Available Courses

• Social Sciences

This course is a short treatment of MATH 112 and 211 with a lab component. It is not appropriate for students who have taken MATH 211. Topics include: advanced integration, Taylor series; and multivariable differentiation, optimization and integration; and applications to statistics and science.

Lab

Age requirement for lab (16 years) does not apply.

prerequisite

MATH 111 OR Scores of 4/5 on AP Calculus AB or BC

• STEM / Natural Sciences

• Humanities
• Arts

Welcome to 'Brains in a Dish: Science, Ethics, and Consciousness,' a pre-college course that delves into the intriguing world of human brain organoids, which are 3D human cell culture models enabling studies of brain development in vitro. Explore the science behind these miniature brain models, learn about the ethical considerations surrounding their development, and engage in discussions about the nature of consciousness.

Led by experts, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the scientific, ethical, and philosophical aspects of brain organoids. This course offers a deep dive into an exciting field of study, where you'll explore the frontiers of neurobiology and ethical inquiry. Students will be equipped with a well-rounded grasp of brain organoids, enabling them to engage in thoughtful discussions, apply critical analysis to complex subjects, and consider the broader ethical and societal implications of this innovative field.

Prerequisites

High school biology

• STEM / Natural Sciences

prerequisite

Strong grades in HS Math through at least Pre-Cal
(Students completing MATH 119 or equivalent cannot enroll for MATH 111)

• STEM / Natural Sciences

• STEM / Natural Sciences

prerequisite

MATH 111 or 119 OR Scores of 4/5 on AP Calculus AB or BC

• STEM / Natural Sciences

• STEM / Natural Sciences

This course introduces the development of Chinese language from proto Sino-Tibetan roots to modern standard Chinese, and presents the chronological changes in syntax and phonology. We will discuss key historical stages in Chinese developments, and analyze it from the view of linguistics aspects.

• Languages

• Social Sciences

• STEM / Natural Sciences

prerequisites

An English lit class may be helpful

• Humanities
• Arts

This introductory poetry course is a space for students to form their own poetry writing community based on thoughtful readership, discussion, and experimentation. Over the course of two weeks, they will closely read and analyze a wide range of contemporary poems—specifically the work of writers who engage deeply with the strange, the disarming, and the absurd—in order to develop the skills necessary for generating and workshopping as a class their own original poems. The course will culminate with a poetry reading and the production of a class chapbook featuring the work of every student. Upon completing this course, students will be able to:

• Recognize the basic craft choices that contemporary writers make in their poems
• Produce original creative writing employing fundamental elements of poetry
• Clearly communicate notes, comments, and critiques in a workshop setting
• Understand the importance of writing as a community.

Students will experience freedom for creative exploration, a sense of collaboration, experimentation, and play.

materials

Creative writing notebook, pens/pencils

• Humanities
• Arts

• STEM / Natural Sciences

prerequisite

1-2 years high school French or Placement Test

• Languages

This course is open to students who have had some French (FREN 101 or two years in high school). It is designed to help students build proficiency in French reading, writing, speaking and listening in the context of cultural exploration.

prerequisite

FREN 101, placement test or two years French in high school

• Languages

• Languages

prerequisite

ITAL 101 or placement test

• Languages

• Languages

prerequisite

PORT 101

Includes: Additional + 5 hours asynchronous classwork weekly

• Languages

This course is an introduction to the concepts and methods related to the study of environmental sciences. Students will be introduced to relevant theories from physical, ecological and social sciences. This course is intended for majors and minors in Environmental Sciences.

• STEM / Natural Sciences

Major topics include: biomolecules, cell structure and function, energy metabolism, and cell reproduction.

This course will provide a topic-driven overview of evolution, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and ecology. LECTURE will address major issues in human biology, medicine, evolution, and ecology, with an emphasis on the basic principles and critical thinking involved in modern biological discovery. Lecture is online.

In LAB, students will design and perform experiments using several important model systems. Lab is in person.

• STEM / Natural Sciences

Major topics include: molecular genetics, population genetics, genomics, evolution, gene expression regulation, signal transduction, cancer and development. Lecture is online.

Students experience scientific inquiry in the laboratory. Students design, implement, analyze and present authentic research projects. Lab is in person.

• STEM / Natural Sciences

materials

Students may bring their own computer if they wish to work on their own device, but it is not required

textbook

Please get a copy of the book, Invent your Own Computer Games with Python, 4th edition by Al Sweigart (ISBN: 978-1593277956), which we will read and reference examples from throughout the course.

• STEM / Natural Sciences

• Arts

• Humanities

prerequisites

Previous experience with biology may be helpful

• STEM / Natural Sciences

Prerequisite:

Biology

• Pre-Health

• Social Sciences

An intensive introduction to the fundamentals of classical Latin, equivalent to both Latin 101 and 102.

• Languages

• Humanities

Special Note:

Students having taken Physics 116 for credit may not take this course.

• STEM / Natural Sciences

A descriptive astronomy course with laboratory. The celestial coordinate system, ancient astronomy, light and telescopes, the solar system, the sun, stellar evolution, galactic astronomy, and cosmology.

