Summer Ventures in Science & Mathematics

In today’s data driven society, it is a prerequisite of those studying science, mathematics, and other STEM related disciplines that they understand data collection, analysis and application. In this course, we will deeply examine the process by which we collect and manipulate data, including aspects of the "new" field of data science. Please note that this is not an introductory statistics course. Our focus will be on interpretation of data as opposed to development of statistical theory, and plan to include various research methods and methodologies. We will explore applications of data within the context of a variety of topics, including statistical inference, game theory, voting theory, rank order data, data envelopment analysis, and data visualization. Students will explore techniques investigating both quantitative and qualitative data through experimental design, simulation, and modules. Students will work both individually and collaboratively to obtain a mastery of the topics presented. At the conclusion of the course, students will use available data sets to develop their own unique research project that includes producing a paper and preparing an oral presentation.

Note: This course is adaptable for students who have not had any prior statistics coursework or those who have had AP Statistics.

Students will work to develop the skills of an aquatic ecologist and environmental scientist. Students will sample undisturbed headwater streams in western North Carolina to investigate/explore relationships described in the River Continuum Concept by Vannote, et al., 1980. Data from benthic macro-invertebrate and water chemistry samples from undisturbed areas will be compared to samples from local impacted streams of the High Country to determine and predict significant changes in correlations between the land cover/use and the physical, chemical, geological, and biological aspects of the aquatic systems. Field-based experiences will focus on case studies that introduce environmental problems that will serve as models for a variety of student-based research designs. Biological topics will include aquatic population and biodiversity responses to toxins or disturbance, laboratory and field sampling and analytical methods, and statistical analysis of data. Some geological concepts, including hydrology, may be covered including the human impacts on rivers and streams, focusing on three areas: stream sediments and solid wastes, natural and human-derived changes in stream water chemistry, and flooding hazards.  As a field course, students will visit sites in Boone and surrounding areas to take advantage of the large number of unique local water resources. Therefore, appropriate shoes and clothing that can get wet/muddy are needed. Old tennis shoes, or shoes such as Keen, Chaco, or Teva that stay strapped on, but can be worn in the river and dry quickly are needed as well as sturdy hiking shoes/boots. Students will need a hat, water bottle and sunscreen. It is important that you enjoy/want to experience the outdoors and are willing to commit to working extensively in streams if you select this class. Each student will develop a research hypothesis, collect necessary data to test this hypothesis, write a research paper, and present their findings at the research symposium. Prefer students who have completed Biology and Earth/ Environmental Science.

Please note: You must be physically fit/able to hike tough terrain/long distances to enroll in this course. Field work includes working in rivers/streams and hiking to remote locations.

This course will involve participating in ongoing/current research with Dr. Mowa and colleagues/students and includes examining factors contributing to pre-term labor and various properties of the superplant, Moringa. Research activities will involve basic research, using animal models, and biomedical instrumentation techniques (e.g., animal handling, tissue processing, protein, RNA and DNA isolations, determination of RNA and protein concentrations, RT-PCR, gel-based PCR, Real-Time PCR, Western blot and confocal immunofluorescence, data analysis). Students will acquire transferable soft and hard skills through mastery of biomedical research technical skills and scientific processes, and learn about career opportunities in medicine and biomedical research. All students will complete a research paper to be presented at the research symposia at the end of the program. Completion of AP Chemistry or AP Biology is preferred. Students may have to conduct laboratory testing/monitoring/analyses outside of regular class hours.

Please note: If this course is ranked as a first preference, there will be additional questions to be answered on the ranking sheet in order to help determine student selection.

In today’s data driven society, it is a prerequisite of those studying science and mathematics that they understand data collection, analysis and application. In this course, we will deeply examine the process by which we collect and manipulate data. Please note that this is not an introductory statistics course. Our focus will be on interpretation of data as opposed to development of statistical theory. We will explore applications of data within the context of topics including, but not limited to, statistical inference, game theory, voting theory, rank order data, data envelopment analysis, data visualization, as well as data applications within the social sciences. Students will explore techniques investigating both quantitative and qualitative data through experimental design and simulation. Students will work both individually and collaboratively to obtain a mastery of the topics presented. At the conclusion of the course, students will use available data sets to develop their own unique research project that includes producing a paper and preparing an oral presentation. 

