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Interdisciplinary Science Initiative

Bryn Mawr College: Interdisciplinary Science Initiative

This page is for use of development of ideas and initiatives for creating interdisciplinary academic initiatives in the sciences. More on this later.

PKAL Proposal (2004-2006)

The PKAL proposal provides a kick-off project that focuses on the development of labs that support the learning of integrated quantitative skills.

  1. The PKAL Proposal Click here to work on the proposal.

I moved the text that was here to the proposal page. Click on link above to get there. -: Deepak

Interdisciplinary Majors, Minors, and Concentrations

  1. Concentration in Environmental Studies

  2. Concentration in Neurobiology and Behavior

  3. Minor in Computational Methods

  4. Independent Majors (Propose your own): E.g. Cognitive Science, Computational Chemistry, Technology and Public Policy, etc.

2004-05 Interdisciplinary Course Offerings

Biology

Fall

  1. BIO 210(Biology and Public Policy)

  2. BIO 236 & GEO 236 (Evolution)

Spring

  1. BIO 223 & ENGL 223 (Evolution/Stories/Diversity)

  2. BIO 250 * CS 250 & GEO 250 (Computational Models)

  3. BIO 326 & PSYCH 326 (From Channels to Behavior)

  4. BIO 396 & PSYCH 396 (Topics in Neural & Behavioral Sciences)

Chemistry

Computer Science

Fall

  1. CS 372 & PHIL 372 (Artificial Intelligence)

Spring

  1. CS 250 & BIO 250 & GEO 250 (Computational Models)

Geology

Fall

  1. GEO 236 & BIO 236 (Evolution)

Spring

  1. GEO 250 & BIO 250 & CS 250 (Computational Models) Spring

Mathematics

Physics

Fall

  1. PHYS 306 (Mathematical Methods in Physical Sciences)

Psychology

Spring

  1. BIO 326 & PSYCH 326 (From Channels to Behavior)

  2. PSYCH 396 & BIO 396 (Topics in Neural & Behavioral Sciences)

2005-06 Interdisciplinary Course Offerings

Please list your department's interdisciplinary course offerings for the 2005-06 year.

Biology

  1. BIO 250 (Computational Models): Introductory survey of theoretical methods in the sciences. Design, implementation, interpretation, evaluation of models. Conceptual, analytical, computational models; simulations; evolutionary algorithms; optimality models; role of theory in science. Case studies from a variety of natural and social sciences. This course will be offered in Spring 2006. This course is cross-listed in Biology, and Geology. Prerequsites: Sophomore or advanced standing; Two courses at any level in Div I or II. This course is cross-listed in Computer Science and Geology.

  2. BIO 328 (Analysis of Geospatial Data with GIS): This course offers an introduction analysis of geospatial data, theory and the practice of spatial reasoning as well as the opportunity to gain practical experience in using one or more GIS software packages. Each student is expected to undertake an independent project that uses the approaches and tools presented.

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  1. BIO 328 (Analysis of Geospatial Data with GIS): This course offers an introduction analysis of geospatial data, theory and the practice of spatial reasoning as well as the opportunity to gain practical experience in using one or more GIS software packages. Each student is expected to undertake an independent project that uses the approaches and tools presented.

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Computer Science

  1. CS 1XX (Visualizing Information): New Course An introductory level course on visualization of data with a strong interdisciplinary focus. This course will fullfill the college Quantitative Requirement. It will be taught by Dianna Xu in Spring 2006. Development of this course will be supported by the grant from HHMI Foundation. Faculty from all disciplines are invited to propose example problems/cases/situations that can benefit from data visualization. Prequisites: None.

  2. CS 361 (Emergence): A multidisciplinary exploration of the interactions underlying both real and simulated systems such as: ant colonies, economies, brains, earthquakes, biological evolution, artificial evolution, computers, and life. These emergent systems are often characterized by simple, local interactions that collectively produce global phenomena not apparent in the local interactions. This course will be offered in Spring 2006 by Douglas Blank and Paul Grobstein (possibly). Prerquisites: Fullfillment of the Quantitative requirement or permission of instructor(s)

  3. CS 371 (Cognitive Science): Cognitive science is the inter-disciplinary study of intelligence in mechanical and organic systems. In this introductory course, we examine many topics from psychology, philosophy, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, and mathematics. Some questions that we will examine: Can a computer be intelligent? How do neurons give rise to thinking? What is consciousness? No prior knowledge or experience with any of the sub-fields is assumed or necessary. This course will be offered in Fall 2005 by Deepak Kumar. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor.

  4. CS 250 (Computational Models): Introductory survey of theoretical methods in the sciences. Design, implementation, interpretation, evaluation of models. Conceptual, analytical, computational models; simulations; evolutionary algorithms; optimality models; role of theory in science. Case studies from a variety of natural and social sciences. This course will be offered in Spring 2006. This course is cross-listed in Biology, and Geology. Prerequsites: Sophomore or advanced standing; Two courses at any level in Div I or II. This course is cross-listed in Computer Science and Geology.

  5. CS 3XX (Computational Linguistics): New course This course may be offered instead of CS 371 above...depending on interdisciplinary interest.

Geology

  1. GEO 250 (Computational Models): Introductory survey of theoretical methods in the sciences. Design, implementation, interpretation, evaluation of models. Conceptual, analytical, computational models; simulations; evolutionary algorithms; optimality models; role of theory in science. Case studies from a variety of natural and social sciences. This course will be offered in Spring 2006. This course is cross-listed in Biology, and Geology. Prerequsites: Sophomore or advanced standing; Two courses at any level in Div I or II. This course is cross-listed in Computer Science and Geology.

  2. GEO 328 (Analysis of Geospatial Data with GIS): This course offers an introduction analysis of geospatial data, theory and the practice of spatial reasoning as well as the opportunity to gain practical experience in using one or more GIS software packages. Each student is expected to undertake an independent project that uses the approaches and tools presented.

  3. GEO 328 (Analysis of Geospatial Data with GIS): This course offers an introduction analysis of geospatial data, theory and the practice of spatial reasoning as well as the opportunity to gain practical experience in using one or more GIS software packages. Each student is expected to undertake an independent project that uses the approaches and tools presented.

Working Group Members

We invite all faculty and staff members to join this working group. Currently, the following are signed on:

  1. Don Barber, Geology

  2. Doug Blank, Computer Science

  3. Peter Brodfuehrer, Biology

  4. Sharon Burgmayer, Chemistry

  5. Weecha Crawford, Geology

  6. Peggy Hollyday, Biology

  7. Deepak Kumar, Computer Science

  8. Liz McCormack, Physics

  9. Anjali Thapar, Psychology

  10. Arlo Weil, Geology

  11. Susan White, Chemistry

  12. Neal Williams, Biology

  13. Ted Wong, Biology

Please add your name (in alphabetical order by last name) to this list.