• STEM / Natural Sciences

prerequisites

Biology, chemistry recommended but not required

• STEM / Natural Sciences

Lab

Age requirement for lab (16 years) does not apply. 

• STEM / Natural Sciences

Introductory classical mechanics and thermodynamics. The student is expected to be competent in algebra, trigonometry, and plane geometry.

Physics 141 and 142 are appropriate courses to satisfy a one-year physics requirement for professional schools.

• STEM / Natural Sciences

Introduction to electricity, magnetism, optics, and the essentials of quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, and special relativity.

Physics 141 and 142 are appropriate courses to satisfy a one-year physics requirement for professional schools.

Pre-requisite

PHYS 141 and/or AP Physics

• STEM / Natural Sciences

• STEM / Natural Sciences

• Arts

• STEM / Natural Sciences

Branding and Marketing are crucial functions in all industries, businesses, and organizations, as well as for professionals in the workforce. Global brands like Apple, BMW, Coca-Cola, Google, Starbucks, etc. drive sustaining value for organizations and shareholders, and marketing of these brands is becoming increasingly crucial to successfully compete in today's world. In addition, we all have a personal brand that can define how we are perceived by others. Understanding and marketing your personal brand well is critical for professional success, regardless of your future career goals.

This course will examine why brands are important, the essential strategies for successfully marketing brands in today's digital economy, and how to manage and market your personal brand.

In this highly interactive course, students will learn about all aspects of branding and marketing from Brad Taylor, a 23-year Sales and Marketing veteran of the Coca-Cola Company.

Specific areas covered will include what a brand is and why it matters, how a brand creates sustainable value, how to develop effective brand positioning statements, essential marketing strategies and tactics to effectively connect all the consumer touch points with a brand, and how to build and manage your personal brand for professional success.

During this course, all students will engage in

1. A small team project where each team will conjure up a new brand (real or realistic) and develop a brand positioning statement for that brand, and
2. An individual project where each student will create a brand positioning statement, LinkedIn profile, and "elevator speech" for their personal brand.

• Pre-Professional

Branding and Marketing are crucial functions in all industries, businesses, and organizations, as well as for professionals in the workforce. Global brands like Apple, BMW, Coca-Cola, Google, Starbucks, etc. drive sustaining value for organizations and shareholders, and marketing of these brands is becoming increasingly crucial to successfully compete in today's world. In addition, we all have a personal brand that can define how we are perceived by others. Understanding and marketing your personal brand well is critical for professional success, regardless of your future career goals. This course will examine why brands are important, the essential strategies for successfully marketing brands in today's digital economy, and how to manage and market your personal brand.

In this highly interactive course, students will learn about all aspects of branding and marketing from Brad Taylor, a 23-year Sales and Marketing veteran of the Coca-Cola Company.

Specific areas covered will include what a brand is and why it matters, how a brand creates sustainable value, how to develop effective brand positioning statements, essential marketing strategies and tactics to effectively connect all the consumer touch points with a brand, and how to build and manage your personal brand for professional success.

During this course, all students will engage in

1. A small team project where each team will conjure up a new brand (real or realistic) and develop a brand positioning statement for that brand, and
2. An individual project where each student will create a brand positioning statement, LinkedIn profile, and "elevator speech" for their personal brand.

• Pre-Professional

• Humanities

• Arts

• Social Sciences

prerequisites

High school biology course

materials

Closed-toed shoes and long pants for one day of dissection

• STEM / Natural Sciences

Protein is the foundation of life. It forms the basis of all living organisms and enables them to perform diverse functions. The functions of most proteins depend on their three-dimensional structures, which are difficult to determine experimentally or predict computationally.

 However, the field of protein–structure determination has made remarkable progress in the last decade. We are witnessing a golden age of structural biology — one that provides a quantitative and mechanistic understanding of the life sciences, based on solid structural hypotheses. This is an exciting time to study protein!

This course will explore the chemistry of biological systems, with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms and interactions that underlie biological phenomena. The course will consist of two parts: the first part will cover the fundamental concepts of protein structure and function, such as amino acid properties, peptide bond formation, protein folding and stability, and protein motifs and domains. The second part will apply these concepts to real-world examples of drug design and biotechnology, using published research papers as case studies. We will analyze how different chemical and physical principles are used to design effective inhibitors for enzymes such as HIV protease, or to engineer novel mini-proteins that can block the interaction between SARS-CoV2 spike protein and ACE2 receptor. We also might have the opportunity to hear from some faculty members about their ongoing research in cutting-edge laboratories.

materials

A laptop with PDF reader (eg Adobe, Okular) and Word processing software (MS Word, AbiWord) installed might be necessary.

• STEM / Natural Sciences

• Social Sciences

• Humanities

• Social Sciences

This course will provide a hands-on exploration of modern astrophysics. After being introduced to key topics from the formation of planetary systems to the accelerated expansion of the universe, students will work with comprehensive databases, telescopic observations, and computer models, to investigate contemporary scientific questions. Class meetings and activities will focus on employing the scientific method, the interpretation of data, the use of evidence-based reasoning, as well as serve as an introduction to a wealth of technical skills that prepare students for success in any field.

