General Education Courses

Course Description: This course builds on the principles of computing to introduce students to data analytics techniques commonly performed on digital data sets, using a variety of software tools. Students will learn what constitutes data and its associated social, ethical, and privacy concerns, common data acquisition and preparation techniques, and how to perform exploratory data analysis on real-world datasets from several domains. Common statistical and machine learning techniques, including regression, classification, clustering, and association rule mining will be covered. In addition, students will learn the importance of applying visualization for presenting and analyzing data. Students will be required to demonstrate oral and written communication skills through critical thinking homework assignments and both presenting and writing a detailed report for a project to analyze a data set of their choice. GCCIS majors may take this course only with the students’ home department approval, and may not apply these credits toward their degree requirements.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds on the principles of computing to introduce students to data analytics techniques commonly performed on digital data sets, using a variety of software tools. Students will learn what constitutes data and its associated social, ethical, and privacy concerns, common data acquisition and preparation techniques, and how to perform exploratory data analysis on real-world datasets from several domains. Common statistical and machine learning techniques, including regression, classification, clustering, and association rule mining will be covered. In addition, students will learn the importance of applying visualization for presenting and analyzing data. Students will be required to demonstrate oral and written communication skills through critical thinking homework assignments and both presenting and writing a detailed report for a project to analyze a data set of their choice. GCCIS majors may take this course only with the students’ home department approval, and may not apply these credits toward their degree requirements.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course aims to help undergraduate students in understanding the latest software engineering techniques and their applications in the context of industrial and systems engineering. The topics of this course include the fundamental concepts and applications of computer programming, software engineering, computational problem solving, and statistical techniques for data mining and analytics.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course aims to help undergraduate students in understanding the latest software engineering techniques and their applications in the context of industrial and systems engineering. The topics of this course include the fundamental concepts and applications of computer programming, software engineering, computational problem solving, and statistical techniques for data mining and analytics.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: A first course in using the object-oriented approach in the network domain. Students will learn to design software solutions using the object-oriented approach, to implement software solutions using a contemporary programming language, and to test these software solutions. Topics include thinking in object-oriented terms, problem definition, designing solutions using the object-oriented approach, implementing solutions using a contemporary programming language, and testing software solutions. Programming projects will be required.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: A first course in using the object-oriented approach in the network domain. Students will learn to design software solutions using the object-oriented approach, to implement software solutions using a contemporary programming language, and to test these software solutions. Topics include thinking in object-oriented terms, problem definition, designing solutions using the object-oriented approach, implementing solutions using a contemporary programming language, and testing software solutions. Programming projects will be required.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: A second course in object-oriented problem solving in the network domain. Students will learn to develop software for the applications layer of the protocol stack. Topics include data structures, network processes, network protocols, and network security. Programming projects will be required.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: A second course in object-oriented problem solving in the network domain. Students will learn to develop software for the applications layer of the protocol stack. Topics include data structures, network processes, network protocols, and network security. Programming projects will be required.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Computing and the Internet are now integral parts of our lives. In this course, we consider and discuss how ethical theories and principles can inform and provide guidance about interactions and uses of computing technologies. Topics include the development interpretation, and application of ethical theory, moral values, personal responsibility, codes of conduct, ethics in the real and virtual worlds, intellectual property, and information security. This is a Writing Intensive (WI) course. Students are provided with guidance and opportunities for improving informal and formal writing skills. Grades received on writing assignments will constitute a significant component of the final course grade.