What is human physiology and what can exercise do to make us feel better? This research course is designed to teach basic and advanced concepts of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels), cardiorespiratory (heart and lungs), and metabolic (energy expenditure and body composition) physiology through scientific reading, class discussions and data collection in the field of Exercise Science. Students will self-select and develop their projects through individual and group work and learn how to perform advanced physiological assessments in line with the current research in the Exercise Science field. Students will participate in training sessions on state-of-the-art, research-level equipment, record physiological parameters and comprehend their clinical significance, write a scientific paper, and prepare an oral presentation for the final research symposium. During test sessions, students will both conduct and receive measurements under the supervision of faculty and student mentors to gain comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory and metabolic health. All tests are non-invasive and include blood pressure, body composition, and aerobic fitness (exercise test) assessment, and will be conducted in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory and various labs in the Department of Health and Exercise Science. Students must have completed biology and chemistry in order to be successful in this course. Preference will be given to those who have had AP Biology and/or Anatomy & Physiology. 

Please note: In order to participate in this research class, students and parents must complete Consent Forms that ensure confidentiality and other research aspects as required under Dr. Meucci's IRB guidelines. Once a student has submitted the class preferences and indicates this course as their first choice, additional forms will be emailed for your review and determination whether you want to enroll in this course. The purpose of completing these forms will allow Dr. Meucci and his graduate students to use collected data in their ongoing research as well as ensure Summer Ventures students having the ability to participate fully in the current/empirical research projects. The data collected during the 2018 Summer Ventures program were presented by AppState and Summer Venture students at the Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Conference in February 2019. Also, a Medical Addendum form must be completed and attached to the student’s Medical Form.

Big data heralds the arrival of a new knowledge backed statistical learning economy. Businesses, research organizations, and universities all exchange and catalog information using distributed cloud filesystems. Taylor will provide each of the students with an orientation into the design, implementation, and operational aspects of high volume durable computer file based storage technologies.

Keywords: Linux, Unix, Networking, Cloud, Virtualization, Encryption, Privacy, and Ethics.

Topics of study will include:

• File Input Output
• Filesystems
• Pipes and Processes
• Demonstration Projects

This course is designed to investigate multiple methods of scientific and mathematical problem solving, including logic and reasoning techniques resulting in technical applications and cogent critical thinking. Investigations and activities will include measurement, estimation, prediction, analysis, and engineering concepts. Students will work collaboratively to expand their conceptual understanding (versus only calculational understanding) to further develop both quantitative and qualitative aptitudes.

Everyone has seen at least one episode of CSI, right? Can you differentiate the parts which are scientifically accurate and which are media hype? In this course, we will examine several areas of practice that are associated with forensic science such as the roles of a medical examiner, crime laboratory analyst, crime scene examiner, and forensic engineer. Forensic science also requires academic assistance (psychology, social science, and statistics) as well as technical assistance (computer analyst, polygraph, and composite drawing). These areas of practice require substantial knowledge regarding how to manage and perform scientific investigations. Activities will include laboratory research and analyses.

Science can be quite frustrating at times because there are some things in nature that science simply cannot explain. In this class we will use a hands-on approach to observe, investigate, and explain various concepts of the natural world. Some of the topics we will explore include: motion, force, rotation, equilibrium, energy, momentum, electricity, magnetism, and light. We will also discuss the impact of ideas and discoveries of Galileo, Newton, Kepler, Joule, Ohm, Clark, and Einstein. This course will be tailored to students who have completed a formal physics course as well as those who have not.

Students will work to develop the skills of an aquatic ecologist and environmental scientist. Students will sample undisturbed headwater streams in western North Carolina to investigate/explore relationships described in the River Continuum Concept by Vannote, et al., 1980. Data from benthic macro-invertebrate and water chemistry samples from undisturbed areas will be compared to samples from local impacted streams of the High Country to determine and predict significant changes in correlations between the land cover/use and the physical, chemical, geological, and biological aspects of the aquatic systems. Field-based experiences will focus on case studies that introduce environmental problems that will serve as models for a variety of student-based research designs. Biological topics will include aquatic population and biodiversity responses to toxins or disturbance, laboratory and field sampling and analytical methods, and statistical analysis of data. Geological concepts, including hydrology, will also be covered including the human impacts on rivers and streams, focusing on three areas: stream sediments and solid wastes, natural and human-derived changes in stream water chemistry, and flooding hazards.  As a field course, students will visit sites in Boone and surrounding areas to take advantage of the large number of unique local water resources. Therefore, appropriate shoes and clothing that can get wet/muddy are needed. Old tennis shoes, or shoes such as Keen, Chaco, or Teva that stay strapped on, but can be worn in the river and dry quickly are needed as well as sturdy hiking shoes/boots. Students will need a hat, water bottle and sunscreen. It is important that you enjoy/want to experience the outdoors and are willing to commit to working extensively in streams if you select this class. Each student will develop a research hypothesis, collect necessary data to test this hypothesis, write a research paper, and present their findings at the research symposium. Prefer students who have completed Biology and Earth/ Environmental Science.

