Classroom Experience

We are pleased to offer you a chance to experience what it's like to be a Rensselaer student during Family Weekend this year! The classes listed here will be open for you to visit on Friday, October 27, 2023. While these are mostly informal instructional periods, all are welcome to attend. Please plan to arrive at the start of the class to minimize disruptions. Keep in mind, classroom space is limited, so you may want to select an alternate class in case your first choice is full.

Check-in on Friday is from 9:00am - 7:00pm. Feel free to attend classes prior to checking in. The number following the class building/room location indicates the corresponding campus map number.

CHEM 1100 Chemistry I
8:00am – 9:20am
Darrin Communications Center (DCC), Room 308 (#17)

Principles of chemistry, with particular focus on atomic and molecular structure and bonding, periodicity, basic thermodynamic principles, introduction to acid-base chemistry and elementary chemical equilibrium, and introduction to organic chemistry.

INQR 1776 The American Dream
8:00am – 9:50am
Russell Sage Laboratory, Room 2112 (#6)

The term “American Dream” is familiar, but what role, specifically, does the imaginative play in American literature and culture, past and present? This course focuses on the power of imagination to shape a nation through the analysis of fiction, poetry, film, essays, comics, advertising, and historical documents. We will use diverse social histories as a means to explore contemporary experience, focusing on the tension between American dreams and American realities.

MGMT 1260 Business Law and Ethics
8:00am – 9:50am
Russell Sage Laboratory, Room 3713 (#6)

This course focuses on legal and ethical considerations in management. Topics include torts, contracts, criminal and property law, constitutional and administrative law, dispute resolution, business formation, and equal opportunity. Students will also develop an awareness of ethics in managerial decision making, including recognizing and analyzing ethical issues in the workplace, promoting ethical behavior in corporations, and recognizing social responsibilities of business.

PSYC 4430 Psychology of Mindfulness
8:00 am – 9:50am
Pittsburgh Building, Room 4114 (#1)

Mindfulness involves giving particular attention to our moment-to-moment experiences in a way that emphasizes observing, rather than judging or evaluating. There is empirical evidence of the many health benefits of mindfulness meditation, including the potential to produce fundamental changes in brain structure and epigenetic change. In this class, participants will discuss the historical and psychological foundations of mindfulness and empirical findings supporting its positive effects.

PHYS 1200 Physics II
8:30am – 9:20am
Darrin Communications Center (DCC), Room 318 (#17)

ENGR 1300 Engineering Processes
9:00am – 11:50am
Engineering Center, J. Erik Jonsson, Room 1010 (#18)

The use of basic machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, drill presses, band saws, and grinders, including micrometers, vernier calipers, and other devices of use in a machine shop or laboratory. Welding techniques and tool making are also considered. Note: safety goggles are required – loaners are provided.

BMED 4250 Biomedical Transport Phenomena
10:00am – 11:50am
Darrin Communications Center (DCC), Room 236 (#17)

Quantitative analysis of transport phenomena in physiological systems, including fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and mass transfer. Fluid statics, mass and energy conservation, laminar and turbulent flow, microscale and macroscale analytical methods, mass transport with biochemical reactions, applications to transport in tissue and organs will be introduced.

CSCI-2200-01 Foundations of Computer Science
10:00am – 11:50am
Darrin Communications Center (DCC), Room 308 (#17)

This course introduces important mathematical and theoretical tools for computer science, including topics from set theory, combinatorics, and probability theory, and then proceeds to automata theory, the Turing Machine model of computation, and notions of computational complexity. The course will emphasize formal reasoning and proof techniques.

ENGR 1100 Introduction to Engineering Analysis
10:00am – 11:50am
Amos Eaton Hall, Room 214 (#26)

An integrated development of linear algebra and statics emphasizing engineering applications and also incorporating computer exercises involving matrix techniques and calculations using available software packages.