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Computing and the Internet are now integral parts of our lives. In this course, we consider and discuss how ethical theories and principles can inform and provide guidance about interactions and uses of computing technologies. Topics include the development interpretation, and application of ethical theory, moral values, personal responsibility, codes of conduct, ethics in the real and virtual worlds, intellectual property, and information security. This is a Writing Intensive (WI) course. Students are provided with guidance and opportunities for improving informal and formal writing skills. Grades received on writing assignments will constitute a significant component of the final course grade.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: A first course in using the object-oriented approach to solve problems in the information domain. Students will learn to design software solutions using the object-oriented approach, to visually model systems using UML, to implement software solutions using a contemporary programming language, and to test these software solutions. Additional topics include thinking in object-oriented terms, and problem definition. Programming projects will be required.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: A first course in using the object-oriented approach to solve problems in the information domain. Students will learn to design software solutions using the object-oriented approach, to visually model systems using UML, to implement software solutions using a contemporary programming language, and to test these software solutions. Additional topics include thinking in object-oriented terms, and problem definition. Programming projects will be required.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: A second course in using the object-oriented approach to solving problems in the information domain. Students will learn: basic design principles and guidelines for developing graphical user interfaces, and use of the Event Model to implement graphical interfaces; algorithms for processing data structures; multithreading concepts and use of the Multithreading Model to design and implement advanced processing methods. Additional topics include the relational model of information organization, and the Client-Server model. Individual implementation projects are required. A team implementation exercise is used to provide students an opportunity to apply basic software development and project management practices in the context of a medium-scale project.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: A second course in using the object-oriented approach to solving problems in the information domain. Students will learn: basic design principles and guidelines for developing graphical user interfaces, and use of the Event Model to implement graphical interfaces; algorithms for processing data structures; multithreading concepts and use of the Multithreading Model to design and implement advanced processing methods. Additional topics include the relational model of information organization, and the Client-Server model. Individual implementation projects are required. A team implementation exercise is used to provide students an opportunity to apply basic software development and project management practices in the context of a medium-scale project.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Computer-based information processing is a foundation of contemporary society. As such, the protection of digital information, and the protection of systems that process this information has become a strategic priority for both the public and private sectors. This course provides an overview of information assurance and security concepts, practices, and trends. Topics include computing and networking infrastructures, risk, threats and vulnerabilities, legal and industry requirements for protecting information, access control models, encryption, critical national infrastructure, industrial espionage, enterprise backup, recovery, and business continuity, personal system security, and current trends and futures.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Computer-based information processing is a foundation of contemporary society. As such, the protection of digital information, and the protection of systems that process this information has become a strategic priority for both the public and private sectors. This course provides an overview of information assurance and security concepts, practices, and trends. Topics include computing and networking infrastructures, risk, threats and vulnerabilities, legal and industry requirements for protecting information, access control models, encryption, critical national infrastructure, industrial espionage, enterprise backup, recovery, and business continuity, personal system security, and current trends and futures.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: A presentation of the fundamental concepts and theories used in organizing and structuring data. Coverage includes the data modeling process, basic relational model, normalization theory, relational algebra, and mapping a data model into a database schema. Structured Query Language is used to illustrate the translation of a data model to physical data organization. Modeling and programming assignments will be required. Note: students should have one course in object-oriented programming.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: A presentation of the fundamental concepts and theories used in organizing and structuring data. Coverage includes the data modeling process, basic relational model, normalization theory, relational algebra, and mapping a data model into a database schema. Structured Query Language is used to illustrate the translation of a data model to physical data organization. Modeling and programming assignments will be required. Note: students should have one course in object-oriented programming.