[Please note: You must be physically fit/able to hike tough terrain/long distances to enroll in this course. Field work includes working in rivers/streams and hiking to remote locations.]

In today’s data driven society, it is a prerequisite of those studying science and mathematics that they understand data collection, analysis and application. In this course, we will deeply examine the process by which we collect and manipulate data. Please note that this is not an introductory statistics course. Our focus will be on interpretation of data as opposed to development of statistical theory. We will explore applications of data within the context of topics including, but not limited to, statistical inference, game theory, voting theory, rank order data, data envelopment analysis as well as data applications within the social sciences. Students will explore techniques investigating both quantitative and qualitative data through experimental design and simulation. Students will work both individually and collaboratively to obtain a mastery of the topics presented. At the conclusion of the course, students will use available data sets to develop their own unique research project that includes producing a paper and preparing an oral presentation.

What is cardiovascular health and what can exercise do to make us feel better? This research course is designed to teach basic and advanced concepts of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) and cardiorespiratory (heart and lungs) physiology and how research is conducted in the field of exercise science. The course will begin with an introduction to the scientific field and current research in exercise science and students will self-select and develop their projects through individual and group work. Students will participate in training sessions on research-level equipment, record physiological parameters and comprehend their clinical significance, write a scientific paper, and prepare an oral presentation for the final research symposium. During test sessions, students will both conduct and receive measurements during the test sessions to better understand all aspects of cardiovasular and cardiorespiratory health. All tests are non-invasive and include blood pressure, body composition, and aerobic fitness (exercise test) assessment, and will be conducted in the Vascular Biology and Autonomic Studies Laboratory and various labs in the Department of Health and Exercise Science.

Please Note: In order to participate in this research class, students and parents must complete Consent Forms that ensure confidentiality and other research aspects as required under Dr. Meucci's IRB guidelines. Once a student has ranked their choices and indicates this course as their first choice, additional forms will be emailed for your review and determination whether you want to enroll in this course. The purpose of completing these forms will allow Dr. Meucci and his graduate students to use collected data in their ongoing research as well as ensure Summer Ventures students having the ability to participate fully in the the current/empirical research projects.

Robots are the future. Robots not only drive innovation and technological advancement, they are also just straight-up awesome. When you see videos of Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci® Surgical System or Boston Dynamics’ Handle in fluid action, it is hard not to get excited about this ever-growing field and want to play a part in designing the future. Students in this course will learn several of the necessary skills for building their own robots, including electronics, mechanical engineering, computer programming, and 3D printing. With exercises along the way for students to learn these skills through hands-on applications, students will leave this course having designed and built such robots as a pneumatic arm for lifting objects and a mobile robot for tactical reconnaissance. As the ultimate goal of the course, students will identify and investigate a problem for which a robotic solution could be created. Students will use available resources, including electronic test equipment, 3D printers, Raspberry Pi/Arduino, and MATLAB/Python for the design of their solution. The research project will culminate with students writing a technical paper and presenting on their robotic system at the research symposium. Please note that some physics and pre-calculus background/coursework is necessary for a successful completion of this course.

**Note: This class will meet for both Demonstration & Research class times**

Everyone has seen at least one episode of CSI, right? Can you differentiate the parts which are scientifically accurate and which are media hype? In this course, we will examine several areas of practice that are associated with forensic science such as the roles of a medical examiner, crime laboratory analyst, crime scene examiner, and forensic engineer. Forensic science also requires academic assistance (psychology, social science, and statistics) as well as technical assistance (computer analyst, polygraph, and composite drawing). These areas of practice require substantial knowledge regarding how to manage and perform scientific investigations. Activities will include laboratory research and analyses.

