Have you ever wondered where we get all of our medicines, from the pills we take every day to the expensive regimens administered in the ICU of hospitals? Why are some medicines "natural" and others not? And are "natural" medicines really any different, or better for us? Come learn about your meds, in this class designed for all eager minds!

What makes the human brain so unique? What aspects of human thought differentiate our intelligence from that of all other species on Earth? And how do our conclusions change when we learn that dolphins possess complex language, that New Caledonian crows can solve puzzles, and that octopuses can predict the future? Finally, how can neuroscientists use seas slugs, mice and rats to make so many conclusions about the human mind? In this two-hour class, we will spend our first hour discussing recent scientific research uncovering amazing feats of animal intelligence, and the second hour discussing the implications of these findings for our lives. Taught by Columbia MD+PhD and JD students.

What makes the human brain so unique? What aspects of human thought differentiate our intelligence from that of all other species on Earth? And how do our conclusions change when we learn that dolphins possess complex language, that New Caledonian crows can solve puzzles, and that octopuses can predict the future? Finally, how can neuroscientists use seas slugs, mice and rats to make so many conclusions about the human mind? In this two-hour class, we will spend our first hour discussing recent scientific research uncovering amazing feats of animal intelligence, and the second hour discussing the implications of these findings for our lives.

Have you ever wondered where we get all of our medicines, from the pills we take every day to the expensive regimens administered in the ICU of hospitals? Why are some medicines "natural" and others not? And are "natural" medicines really any different, or better for us? Come learn about meds, in this class designed for all eager minds! We will begin by covering key examples of medications and health care practices, and will then spend the remaining time discussing the implications.

Learn about how energy is generated in America, where we stand compared with other countries in the world, and what steps we have taken (if any) to respond to the growing threat of Climate Change.

Have you ever wondered where we get all of our medicines, from the pills we take every day to the expensive regimens administered in the ICU of hospitals? Why are some medicines "natural" and others not? And are "natural" medicines really any different, or better for us? Come learn about meds, in this class designed for all eager minds!

In science class, we learn the scientific method as a process designed to uncover truth, and to investigate the world around us in an unbiased and empirical way. Still, science is conducted by people, and scientists have historically had a complicated relationship with religion and politics. Come learn about some of the ways in which science and politics have clashed or worked together in the United States! We will focus on lead poisoning & leaded gasoline.

Does your mind make decisions for you, before you even realize? Are you biased? In this 2016 campaign season, the term "Implicit Bias" has been a hop topic of discussion. Come learn what biases you may hold with even realizing it. ADVISORY: This class will be participation-based, please come with an open mind and ready to discuss your thoughts!

***This will be Part II of Science & Politics; if possible, participation in Science & Politics I is highly recommended.*** Are you interested in science, in media, or in both? If so, join me as we discuss the role that science, and scientists, play in American media. Some topics we will discuss include: - How should we think about scientific research in the news? - How can we evaluate scientific research, as a lay audience, or can we? - What is the most fair way to discuss all sides of a scientific debate?

***This will be Part I of Science & Politics; if possible, participation in Science & Politics II is highly recommended.*** In science class, we learn the scientific method as a process designed to uncover truth, and to investigate the world around us in an unbiased and empirical way. Still, science is conducted by people, and scientists have historically had a complicated relationship with religion and politics. Come learn about some of the ways in which science and politics have clashed or worked together in the United States! We will focus on lead poisoning & leaded gasoline.

Have you ever wondered where we get all of our medicines, from the pills we take every day to the expensive regimens administered in the ICU of hospitals? Why are some medicines "natural" and others not? And are "natural" medicines really any different, or better for us? Come learn about meds, in this class designed for all eager minds!

Part I of a 2-course exploration of Energy in America, we will discuss what energy is and how it is generated & distributed, in this country and around the world. What is Energy? How do we get it (what is "the Grid")? How does America's system compared to other parts of the world?

Part II of a 2-course exploration of Energy in America. This class will tackle some of the policies and politics surrounding energy in America. What forces influence how we make and deliver energy? How do we "go green" and meet the President's forecast for cutting carbon emissions? Where do we stand compared with other countries in the world? What steps we have taken (if any) to respond to the growing threat of Climate Change?

Chemistry and chemicals often get a bad rep as dangerous or “unnatural” (artificial). But many people underestimate the role of chemistry in natural processes, many of which play an important role in modern life. We will discuss the chemical basis of the following natural processes: - Soap-making - Agriculture (Fertilizers & Pesticides) - Fermentation (Beer, Wine) - Medications

In science class, we learn the scientific method as a process designed to uncover truth, and to investigate the world around us in an unbiased and empirical way. Still, science is conducted by people, and scientists have historically had a complicated relationship with religion and politics. In this class, we will discuss a recent case study in order to explore some of the ways in which science and politics have clashed or worked together in the United States!

