Charles Darwin (1809 - 1882)

Georg Friedrich Bernhard Riemann (1826 - 1866) From the MacTutor History of Mathematics archive

Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955) From the MacTutor History of Mathematics archive

COURSE: BIOL 3028-001

TIME AND PLACE: 12:45-2:05 TR in Room 312 of Brown Hall

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Robert Gardner

OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday 9:00-10:00 and by appointment.

OFFICE: Room 308F of Gilbreath Hall

PHONE: 439-6979, Math Department Office 439-4349.

E-MAIL: gardnerr@etsu.edu.

WEBPAGE: www.etsu.edu/math/gardner/gardner.htm.

COURSE WEBPAGE: http://www.etsu.edu/math/gardner/GIS/GISspring07.htm

BLACKBOARD RESOURCES: Written assignments may be submitted in the electronic dropbox through the Blackboard site. You can log onto BlackBoard here. Your username is your "z-name."

WARNING!!! A CHANGE IN WHAT CLASS "PARTICIPATION" MEANS!!! Since a component of your grade is based on class participation, you want to be aware of this new explicit policy! Up until spring break, participation has been primarily determined by physical presence. However, since this has not resulted necessarily in mental presence, there must me a shift in policy. You will no longer be considered to be participating if you are (1) reading the East Tennessean or other non-class-related material, (2) working crossword puzzles, (3) sleeping, or (4) anything else that Dr. Bob judges indicative of not paying attention.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Assignment 1: A description of Assignment 1 (on 4-d space and hyperspace) is available at PDF and PS formats.
2. Assignment 2: A description of Assignment 2 (on the concept of a biological function) is available at PDF and PS formats.
3. Assignment 3: Described in class (on the concept of species).
4. Assignment 4: TBA.

ABOUT THE COURSE: "The University Honors Scholars Program offers a distinctive curriculum. Scholars participate in four exclusive, interdisciplinary, year-long seminars designed to meet most of their general education requirements" [from the University Honors webpage]. This semester is a little bit up in the air! First, Dr. Gardner will give presentations related to the concept of dimension and will reach the climax of what he has been building to: the idea of the shape of the universe. Second, Dr. David Harker of the Department of Philosophy will give presentations on the concept of a biological function. The Wayne G. Basler Chair of Excellence for the Integration of the Arts, Rhetoric, and Science, Dr. George Kampis of Eotvos University in Budapest, will give presentations (likely on the biology of consciousness), and Dean Rebecca Pyles will give a presentation on a topic from biology. Reading materials and assignments will be announced. Finally, groups of students will self-identify, assemble, and choose a particular scientific topic to research that is of contemporary importance (a "hot topic" such as stem cell research or global warming) and give group presentations.

GRADING: As with Great Ideas in Science 1, grades will be determined based on class participation, writing assignments, and in-class presentations. Grades will be assigned based on a 10 point scale with "plus" and "minus" grades being assigned as appropriate. You have an opportunity to score up to 103 points (which will count as percentage points).

THE SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS

1. The Fourth Dimension - A Guided Tour to the Higher Universes by Rudy Rucker, Houghton Mifflin, 1984.
2. Dr. Harker's topic: Reading materials to be announced.
3. Darwin's Ghost: The Origin of Species Updated by Steve Jones, Ballantine Books, 2001.
4. Dean Rebecca Pyle's topic: Reading materials to be announced.

CLASS NOTES

1. The Wright Brothers, Bernoulli, and a Surprise from Upper East Tennessee.
2. The Fourth Dimension (and More!).
3. The Shape of Space in pdf and ps formats.
4. Visualizing the Big Bang: An Introduction to Topology and 3-Manifolds for Undergraduates (A Poster Presented at the 194th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society).
5. The Shape of Space ETSU Powell Observatory open house presentation.

OTHER ITEM OF INTEREST

• Dr. George Kampis, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Eotvos University, Budapest, Hungary, is the 2006-7 holder of the Wayne G. Basler Chair of Excellence for the Integration of the Arts, Rhetoric and Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. He will present the first of four lectures Monday January 22, 2007 at 7 PM in the Culp Auditorium. The title of the lecture is "Intelligent Design Theory and the Poverty of Anti-Science Thought."
• The Johnson City Chamber of Commerce is hosting a visit by former NASA Astronaut John W. Young the week of January 22nd. We have an opportunity on Wednesday, Jan 24th, 8:00-9:00 AM, for business leaders, students, and the general public, to hear comments about his experience in space. He will take questions from the attendees. Seating is limited for this event – and the cost is $15 per person. The form for attending is available here.
• Dr. George Kampis, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Eotvos University, Budapest, Hungary, is the 2006-7 holder of the Wayne G. Basler Chair of Excellence for the Integration of the Arts, Rhetoric and Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. He will present the second of four lectures Tuesday February 6, 2007 at 7 PM in the Brown Hall Auditorium. The title of the lecture is "The Evolution of Species in Artificial Life Models."
• ETSU Remembers Jay Boland: A celebration of the life of Jay Boland will be held Thursday, February 8 in the Culp Auditorium at 5 PM.
• Dr. George Kampis, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Eotvos University, Budapest, Hungary, is the 2006-7 holder of the Wayne G. Basler Chair of Excellence for the Integration of the Arts, Rhetoric and Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. He will present the third of four lectures Wednesday March 14, 2007 at 7 PM in the Brown Hall Auditorium. The title of the lecture is "Complexity Theory in Biological and Social Systems."
• Dr. George Kampis, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Eotvos University, Budapest, Hungary, is the 2006-7 holder of the Wayne G. Basler Chair of Excellence for the Integration of the Arts, Rhetoric and Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. He will present the fourth of four lectures Thursday April 12, 2007 at 7 PM in the Brown Hall Auditorium. The title of the lecture is "Consciousness in the Body."

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Monday, January 15 = Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
• Monday, January 29 = Last day for 75% refund.
• Tuesday, January 30 = Last day to drop without a "W."
• Monday, February 12 = Last day for 25% refund.
• Monday-Friday, March 5-10 = Spring Break holiday.
• Monday, March 13 = LAST DAY TO DROP.
• Friday, April 6 = Good Friday holiday.
• Wednesday, April 25 = Last day to withdraw from all classes.

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