In addition to learning about astronomy, students will be able to:

• become more comfortable in their ability to process and analyze data;
• make evidence-based arguments and apply mathematical reasoning;
• pick up a new skill that will serve them in future studies, whether that is managing data better in excel with macros, applying statistical analyses, using python, or doing quick order of magnitude style calculations to help in their assessment of a solution to a problem.

Materials:

A laptop or iPad to access websites and Canvas outside of class

Closed toed shoes for observatory recommended

• STEM / Natural Sciences

Requirements

High school algebra

• STEM / Natural Sciences

• Humanities
• Arts

• Humanities
• Arts

A patient comes into the clinic with a high fever, shaking chills, heavy sweating, nausea/vomiting, and massive headache. She is looking to you for answers. To give her answers, you must first start asking questions. In this course, we will discuss microbiology from a medical point of view, using case studies as our guide. Topics covered will include a general introduction to microbiology, methods for identifying microbial species, the diversity of microbial species, and microbes that cause infection in the different organ systems. This will be followed by completing a class case study involving diagnosis of bacteria, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection.

prerequisite

Biology

lab

Closed toe shoes, comfortable shoes for lab required.

• Pre-Health

A patient comes into the clinic with a high fever, shaking chills, heavy sweating, nausea/vomiting, and massive headache. She is looking to you for answers. To give her answers, you must first start asking questions. In this course, we will discuss microbiology from a medical point of view, using case studies as our guide. Topics covered will include a general introduction to microbiology, methods for identifying microbial species, the diversity of microbial species, and microbes that cause infection in the different organ systems. This will be followed by completing a class case study involving diagnosis of bacteria, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection.

prerequisite

Biology

lab

Closed toe shoes, comfortable shoes for lab required.

• Pre-Health

• Social Sciences

• Pre-Health

prerequisites

High school biology

materials

• STEM / Natural Sciences

• Humanities
• Arts

• Pre-Professional

• Social Sciences

Materials

Business casual outfit will be appreciated, but not mandatory, when the student is giving their capstone presentation.

Access to a laptop will be required. If a student does not have access to a personal laptop, the instructor will work with library and/or university to explore available options for the student to access a laptop during the course session.

• Pre-Health

• Social Sciences

• Humanities
• Arts

This class introduces students to the methods that archaeologists and historians use to study the ancient world by looking at the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the two cities have provided an invaluable window into daily life in the early Roman Empire.

Students will look at everything from graffiti to fine artwork, homes within and outside the city walls, and the ways in archaeological and textual evidence can be used together.

textbook

Pompeii and Herculaneum: A Sourcebook, Alison E. Cooley and M.G.L. Cooley (Routledge Sourcebooks for the Ancient World, 2nd edition, 2013)

The Complete Pompeii, Joanne Berry (Thames & Hudson, 2007)

• Social Sciences

• STEM / Natural Sciences

• Social Sciences

• Social Sciences

• Social Sciences

prerequisite

High school biology

textbook

Sekuler, R., & Blake, R. (2005). Perception 5th ed. McGraw-Hill. New York.

• STEM / Natural Sciences

This course will look at the chemical origins of color as you learn what it is like to be a chemist.

How is the development of modern synthetic color related to organic chemistry? What is it that needs to be true for a molecule or atom to be able to absorb or emit light in the visible region? We will synthesize and investigate many different compounds and mechanisms of color production. We will look at atomic emissions, conjugated pi systems, and quantum dots.

Includes: Hands-on chemistry lab experiments, such as Introductionand Use of Azo Dyes: Tie Dye, Solids State Pigments: Glassblowing, and Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Sparklers

• STEM / Natural Sciences

Prerequisite:

High school biology

Materials:

Bring laptops or tablets to class

• Pre-Health

• Humanities
• Arts

Prerequisites

High school biology

• Pre-Health

materials

Clothing requirements for the course include close-toed shoes, long pants, and tied back hair. For certain lessons and instructional plans, PPE will be provided. For class trips to biomedical research facilities, a similar dress code will apply.

• STEM / Natural Sciences

• Humanities
• Arts

• Pre-Health

Prerequisites

High school biology course

• Pre-Health

Video games are the most popular form of entertainment in the world – and not just because they’re so fun to play. As interactive media, video games have a unique way of delivering their stories by immersing the player in the goings-on in these virtual worlds.

In this class, we’ll study how the medium of video games creates unique stories, how the player’s role shapes their experience and understanding of these themes, and how to carry this media savvy into all other kinds of narratives, including our own writing. By the end of this course, students will learn how to approach interactive narratives like those found in video games and consider how their mechanics, design, and player interactions influence a game’s larger themes and ideas.

Students will leave the course with a better grasp on the role a particular work’s medium plays in its thematic elements, and with a better grasp of how to consider a work’s method of delivery in presenting its ideas. Students will gain better understanding in the fields of media literacy, thematic analysis, and authorial voice.

materials

Access to a working computer required/ access to some modern video game console (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One X/S, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X) a plus, but not required

• Humanities
• Arts

• Pre-Health