CHEM349

[WesMaps Home Page] [Course Search] [Course Search by CID]

CHEM349

Lives in Science CHEM349 SP

Crosslistings: ENGL161

Next Offered in 9899 SP

This course, one of a series in the Science Writing Program, gives critical consideration of the life and times of exemplary men and women scientists in various fields of endeavor. The relationship of their major creative work to their cultural background, education, cycles of life, as well as slings and arrows of outrageous fortune will be discussed. Various theories on the nature of creative endeavor will also be considered. Students in the course will undertake writing projects in the area of essay, biographical and autobiographical profiles, and interviews. This is a special emphasis on writing course.

MAJOR READINGS

Subjects under consideration are Louis
Agassiz and the origins of American science, Erwin
Schroedinger and the discovery of Quantum Mechanics, Linus
Pauling and the nature of the chemical bond, Barbara
McClintock and jumping genes, and Nancy Wexler in the search
for the gene for Huntington's disease.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three to four assigned writing projects. No exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Interested students should pick up an application form available at Anne Greene's office, 279 Court Street, Room 203, during the preregistration period. This course is recommended for students with an interest in science or science writing from any major field, and for present or prospective science majors seeking to increase their perspectives on the field.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: NSM CHEM

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998

About the Photo:

GENIUS, James Gleick's biography of Nobel Prize winning physicist Prchard Feynman, is amoung the books surveyed in the course

Reference:

Gleick, James, GENIUS, New York: Pantheon Books, 1992

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions.