FYS: Courses
 

 
Contact FYS
 
 

300 Steele Building
CB# 3504
UNC-Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
27599-3504

email: fys@unc.edu
phone: (919)843-7773

 
 


Course Descriptions

Chemistry

CHEM 070 [006D]: You Don't Have to be a Rocket Scientist
Physical and Life Science (PL) [GC Natural Science - no lab, physical]
Malcom Forbes, Gary Glish, Ed Samulski, Gary Pielak , Mark Schoenfisch
& Tomas Baer
Science as presented in the mass media is often shallow and misleading. Critical evaluation of news reports and claims by politicians, although daunting for the non-scientist, is not difficult if a few basic principles (e.g. conservation of energy) are applied. The underlying theme of this first year seminar is the development of the basic tools for extracting information from, or finding flaws in, news reports and popular science writing. Students will work in groups on such issues as biomass fuels, the hydrogen economy, and other alternative energy sources to develop an understanding of their economic and environmental impact. Information will be disseminated by frequent written and oral reports. Additional readings by and about scientists are designed to present scientists in more intimate contexts. The assigned book is Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud by Robert L. Park.

CHEM 071 [006D]: Foundations of Chemistry: A Historical and Modern Perspective
Physical and Life Science (PL) [GC Natural Science - no lab, life]
Tomas Baer
Students in the class will learn about the ways in which scientists think. We will explore the process by which new knowledge is generated, and examine the impact of science on society. Topics to be considered include: (1) the nature of gases; (2) atomic structure and radioactivity; (3) molecules and the development of new materials.

CHEM 072 [006D]: From Imagination to Reality: Idea Entrepreneurism in Science, Business, and the Arts
Physical and Life Science (PL) [GC Natural Science - no lab, physical]
Holden Thorpe

Bringing ideas to fruition is a multi-step process. In the present knowledge economy, high value is placed on individuals who both formulate new concepts and bring them to reality. This process requires a number of important skills. First, mastery of a particular discipline, such as science, the arts, or computer technology, is required. Second, this mastery must be combined with a new idea. Third, the idea must be presented and marketed in a manner that attracts the required resources and talent. Fourth, the entire package must be executed in a way that delivers on the expectations of those investing their talent and financial resources in the project. In this seminar, we will examine how "idea entrepreneurs" realize sustainable enterprises from their ideas in diverse fields, including biotechnology, entertainment, the Internet, and the arts.


Course Information
Current Courses
Upcoming Courses
Course Descriptions