This course is designed to investigate multiple methods of scientific and mathematical problem solving, reasoning techniques, teamwork, and technical applications. Activities will include measurement, estimation, prediction, analysis, and engineering concepts. Investigations may include medical engineering, SeaPerch ROVs, and building bridges. Students will develop a problem to explore, present the problem, and determine solutions using skills learned throughout the course.

Science can be quite frustrating at times because there are some things in nature that science simply cannot explain. In this class we will use a hands-on approach to observe, investigate, and explain various concepts of the natural world. Some of the topics we will explore include: motion, force, rotation, equilibrium, energy, momentum, electricity, magnetism, and light. We will also discuss the impact of ideas and discoveries of Galileo, Newton, Kepler, Joule, Ohm, Clark, and Einstein. This course will be tailored to students who have completed a formal physics course as well as those who have not.

Creating and reinforcing a sustainable future that enriches human well-being, protects and conserves health and productive natural systems, supports shared economic prosperity, and advances an ecological worldview fostering social change requires innovative and multi-disciplinary planning and collaboration. This course introduces students to sustainability as it relates to science, technology, arts, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM). Students will creatively engage in hands-on projects related to energy and waste management and participate in projects such as waste sorting, composting, renewable energy, energy conservation, and energy efficient cooking. Students will investigate, evaluate, and reflect on the challenges associated with food, energy, consumption, and waste. Staff from the Office of University Sustainability have developed this course to foster and instill sustainable practices as a way of life. Note: Students will have to complete a waiver to participate in this class due to some field trip locations.

Students will work alongside Dr. Tuberty and his graduate students to develop the skills of an aquatic ecologist and environmental scientist. Students will sample undisturbed headwater streams in western North Carolina to investigate/explore relationships described in the River Continuum Concept by Vannote, et al., 1980. Data from benthic macro-invertebrate and water chemistry samples from undisturbed areas will be compared to samples from local impacted streams of the High Country to determine and predict significant changes in correlations between the land cover/use and the physical, chemical and biological aspects of the aquatic systems. Field-based experiences will focus on case studies that introduce environmental problems that will serve as models for a variety of student-based research designs. Biological topics will include aquatic population and biodiversity responses to toxins or disturbance, laboratory and field sampling and analytical methods, and statistical analysis of data. As a field course, students will visit sites in Boone and surrounding areas to take advantage of the large number of unique local water resources. Therefore, appropriate shoes and clothing that can get wet/muddy are needed. Old tennis shoes, or shoes such as Keen, Chaco, or Teva that stay strapped on, but can be worn in the river and dry quickly are needed. Also, this class will participate in a 3-5 day hiking/sampling trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which includes 3-4 nights of camping. Students enrolled in this course will need to bring a sleeping bag, sunscreen, bug spray, water bottle, hat, headlamp and/or flashlight, and clothing/shoes appropriate for hiking and camping. Tents will also be needed but each student need not provide their own tent if others can share. Once class assignments have been made, you will be contacted whether you have a tent to bring/share. It is important that you enjoy/want to experience the outdoors and are willing to commit to working extensively in streams if you select this class. Each student will develop a research hypothesis, collect necessary data to test this hypothesis, write a research paper, and present their findings at the research symposium. Prefer students who have completed Biology and Earth/ Environmental Science.

[Please note: You must be physically fit/able to hike tough terrain/long distances to enroll in this course. Field work includes working in rivers/streams and hiking to remote locations. The GSMNP camping trip will include 10-15 mile hikes each day. Also, a female residence staff member will accompany students on the camping trip.]

Tentative Course availability

This course will only be open to a select few (~5) Summer Ventures students because they will be working alongside students from another academic program (Future Doctors & Scientists) and graduate students. Current research includes examining factors contributing to pre-term labor and various properties of the super plant, Moringa. The class will also participate in The Apprentice Doctor^® course, learning practical clinical, medical, and surgical skills. Research activities will involve basic research, using animal models, and biomedical instrumentation techniques (e.g., animal handling, tissue processing, protein, RNA and DNA isolations, determination of RNA and protein concentrations, RT-PCR, gel-based PCR, Real-Time PCR, Western blot and confocal immunofluorescence, data analysis). Students will acquire transferable soft and hard skills through mastery of biomedical research technical skills and scientific processes, and learn about career opportunities in medicine and biomedical research. All students will complete a research paper to be presented at the research symposia at the end of the program. Completion of AP Chemistry or AP Biology is preferred. Students will be required to wear scrubs during certain class meetings as well as may have to conduct laboratory testing/monitoring/analyses outside of regular class hours.

