Discovery Seminar Program - Spring 2008
Accounting and Law
Architecture and Planning
Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Comparative Literature
Computer Science and Engineering
English
Geography
Geology
Libraries
Marketing
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Pharmacy
- Translational Pharmacogenomics: Discovering New Genetic Methods to Link Diagnosis and Drug Treatment
Psychiatry
Romance Languages and Literatures
Women’s Studies
Accounting and Law
Fraud and Financial Forensics
- Instructor: Ronald Huefner
- Department: Accounting and Law
- Day and Time: Wednesdays, 3:00 – 3:50 pm
- Location: 257 Capen Hall
- Section: NN
- Registration Number: 074337
In our individual lives and our work lives, we are all at risk for fraud. Fraud is a major and growing problem in society, and we as citizens need to be alert and informed of different types of fraud, and ways that we can effectively combat it. This seminar will allow students to gain familiarity with various types of fraud and explore how fraud is prevented and detected using financial-based forensics.
Architecture and Planning
Design Matters: New Ideas in Architecture and Planning from Global Leaders
- Instructor: Brian Carter
- Department: School of Architecture and Planning
- Day and Time: Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:20 pm
- Location: 301 Crosby Hall
- Section: OOO
- Registration Number: 130892
Learn about the built environment that surrounds us from the leading architects and planners who design it. You’ll be exposed to cutting-edge developments in architecture, urban planning, and environmental design through a series of fascinating lectures by renowned professionals, researchers, designers, and academics who will present a range of topics associated with design, ranging from the study of materials and the creation of a sustainable building to the planning of cities. Students will maintain a diary of the lectures and research the contributions of guest speakers before attending the lectures. Attendance is vital and students should be prepared to participate actively in lively discussions surrounding the presentations.
Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
An Introduction to the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences
- Instructor: Daniel Gaile
- Department: Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
- Day and Time: Wednesdays, 4:10 – 5:40 pm
- Location: B1 306 Center of Excellence, 701 Ellicott Street
- Section: E
- Registration Number: 351800
The New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences (CoE) was created in Buffalo, New York to serve as a hub of life sciences expertise and innovation in Upstate New York. The CoE has a strong foundation in life sciences research and discovery to bring to its mission and collaborative efforts with industry, government and researchers around the world to improve the health and well-being of the population. CoE research institutions have been around for more than 100 years with University at Buffalo (UB), as the lead academic organization, and two research partners, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute. This seminar series will consist of a collection of lectures provided by researchers and other professionals that are affiliated with the CoE. The purpose of the seminar series is to provide an overview of the CoE mission and to highlight the types of research programs that are central to that mission. (Note: This seminar will be offered at the Center of Excellence, 701 Ellicott Street in Buffalo, NY.)
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Energy: Science, Technology, and the Environment
- Instructor: Michael Ryan
- Department: Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Day and Time: Thursdays, 4:00 – 4:50 pm
- Location: 257 Capen Hall
- Section: T
- Registration Number: 144683
The scientific, technological, and environmental aspects associated with energy development, consumption, and conservation are vital to our planet. In this seminar, we’ll delve into the historical development of various technologies, current energy usage, and the environmental impact of various forms of energy, including solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, hydroelectric, nuclear, and fossil fuels. Through relevant reading assignments and thoughtful class discussion, you’ll gain an awareness of issues relating to the environmental impact of energy usage, such as land use, air pollution, and global climate change; an appreciation of the risks and hazards associated with energy production; and knowledge of energy conservation measures.
Comparative Literature
Democracy In America
- Instructor: David Johnson
- Department: Comparative Literature
- Day and Time: Tuesdays, 11:00 – 11:50 am
- Location: 257 Capen Hall
- Section: GG
- Registration Number: 337028
The seminar provides the opportunity to read major texts of our democracy, including the “Declaration of Independence,” the “Articles of Confederation,” the Constitution and selected Federalist Papers. In addition we will read selections from Alexis de Tocqueville’s classic, DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA. We’ll be interested in what it means to declare independence and thus the possibility of constituting a state, the separation of powers, the place of religion and race in our democracy, the difference between law and justice. We will engage selected writings of Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. It is nearly impossible to overstate the relevance of such a seminar, particularly at a time in our country’s history when we hear so much about the possibility of exporting democracy and preserving it at home, as well as when our politicians routinely defer to the threat of foreign terror and the need to secure our borders by limiting our rights.
