Science, Technology, & Society

Overview
Samples of Courses

Overview
These three-credit science courses, each with an embedded laboratory experience, examine the development of science and technology and the application and subsequent impact of these developments on society and the environment.

The following learning outcomes have been identified for these courses.

• Understand the interdisciplinary nature of science and technology.
• Understand the scientific method.
• Understand science and technology and their interaction.
• Understand the impact of science and technology on society.
• Understand the major concepts of science behind technological innovations.
• Discuss a current issue involving science and technology (to be determined by the instructor).

Please note: The University requires students to complete seven to eight hours of natural science for its program of general education. These three-credit courses are designed specifically for those students who plan on entering majors that do not require more than one four-credit course. If a major requires two four-credit laboratory courses in two different disciplines (e.g., Biology and Chemistry), then those two courses will count towards the general education requirements.

Listing of Courses
The following sections of “Science, Technology, and Society” illustrate the various approaches taken to explore the topic.

• Social Transformation
  This course discusses major concepts of the natural sciences and their applications that have transformed society through an introduction to the methodology of the scientific method and the engineering approach. Technical, social, economic, environmental, and political issues related to modern engineering applications and the use of natural resources will be studied. Available alternative energy sources such as nuclear, hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass will be presented.
  
  
• The Energy of Life
  This course examines emerging social, political, economic, ethical, and intellectual issues that have resulted from recent advancements in the biological science and technological fields. Milestones of modern scientific discovery will be presented, with references to socio-economic theory and policy issues associated with the development of technology and science in contemporary society. Case studies from the field of biotechnology, bioengineering, and bioinformatics will be discussed.
  
  
• Energy and Its Implications
  This course focuses on energy and the development of an understanding of the vital role that it plays in a modern technological society. Several diverse topics will be studied: energy production, distribution, conservation, transformation, and efficiency; pollutants and their effects on health and the environment; problems of resource allocations and limited resources.
  
  
• What on Earth!? Scientific Reasoning and the Environment
  An unlimited amount of questions can be asked about the earth: What is acid rain? Why is protecting biodiversity important? How do wind farms work? This course introduces basic concepts of science through a focus on environmental issues. Students will explore how the earth works, how its resources can be most effectively utilized, and how it influences their daily lives.