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Rapidly expanding volumes of data from all areas of society are becoming available in digital form. High value information and knowledge is embedded in many of these data volumes. Unlocking this information can provide many benefits, and may also raise ethical questions in certain circumstances. This course provides students with a gentle, hands-on introduction to how interactive data exploration and data mining software can be used for data-driven knowledge discovery. Students will use statistical, visual, and data/text mining software systems to explore data collections from several different domains such as business, environmental management, healthcare, finance, and transportation.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Rapidly expanding volumes of data from all areas of society are becoming available in digital form. High value information and knowledge is embedded in many of these data volumes. Unlocking this information can provide many benefits, and may also raise ethical questions in certain circumstances. This course provides students with a gentle, hands-on introduction to how interactive data exploration and data mining software can be used for data-driven knowledge discovery. Students will use statistical, visual, and data/text mining software systems to explore data collections from several different domains such as business, environmental management, healthcare, finance, and transportation.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course serves two purposes. One is to introduce students to metacognition, reflective practice and self-assessment. Students will explore how the continual assessment of one's own knowledge guides scientific progress in the development of both research and theoretical practice. The second is to apply metacognitive techniques to exploring scientific investigation from a combination of scientific, ethical and societal standpoints. Examples will be drawn from student interest, and may include topics such as: Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters, genetically modified organisms, indoor air quality, invasive species, forensic science. Metacognitive issues such as learning theory, stereotype threat and self-assessment will be explored for their role in the acquisition of scientific knowledge.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course serves two purposes. One is to introduce students to metacognition, reflective practice and self-assessment. Students will explore how the continual assessment of one's own knowledge guides scientific progress in the development of both research and theoretical practice. The second is to apply metacognitive techniques to exploring scientific investigation from a combination of scientific, ethical and societal standpoints. Examples will be drawn from student interest, and may include topics such as: Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters, genetically modified organisms, indoor air quality, invasive species, forensic science. Metacognitive issues such as learning theory, stereotype threat and self-assessment will be explored for their role in the acquisition of scientific knowledge.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Students will be introduced to the science knowledge underlying four areas of active scientific research on the RIT campus and give them skills in understanding, analyzing and explaining evidence, data, and results in those fields to provide a strong, rounded science background connected to exciting and up-to-date scientific work. Students develop a portfolio of work demonstrating their scientific literacy skills.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Students will be introduced to the science knowledge underlying four areas of active scientific research on the RIT campus and give them skills in understanding, analyzing and explaining evidence, data, and results in those fields to provide a strong, rounded science background connected to exciting and up-to-date scientific work. Students develop a portfolio of work demonstrating their scientific literacy skills.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Students will be introduced to the science knowledge underlying four areas of active scientific research on the RIT campus and give them skills in understanding, analyzing and explaining evidence, data, and results in those fields to provide a strong, rounded science background connected to exciting and up-to-date scientific work. Students develop a portfolio of work demonstrating their scientific literacy skills.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Students will be introduced to the science knowledge underlying four areas of active scientific research on the RIT campus and give them skills in understanding, analyzing and explaining evidence, data, and results in those fields to provide a strong, rounded science background connected to exciting and up-to-date scientific work. Students develop a portfolio of work demonstrating their scientific literacy skills.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon Frontiers of Science I, advancing the students into an in-depth exploration of research in science on campus. The course surveys the active science research areas through laboratory visits and complementary literature surveys. Students will subsequently develop a deeper understanding of a specific area of scientific research through the acquisition of related laboratory and/or online data. They will synthesize the information gleaned from their literature searches, laboratory visits and data in order to form and test a specific hypothesis. Students will learn to analyze the data in order to validate their hypothesis, will learn to communicate their understanding of the active research area, and will develop mixed-media presentations that interactively engage an audience in the topic.