Suffolk University

History of Astronomy from the ancients to Newton; light; telescopes; sun; earth; moon; planets; comets; asteroids; meteors; space programs; science and technology in society. For non-science majors.

Astronomy I Lab SCI L111 - 1 credit

Laboratory experiments and exercises to illustrate the principles discussed in SCI 111.

Astronomy II SCI 112 - 3 credits

Astronomy of the Cosmos; sun, stars, interstellar materials, galaxies, pulsars, quasars, black holes; nature of time relativity cosmology. For non-science majors.

Astronomy II Lab SCI L112 - 1 credit

Laboratory experiments and exercises to illustrate the principles discussed in SCI 112.

Environmental Biology with Lab BIO 104/L104 - 4 credits

An introduction to basic ecological issues in which concepts including ecosystem ecology, behavioral ecology, community ecology and population ecology serve as a basis for the understanding of life support systems. Major ecosystems of the world are also studied with the aid of audiovisual sessions that visually help enhance the diverse characteristics of each system including a final overall view of the main environmental aspects of Spain. Field trips to the Guadarrama Mountain Range, the National Educational Environmental Center, the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid, along with the study of microorganisms in the laboratory and ecological aspects of ecological succession surrounding the Royal Palace and the city’s river, reinforce in situ the main aspects studied in the classroom.

Majors’ Biology (General Biology) I BIO 111 - 3 credits

Important concepts in biology are introduced in this course by examining the relationships and distinctions among species at the cellular level.

Majors’ Biology (General Biology) Lab BIO L111 - 1 credit

Sessions are designed to familiarize the biology student with biological molecules, and the techniques used in their study. The techniques covered include basic solution preparation, separation and quantization of molecules, enzyme catalysis, and cell isolation.

General Chemistry I CHEM 111 - 3 credits

Fundamental principles of chemistry are discussed. Topics include introductions to atomic structure, periodic table, nature of chemical bonds, stoichiometry, gas laws, solutions, acid-base systems, chemical equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, kinetics, and chemistry of selected elements.

General Chemistry I Lab CHEM L111 - 1 credit

The basic principles of chemistry illustrated through laboratory investigation. Qualitative analysis is emphasized.

General Chemistry II CHEM 112 - 3 credits

Continuation of the discussion of the fundamental principles of chemistry. Topics include introduction to solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base systems, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry.

General Chemistry II Lab CHEM L112 - 1 credit

Continuation of the illustration of the basic principles of chemistry through laboratory investigation. Quantitative analysis, particularly volumetric analysis, is emphasized.

Environmental Science with Lab SCI 103/L103 - 4 credits

An introduction to basic evolutionary, behavioral and ecological principles. Readings and discussion emphasize the ways that humans are affected by ecological processes and principles as well as how humans and their technology affect ecosystems. Laboratory exercises illustrate topics covered in SCI 103. Field testing and analysis of environmental samples.

University Physics I PHYS 151 - 3 credits

The topics of PHYS 111will be treated with calculus: namely, basic concepts of mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism and light.

University Physics I Lab PHYS L151 - 1 credit

Experiments to illustrate the physical concepts studied in PHYS 151. Calculus-based error propagation, laboratory notebooks, and formal reports required.

University Physics II PHYS 152 - 3 credits

The topics of PHYS 112 are covered using calculus: namely, basic concepts of mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism and light.

University Physics II Lab PHYS L152 - 1 credit

Experiments to illustrate the physical concepts studied in PHYS 152. Calculus-based error propagation, laboratory notebooks, and formal reports required.

Between Myth & Reality: Representations of Spain TBA - 4 credits

This course provides a survey of the representation of Spain throughout the modern and contemporary ages. Students will analyze major writings by such authors as Washington Irving, Henry W. Longfellow, Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, Evelyn Waugh, Gerald Brenan, and Richard Wright (among others), and will study and become familiar with some of the main myths which have stemmed from foreign representations of Spain (Don Juan, Carmen, etc). This course will analyze the ways in which these fictions have intersected with Spanish reality, to the point of being interiorized and assumed as native to Spanish culture and idiosyncrasy.

The course will include present-day perceptions of Spain, as they appear in travel guides, films, works of fiction and the media, and will give the students an opportunity to compare their own perceptions and experiences with those of some important authors, film-makers and journalists. One of the projects included as course-work for this class requires the students to engage in the production of a text (travel diary) which will reflect their own personal and cultural experiences.

Another goal of this course will be to make students aware of the processes involved in cultural manipulation. The methodology will help students extrapolate what they learn in this class to other cases and situations, and will stress the dangers inherent to monolithic, biased representations of the “other”, as well as the impossibility of simplifying cultural identities.