Computer Science and Engineering
Data Mining: Myths and Realities
- Instructor: Satish Tripathi
- Department: Computer Science and Engineering
- Day and Time: Mondays, 4:00 – 4:50 pm
- Location: 257 Capen
- Section: DDD
- Registration Number: 130892
During the last decade the rate of data generation and storage has increased exponentially. In fact, predictions estimate the codified data generated will double every eleven hours within the next couple of decades. This rate of data generation will make it extremely difficult to get the desired information for a common user. Data-mining provides a very important tool to find “information” from data. In this seminar we will study discovery of information from huge data. Applications range from business, humanities to biological sciences.
English
Ancient and Modern Justice
- Instructor: Diane Christian
- Department: English
- Day and Time: Wednesdays, 2:00 – 2:50 pm
- Location: 610 Clemens Hall
- Section: MM
- Registration Number: 061229
The course will consider ideas and ideals of justice in literature and art beginning with the 4,000-year old Egyptian “Feather of Maat,” an image of the soul at death weighed in a scale against the goddess of just conduct, Maat. The judgment of the soul is recorded by Maat’s consort, Thoth, the god of wisdom. We’ll look at other ideas of judgment and record, like the book of life and the court of law, and we’ll consider ideas of punishment, forgiveness and reward ranging from the ancient Greek play “The Eumenides” to the modern film “Unforgiven.” We’ll survey and sample one of the richest literary and artistic traditions of humanistic inquiry.
Geography
Global Economy
- Instructor: Sharmistha Bagchi-Sen
- Department: Geography
- Day and Time: Mondays, 2:00 – 2:50 pm
- Location: 106 Wilkeson Quad
- Section: CC
- Registration Number: 387982
This seminar will expose students to the impact of globalization on daily life and livelihood across the world. Students will be introduced to the forces that brought in globalization, how the impact of globalization affects nations, regions, and localities, including New York State. The seminar will study questions such as: Why is there a shortage of high-paid jobs in certain parts of the United States? How can the U.S. stay competitive in a knowledge-based economic system? How are developing nations coping with the stresses of globalization? Are they better off than before? By the end of the seminar, students will be expected to situate local issues within a global context.
Geology
Global Warming: Science, Impacts and Mitigation
- Instructor: Jason Briner
- Department: Geology
- Day and Time: Wednesdays, 4:00 – 4:50 pm
- Location: 257 Capen Hall
- Section: O
- Registration Number: 138572
It is hard to ignore the subject of global warming these days—it is in newspapers, books, magazines, on the Internet, even in movies. You may have even heard two opposing opinions on the issue. Although the debate has largely shifted from whether or not global warming exists to what can be done about it, there are still many unanswered questions: How much do humans have to do with global warming? How warm will it get? And, what will it take to slow or stop global warming? This seminar will explore the truths and myths of global warming by examining the latest science and policy reports.
Libraries
Pulp Fiction and Pop Culture at UB
- Instructor: Judith Adams-Volpe
- Department: University Libraries
- Day and Time: Thursdays, 9:00 – 9:50 am
- Location: 127 Capen Hall
- Section: P
- Registration Number: 419674
Focused on the George Kelley Paperback and Pulp Fiction Collection in the UB Libraries, students will explore pulp fiction and its graphic art as indicators of the social culture of the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s. Students will read a detective and science fiction pulp novel; investigate other pop culture media to compare images of the era; engage in digital technologies to create posters reflective of their own real or virtual selves; and select science fiction cover art for a new UB online graphic collection.
Marketing
New Product Innovations
- Instructor: Debabrata Talukdar
- Department: Marketing
- Day and Time: Tuesdays, 12:00 – 12:50 pm
- Location: 257 Capen Hall
- Section: H
- Registration Number: 345595
A firm exists essentially to “market” its products, which can be tangible or intangible (e.g. services, ideas). So, an intrinsic challenge facing any firm is the continuous pursuit of new product innovations in order to survive in a competitive market place. In this time and age of global competition, the success of any national economy depends even more critically on the ability of its firms to effectively deal with that challenge. The broad goal of the seminar will be to examine how a market-driven firm handles such a challenge. Specific goals will include discussion of: (1) The role of product innovation as an “engine” of economic growth; (2) The dynamics of adoption/diffusion of new product innovations across consumers over time; (3) The impact and implications of the globalization process on new product innovations and diffusions; and (4) The primary market research tools and techniques used by contemporary firms in their pursuit to identify new product opportunities and seize such opportunities.