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon Frontiers of Science I, advancing the students into an in-depth exploration of research in science on campus. The course surveys the active science research areas through laboratory visits and complementary literature surveys. Students will subsequently develop a deeper understanding of a specific area of scientific research through the acquisition of related laboratory and/or online data. They will synthesize the information gleaned from their literature searches, laboratory visits and data in order to form and test a specific hypothesis. Students will learn to analyze the data in order to validate their hypothesis, will learn to communicate their understanding of the active research area, and will develop mixed-media presentations that interactively engage an audience in the topic.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon Frontiers of Science I, advancing the students into an in-depth exploration of research in science on campus. The course surveys the active science research areas through laboratory visits and complementary literature surveys. Students will subsequently develop a deeper understanding of a specific area of scientific research through the acquisition of related laboratory and/or online data. They will synthesize the information gleaned from their literature searches, laboratory visits and data in order to form and test a specific hypothesis. Students will learn to analyze the data in order to validate their hypothesis, will learn to communicate their understanding of the active research area, and will develop mixed-media presentations that interactively engage an audience in the topic.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon Frontiers of Science I, advancing the students into an in-depth exploration of research in science on campus. The course surveys the active science research areas through laboratory visits and complementary literature surveys. Students will subsequently develop a deeper understanding of a specific area of scientific research through the acquisition of related laboratory and/or online data. They will synthesize the information gleaned from their literature searches, laboratory visits and data in order to form and test a specific hypothesis. Students will learn to analyze the data in order to validate their hypothesis, will learn to communicate their understanding of the active research area, and will develop mixed-media presentations that interactively engage an audience in the topic.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Ethical concerns are pervasive in all aspects of our society yet they are particularly meaningful in professional contexts wherein information can be falsified, stolen, modified or otherwise misrepresented. This course will address the issues that nascent scientists can expect to encounter in their careers. A foundation in ethical frameworks will be provided before students are given the opportunity to explore contemporary ethical issues in the sciences. Throughout the course students will examine current ethical issues in the sciences and share their experiences and insights with each other through oral presentations and classroom discussions. The conditional nature of ethical decisions will be a common thread intrinsic to all included topics along with those cultural and professional attributes that influence, inform and guide decision making.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Ethical concerns are pervasive in all aspects of our society yet they are particularly meaningful in professional contexts wherein information can be falsified, stolen, modified or otherwise misrepresented. This course will address the issues that nascent scientists can expect to encounter in their careers. A foundation in ethical frameworks will be provided before students are given the opportunity to explore contemporary ethical issues in the sciences. Throughout the course students will examine current ethical issues in the sciences and share their experiences and insights with each other through oral presentations and classroom discussions. The conditional nature of ethical decisions will be a common thread intrinsic to all included topics along with those cultural and professional attributes that influence, inform and guide decision making.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course addresses issues of evaluating, detecting, and communicating about pseudoscience that scientists are likely to encounter in their careers. For example, some people use scientific evidence to promote their view that Earth is a disc with the Arctic Circle in the center and a heavily-guarded 150-foot-tall wall of ice called Antarctica around the rim. However, more and better scientific evidence is available to suggest that the Earth is approximately spherical. How does one distinguish between pseudoscience (Flat Earth) and science (Approximately Spherical Earth), and how do we make cogent and persuasive arguments to skeptics of established scientific conclusions?

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course addresses issues of evaluating, detecting, and communicating about pseudoscience that scientists are likely to encounter in their careers. For example, some people use scientific evidence to promote their view that Earth is a disc with the Arctic Circle in the center and a heavily-guarded 150-foot-tall wall of ice called Antarctica around the rim. However, more and better scientific evidence is available to suggest that the Earth is approximately spherical. How does one distinguish between pseudoscience (Flat Earth) and science (Approximately Spherical Earth), and how do we make cogent and persuasive arguments to skeptics of established scientific conclusions?