In today’s data driven society, it is a prerequisite of those studying science and mathematics that they understand data collection, analysis and application. In this course, we will deeply examine the process by which we collect and manipulate data. Please note that this is not an introductory statistics course. Our focus will be on interpretation of data as opposed to development of statistical theory. We will explore applications of data within the context of topics including, but not limited to, statistical inference, game theory, voting theory, rank order data, data envelopment analysis as well as data applications within the social sciences. Students will explore techniques investigating both quantitative and qualitative data through experimental design and simulation. Students will work both individually and collaboratively to obtain a mastery of the topics presented. At the conclusion of the course, students will use available data sets to develop their own unique research project that includes producing a paper and preparing an oral presentation.

Say the word “environment” to most people and it conjures up images of living organisms. But the lithosphere is just as much a part of the Earth as the biosphere, and the interactions between humans and their geologic environment can have profound effects, for better or worse. In this course, students will investigate some of the human impacts on rivers and streams, focusing on three areas: stream sediments and solid wastes, natural and human-derived changes in stream water chemistry, and flooding hazards. This is a field-based course and we will spend as much time outside as possible, visiting sites in Boone and surrounding areas to take advantage of the unique local geology and topography. Therefore, appropriate shoes and clothing that can get wet/muddy are needed. Teva/Chaco/Keen sandals are ideal for wearing in the rivers/streams plus sturdy shoes. Students will need a hat, water bottle and sunscreen. Samples and data will be collected in the field and laboratory analyses will complement the fieldwork to help students develop an understanding of the natural processes involved and any changes due to human interactions. Each student will develop his/her own research hypothesis, collect the necessary data to test this hypothesis, write a paper, and present findings at the research symposium. Completion of Chemistry or Earth/Environmental science preferred, but not required.

[Please note: You must be physically fit/able to hike tough terrain/long distances to enroll in this course. Field work involves working in streams/rivers and hiking to those remote locations.]

Robots are the future. Robots not only drive innovation and technological advancement, they are also just straight-up awesome. When you see videos of Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci® Surgical System or Boston Dynamics’ Handle in fluid action, it is hard not to get excited about this ever-growing field and want to play a part in designing the future. Students in this course will learn several of the necessary skills for building their own robots, including electronics, mechanical engineering, computer programming, and 3D printing. With exercises along the way for students to learn these skills through hands-on applications, students will leave this course having designed and built such robots as a pneumatic arm for lifting objects and a mobile robot for tactical reconnaissance. As the ultimate goal of the course, students will identify and investigate a problem for which a robotic solution could be created. Students will use available resources, including electronic test equipment, 3D printers, Raspberry Pi/Arduino, and MATLAB/Python for the design of their solution. The research project will culminate with students writing a technical paper and presenting on their robotic system at the research symposium. Please note that some physics background/coursework is necessary for a successful completion of this course.

**Note: This class will meet for both Demonstration & Research class times**

Everyone has seen at least one episode of CSI, right? Can you differentiate the parts which are scientifically accurate and which are media hype? In this course, we will examine several areas of practice that are associated with forensic science such as the roles of a medical examiner, crime laboratory analyst, crime scene examiner, and forensic engineer. Forensic science also requires academic assistance (psychology, social science, and statistics) as well as technical assistance (computer analyst, polygraph, and composite drawing). These areas of practice require substantial knowledge regarding how to manage and perform scientific investigations. Activities will include laboratory research and analyses.

This course is designed to investigate multiple methods of scientific and mathematical problem solving, reasoning techniques, teamwork, and technical applications. Activities will include measurement, estimation, prediction, analysis, and engineering concepts. Investigations may include medical engineering, SeaPerch ROVs, and building bridges. Students will develop a problem to explore, present the problem, and determine solutions using skills learned throughout the course.

