Experience University Research (Undergrad Immersion)

As students prepare to further their academic and professional careers, they must effectively communicate their ideas to diverse audiences. The goal of this course is to prepare students to communicate with both native and non-native English speakers, particularly in relation to their chosen fields of study. In this course, students will study and practice effective methods for speaking and presenting their ideas clearly to a global audience, including voice projection, enunciation, timing, nonverbal communication, cultural norms, simplifying speech, and specifying meaning. Examples of learning activities in this course include class discussions and debates, individual and group presentations, listening logs, listening quizzes, and leading discussion groups.

Instructor: Helen Nam, M.A.

Schedule: M-F, times vary

Prerequisites: none

Materials Fee: $0

Effective writing is crucial to success in any field. The goal of this course is to prepare advanced and native English speakers for academic writing at the graduate level, particularly in relation to their chosen fields of study. Students will learn to develop and express ideas effectively for a variety of purposes (expository, analytic, and argumentative), audiences, and occasions. Students will also study and apply various rhetorical strategies used in different academic and professional disciplines. By the end of the course, students will be expected to understand the writing process, evaluate and use various types of evidence, identify and use effective prose, engage with others’ ideas, and properly cite sources.

Instructor: Emily Wong, M.A.

Schedule: M-F, times vary

Prerequisites: none

Materials Fee: $0

The goal of this interdisciplinary course is to explore science-driven solutions to major global challenges. Students will investigate such topics as why access to clean water is so difficult both globally and locally, what can be done about it, and how to transcend the negative impacts of a changing environment. In doing so, students will integrate tools from natural and social science to analyze real-life examples and apply creative thinking to shed new light in how to address environmental challenges in evidence-based papers. By the end of the course, students will have a strong understanding of major contemporary challenges, the formation of public policy, and how solutions may be found. This course is ideal for students pursuing careers in public policy, law, environmental science, and political science.

Instructor: John Whiteley, Ed.D

Schedule: TBD

Prerequisites: none

Materials Fee: $100

Skills in Python, computer hardware, and IoT devices have many applications and are highly sought after. The goal of this course is to build students’ skills in these areas by designing and programing robots to complete a series of pre-determined tasks using Raspberry Pi single-board computers. In doing so, students will set up the Raspberry Pi environment, use Python-based IDE (integrated development environments) for the Raspberry Pi, and learn computer hardware. Students will work together in teams of 2-3 to build the robots. The course will culminate in a competition, putting students’ programming and designs to the test. May the best robot win!

Instructor: Saleem M. Yamani, M.S.

Schedule: TBD

Prerequisites: some experience in Python recommended

Materials Fee: $250

Project Management is a methodology that allows for an efficient and effective approach to achieving results.  This course will utilize these methodologies starting with Initiation, then Planning, Executing, Monitoring and finally closing out a project.  The selected case study used in class will be the application of current data analytics methods taking Big Data and creating innovative solutions to a business problem. Students will perform data-driven discovery and prediction, extracting value and competitive intelligence for their projects. Basic elements of successful Big Data implementation will be covered as well as a review of commercially available tools and technology.

Instructor: Martin Wartenberg, M.S., MBA

Schedule: TBD

Prerequisites: Some experience in Probability and Statistics recommended

Materials Fee: $0

To succeed in the expanding international economy, business professionals must learn about the role and impact of international financial markets. This class begins with the history and structure of the international monetary system. Topics build on this foundation with a focus on the forces that drive exchange rates as well as international trade and investment; international financial risks and the protection that can be achieved through the use of financial derivatives. The course also emphasizes some of the most important financial techniques used by multinational firms to manage their international financial operations.

Instructor: Dr. Steven Keener

Schedule: Tu, Th 1pm-4pm

Prerequisites: none

Materials Fee: $0

JavaScript is the most widely adopted browser language with full integration with HTML/CSS. This course will teach students highly sought after skills of JavaScript and web programming. Students will learn how to utilize the power of JavaScript by combining it with HTML through the DOM (Document Object Model) in order to build fully functional web applications. The goal of this course is to equip students with practical skills for real-world application, such as best practice idioms and patterns, common programming concepts, advanced language features, and common libraries and tools for web application development.

Instructor: Kevin Hanegan, B.S.

Schedule: TBD

Prerequisites: 1-2 years of university-level programming courses

Materials Fee: $0

This course will be introduce concepts and topics essential to AI and Machine Learning such as, predictive analytics algorithms, artificial neural networks, data analysis and data mining. Students will explore design, architecture, and applications of networks for practical applications. Students will also learn how artificial neural networks such as multilayered perception are implemented in Python.

Instructor: Keith McCormick, B.S.

Schedule: TBD

Prerequisites: Intermediate to Advanced knowledge of Python

Materials Fee: $0

Esports is an emerging as a global industry. Students will learn the history of Esports and gain vantage points from developers, athletes, fans, sponsors and media. The course will also introduce the roles and influences that game developers have in the industry, and students will get a glimpse into the structures of an organization and how it builds a brand. Students will also be informed of the jobs available in Esports and where to get started in order to be involved.

Instructor: Jonathan Pan

Schedule: TBD

Prerequisites: None

Materials Fee: $0 

Come experience the union of Art, Design, Science, Engineering and Business in our exciting program in Industrial Design. Understand why companies and individuals embark on new and innovative products and learn current techniques of how to prototype and manufacture these products.  Use the Design Process through experimentation in our “Creative Manufacturing Lab” where you will learn and use a variety of manufacturing techniques to create functional and visually appealing products and product packaging. Use Design Thinking and the Art of Manufacturing to let your sense of style, form and function guide you to build new and better sustainable products that meet market needs. Gain experience with Industrial Design software tools and experience the entire design process, from concept, prototypes, design iterations, validation, manufacturing, marketing and product support. Students will learn how to synthesize and communicate ideas visually, verbally and document them in writing. Work with a team of your classmates to develop design projects that begin with market research, conceptual ideas, user stories and sketches. The projects are then developed into models and working prototypes that are tested and packaged. All teams will enter their projects into the final design competition judged on innovation, visual appeal, functionality, sustainability and marketability.

Instructor: Dave Dimas, PhD

Schedule: TBD

Prerequisites: One year of undergraduate engineering courses recommended

Materials Fee: $250 

Perfect for students who need additional English language practice, this course will focus on the development of verbal communication, listening skills, and strategies that will improve the quality of the students’ English speaking and conversation in a fun and interactive atmosphere. Course content is designed to give students cultural background knowledge that may be incorporated into language and culture lessons as well as new perspectives on approaching universal classroom problems. Students will create a project or presentation to demonstrate their learning.

Students accepted with a minimum score of 40 TOEFL iBT and 400 TOEIC

Instructor: Meg Parker, M.A.

Schedule: TBD

Prerequisites: None

Materials Fee: $0