Experimental Courses

Notes

Experimental courses do not appear in the official catalog listings. For further information regarding when experimental courses are offered, check the Online Schedule of Classes

2009-11 Listing

Last Updated: August 24, 2009

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Genetics 111X. Genetics Research Seminar. (1-0) Cr. 1. F. An introduction to the principles and practices of scientific research in Genetics, the exploration of the undergraduate research opportunities at ISU, and the review of career opportunities in Genetics. A significant component is faculty and student presentations on current research projects. For students majoring in Genetics or considering this major.

Genetics 539X. Ethics and Biological Sciences. Cr. 2. S. Prereq: Graduate student status or permission of instructor. Introduction to Bioethics through case study discussion and recent news events. Students read and discuss issues on animal moral theory and rights, animals used in research and teaching, cloning, human reproductive and stem cell research, human genetic screening, environmental ethics, world food and population issues, GMO, plant biotechnology, genetic patenting issues and honesty in science. Students present formal presentation on topic of choice. Satisfactory-fall only

Geology 105X. Gems and Gemstones. (1-0) Cr. 1. F., taught in second half of the semester. Introduction to gems and gemstones, physical and optical properties of gems and gemstones, explanation of where gems come from and how they are found, how to distinguish between synthetic and naturally occurring gems, how the value of gems are determined, the history of famous gems. Does not count towards credits required in the geology major.

Geology 109X. Exploring Iowa Geology. Cr. 1. Introduction to Iowa geology through classroom lectures and up to four Saturday field trips to selected Iowa geological attractions. Students will learn basic geologic concepts such as geologic time, erosion and sedimentation, stratigraphy, glacial geology, and karst topography using Iowa examples.

Geology 111X. Geologic Disasters. (Cross-listed with EnvS 111X). (2-0) Cr. 12. S.An introduction to the catastrophic geologic processes that disrupt ecosystems and human activity. Discussion of earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and floods, with emphasis on the roles of plate tectonics, and hydrologic cycle, and humana in driving these phenomena. Hazard assessment, prediction, and effects on humans and the environment.

Geology 112X. Geoscience Orientation: Welcome to Planet Earth. (cross-listed with Mteor 112X.) (1-0) Cr. 1 F. Orientation to Earth Systems science, college life, and degree programs within Geological and Atmospheric Sciences.

Geology 315X. Mineralogy and Earth Materials. (3-0) Cr. 3. F . Prereq: Geol 100 or 201, Chem 177.  Introduction to mineral classification, elementary crystal chemistry, crystal morphology, mineral stability, and associations. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Geology 315L. Mineralogy and Crystallography Laboratory. (0-3) Cr. 1 F. Prereq: 100 or 201, credit or enrollment in 315X, Chem 177.  Laboratory problems in crystallography and mineral-identification methods. Emphasis on three-dimensional visualization and hand specimen identification. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Geology 316X. Optical Mineralogy. (1-2) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: Geol 100 or 201, credit or enrollment in 315X, Chem 177. Introduction to using the polarizing microscope for mineral identification . Optical properties of minerals in immersion oils and in thin sections. Nonmajor graduate credit. Special course fees.

Geology 588X. GIS for Geoscientists II. Cr. 3. (Same as Agronomy 588X) Prereq: Familiarity with ArcGIS (a foundation such as: EnSci 446, AE 405/525, AE 408/508, CRP 451/551, NREM 446, Geol 452/552 or equivalent with instructor’s approval). Advanced topics in geographic information systems (GIS) using ArcGIS 9.x (ArcMap and extension modules). Main focus on raster (grid) GIS data analysis and operations – also involves triangulated irregular networks (TINs) and 3D visualization (ArcScene). Includes a major class project, if possible using raster data relevant to the students’ research.

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Health and Human Performance 512X.  Methods in Physical Education. Cr 3. Study of learning and teaching in physical education for elementary and secondary schools.

History 407X. History of the Late Middle Ages. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: sophomore classification. General coverage of political, social, and cultural developments of high medieval Europe, 1300-1500; in-depth coverage of particular issues and topics. Nonmajor graduate credit.

History 318X. History of Early Modern Europe, 1450-1789. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Sophomore classification. Survey of major themes in the social, political, cultural, and religious history of early modern European history, including agriculture and lordship, riot and rebellion, Reformation, overseas discovery, Scientific Revolution, and Enlightenment.

History 396A, 396B, 396C. Topics in History. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Sophomore classification or permission of instructor. Specialized topics in history; topics vary each time offered. Topics: A. Europe, B. America, C. Global. May be taken more than once for credit. With changing topic,  3 times.

History 411X. European Economic History, 1450-1789. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Sophomore classification. Survey of major themes in European economic history, including property rights, agriculture, and rural economic development; lordship and its consequences; demography and urbanization; consequences of war and fiscal policy; colonial empires and world trade; and Agricultural and First Industrial Revolutions.

