FRS 003 — Sec. 011 — (1 unit) — CRN 53619 — W 10:00-10:50am — Miller Hall Conference Room
Understanding the Research University

Instructor: Fred Wood, Department of Chemistry, College of Letters and Science

Description: The goal of this course is to examine a number of issues that face first-year students as they begin their study at a research university. Topics to be examined include: (1) understanding the mission of the research university and the student’s role within this mission, (2) understanding what it means to be part of an intellectual community of scholars, (3) understanding the educational impact of the confluence of diverse perspectives, (4) understanding the various campus cultures (i.e., faculty, staff and student) and their interactions, (5) determining the benefits of an undergraduate education at a research university in meeting the students’ goals, and (6) determining the skills and knowledge that students need to be successful, both inside and outside the classroom, and recognizing the campus resources that assist in this endeavor.

Format: The seminar will meet one hour per week for the term. The time will be divided between informal lectures, discussion, and brief student presentations. Reading material will be provided. There is no text for the course. Grading: Students will prepare two 1-3 page papers on topics to be chosen in consultation with the instructor. The course grade will be based on the quality of their written and oral presentations (2/3), and on the frequency and quality of their participation in class discussion (1/3).

About the Instructor: Dr. Wood is a member of the faculty in the Department of Chemistry. His research interests focus on science education. He has taught courses in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and science education at UC Davis since 1986. He has served the campus as Associate Dean in the College of Letters and Science (1991-2004) and presently serves as Interim Vice Provost – Undergraduate Studies (2004-2005).