Size Matters: Introduction to Nanoscience
This unit provides an introduction to nanoscience, focusing on concepts related to the size and scale, unusual properties of the nanoscale, tools of the nanosciences, and example applications. Upon completing this unit, students will understand: The study of unique phenomena at the nanoscale could vastly change our understanding of matter and lead to new questions and answers in many areas, including health care, the environment, and technology: There are enormous scale differences in our univer
Introduction to Nanoscale Science: Surface Area to Volume Ratio Module
Many intriguing phenomena observed in the "nanoworld" can be attributed to the increase in the surface to volume ratio ( SVR ) at the nanoscale. Understanding the surface area effects to volume changes is thus crucial to the understanding of nanoscale phenomena and nanotechnology applications. As an introduction to the nanoworld, the major goals of this module are to (1) give students a feel for just how small the nanoscale is, (2) give students practice in mathematically communicating nanoscale
Introduction to X-ray Diffraction
This site is intended as a brief introduction to some of the common x-ray diffraction techniques used in materials characterization. It is designed for people who are novices in this field but are interested in using the techniques in their research. Topics include x-ray generation and properties, lattice planes and Bragg's Law, powder and thin film diffraction, texture measurement and pole figures, residual stress measurements, small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), and x-ray crystallography.
Igneous Petrology
This PowerPoint presentation is part of the Whitman College petrology course. The presentation provides an introduction to the structure of the earth in the context of the generation of igneous rocks. Slides in the presentation cover the composition of layers of the earth, P-wave and S-wave velocities through layers of the earth, pressure and heat characteristics of the earth, and regions of igneous generation within the earth. This resource is part of the Teaching Petrology collection. http://s
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Class Materials
This web site is maintained by John Winter of Whitman College, and contains 31 PowerPoint presentations for an igneous and metamorphic petrology course. The course and the lectures are keyed to his text, An Introduction to Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. The PowerPoint presentations are organized by chapter and contain many maps, graphs and illustrations. Each chapter is a separate PowerPoint file that can be downloaded and modified to suit the user's needs. In addition, the website includes
Algebraic thinking: a basic skill
The resources highlighted here aim to reflect students' growing mathematical capacity over the span of the middle school years. The activities and lessons, intended as supplementary materials, range from introduction to the fundamentals of algebra to work on linear functions. Uniformly, they take into consideration the preference of the middle school student for concrete models, visual representations, and interactive tasks.
Hunting Bears with a Microscope
In this online activity, students use lichens and tardigrades (water bears) to investigate their use as bioindicators of key air pollutants. When lichens are exposed to some kinds of air pollutants, especially to sulfur dioxide, the lichens are injured and die. The lichen coverage in a specified area should be a good indicator of the level of air quality. The diversity of the tardigrade species on the lichens will be used to develop another level for bioindication of air quality. Sections of thi
Addition and Subtraction Face-Off! Game
Students place markers on the numbers 2-12. Students toss two 6-sided dice, find the sum and remove a marker from that number, if there is still one. The first player to remove all markers wins the game. This game can be used as addition practice or as an introduction to the probability of the different outcomes of rolling two dice. This game was developed by a Monmouth University student for the Probability Fair. These games help students acquire proficiency in addition and subtraction facts.
Genetic Disease WebQuest
Students take on different roles to learn about DNA and genetic diseases, including how a genetic disease causes a person to get sick, how we test for and treat a genetic disease, and how we help people to make better decisions regarding all the complicated issues involved with genetic diseases. This webquest, designed for high school and undergraduate students, is an ideal introduction to the concepts of bioinformatics, genetic diseases, and potential careers in science fields. The activity can
Reading for Philosophical Inquiry
In this introduction to philosophical thinking, we will read some essays specially chosen from four main areas of interest: (1) the philosophy of life, (2) the philosophy of religion, (3) ethics, and (4) metaphysics and theory of knowledge. Although our approach is not comprehensive, it is reasonably representative of some of the more significant areas of philosophical inquiry. The readings are intended to illustrate the interrelations between these subject areas of philosophy and, as well, to p
Introduction to Methods for Health Services Research and Evaluation
Introduction to Methods for Health Services Research and Evaluation provides an introduction to basic methods for undertaking research and program evaluation within health services organizations and systems. In addition to basic methods, the course also provides "the state of the art" in research and evaluation through the review of major completed studies. This course is recommended for students who will be carrying out policy research, social science research, or program impact evaluation with
The Secret World of Sharks and Rays
Woldwide, there are more than 370 species of sharks, which vary greatly in size, shape, preferred habitat, and prey. This film from the PBS Nature series explores their worlds and those of their close cousins, the rays. (49:36)
Theory of functions of a real variable
I have taught the beginning graduate course in real variables and functional analysis three times in the last five years, and this book is the result. The course assumes that the student has seen the basics of real variable theory and point set topology. The elements of the topology of metrics spaces are presented (in the nature of a rapid review) in Chapter I. The course itself consists of two parts: 1) measure theory and integration, and 2) Hilbert space theory, especially the spectral theorem
Semi-Riemann Geometry and General Relativity
This book represents course notes for a one semester course at the undergraduate level giving an introduction to Riemannian geometry and its principal physical application, Einstein’s theory of general relativity. The background assumed is a good grounding in linear algebra and in advanced calculus, preferably in the language of differential forms.
This book covers the following topics: The principal curvatures; rules of calculus; Levi-Civita Connections; bundle of frames; connections on prin
Introduction to Computer Science I
Computer Science 50: Introduction to Computer Science I is a first course in computer science at Harvard College for concentrators and non-concentrators alike. More than just teach you how to program, this course teaches you how to think more methodically and how to solve problems more effectively. As such, its lessons are applicable well beyond the boundaries of computer science itself. That the course does teach you how to program, though, is perhaps its most empowering return. With this skill
Cosmic Survey: What are Your Ideas About the Universe?
Lesson plans and activity composed of a three-part questionnaire that launches students on discussions about where objects in space are located, and when they were formed- an introduction to the concepts of structure and evolution of the universe. This astronomical image-sorting activity lays the groundwork for discussions about the size, scale and history of the universe. Use it as a front-end assessment of how students understand the universe. Recommended for teachers of Grades 6-12 and inform
California Fires MODIS imagery and TOMS Aerosols from October 2003
This animation sequences through the MODIS imagery of the devastating Californian fires from October 23, 2003 through October 29, 2003. Then the animation resets to October 23, 2003 and zooms out to see the TOMS aerosol sequence. It clearly shows that the California fires had an impact on air quality as far east as Maine.
China Dust Storm Pollutes Air in the Eastern United States in April 2001 (Flatmap)
A large dust storm develops over China on April 6 and 7, 2001. This animation shows the dust moving over China, Russia, Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and Canada, settling over the United States.
