SAS Courses

Former GE Courses (Prior to Fall 2011 catalog rights): Topical Breath: AH (Arts & Hum) SE (SciEng) SS (SocSci); Other Requirements: D (Div.) W (Wrt.)

New GE Courses (Start Fall 2011 catalog rights): Topical Breath: AH (Arts&Hum) SE(SciEng)     SS (SocSci): Core Literacies:ACGH (Amer Cultr Gov Hist) DD (Doms Div) OL (Oral Lit) QL (Quan Lit) SL (Sci Lit) VL (Vis Lit) WC (Wrld Cultr) WE (Wrt Exp)

SAS Courses By Quarter:

FALL QUARTER

SAS 1 – Critical Inquiry and Contemporary Issues:

This course centers on critical and integrative thinking. The course begins with an analysis of global population trends and moves through to applications of a variety of analytical tools to thinking critically about related science-societal issues. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Div, Wrt./SE, SS, WE. Instructor: Ed Caswell-Chen, Department of Nematology/Entomology.

SAS 4 – Water in Popular Culture:

The overall goal of this course is to use the popular media of film to raise the awareness of students to the importance of water in their lives. Along the way, this course will also further develop students’ critical thinking skills regarding presentation of science in popular media. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt./SE, SS, SL. Instructor: Dr. Greg Pasternack, Department of Land Air and Water Resources.

SAS 11 – California Geography:

Introduction to cultural/societal patterns of California and their relationship to natural resources, biomes,geomorphology, and physiography. Focus on diversity of California's environments and their impacts on and alterations by human activities. Environmental issues in the State. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt./SE, SS, WE. Instructor: Dr James Richards, Department of Land Air and Water Resources.

SAS 12 – Plants and Society: (cross listed as PLS12)

Dependence of human societies on plant and plant products. Plants as resources for food, fiber, health, enjoyment and environmental services. Sustainable uses of plants for food production, raw materials, bioenergy, and environmental conservation. Global population growth and future food supplies. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt., Div./SE, SS. Instructor: Dr. Li Tian, or Dr. Donald Nevins, Department of Plant Sciences.

SAS 20 - GENETICS AND SOCIETY: 

This course considers the basic concepts of genetics and modern methods of biotechnology. By examining the process of scientific discovery and the public perception of this process, students are empowered to evaluate for themselves the present and future impact of genetics on society. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt./SE, SS, OL, SL, WE. Instructors: Dr. Doug Cook, Dr. Pamela Ronald, Department of Plant Pathology.

SAS 30 - Mushrooms, Molds, and Society:

Historical and contemporary issues are used to examine societal issues arising from the biological activities of fungi. Students gain an appreciation for fungi as organisms and the manner and extent to which their activities have influenced civilization.  Issues that arise from our daily interactions with fungi form the context for the course. GE Credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt./SE, SS. Instructor: Dr. Tom Gordon, Department of Plant Pathology. 

SAS 90E – Biotechnology: A New Era, A New Struggle?

This seminar examines the development of animal biotechnology. Particular attention is given to the discussion of potential societal impacts, factors shaping public opinion, and ethical questions regarding applications of biotechnology. Instructor: Dr. James Murray, Department of Animal Science.

SAS 90F – Food Distribution in a Hungry World:

This seminar examines biological, technological, environmental, and socioeconomic factors influencing post-harvest losses of food. In addition, we examine the distribution systems at local, regional, national, and international levels. Instructor Dr. Elizabeth Mitcham, Department of Plant Sciences.

WINTER QUARTER

SAS 2 – Feeding the Planet: Influences on the Global Food Supply:

The goal of this course is to give students a good understanding of the interlinking factors that influence the availability of food worldwide. Social, economic, environmental, climatic, and scientific constraints and their interconnections are presented. Past, present and anticipated problems are analyzed critically. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt./SE, SS, SL. Instructors: Dr. Rick Bostock and Dr. Mike Davis, Department of Plant Pathology.

SAS 05 - Pathways to Discovery: Science and Society: (CDG)

Highlights a current issue and/or controversy found in contemporary society and looks at how this problem impacts and is affected by the physical, social and biological sciences.  Course varies with topics offered. May be repeated two times for credit.  GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt./SE, SS.

