SCI 301
 Applications of Science in the Natural World 

Welcome to Science 301, the final course in UVI's General Education Science sequence. The general focus of this course will be:

• Examination of aspects of our immediate environment through the lens of basic scientific principles.
• Consideration of the scientific principles underlying technology and how technology is used to manipulate that environment.
• Emphasis on the pervasive applications of a few scientific principles to many facets of our immediate experience.
• Reflections on the interconnections between science and technology and the individual and society.

The subtitle and context for this semester's course is "Building Your Island Home". There are two lectures per week which will focus primarily on presenting relevant scientific principles. However, there will also be lectures featuring speakers from the fields of engineering and architecture from the UVI and the local community.

The course is organized into six modules, listed in the frame to the left. You may access each module by clicking in the box. Within each module you will find

• Questions     A list of questions to be addressed will be provided at the beginning of each module. However, it is the responsiblilty of the students to contribute to the list. An electronic submission form is provided.
• Scientific Principles     Links to manuscripts are provided for each major topic in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and related technology, that will be addressed in the module.
• Laboratory    There will be one 3 hour lab each week. The labs will provide experiments demonstrating basic scientific principles and hands-on experience with applications of those principles. Preparation readings for the labs can be accessed from either the modules or from the Schedule link.
• Projects and Extended Studies     Links are provided to various topics related to the module. Some of these topics may be outside the field of science, but will be relevant the questions posed at the first of the module. Students will review these topics, keeping in mind that they will be involved in at least one major project for the semester.
• Note: Students are responsible for all material on the SCI 301 Website. The Schedule link denotes what Scientific Principles topics and Laboratory should be read each week. The Projects and Extended Studies may be read at leisure, but it is important that they be read by the end of the module.

The field of architecture will be used to tie the course together and strengthen links to ideas from the social sciences and humanities. At the end of the course, students might not be able to build a home on their own. But they will have sufficient knowledge of the basics to work intelligently with an architect or contractor to create a home that is both functional and aesthetic. And they will have an appreciation of the role science plays in every day living.

The SCI 301 Website is written and maintained by David J Smith, except where explicitly noted otherwise. All rights are reserved. All are welcome to use any part therein, provided they do not make money from it.