics processing, use, and disposal, such as the rise of single-use plastics, toxic chemicals and pollutants from polymer synthesis, biodegradation and recycling, life-cycle assessment of plastics versus alternative materials, and larger systemic challenges associated with the plastics industry. The course takes place in a studio-laboratory setting, where teams will implement and troubleshoot project plans, apply a range of materials testing and analytical techniques, and conduct research and reporting that enables critical thinking and reflection on the benefits and consequences of plastics technologies. SCI. Hours: 6-0-6.
SCI 1440Materials Creation, Consumption, and Impact4
This course introduces materials science and solid-state chemistry via open-ended explorations of the materials we encounter in our everyday lives. In a series of team-based analytical projects, students select materials products or processes, and design experiments to answer materials-related questions that are personally interesting and culturally relevant. Each project integrates concepts and questions about the impacts of materials on our world, e.g., the toxicity of materials in consumer products, the energy of material processing, the recyclability or biodegradability of common plastics, or the social impacts of extractive industries and consumer cultures. The self-directed project work, combined with structured assignments, enable students to think critically about the connections among material chemistry, structure, processing, properties, and impacts. A variety of project deliverables help students gain skills in synthesizing, contextualizing, and communicating ideas and insights. In short, this course enables students to explain how materials behave, why they behave that way, and why it matters for maximizing technical performance or minimizing negative impacts on our world. SCI. Hours: 6-0-6.
Special Topics in Science classes (SCI X099) typically cover a specific topic in Science and are intended to enhance and expand the selection of offerings from semester to semester. Credits: Variable Credits SCI.
It's not science unless you quantify your errors. Learn statistics and error analysis by studying our dynamic solar system. The first half of the class will provide you with a toolbox of standard statistical methods. You will learn these methods by studying data from planets, moons, and asteroids. The second half consists of student-designed projects. Your project will investigate an element of our solar system, and will include rigorous error analysis. This course will use data from NASA and ESA missions. SCI. Recommended Requisites Some experience with Python. Concurrent Requisites: MTH2136. Hours: 3-0-9.
Special Topics in Physics classes (SCI X199) typically cover a specific topic in Physics and are intended to enhance and expand the selection of offerings from semester to semester. Credits: Variable Credits SCI.
Immunology is a relatively new science, and our understanding of our immune system is evolving at a rapid pace. When the immune system functions properly, infectious pathogens and potential cancer cells are destroyed. When our immune system malfunctions, normally harmless microorganisms can cause serious infections, autoimmune diseases or allergies can develop and cancer cells can evade immune surveillance and grow unchecked. In this lecture and discussion-based class, we will investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control our immune responses. Current research in immunology will be emphasized through analysis of primary literature and media articles. SCI. Recommended Requisites Foundation Biology, AP Biology score of 4 or 5 (or equivalent), or permission of the instructor. Hours: 4-0-8.
This course is an introduction to the tremendous diversity of the microbial world. The focus will be on the study of environmental bacteria and their metabolic, physiological and genetic diversity. Topics will include: bacterial growth, nutrient cycling, symbiosis, bioremediation, and molecular methods to work with bacteria. A significant portion of the course will involve exploration of the microbial world in the laboratory through authentic research. Students will gain experience with techniques to study a variety of environmental bacteria and learn to use tools in bioinformatics. Students of this course will be able to apply knowledge about microbiology towards development of sustainable biological solutions in a variety of contexts. SCI. Hours: 3-3-6.
SCI 2215Emerging Technologies in Cancer Research, Diagnosis and Treatmt w/ Lab4
More than thirty years have passed since the declaration of a “War on Cancerâ€, yet nearly 600,000 Americans are predicted to die from cancer this year. This course will examine the environmental and biological causes of cancer. We will explore why traditional treatments (chemotherapy, surgery and radiation) and the early promise of biotechnology have not led to a significant improvement of life expectancy for most forms of cancer. Through analyses of journal articles and clinical trials, we will assess the diverse emerging technologies for cancer research, diagnosis and therapy. Some of the technologies to be explored are immune checkpoint inhibitors, CRISPR, angiogenesis inhibitors, microarrays, stem cell therapy, gene therapy, genomic analysis and biological and immunological modifiers. Class discussion and student presentation of primary literature will be integral parts of this course. The course will include a student-designed laboratory component. SCI. Recommended Requisites Foundation Biology, AP Biology score of 4 or 5 (or equivalent), or permission of the instructor. Hours: 2-2-8.
We can learn from nature! From studying a leaf to make a better solar cell to emulating natural processes to develop living buildings, the discipline of Biomimicry views nature as “model, mentor and measure†(Benyus, 1997). Spiders spin protein silk with the strength of steel yet much lighter all at ambient temperature and pressure. Cuttlefish change color to match their surroundings in milliseconds by contracting their chromatophores and even bioluminesce. In this course we will study wonders like these to appreciate the beauty and sophistication of life by investigating the biological mechanisms and functions of organisms as well as the dynamics of whole ecosystems. By examining biological systems at multiple scales, we can draw insights from understanding how they work. By collecting data, running experiments, creating models, or building prototypes, we can translate these insights into design ideas and practice. We will examine and discuss big ideas and thinking in biology and design and then synthesize and reflect on the intersection of these fields. Students will develop skills and insights through critical analysis of readings and the development of projects that draw on both fields. Biological systems have undergone 3.8 billion years of evolution, resulting in time-tested approaches to living on earth that are efficient and embody sustainability. By exploring the intersection of biology and design, we might learn to do the same. This course is crosslisted with ENGR3235. Enrollment in SCI2235 is for advanced science credit. If design depth credit or ENGR credit is desired, enroll in ENGR3235 for projects with engineering design foci. SCI. Hours: 4-0-8. Corequisite: SCI12.