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
The Road to Professional Success
- Instructor: Deborah Chung
- Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Day and Time: Mondays, 5:00 – 5:50 pm
- Location: 257 Capen Hall
- Section: EE
- Registration Number: 112823
Discover the road to professional success! This seminar will draw upon the personal experiences of the instructor and a number of guest speakers to inspire students to pursue a successful professional career and provide insights into various professional career opportunities. Topics covered include education, career development, work strategies, societal needs, competition, judgment, communication, continuous learning, multidisciplinarity, challenges, goals and keys to success.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Scientific Methods: Science, Technology, and Human Values
- Instructor: David Triggle
- Department: Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Day and Time: Wednesdays, 2:00 – 2:50 pm
- Location: 257 Capen Hall
- Section: TBA
- Registration Number: TBA
The 21st century poses a number of extremely serious challenges and critical public policy decisions that require input and dialog from an informed public. How will hot button scientific issues—such as energy availability, climate change, gene-based technologies (foods, stem cells diagnostics, genetic enhancement, etc.), surveillance and privacy, intellectual property and knowledge privatization, and economic and cultural globalization—be dealt with by government, media, the scientific community, and the public? This seminar will explore the scientific method and the ethos of science, the relationship between science and its applications to a set of contemporary problems, and uncover how science policy is made, translated, and implemented.
Pharmacy
Translational Pharmacogenomics: Discovering New Genetic Methods to Link Diagnosis and Drug Treatment
- Instructor: Gene Morse
- Department: Pharmacy
- Day and Time: Wednesdays, 2:00 – 2:50 pm
- Location: 239 Cooke Hall
- Section: UU
- Registration Number: 025087
When adults and children develop disease they often seek medical care to determine the cause and to receive treatment. Traditionally, a thorough medical examination, laboratory and imaging tests are used to narrow the diagnosis. After a diagnosis is made, non-drug treatments as well as prescription or non-prescription medications may provided as part of the overall treatment approach. Biomedical researchers are currently pursuing genetic testing, also referred to as pharmacogenomic testing, to develop more definitive diagnostic tests and more specific treatments.
Psychiatry
Solving Crimes Using Referent Tracking
- Instructor: Werner Ceusters
- Department: Psychiatry
- Day and Time: Wednesdays, 1:00 – 1:50 pm
- Location: 257 Capen Hall
- Section: MMM
- Registration Number: 035158
Referent Tracking (RT) is a new methodology to build digital copies of the parts of the world we are interested in. These copies, when running inside a computer, should mimic what is happening in reality. RT was originally designed to solve problems in healthcare, but has shown to be applicable to other fields. In this seminar, we will apply RT to reconstruct histories of criminal activities and demonstrate how the paradigm can cope with facts, beliefs, and mistakes, keeping track of information that is sometimes accurate, sometimes misleading, and often contradictory. We will look specifically at a well-known case in which a man was wrongly sentenced to death for a rape and murder he didn’t commit, although all evidence was against him.
Romance Languages and Literatures
Found in Translation
- Instructor: Margarita Vargas
- Department: Romance Languages and Literatures
- Day and Time: Wednesdays, 10:00 – 10:50 am
- Location: 930 Clemens Hall
- Section: KK
- Registration Number: 464873
This course is a hands-on workshop. We will spend the semester translating the play Catalogo Razonado (Collected Works) by Mexican author Juan Garcia Ponce (1932-2003). Inevitably, students will be exposed to Mexican art and culture and become acquainted with the author’s novels as well as his literary influences. Students will have the opportunity to see parts of the play performed by theatre students enrolled in Prof. Sarah Bay-Cheng’s course “Inter Media Performance.”
Women’s Studies
Globalization, Democracy, and Gender
- Instructor: Barbara Wejnert
- Department: Women’s Studies
- Day and Time: Wednesdays, 9:00 – 9:50 am
- Location: 257 Capen Hall
- Section: K
- Registration Number: 333944
How are democratization and globalization (including capitalistic economic development) interconnected with gender? This seminar will survey recent debates about global development and diffusing democracy, examining current research in this important field. Through lively class discussions, we’ll assess the impact these forces have on gender relations; culture and cultural identity; women vs. men social, economic, and political opportunities; and maternal health.
Last updated: March 14, 2008 9:01 am EST