Mathematical models have been used to explain, 预测, and control the dynamics of infectious diseases for nearly a century. Beginning with early attempts to explain cholera outbreaks, mathematical epidemiology grew rapidly during the global spread of HIV in the 1980s. In 2020, the spread of novel coronavirus made phrases like 'basic reproductive number' and 'SIR modeling' part of our everyday discourse. This class will explore the construction, 分析, and application of mathematical models of infectious diseases. We will study the relationships between model assumptions and conclusions and learn about what mathematical models can and cannot tell us about the spread of infectious diseases, and about the course of an infection within an individual.

What is the best or most fair way to make choices as a group? How can we quantify or measure fairness? Can we mathematically describe power and equity? How can mathematics play a role in identifying and combatting gerrymandering? This course will consider these questions and hopefully generate many more. We study how mathematicians have attempted to understand fairness and power, how mathematics underlies important aspects of voting and representation, and how math can help illuminate many important social and political issues. 主题:公平, 地区歧视, 投票系统, 箭头定理, 分摊, 权力, and additional topics as time allows

This course examines the philosophical and psychological dimensions of the various epistemological platforms upon which we believe our capacity to think is based. 逻辑, science and mathematics are just a few of the paradigmatic examples of reasoning we will explore, along with failures of reasoning, 比如阴谋论, 逻辑谬误和神话.

“Mathematics for Sustainability” will cover topics connected to resource assessment including measurement, 估计, 平衡与流动. We will also study energy stocks and ecological systems/networks; in particular energy flows in the climate system. Various models for growth will be discussed. Exponential and logarithm functions will be used as first approximations of growth (decay) behavior, and logistic models will be studied when considering environmental limits to change. 系统, connections and feedbacks will be focused on in specific case studies selected from (depending on the interests of students) control of wildfires, 回收, population growth and questions of control, genetic engineering and the future of food, 核能, efficient use of electricity at home, 太阳能, the ecological impacts of electric vehicles, and federal predator controls in the service of the livestock industry. Basic statistics and probability theory will be used to understand and measure risk, 回报, 如果可能的话, 做出谨慎的预测. 学生 will complete an individual re搜索 project presented at the end of the course that will make use of mathematical tools to better understand a topic in sustainability.

Mathematical models have been used to explain, 预测, and control the dynamics of infectious diseases for nearly a century. Beginning with early attempts to explain cholera outbreaks, mathematical epidemiology grew rapidly during the global spread of HIV in the 1980s. In 2020, the spread of novel coronavirus made phrases like 'basic reproductive number' and 'SIR modeling' part of our everyday discourse. This class will explore the construction, 分析, and application of mathematical models of infectious diseases. We will study the relationships between model assumptions and conclusions and learn about what mathematical models can and cannot tell us about epidemics.

计算机网络, 算法, 大数据, and artificial intelligence (AI) are an ever-present part of daily life. These systems are often deployed in ways that have serious impacts on society, 经济, 还有环境. This course introduces students to the basics of computer programming and how computer systems work. We will cover the basics of the Python programming language with examples drawn from many fields (e.g. chemistry, biology, linguistics, video games, art, music). 另外, we will discuss more broadly how computers store and manipulate information in each of these areas. We will read and consider a variety of viewpoints that discuss the place of computers in society. Special attention will be placed on the social impacts of computing: how can we build computer systems that are environmentally conscious, 可访问的, 和反种族主义?

This course examines the philosophical and psychological dimensions of the various epistemological platforms upon which we believe our capacity to think is based. 逻辑, science and mathematics are just a few of the paradigmatic examples of reasoning we will explore, along with failures of reasoning, 比如阴谋论, 逻辑谬误和神话.