Broadly, Bioengineering can be defined as the application of engineering concepts and methods to the solution and study of biological and medical problems. Using a case study approach, this course aims to provide students with a broad understanding of the types of problems Bioengineers explore as well as the engineering and biological methods they employ. We will approach topics through seminar-style discussion of current primary articles from the literature as well as selected hands-on laboratory explorations of topics. Topics to be covered include tissue engineering, use of microfluidics devices for diagnostics, imaging disease states, and prosthetic limbs. In order to explore a topic of particular interest in more depth, students will also write and orally present a research paper on a topic of their choice. This course is crosslisted with ENGR2600. Taken under the SCI2260 number, the course statisfies advanced Biology. If credit is warranted in Engineering, enroll using ENGR2600. SCI. Recommended Requisites AP/IB Biology satisfies prerequisite if Olin Foundational Biology has not been taken.. Hours: 3-1-8.
Special Topics in Biology classes (SCI X299) typically cover a specific topic in Biology and are intended to enhance and expand the selection of offerings from semester to semester. Credits: Variable Credits SCI.
How do we measure what's happening in our environment, what do we do with that information, and why do we care? This hands-on, project-based course will introduce approaches that environmental engineers and scientists use to analyze complex environmental systems in order to effectively design solutions to mitigate pollution. We will spend the semester making deep- dives into air quality and water quality, which are at the heart of the two leading causes of premature death in the world: chronic exposure to air pollution and lack of access to clean water. The class focuses on building hands-on skills with real- world data analysis, field sampling techniques and lab analysis skills through integrated projects like analyzing pollutant concentrations along the Charles River, and the course will incorporate strong communication themes as we work toward presenting our results to several diverse audiences. Throughout the course, we will study pollution in its broader social, political, and economic context, considering the complex motivations for pollution mitigation and the broader implications of water and air treatment processes. This course is cross-listed with ENGR2810. SCI.
Special Topics in Chemistry classes (SCI X399) typically cover a specific topic in Chemistry and are intended to enhance and expand the selection of offerings from semester to semester. Credits: Variable Credits SCI.
Classical mechanics revisited with the use of mathematical formulation that makes the "old and dusty" Newton's laws shine in all their beauty. Using differential equations and linear algebra tools, we will venture to look at things only hinted at in introductory physics: variational principles, the two-body problem, motion in accelerated frames, rigid body dynamics, oscillations, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, continuum mechanics, nonlinear dynamics, and chaos. SCI. Recommended Requisites SCI1130, MTH2210, MTH2220, or permission of instructor. Hours: 4-0-8.
Special Topics in Physics classes (SCI X199) typically cover a specific topic in Physics and are intended to enhance and expand the selection of offerings from semester to semester. Credits: Variable Credits SCI. Prerequisite: ENGR2510.
In this class, we learn failure analysis by doing failure analysis. By planning and implementing hands-on investigations in a laboratory setting, we will gain practical experience in the analysis of engineered components and systems that fail in expected or unexpected ways. Case study readings and class discussions will help us develop an understanding of technical topics such as failure analysis methodology, fracture classifications and micromechanisms, corrosion and degradation, and materials selection and design decision-making. Self-directed projects will enable skill building in laboratory methods and advanced materials characterization techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), x- ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy, and fracture surface sample preparation. We won't stop there. We will broaden our learning by critically analyzing how “engineering†failures intersect issues of economics, policy, regulation, justice, and ethical decision-making in complex systems. We will pay particular attention to the social and environmental consequences of larger systemic failures by examining concrete case studies (e.g., the Flint water crisis, Love Canal, e-waste in Guiyu) as well as more abstract and aspirational models for the future (e.g., material circularity, extended producer responsibility). Written and oral communication assignments will support development of professional skills in synthesizing laboratory and research data, developing and supporting technical arguments, and contextualizing our findings. This course is cross-listed with ENGR3820. SCI. Hours: 4-0-8.
Prerequisite required of a foundation materials science course.. Curricular and Experiential Learning Prototypes The process of curriculum innovation at Olin College means that curricular prototypes are ongoing during most academic years. These experiments are courses that serve as designated alternatives for requirements in the curriculum. There may also be prototypes that replace a requirement in the curriculum. A curricular experiment is noted by a course code and number. Unless otherwise specified, each course prototype begins with CIE (Curricular Innovation Experiment), followed by the academic year in which it is offered, e.g. CIE2223. If more than one experiment is running, the course number will end in a letter.
Alias
ENGR 3820
Source: Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61