History 496A, 496B, 496C. Advanced Topics in History. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Sophomore classification or permission of instructor. Advanced topics in history; topics vary each time offered. Topics: A. Europe, B. America, C. Global. May be taken more than once for credit. With changing topic,  3 times

.Horticulture 120X. Understanding Grape and Wine Science. (Same as FS HN 120X) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: High school biology and chemistry. A scientific introduction to viticulture (grape-growing) and enology (wine-making). Topics include grape species and varieties, fruit quality, geography, history, principles of fermentation and aging, wine classification, appreciation, evaluation, storage and service, regulations, wine as food.  No wine tasting.

Horticulture 225X. Spanish for Horticulture. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Benner.This course provides an introduction to basic conversation and communication skills in Spanish, and cross-cultural skills for working with Spanish speakers in the Horticulture industry, emphasizing the use of vocabulary and expressions common in the workplace.

Horticulture 468X. Science of Foods and Health. Cr. 3. F.(Same as FS HN 468X) Prereq: Chemistry & Biology; Recommending: Human and/or Plant Physiology; Biochemistry and/or Organic Chemistry. Birt. This course will cover basic knowledge of foods for health. The course will cover basic and applied aspects of food and health ranging from framework, evolution and policy decisions which are applicable to bioactive compounds. Structure-function relationships, evidence based justification of disease prevention, modulators of bioactive compounds will be covered. The course will be disseminated through conventional and distance education technology. Nonmajor graduate credit. 

Human Computer Interaction 574X. Computational Implementation and Prototyping in Human and Computer Interaction. Cr. 3. S.To support computational thinking and rapid system prototyping for HCI, this coursed teaches fundamental concepts of software programming and the practical use of the Python programming language. Assignments include user interaction and interface design, information visualization, as well as other computational HCI tools. Interned for graduate students without prior background in software development. Requires programming during class lectures.

Human Computer Interaction 594X. Managerial Application of Collaborative Technologies and Social Media. Cr. 3. Prereq: Graduate level standing. Building, managing, and using collaborative technologies. Collaborative uses of social media such as blogs, wikis, picture and video sharing, social networks, Second Life, and other new media. Students will be exposed to both concepts covering these topics as well as hands on use and management of several collaborative technologies.

Human Computer Interaction 598X. HCI Design, Implementation and Implications. Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 21 credits in human computer interaction or permission from the instructor. Capstone course in HCI. Through a significant team-based design project and open-book final exam, students demonstrate their mastery of core courses in HCI.

Human Development and Family Studies 183X. Personal Finance in Early Adulthood. (1-0) Cr. 1. F.S. Introduction to basic concepts and budgeting practices for management of resources and prevention of financial problems commonly associated with college, including credit and student loans. Offered satisfactory-fail only.

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Industrial Engineering 450X. Technical Sales for Engineers. Cr. 3. Prereq: IE 305 or permission of instructor. The technical sales process. Market segmentation and client value analysis, prospecting and marketing, identifying decision makers and processes, managing the sales process, sales automation software, and international sales issues. Written and verbal sales presentation preparations and closing the sale. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Industrial Engineering 451X. Technical Sales for Engineering II. Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 450X. Case studies and experiential lessons on the development and application of technical sales strategies. Specific topics will include developing pricing and distribution strategies, managing a sales staff and channel, developing sales teams and global sales plans, bid and negotiation strategies, time management skills, and implementing sales automation technologies. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Industrial Engineering 467X. Multidisciplinary Engineering Design II. Cr. 3. F. (Same as Aer E 467X, Cpr E 467X, EE 467X, Engr 467X, Mat E 467X, ME 467X.  Prereq: student must be within two semesters of graduation or receive permission of instructor. Holland, Smith. Build and test of a conceptual design. Detail design, manufacturability, test criteria and procedures. Application of design tools such as CAD and CAM and manufacturing techniques such as rapid prototyping. Development and testing of a full-scale prototype with appropriate documentation in the form of design journals, written reports, oral presentations and computer models and engineering drawings.

Industrial Engineering 543X. Wind Energy Manufacturing. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Undergraduate engineering degree or permission of instructor.  Materials, processes and systems required to produce the major components (blades, towers, nacelles) of megawatt scale wind turbines. Transportation, manufacturing siting and procurement decisions as it relates to these large components in an expanding industry.

Industrial Engineering 634X. Computational Optimization (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: IE 534 or equivalent. Continuous and discrete optimization models, decomposition techniques for large-scale optimization problems, complementary based optimization, formulating real-life problems using standard mathematical models, introduction to open source and commercial computer solvers, computer implementation of new algorithms using MATLAB language and other computer solvers. 

Industrial Engineering 671X. Research Practicum in Ergonomics. Cr. 3. S. Prereq: IE 571X or equivalent. Ergonomics research topic development, literature evaluation, experimental design, use of bioinstrumentation, data collection, basic data interpretation, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation.

Information Assurance 131X. Introduction to Computer Security Literacy. (Cross-listed with CprE 131X). (1-0) Cr. 1. F.S.Basic concepts of practical computer and Internet security: passwords, email and attachments, social networking, web browsers, e-commerce, phishing, wireless networks, and cyber ethnics. This class is intended for students with little or no background in information technology. Basic knowledge of word processing required. Satisfactory-fail only.