In 2019’s FYS Beyond Broken Bones, students explored the wide variety of X-ray applications. X-rays have revolutionized society. By enabling us to see inside the human body and discover the structure of DNA, X-rays fundamentally transformed modern medicine. Medical imaging and airport security are some of the best known uses of X-rays, but their applications span from science to public health to art. We use X-rays to develop smartphone touch screens, ensure the safety of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, remediate environmental contamination, and preserve historical artwork. In this seminar, we will learn about the rapidly growing applications of X-rays and the professions that use X-ray techniques to positively impact people’s everyday lives. We will also have the opportunity to use X-ray methods to investigate our own questions. If you’re interested in exploring innovative and cutting-edge applications of technology, and getting hands-on experience with something you’ve never tried before, this seminar is for you!
In 2017’s FYS #Earth&Us, students explored how geoscience issues are portrayed on popular media. #NoDAPL. #ClimateChangeIsReal. Our media feeds are flooded with information that lies at the intersection of Earth and society. But, given the politically charged atmosphere and the proliferation of “fake news,” how can we navigate the media floodwaters? This seminar explores current and controversial societal issues that are grounded in the geosciences: climate change, impacts of the energy industry, clean and available water, and rare earth mineral resources. We will consider these issues from the perspectives of the natural and social sciences, drawing on research to give context to the issues as they are portrayed in popular media.
In 2013’s FYS Nature Walks, students worked with a community organization to improve a local park. Our service-learning seminar takes place in Wooster Memorial Park, a 325-acre woodland with steep ravines and scenic views of Rathburn Run valley. We will work on meaningful projects in collaboration with the Friends of Wooster Memorial Park (http://friendsofwmp.com/), a volunteer organization whose mission is to care for the park and enhance public awareness. Projects will allow you to develop your academic interests while challenging you to seek answers to real-world questions. You will be immersed in an authentic hands-on experience that involves a significant outdoor component and weekend fieldtrips. (So bring your hiking boots!)
In 2009’s FYS Collapse of Civilization, students explored natural catastrophes and their impacts on humans. Ancient ruins serve as dramatic reminders that prosperous and mighty societies have vanished, but why? How do civilizations fail? What does our future hold? In this seminar, we will explore “natural” and unnatural catastrophes and their impact on human civilizations. Our journey will use multimedia from natural science, social science, and popular journalism to focus on the choices that civilizations make that lead to their success or failure.