CORE079 HM - STEM & Social Impact: Climate Change

Credit(s): 3

Instructor(s): Staff

Offered: Spring

Description: In this course our focus is to prepare Harvey Mudd students for the lifelong challenge of fostering “a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.” We will use climate change as an opportunity to explore the impact of our work on society. There are four primary components of that exploration: critical analysis of the social context of STEM, the expansion and application of concepts from the core to understand this social-technical problem, collaborative projects that promote positive change in the world, and communicating our project designs and professional choices. Plenary sessions will explore topics such as environmental justice, earth system science, the relation between expertise and power, policy processes, data science, community engagement, multidisciplinary collaboration, impactful careers, and science communication. Individual sections will explore particular climate-related issues in greater depth. Final team projects will challenge students to apply these concepts in proposals for climate solutions.

Prerequisite(s): Students are expected to have completed all other Core courses except PHYS050 HM. Students wishing to register for CORE079 HM without having completed the prerequisites may do so under limited circumstances. Up to 5 credits of Core course requirements, i.e., one full Core course and one Core laboratory, may be left unfulfilled if the student has attempted these courses.
Corequisite(s): PHYS050 HM