SAS 8 – Water Quality at Risk: (cross-listed with ERS08)

Natural and human threats to water quality. Balance of science and policy in all aspects of attaining, maintaining, and managing water quality, water contamination. Decoding popular media coverage of water quality and water contamination. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt./SE, SS, SL, WE. Instructor: Dr. Peter Hernes, Department of Land Air and Water Resources.

SAS 12 – Plants and Society: (cross-listed with PLS12)

Dependence of human societies on plant and plant products. Plants as resources for food, fiber, health, enjoyment and environmental services. Sustainable uses of plants for food production, raw materials, bioenergy, and environmental conservation. Global population growth and future food supplies. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Div, Wrt./SE, SS. Instructors: Dr. Georgia Drakakaki, or Dr. Donald Nevins, Department of Plant Sciences.

SAS 13 - Disease and Society: (Formaly SAS 05)

Introduction to the concept of disease, the societal and personal impacts of past, present, and future diseases, and the science behind disease discoveries, causes, evolution, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. GE credit: SciEng, SocSci./SE, SS, SL. Instructor Dr. Johan Leveau, Department of Plant Pathology.

SAS 20 – Genetics and Society:

This course considers the basic concepts of genetics and modern methods of biotechnology. By examining the process of scientific discovery and the public perception of this process, students are empowered to evaluate for themselves the present and future impact of genetics on society. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt./SE, SS, OL, SL, WE. Instructor: Dr. Lynn Epstein, Department of Plant Pathology.

SAS 25 – Global Climate Change: Convergence of Biological, Geophysical, & Social Science:

Causes of global climate change and the biological, geophysical, and social consequences of such change. Methods used by different scientists for predicting future events. Complexity of global affairs. Decision making under uncertainty. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Div, Wrt./SE,SS,OL, QL, SL, VL, WC, WE. Instructor: Dr. Arnold Bloom, Department of Plant Sciences.

SAS 25V - Global Climate Change: Convergence of Biological, Geophysical, & Social Science:

Web virtual lecture; web electronic discussion-2 hours; autotutorial-5 hours; extensive writing-2 hours. Causes of global climate change and the biological, geophysical, and social consequences of such change.  Methods used by different scientist for predicting future events.  Complexity of global affairs. Decision making under uncertainty. (Students cannot take both course 25 and 25V for Credit). GE credit: SE or SS, DD, OL, QL, SL, VL, WC, WE. Instructor: Dr. Arnold Bloom, Department of Plant Sciences.

SAS 42 – Earth, Water, Science, and Song:

Fusion of water and soil science with performing arts. Creative communication of scientific concepts and facts through exercises in song writing and poetry. Design, discuss and conduct public performances related to the functioning of the natural world. GE credit: ArtHum or SciEng, Div, Wrt./AH, SE, OL. Instructor: Dr. Wendy Silk, Department of Land Air and Water Resources.

SAS 70A - Genetic Engineering in Medicine, Agriculture, and Law: 

The course is designed to provide non-science majors and entering life-science students with a foundation in molecular biology and genetics as it applies to genetic technologies in medicine, agriculture, and law. The course is offered in a distance learning format with a class on the same topic at UCLA. The class will meet twice weekly for 2.5 hours each. Class meetings will consist of interactive, media-oriented lecture section that includes hands-on "experiments" and demonstrations and films and guest-speakers that bring real-life societal issues into the classroom.  GE credit: SocSci or SciEng./SE, SS, SL. Instructor: Dr. John Harada, Department of Plant Biology.

SAS 121 - Global Poverty: Critical Thinking and Taking Action: (pending senate approval),(formerly SAS120)

Social science and engineering analysis of causes and effects of world poverty and of policies to reduce it via economic growth, foreign aid, and community-level interventions, e.g., in potable water, sanitation, lighting, small scale-energy, irrigation, health and microfinance. Students should gain an enhanced sense of the economic, political and humanitarian problems posed by global poverty, be able to participate more effectively in ongoing debates about the appropriate strategies to alleviate poverty and/or to engage personally in ongoing "micro" poverty alleviation efforts, especially in developing countries. Instructor: Dr. Lovell Jarvis, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. 

