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SM 396
Scientific Inquiry
3 credits (AS)
Students gain intensive practical
experience in all aspects of the process
of scientific inquiry, including
collection of primary and secondary
literature and synthesis of relevant
information from this literature,
development of testable hypotheses,
appropriate design and implementation
of experiments, data analysis and
presentation, scientific writing, and the
peer-reviewed publication process.
Students become familiar with
strengths and weaknesses of important
forms of scientific communication,
including peer-reviewed primary
research and review articles, conference
presentations (oral and poster), grant
proposals and Web sites. Additional
topics include the history of scientific
inquiry, ethical conduct of scientists,
funding sources, and communicating
with public audiences. (Offered
annually)
Prerequisites: One year of SM laboratory
science courses or permission of the instructor
SM 470
Environmental Interpretation
4 credits (AS)
Building on concepts learned in the
core of the Environmental Biology
Concentration of the Environmental
Studies program, this course integrates
these concepts with the practical
approach of communicating and
interpreting nature for the general
public. Students will further their
knowledge of the inhabitants of local
environments while designing and
implementing environmental exhibits
for the college and/or community in
the form of slide presentations,
informational leaflets, exhibits, and
interpretive programs.
Prerequisites: Junior/senior standing
253
SM 472
Senior Research
2-3 credits (AS)
Students conduct the research on their
projects and meet regularly to present
and discuss progress reports. At the
end of the course, students present a
final project report. The credits and
project are outlined by a contractual
agreement between the student(s) and
instructor(s) at the beginning of the
course.
Prerequisites: SM 372 Junior Research or
permission of the instructor
SM 495
Environmental Issues and Public
Policy
3 credits (AS)
Students investigate the infrastructure
that supports scientific research and
development, policy decision-making
that determines the direction of
scientific inquiry, and problems that
emerge from applied technologies.
Issues may include medicine and
biological sciences, information
systems, space policy, and
environmental issues such as
population, energy and pollution.
Prerequisite: SM 301 Scientific and
Technological Literacy.
SM 499
Capstone Seminar
3 credits (AS)
In the Capstone Seminar students
focus on specific academic projects that
both integrate the knowledge and skills
from their previous course work and
prepare them for the next stage of their
professional development. The course
stresses written, oral and visual
communication; pragmatic problemsolving
skills; setting and achieving
specific goals; teamwork; and selfassessment.
Each year at least one
section of the Capstone Seminar will be