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Mark Twain popularized the saying "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." This course addresses the many ways that the seemingly objective processes of sample selection, data collection, analysis, and statistics can be subject to inadvertent or purposeful bias and have been used inappropriately to promote subjective (at best) and false (at worse) conclusions in the field of science. Students will explore topics in data collection, data science, and basic statistical inference with an eye toward spotting flimsy statistical arguments.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Mark Twain popularized the saying "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." This course addresses the many ways that the seemingly objective processes of sample selection, data collection, analysis, and statistics can be subject to inadvertent or purposeful bias and have been used inappropriately to promote subjective (at best) and false (at worse) conclusions in the field of science. Students will explore topics in data collection, data science, and basic statistical inference with an eye toward spotting flimsy statistical arguments.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to major research themes, methodology, theories of learning, and research ethics relevant to discipline-based education research (DBER) in biology, chemistry, and physics. Research methods related to studying learning and development of expertise in science will include: the design of quantitative studies (surveys, assessments, and statistical analysis methods) and the design of qualitative studies (interviews, observations, coding). Relevant theories of learning will include cognitivist, developmental, and social/cultural perspectives. The course will use case studies from current literature on biology, chemistry, and physics education research to introduce these topics. Students will apply their understanding to develop and execute a semester-long research project in DBER.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to major research themes, methodology, theories of learning, and research ethics relevant to discipline-based education research (DBER) in biology, chemistry, and physics. Research methods related to studying learning and development of expertise in science will include: the design of quantitative studies (surveys, assessments, and statistical analysis methods) and the design of qualitative studies (interviews, observations, coding). Relevant theories of learning will include cognitivist, developmental, and social/cultural perspectives. The course will use case studies from current literature on biology, chemistry, and physics education research to introduce these topics. Students will apply their understanding to develop and execute a semester-long research project in DBER.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: In this course, students will draw from different disciplines—art, design, urban studies, history, and literature among them—to explore the representational possibilities of the city. How have different cultures defined cities through representation? How do cities express meaning to their inhabitants? How can cities represent ideas, and how are cities represented in turn? Topics will include ideal city plans, cartography, spatial experience, topography, wayfinding, diagrams, and artistic representation. Student experiences will include creating walking tours within Rochester and designing and presenting “ideal” cities of their own.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: In this course, students will draw from different disciplines—art, design, urban studies, history, and literature among them—to explore the representational possibilities of the city. How have different cultures defined cities through representation? How do cities express meaning to their inhabitants? How can cities represent ideas, and how are cities represented in turn? Topics will include ideal city plans, cartography, spatial experience, topography, wayfinding, diagrams, and artistic representation. Student experiences will include creating walking tours within Rochester and designing and presenting “ideal” cities of their own.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course pairs classic works in philosophy, politics, and literature with weekly practical experiments in living in order to develop a framework for living a meaningful, well-examined life in the modern world. Great Works come alive as centerpieces for discussion about and shaping of personal character, and the development of a variety of skills, from simple time management (using, for example, Benjamin Franklin on habit formation) to relationship growth (for example, through Kierkegaard on love). The course also incorporates modern research on effective studying, learning, and self-care. Students will use Great Works to inform explorations of themselves, campus, and the Rochester community.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course pairs classic works in philosophy, politics, and literature with weekly practical experiments in living in order to develop a framework for living a meaningful, well-examined life in the modern world. Great Works come alive as centerpieces for discussion about and shaping of personal character, and the development of a variety of skills, from simple time management (using, for example, Benjamin Franklin on habit formation) to relationship growth (for example, through Kierkegaard on love). The course also incorporates modern research on effective studying, learning, and self-care. Students will use Great Works to inform explorations of themselves, campus, and the Rochester community.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Climate change, racism, lack of accessibility, poverty, moral disagreement, civil conflict, access to water, and piracy are all examples of enduring human problems. This shell course allows students to explore a single “human problem” across disciplines, bringing together knowledge from liberal arts, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health, arts and design. Students will read transformative texts across a variety of disciplines and apply those texts to a single modern “human” problem in this project-based course. Students will pay particular attention to the social and ethical components within the texts, the problem, its causes, and proposed solutions. The possible problems are intentionally broad and reach across multiple disciplines. Students will be expected to apply their understanding to practice-based projects in interdisciplinary groups and then present their findings, demonstrating both the breadth and depth of their understanding, as well as their creativity. Throughout the semester and in each assignment, students will explore the ethical and social implications of the course topic, exploring the ways different disciplinary approaches assess and think about ethical and social problems and their possible solutions.