University of Wisconsin–Madison • The First-Year Interest Groups Program • figs.wisc.edu
Where Engineering
Meets Society
figs.wisc.edu/2016fall56
FIG 56 • Fall 2016
main course instructor: Christina Matta
12 credits
Science & Technology Studies 201
Where Science Meets
Society
Math 221
Calculus and Analytic
Geometry
Chemistry 103
General Chemistry
MAIN COURSE
Are you interested in the intersection of science, technology, and
society? This FIG will be especially helpful for prospective science,
technology, engineering, or math
(STEM) majors who want to use
their general education credits to
add depth and perspective to their
future work as engineers. You will
consider the implications of science
and technology for society and
culture, and understand the way
culture and history shape scientific
enterprises. You will consider questions like:
• How does a society decide if some
lines of scientific inquiry or technological innovations are morally
unacceptable?
• Why do some technologies become popular while others never
catch on?
• How do economic forces shape the
trajectory of engineering advance-
ment?
• How do our political processes impact the policy landscape in which
engineers must work?
• Can we balance the potential benefits of new technological innovations with safeguards for public
safety?
• How does information (and misinformation) about science, technology, and engineering proliferate in
forums like social media, and how
might that impact individuals’
choices and behaviors?
Science & Technology Studies
201: “Where Science Meets Society” introduces students to the
interdisciplinary field of Science
& Technology Studies, and applies
some of STS’s key concepts to topics
related to engineering. Topics may
include:
• government policy and space exploration;
• impact of technological innovations on home and family lives;
• ways technologies such as cameras have changed our experience of
reality;
• political viability of nuclear power
for future energy needs;
• social and personal responsibility
of engineers in cases like the Flint,
Michigan water crisis; and
• whether innovations in biomedical
engineering are altering our very
understanding of humanity.
LINKED COURSE
Math 221: “Calculus and Analytic Geometry I” — Introduction
to differential and integral calculus
and plane analytic geometry; applications; transcendental functions.
LINKED COURSE
Chemistry 103: “General Chemistry I” — Introduction to stoichiometry and the mole concept; the
behavior of gases, liquids, and solids;
thermochemistry; electronic structure of atoms and chemical bonding;
descriptive chemistry of selected
elements and compounds; and intermolecular forces.
This FIG is designed to help you:
• increase your knowledge and understanding of humanities and social sciences, and understand what
these fields can add to your work
in engineering;
• foster an understanding of the
social context of engineering
and provide you with a basis for
building skills to critically reflect
on your professional practice and
on the social implications of your
work;
• enhance your critical thinking and
communication skills; and
• gain confidence and skills in fields
outside your major.
•
more on the next page
Where Engineering
Meets Society
FIG 56 • Fall 2016
figs.wisc.edu/2016fall56
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
8:00 am
9:00 am
CHEMISTRY 103
CHEMISTRY 103
lecture
lecture
CHEMISTRY 103
lecture
8:50 to 9:40 am
8:50 to 9:40 am
8:50 to 9:40 am
10:00 am
Science & Technology Studies 201
Where Science Meets
Society
satisfies these requirements:
Humanities or Social Science (Z)
Intermediate (I)
3 credits for this course
SOAR registration: 55340
LINKED COURSE
11:00 am
SCI TECH ST 201
12:00 pm
SCI TECH ST 201
CHEMISTRY 103
lecture
lecture
lab
11:00 am to
12:15 pm
11:00 am to
12:15 pm
11:00 am to
2:00 pm
MATH 221
2:00 pm
MATH 221
discussion
discussion
1:20 to 2:10 pm
1:20 to 2:10 pm
Math 221
Calculus and Analytic
Geometry
satisfies these requirements:
Quant B (r)
Natural Science (N)
Intermediate (I)
1:00 pm
3:00 pm
MAIN COURSE
5 credits for this course
MATH 221
MATH 221
MATH 221
lecture
lecture
lecture
2:25 to 3:15 pm
2:25 to 3:15 pm
2:25 to 3:15 pm
SOAR registration: 45124
LINKED COURSE
4:00 pm
5:00 pm
Chemistry 103
CHEMISTRY 103
CHEMISTRY 103
discussion
discussion
4:35 to 5:25 pm
4:35 to 5:25 pm
General Chemistry
satisfies these requirements:
Physical Science (P)
Elementary (E)
6:00 pm
4 credits for this course
SOAR registration: 40072
Enrolled in a FIG and you change your mind?
FIG courses are designed to be taken together. •After classes begin (Tuesday, September
When you enroll in a FIG, you are signed up
6, 2016), if you need to drop a single course
for these courses as a whole group, not as
within the FIG, please contact Kari Fernseparate courses.
holz (see below) to review your situation.
If necessary, she will provide the required
If you change your mind, dropping one
authorization to drop the course.
FIG course means ending your enrollment in all of the courses in the FIG.
•Wednesday, September 14, 2016 is
the last day to drop courses without it
So, here’s what you should know if you want
­appearing on your college transcript.
to drop the FIG:
•You can drop all the courses on your own •Friday, September 16, 2016 is the last
through your Student Center at my.wisc.edu. day to add a course without first getting
Any non-FIG course will not be affected.
departmental approval.
University of Wisconsin–Madison • figs.wisc.edu
Nathan Phelps, director • 608-263-6504 • nathan.phelps@wisc.edu
get help from Kari Fernholz, assistant director
608-262-7375 • kari.fernholz@wisc.edu
May 26, 2016 1:43 PM