Science can be quite frustrating at times because there are some things in nature that science simply cannot explain. In this class we will use a hands-on approach to observe, investigate, and explain various concepts of the natural world. Some of the topics we will explore include: motion, force, rotation, equilibrium, energy, momentum, electricity, magnetism, and light. We will also discuss the impact of ideas and discoveries of Galileo, Newton, Kepler, Joule, Ohm, Clark, and Einstein. This course will be tailored to students who have completed a formal physics course as well as those who have not.

Students will work alongside Dr. Tuberty and his graduate students to develop the skills of an aquatic ecologist and environmental scientist. Students will sample undisturbed headwater streams in western North Carolina to investigate/explore relationships described in the River Continuum Concept by Vannote, et al., 1980. Data from benthic macro-invertebrate and water chemistry samples from undisturbed areas will be compared to samples from local impacted streams of the High Country to determine and predict significant changes in correlations between the land cover/use and the physical, chemical and biological aspects of the aquatic systems. Field-based experiences will focus on case studies that introduce environmental problems that will serve as models for a variety of student-based research designs. Biological topics will include aquatic population and biodiversity responses to toxins or disturbance, laboratory and field sampling and analytical methods, and statistical analysis of data. As a field course, students will visit sites in Boone and surrounding areas to take advantage of the large number of unique local water resources. Therefore, appropriate shoes and clothing that can get wet/muddy are needed. Old tennis shoes, or shoes such as Keen, Chaco, or Teva that stay strapped on, but can be worn in the river and dry quickly are needed. Also, this class will participate in a 3-5 day hiking/sampling trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which includes 3-4 nights of camping. Students enrolled in this course will need to bring a sleeping bag, sunscreen, bug spray, water bottle, hat, headlamp and/or flashlight, and clothing/shoes appropriate for hiking and camping. Tents will also be needed but each student need not provide their own tent if others can share. Once class assignments have been made, you will be contacted whether you have a tent to bring/share. It is important that you enjoy/want to experience the outdoors and are willing to commit to working extensively in streams if you select this class. Each student will develop a research hypothesis, collect necessary data to test this hypothesis, write a research paper, and present their findings at the research symposium. Prefer students who have completed Biology and Earth/ Environmental Science. [Please note that a female residence staff member will accompany students on the camping trip.]

This course will only be open to a select few (~5-8) Summer Ventures students because they will be working alongside students from another academic program (Future Doctors & Scientists) and graduate students. Current research includes examining factors contributing to pre-term labor and various properties of the super plant, Moringa. The class will also participate in The Apprentice Doctor® course, learning practical clinical, medical, and surgical skills. Research activities will involve basic research, using animal models, and biomedical instrumentation techniques (e.g., animal handling, tissue processing, protein, RNA and DNA isolations, determination of RNA and protein concentrations, RT-PCR, gel-based PCR, Real-Time PCR, Western blot and confocal immunofluorescence, data analysis). Students will acquire transferable soft and hard skills through mastery of biomedical research technical skills and scientific processes, and learn about career opportunities in medicine and biomedical research. All students will complete a research paper to be presented at the research symposia at the end of the program. Completion of AP Chemistry or AP Biology is preferred. Students will be required to wear scrubs during certain class meetings as well as may have to conduct laboratory testing/monitoring/analyses outside of regular class hours.

Say the word “environment” to most people and it conjures up images of living organisms. But the lithosphere is just as much a part of the Earth as the biosphere, and the interactions between humans and their geologic environment can have profound effects, for better or worse. In this course, students will investigate some of the human impacts on rivers and streams, focusing on three areas: stream sediments and solid wastes, natural and human-derived changes in stream water chemistry, and flooding hazards. This is a field-based course and we will spend as much time outside as possible, visiting sites in Boone and surrounding areas to take advantage of the unique local geology and topography. Therefore, appropriate shoes and clothing that can get wet/muddy are needed. Teva/Chaco/Keen sandals are ideal for wearing in the rivers/streams plus sturdy shoes. Students will need a hat, water bottle and sunscreen. Samples and data will be collected in the field and laboratory analyses will complement the fieldwork to help students develop an understanding of the natural processes involved and any changes due to human interactions. Each student will develop his/her own research hypothesis, collect the necessary data to test this hypothesis, write a paper, and present findings at the research symposium. Completion of Chemistry or Earth/Environmental science preferred, but not required.