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Climate change, racism, lack of accessibility, poverty, moral disagreement, civil conflict, access to water, and piracy are all examples of enduring human problems. This shell course allows students to explore a single “human problem” across disciplines, bringing together knowledge from liberal arts, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health, arts and design. Students will read transformative texts across a variety of disciplines and apply those texts to a single modern “human” problem in this project-based course. Students will pay particular attention to the social and ethical components within the texts, the problem, its causes, and proposed solutions. The possible problems are intentionally broad and reach across multiple disciplines. Students will be expected to apply their understanding to practice-based projects in interdisciplinary groups and then present their findings, demonstrating both the breadth and depth of their understanding, as well as their creativity. Throughout the semester and in each assignment, students will explore the ethical and social implications of the course topic, exploring the ways different disciplinary approaches assess and think about ethical and social problems and their possible solutions.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This honors seminar is a foundational course that examines how our social worlds are linked to our natural and built worlds. The corresponding emphasis on inquiry, analysis, and interpretation facilitates student-engaged learning. In exploring pertinent place and space related issues/topics through an experiential, active, and site-specific curricular focused learning, various aspects of the human condition are discovered. The theme or topic of this honors seminar, as chosen by the instructor, is announced in the subtitle as well as course notes and is developed in the syllabus. The honors seminar integrates the required Year One curriculum.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This honors seminar is a foundational course that examines how our social worlds are linked to our natural and built worlds. The corresponding emphasis on inquiry, analysis, and interpretation facilitates student-engaged learning. In exploring pertinent place and space related issues/topics through an experiential, active, and site-specific curricular focused learning, various aspects of the human condition are discovered. The theme or topic of this honors seminar, as chosen by the instructor, is announced in the subtitle as well as course notes and is developed in the syllabus. The honors seminar integrates the required Year One curriculum.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: We face grand challenges in the 21st century that will test our collective intelligence and resourcefulness — global change, new diseases, the need for access to clean water, technological developments that are changing us and our relation to the world. We have the opportunity to transform our future through innovation and leadership, but we need to improve our critical thinking, innovate towards possible solutions, and work across disciplines to meet these common challenges. This course is therefore open to all students with the curiosity, imagination, and commitment to meet such challenges. We need engineers, scientists, public policy specialists, and humanists — individuals from every field of study and endeavor –– to contribute to global efforts to meet these challenges. One of the most important challenges of our time — and one identified by the National Academy of Engineers as among fourteen Grand Challenges— is that of providing access to clean water to people across the globe. This course focuses on this grand challenge though interdisciplinary links between the liberal arts and engineering. Students will work in teams to analyze the scope of the clean water problem, examine real case studies, trouble shoot observed problems, and propose alternative solutions. Given the social and cultural contexts within which the need for clean water access arises, this course encourages students to think holistically about sustainable solutions rather than narrowly about the technical quick fix.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: We face grand challenges in the 21st century that will test our collective intelligence and resourcefulness — global change, new diseases, the need for access to clean water, technological developments that are changing us and our relation to the world. We have the opportunity to transform our future through innovation and leadership, but we need to improve our critical thinking, innovate towards possible solutions, and work across disciplines to meet these common challenges. This course is therefore open to all students with the curiosity, imagination, and commitment to meet such challenges. We need engineers, scientists, public policy specialists, and humanists — individuals from every field of study and endeavor –– to contribute to global efforts to meet these challenges. One of the most important challenges of our time — and one identified by the National Academy of Engineers as among fourteen Grand Challenges— is that of providing access to clean water to people across the globe. This course focuses on this grand challenge though interdisciplinary links between the liberal arts and engineering. Students will work in teams to analyze the scope of the clean water problem, examine real case studies, trouble shoot observed problems, and propose alternative solutions. Given the social and cultural contexts within which the need for clean water access arises, this course encourages students to think holistically about sustainable solutions rather than narrowly about the technical quick fix.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: From artificial intelligence to gender and racial equity to international sanctions, the decisions we make and the actions we take are suffused with ethical dimensions. This seminar involves lively discussion and careful analysis of contemporary issues. Particular topics will change from one semester to the next, but each version of this course will apply ethical frameworks to conceiving, discussing, and striving toward the resolution of nuanced problems.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: From artificial intelligence to gender and racial equity to international sanctions, the decisions we make and the actions we take are suffused with ethical dimensions. This seminar involves lively discussion and careful analysis of contemporary issues. Particular topics will change from one semester to the next, but each version of this course will apply ethical frameworks to conceiving, discussing, and striving toward the resolution of nuanced problems.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.