Did you know that when your mother was your age, women in the United States were not allowed to hold credit cards, without asking their father or husband for permission? You may have heard about Sheryl Sandberg’s recent book, Lean In, or about the controversy surrounding it. What is feminism? And more importantly, does it still have a meaning for us today, in 21st Century America? What impact will feminism have on you, your career, your life? And more importantly, how can we make a change? Female and male students both encouraged to attend!!!!

Did you know that you have thousands of mitochondria inside every cell type in your body? (There is one exception - do you know it?) Did you know that the mitochondrion is mose closely related to an intracellular parasite that causes endemic typhus? Did you konw that you make and consume your body weightin ATP every day? Come learn more about the mitochondrion, a truely incredible organelle!

In science class, we learn the scientific method as a process designed to uncover truth, and to investigate the world around us in an unbiased and empirical way. Still, science is conducted by people, and scientists have historically had a complicated relationship with religion and politics. Come learn about some of the ways in which science and politics have clashed or worked together in the United States! We will discuss issues including smoking and lung cancer, leaded gasoline, and climate change.

Learn about how energy is generated in America, where we stand compared with other countries in the world, and what steps we have taken (if any) to respond to the growing threat of Climate Change.

Learn about how energy is generated in America, where we stand compared with other countries in the world, and what steps we have taken (if any) to respond to the growing threat of Climate Change.

Did you know that when your mother was your age, women in the United States were not allowed to hold credit cards, without asking their father or husband for permission? You may have heard about Sheryl Sandberg’s recent book, Lean In, or about the controversy surrounding it. You may have heard of Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique, Simon de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex, or Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. What is feminism? And more importantly, does it still have a meaning for us today, in 21st Century America? What impact will feminism have on you, your career, your life? And more importantly, how can we make a change? Female and male students both encouraged to attend!

Did you know that you have thousands of mitochondria inside every cell type in your body? (There is one exception - do you know it?) Did you know that the mitochondrion is mose closely related to an intracellular parasite that causes endemic typhus? Did you konw that you make and consume your body weightin ATP every day? Come learn more about the mitochondrion, a truely incredible organelle!

Chemistry and chemicals often get a bad rep as dangerous or “unnatural” (artificial). But many people underestimate the role of chemistry in natural processes, many of which play an important role in modern life. We will discuss the chemical basis of the following natural processes: - Soap-making - Agriculture (Fertilizers & Pesticides) - Fermentation (Beer, Wine) - Medications ***NEW & IMPROVED***

Did you know that when your mother was your age, women in the United States were not allowed to hold credit cards, without asking their father or husband for permission? You may have heard about Sheryl Sandberg’s recent book, Lean In, or about the controversy surrounding it. You may have heard of Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique, Simon de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex, or Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. What is feminism? And more importantly, does it still have a meaning for us today, in 21st Century America? What impact will feminism have on you, your career, your life? And more importantly, how can we make a change? Female and male students both encouraged to attend!

Did you know that Germany is about a century younger than the USA? Or that the first Oktoberfest occurred 60 years before that, and was actually a wedding celebration so successful that it became an annual Bavarian tradition? Come explore the history of the "Krauts," from Roman times through today, and discover Germany with me from Neuschwannstein, to the German Reichs, to the modernized country that is currently the rising star of the EU.

Chemistry and chemicals often get a bad rep as dangerous or “unnatural” (artificial). But many people underestimate the role of chemistry in natural processes, many of which play an important role in modern life. We will discuss the chemical basis of the following natural processes: - Soap-making - Agriculture (Fertilizers & Pesticides) - Fermentation (Beer, Wine) - Medications

Adapted from the book by the same name, by chemist and teacher Hugh Aldersey-Williams. We will discuss selected elements of the Periodic Table, elements that we meet, often unknowingly, in day-to-day life. In particular, we will discuss their discovery, use through time, and implementation in modern technology. Where do we get the expression “lime-light”? Take this class to find out!

Stem cells –you’ve heard them discussed in the news, and there seems to be a lot controversy surrounding stem cell research. Why are they important, and why are they controversial? In this class, we will cover the fundamentals of what makes a stem cell, where you can find them, and what role they can play in medicine!

Have you ever wondered where we get all of our medicines, from the pills we take every day to the expensive regimens administered in the ICU of hospitals? Why are some medicines "natural" and others not? And are "natural" medicines really any different, or better for us? Come learn about your meds, in this class designed for all eager minds! Led by Columbia medical & pharmacology PhD students.