In today’s data driven society, it is a prerequisite of those studying science and mathematics that they understand data collection, analysis and application. In this course, we will deeply examine the process by which we collect and manipulate data. Please note that this is not an introductory statistics course. Our focus will be on interpretation of data as opposed to development of statistical theory. We will explore applications of data within the context of topics including, but not limited to, statistical inference, game theory, voting theory, rank order data, data envelopment analysis as well as data applications within the social sciences. Students will explore techniques investigating both quantitative and qualitative data through experimental design and simulation. Students will work both individually and collaboratively to obtain a mastery of the topics presented. At the conclusion of the course, students will use available data sets to develop their own unique research project that includes producing a paper and preparing an oral presentation.

Birds, bats and insects may make it look easy, but flying is actually a rather challenging endeavor. Despite working on the problem at least since the time of the ancient Greeks, it is only in relatively recent history that people have finally "conquered" the air. How was this accomplished, and what has been learned since? This course will begin with a study of the physics of flight using vehicles, toys, and flight in the natural world. It will then move on to some of the more important engineering and design principles involved in flying objects and rocketry. Applying this knowledge will allow us to design, build, test, and redesign various flight vehicles. Since construction and testing are inherently messy affairs, students are strongly advised to bring an old shirt to wear in class. Students will present their research findings via a written descriptive paper and oral presentation.

“Another one got caught today, it’s all over the news and social media. “Teenager Arrested in Computer Crime Scandal”, “Hacker Arrested after Bank Tampering”. All teenagers are the viewed the same. They’re all alike.

But did you ever take a look behind the eyes of a hacker? Have you ever wondered what makes them tick, what forces shape them, what may have molded them? I am an ethical hacker. Enter my world…” -Revised from the Hacker’s Manifesto

This course explores a number of diverse areas and issues that arise in security for those aspiring to become ‘world class hackers’. The main focus will be on the programming language, Python, which is considered to be the “Holy Grail” of hacking languages. You will learn how to use scripts to complete a number of topics and tasks, which include but are not limited to: keylogging, antivirus evasion, automation scanning and social engineering exploits. In order for students to actively complete the topics, some fundamental learning in the areas of programming, networking, operating systems, and virtualization will also be covered. Students will actively participate in activities that allow visually seeing the effects of hacking, both as a hacker and as the victim. You will also complete research that is compiled from the tasks associated with Python scripting. Projects will culminate in a research paper and presentation at the research symposium. No prerequisites are required, but prefer students with some programming experience, understanding of networking and/or operating systems.

Everyone has seen at least one episode of CSI, right? Can you differentiate the parts which are scientifically accurate and which are media hype? In this course, we will examine several areas of practice that are associated with forensic science such as the roles of a medical examiner, crime laboratory analyst, crime scene examiner, and forensic engineer. Forensic science also requires academic assistance (psychology, social science, and statistics) as well as technical assistance (computer analyst, polygraph, and composite drawing). These areas of practice require substantial knowledge regarding how to manage and perform scientific investigations. Activities will include laboratory research and analyses.

This course is designed to investigate multiple methods of scientific and mathematical problem solving, reasoning techniques, teamwork, and technical applications. Activities will include measurement, estimation, prediction, analysis, and engineering concepts. Investigations may include medical engineering, SeaPerch ROVs, and building bridges. Students will develop a problem to explore, present the problem, and determine solutions using skills learned throughout the course.

Science can be quite frustrating at times because there are some things in nature that science simply cannot explain. In this class we will use a hands-on approach to observe, investigate, and explain various concepts of the natural world. Some of the topics we will explore include: motion, force, rotation, equilibrium, energy, momentum, electricity, magnetism, and light. We will also discuss the impact of ideas and discoveries of Galileo, Newton, Kepler, Joule, Ohm, Clark, and Einstein. This course will be tailored to students who have completed a formal physics course as well as those who have not.

Students will practice the skills of an environmental scientist by investigating human impacts on rivers, streams and ponds, with focus on water chemistry, heavy metals in stream water and sediments, emerging contaminants in municipal wastewater effluents, and endocrine disruption. Field-based experiences will focus on local Boone area environmental problems that will serve as the basis for a variety of student-centered research projects. Biological topics will include aquatic population and biodiversity responses to toxins or disturbance, lab & field sampling and analytical methods, and statistical analysis of data. As a field course, students will visit sites in Boone and surrounding areas to take advantage of the large number of high quality and unique water resources. Therefore, appropriate "river shoes" (such as Keen, Teva, Chaco, etc.) and clothing that can get wet/muddy are needed. Students will also canoe sections of the New River and camp over a three-day period. Students will need to bring a sleeping bag and tent for this excursion (further information will be sent out once class assignments have been made about tents/equipment). Each student will develop a research hypothesis, collect necessary data to test this hypothesis, provide a written report of their project, and present their findings at the closing symposium.