SAS 130 – Contemporary Leadership:

This course centers on leadership, including issues, skills, and practices as they relate to individuals, organizations, diverse social settings and communities. Addresses written and verbal communications, personal styles, collaboration and ethics. GE credit: OL. Instructor: Dr. Annie King, Department of Animal Science.

SPRING QUARTER

SAS 7 – Terrorism and War:

Introduction to the course concept: how events of September 11th changed military and homeland security concepts; biology of Ground Zero; and present-day low grade conflicts. ‘New biology’ meets ‘new terrorism’ by using the recent events as a jump-off point for this course. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt./SE, SS, WE. Instructor: Dr. James Carey, Department of Entomology.

SAS 07V -

SAS 9 – Crisis in the Environment?

This course explores the question: Is there a crisis in the California and/or global environment? It also explores contemporary environmental issues: Causes; Effects and Solutions. In this course we want students to integrate discussion of political, societal and economic impacts of environmental problems. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt. Instructor: Dr. Randy Dahlgren, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, radalhgren@ucdavis.edu , Spring Quarter (in review)

SAS 10 – Water and Power in Society (cross listed as HYD 10):

To understand current and future water problems in the context of historical development (emphasis on California), science, and socio-political considerations. Examine how the California water system became so vast and unique, and implications for future sustainability of both water quantity and quality. Focus on current problems and the roles of science and policy in solving water problems. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt. Instructor: Dr. Graham Fogg, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, gefogg@ucdavis.edu , Spring Quarter

SAS 12 – Plants and Society:

Dependence of human societies on plant and plant products. Plants as resources for food, fiber, health, enjoyment and environmental services. Sustainable uses of plants for food production, raw materials, bioenergy, and environmental conservation. Global population growth and future food supplies. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt., Diversity. Instructors: Dr. Albert Fischer, Dr. Marie Jasieniuk, Dr. Donald Nevins, Department of Plant Sciences. Fall, Winter and Spring Quarters.

SAS 15 – AIDS and Society:

This course emphasizes critical integrative thinking to focus on a significant global issue: AIDS. Students explore AIDS issues from biological, social, economic, political, and religious perspectives as a broad and inter-connected set of contexts by which they can think critically and creatively about the virus and its effects on humans. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt., Diversity. Instructor: Dr. Kathryn Radke, Department of Animal Science, klradke@ucdavis.edu , Spring Quarter.

SAS 18 – GIS and Society:

Learn Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a spatial technology and as a tool for change in society. Evaluate physical, biological and social impact of GIS in the context of case studies such as land, water and community planning. Earn GIS certificate from Environmental Science Research Institute (ESRI) via their online virtual campus. Instructor: Dr. Wes Wallender, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, wwwallender@ucdavis.edu; GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt. Instructor: Spring. (in review)

SAS 40 – Photography: Bridging Art and Science:

Photography is used to explore the common ground between art and science. Photographic processes, creativity and aesthetics, chaos and order, principles of space, time and light. Photographic interpretation and documentation of the natural world. Camera required. GE credit: ArtHum or SciEng, Diversity, Writing. Spring Quarter. Professor Terry Nathan, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, trnathan@ucdavis.edu.

SAS 90G – Science, Society and the Environment:

Contemporary environmental issues, scientific approaches to addressing these issues, and accompanying societal and ethical considerations. Instructor: Dr. Barry Wilson, Department of Animal Science.      Spring Quarter.

SAS 130 – Contemporary Leadership:

This course centers on leadership, including issues, skills, and practices as they relate to individuals, organizations, diverse social settings and communities. Addresses written and verbal communications, personal styles, collaboration and ethics. Dr. Annie King, Department of Animal Science, ajking@ucdavis.edu , Winter, Spring Quarters

SAS 3 – Science, Technology and Society:

Impact of developments in science and technology on the individual in society and how economics, politics, culture and values affect technological development. Not open for credit to students who have completed former course Applied Behavioral Sciences 18. GE credit: SciEng or SocSci, Wrt.