Session 2 Courses

To provide students with an introductory short course on neuroscience through research and health. Investigation will be on how the brain makes decisions, and on neurodegenerative disorders. The course will also introduce students to college level testing, paper-writing, scientific literature review, and presentation skills.

• Gain a basic and testable understanding of brain structure and function
• Write a college-level scientific paper based on principles taught in class in APA format
• Create and deliver a college-level Powerpoint presentation on a brain structure
• Recall and explain the brain structures associated with decision-making
• Describe the functions of the saliency and default mode networks
• Recall and describe the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases
• Identify brain structures associated with neurodegenerative diseases

This introductory neuroscience course presents a foundation for understanding the neuroanatomy of decision making and the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This course will cover basic brain structures, examine which regions play an important role in decision-making and neurodegeneration, and uncover their application in current research. You will learn how to use research databases, review peer-reviewed scientific writing, apply research to scientific paper-writing in APA 7 format, and appropriately structure a Powerpoint presentation. (Some basic high-school biology is recommended.)

The goal of this course - to introduce the following topics to students:

• Introduce basic cryptography - real life examples, survey of existing encryption algorithms, usage in our day-to-day life
• The concept of security and privacy in software and hardware - their differences, level of importance, patching scope etc.
• Electronic device eco system - Supply chain, software, and hardware environment
• Software security threats
• Hardware security threats
• Current state of the art research work and possible directions in this area

For each of the topics above, the course will focus on real life examples, and events. We envision to develop the course most interactive. We plan to develop the course contents and slides using Mentimeter to make the classes most interactive rather than delivering lectures.

Learning objectives - at the end of this course, students will have the following knowledges:

• Cryptography and encryption algorithms
• Notion of security in software and hardware
• Importance of privacy for individuals and institutions

• To introduce prospective students to basic knowledge of forensic medicine and death scene investigations.
• Overview of what types of deaths fall into the jurisdiction of the medical examiner
• Introduce basic death investigation procedures
• Understand the methods of positive human identification
• Explain different biological and non-biological methods of PMI estimation and their strengths and weaknesses

How many types of rock are there and how do they form? Why are there earthquakes and volcanoes? How do scientists study the Earth? If you want to know more about the planet you are living on, this is the right class for you! We will walk you through the basic concepts and the fundamental theories of geology, and introduce you to the scientific method and latest research. Each class will include a lecture and a lab exercise. You will have the opportunity to work with real data and make your own discoveries. High school level physics and chemistry are preferred, but not required.

This course will cover the following topics:

• Mineral and rock identification
• Rock cycle
• Plate tectonics and mantle convection
• geologic time scale
• Paleomagnetism
• Earthquake and volcanoes
• Geochronology
• Earth’s climate

For each topic, we will start with the theories, followed by the application of scientific methods and the latest findings in the field. Then we will have lab exercises to make sure students understand the concepts and know how to apply the knowledge to real cases.

Course Description:

Human beings are natural storytellers and the power of narrative is essential to the growth of knowledge. In this course, we will explore the foundation of storytelling and its application in the world of college writing. As college students, the papers you will write and questions you will answer will fall into three areas: fact, value, and policy. This class will explore the building blocks for each of these, providing you with essential techniques to master college writing.

• Provide an introduction to the basic Aristotelian approach to composition.
• Understand the fundamental elements of strategic storytelling.
• Identify propositions of fact, value, and policy.
• Define the core building blocks of college writing.
• Apply the appropriate building blocks to various writing formats.
• Develop a solid understanding of college writing and its connection to storytelling.

Course Description:

Doctors and researchers save lives based on a thorough understanding of a patient’s condition, but where did this knowledge come from? How are microbes and cells able to tell a story that we can read and respond to, and how can small problems become life-threatening illnesses like antibiotic-resistant infections or cancer? Building from the foundations of basic biology and chemistry, this course will challenge students to answer questions like these through critical thinking, experiment design, and discussion on current work in the field. We will explore the steps taken by scientists to establish hypotheses, and the methods used to test them

Introduce motivated students to topics in microbiology and cell biology and learn how they are applied by scientists. By the end of the course, students should feel more confident reading and understanding the implications of academic publications that connect different fields.

Course Description:

Over the past decade, the rise of gene therapy as an approach to curing incurable diseases such as cancers, genetic disorders and autoimmune diseases has exploded in the scientific community. Adeno-associated viruses and CRISPR-Cas9 are novel gene therapy tools that continuously shape the field of medical research. Understanding the history and impact of gene therapy is essential to any career in the medical sciences. In this course, students will be introduced to the basic concepts of gene therapy, learn about current clinical trials, and explore the future of medicine through the lenses of a scientist. Throughout the course, students will be taught how to analyze peer-reviewed papers and dissect the experimental process leading to the cultivation of their own gene therapy idea.

Students who take this course will:

• Learn the basic concepts and models of gene therapy
• Understand different tools and vectors utilized by scientists to create therapies
• Explore the history of gene therapy and how previous trials have impacted today’s therapies
• Cover genetic diseases affecting a wide range of organ systems
• Critically analyze prominent peer-reviewed paper
• Develop their own idea for a gene therapy project

Course Description:

Introduction to Psychological Science is an overview of major topics in the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. As a first course in the discipline of psychology, classes will introduce some of the fundamental concepts, principles, and theories with a consideration for the complexity of human behavior. In addition, there is a focus on research methodology, including instruction for informed critiques of peer-reviewed publications, introduction to statistical techniques in psychological analyses (with an introduction to coding statistical analyses in R), and an overview of brain-behavior methodologies (MRI, EEG/ERP, etc). This course emphasizes the effective application of accepted problem-solving techniques and will include several hands-on activities and projects. In order to create the most effective classroom experience, each student is responsible for active class participation, including contributing to discussion and asking questions (your comments in class are not expected to always be correct – making mistakes is part of the learning process, and sharing ideas helps the entire class develop understanding of concepts!).

Course goals will be to:

• provide an introduction to the different areas within the field of psychology
• instruct on application of the concepts in the research field
• teach the science behind psychology and how it differs from the media’s interpretation
• prepare you for future college-level instruction in psychological and brain sciences

Course Description:

Does it ever feel like your success is coming at the cost of your happiness? Do you struggle with exploring career opportunities and figuring out what it is that you want to do in life? Have you ever looked back in time and thought to yourself, “I wish I had known that back then?”

This course is designed to help you find solutions to all these questions and more. In a discussion and workshop format, we will cover various aspects of college and career preparation.

This includes:

• Putting together stellar applications and resumes for college applications, jobs and other opportunities
• How to ace every interview
• Essay writing
• Networking and opportunities (research, jobs, service, etc.)
• Career exploration - how to combine your strengths and interests

Finally, this course is unique because we will also be focusing on mental and physical wellness and wellbeing. Your wellbeing is crucial for your success. We will equip students with all the tools and strategies they need to best care for their overall wellness - mental, physical, and emotional.