In today's data driven society, it is a pre-requisite of those studying science and mathematics that they understand data collection, analysis and application. In this course, we will deeply examine the process by which we collect and manipulate data. Please note, this is not an introductory statistics course. Our focus will be on interpretation of data as opposed to development of statistical theory. We will explore applications of data within the context of topics including, but not limited to, statistical inference, game theory, voting theory, rank order data, data envelopment analysis as well as data applications within the social sciences. Students will explore techniques investigating both quantitative and qualitative data through experimental design and simulation. Students will work both individually and collaboratively to obtain a mastery of the topics presented. At the conclusion of the course students will either generate their own data or use available data sets to develop their own unique research project that includes producing a paper and preparing an oral presentation.

The first rockets ever built, the fire-arrows of the Chinese, were not very reliable. Many just exploded on launching! Today, rockets are much more reliable. They fly on precise courses and are capable of going fast enough to escape the gravitational pull of Earth. How is this done? We will investigate the fascinating scientific theories involved with rocketry, including physical principles such as Newton's Laws, the aerodynamic forces that operate on objects in flight (weight, lift, drag, and thrust), different propellants and various engineering concepts such as stability and optimal mass. Applying this knowledge will allow us to design, construct, and test various models to investigate the aerodynamic capabilities and challenges of rocketry. Students will complete investigations by designing, flying and refining actual model rockets. Finally, they will present their findings via a written descriptive research paper and oral presentation.

This course will integrate two areas of study in computer science. First, students will have the opportunity to learn about some digital image processing techniques. Explorations will include image acquisition and display, properties of the human visual system, sampling and quantization, color image representations, image enhancement, transformations, compression and restoration. Second, students will investigate the role of visualization in science, engineering, medicine, and education and will have opportunities to learn different visualization techniques that can be applied to solve problems. Emphasis will be on visualization of data, using available tools to build and understand computational models, and understanding/visualizing solutions to proposed problems. MATLAB, ImageJ, and Excel will be used extensively, but prior knowledge is not required. Students will have daily hands-on activities and will conduct an inquiry-based research project, produce a written paper and oral presentation.

Ethical hacking can be performed and is not fiction.  It actually can be performed to help individuals as well as organizations identify vulnerabilities within their computer systems.  White hats are known as the good guys that can work with a variety of tools to assist in a number of ways to thwart a hacking incident. Many companies utilize ethical hacking services or white hats to keep their systems and information as secure as possible.

This class will introduce the topic of ethical hacking as well as use a variety of tools so that students will have a working knowledge of the tools that hackers actually use.  As well, it will allow them to identify the methods that hackers use to break into computer systems. 

Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of computer systems.

Everyone has seen at least one episode of CSI, right? Can you differentiate the parts which are scientifically accurate and which are media hype? In this course, we will examine several areas of practice that are associated with forensic science such as the roles of a medical examiner, crime laboratory analyst, crime scene examiner, and forensic engineer. Forensic science also requires academic assistance (psychology, social science, and statistics) as well as technical assistance (computer analyst, polygraph, and composite drawing). These areas of practice require substantial knowledge regarding how to manage and perform scientific investigations. Activities will include laboratory research and analysis.

Tentative: This course is designed to investigate scientific problem solving, reasoning techniques, teamwork, and technical applications as well as engineering concepts through the design and build of an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) designed by SeaPerch. Building a SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that encourages students to explore naval architecture and marine/ocean engineering principles. As part of the course activity, all students will develop a problem and determine solutions by the end of the course using skills learned throughout the program.

Science can be quite frustrating at times because there are some things in nature that science simply cannot explain. In this class we will use a hands-on approach to observe, investigate, and explain various concepts of the natural world. Some of the topics we will explore include: motion, force, rotation, equilibrium, energy, momentum, electricity, magnetism, and light. We will also discuss the impact of ideas and discoveries of Galileo, Newton, Kepler, Joule, Ohm, Clark, and Einstein.