MGMT 1260 Business Law and Ethics
10:00am – 11:50am
Russell Sage Laboratory, Room 3713 (#6)

MGMT 2430 Marketing Principles
10:00am – 11:50am
Pittsburgh Building, Room 4114 (#1)

This course provides students with an understanding of marketing principles and the role of the marketing discipline. The course is intended to help students learn the basic concepts and practices of marketing and to familiarize them with the terminology and techniques for properly framing and analyzing marketing problems. In addition to marketing concepts, processes, and strategy, issues such as the social consequences of marketing are discussed.

PHIL 2140 Introduction to Logic
10:00am – 11:50am
Academy Hall Auditorium (#67)

Introduction to first-order logic as a tool to be used in engineering, computer science, philosophy, etc., and as procedural knowledge helpful in puzzle-solving environments (e.g., standardized tests). A hands-on laboratory component is included.

PHYS-2210-01 Quantum Physics I
10:00am – 11:50am
Ricketts Building, Room 203 (#10)

Introduction to the formalism of Special Relativity, Schrodinger wave mechanics, and spin-1/2 particles. Solutions to Schrodinger’s Equation in one, two, and three dimensions. One-electron atoms and quantum mechanical magnetic dipole moments.

BIOL 1015 Introduction to Biology Laboratory
11:00am – 1:50pm
Walker Laboratory, Room 6113 (#4)

The goal of this laboratory course is to learn about biology through hands-on, project-based lab activities that engage students in actual biology experiments and procedures – learning biology by actually doing biology.

CHEM 1100 Chemistry I
12:00pm – 1:20pm
Darrin Communications Center (DCC), Room 308 (#17)

ECSE 1010 Introduction to Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering
12:00pm – 1:50pm
Darrin Communications Center (DCC), Room 337 (#17)

An experiment-centric development of the basic analysis tools of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering, emphasizing the concepts and mathematics of analog and digital circuits and electronics, programming, data generation and analysis, and system model development using paper and pencil analysis, simulation, and experiment. Problems, applications, and projects are chosen to lay a solid foundation for core EE and CSE courses.

ENGR 1300 Engineering Processes
12:00pm – 2:50am
Engineering Center, J. Erik Jonsson, Room 1010 (#18)

INQR 1963 AI & Computing: Past, Present, and Future
12:00pm – 1:50pm
Voorhees Computing Center (VCC), South Room (#22)

If you've heard that your phone is eavesdropping on your conversations or that ChatGPT is going to replace teachers / writers / programmers / etc., you're probably already thinking about what AI means to society. In this class, we will be digging deeper into that question. We will learn about the specific technologies that get lumped under the "AI" umbrella. We will be studying the historical figures and moments that lead to the state of AI today and determining what we can infer from them about next steps in AI development. Many people are alarmed by the possibilities of AI. By developing a more in-depth historical understanding of the development of this technology, you will be able to identify which of these fears are justified and rebut those fears that aren't.

MATH 1500 Calculus for Architecture, Management and HASS
12:00pm – 1:20pm
Ricketts Building, Room 203 (#10)

Basic concepts in differential and integral calculus for functions of one variable. Topics will include functions, limits, continuity, derivatives, integration, exponential and logarithmic functions, and techniques of integration. Application areas will include topics in Management, Architecture, and Social Sciences with special emphasis on the role of calculus in introductory probability.

MGMT 2430 Marketing Principles
12:00pm – 1:50pm
Pittsburgh Building, Room 4114 (#1)

PHYS 1100 Physics I
12:00pm – 1:50pm
Science Center, Jonsson-Rowland, Room 2C06 (#19)

The first semester of a two-semester sequence of interactive courses. Topics include linear and angular kinematics and dynamics, work and energy, momentum and collisions, forces and fields, gravitation, oscillatory motion, waves, sound, and interference.

PHYS 1200 Physics II Lab
12:00pm – 1:50pm
Science Center, Jonsson-Rowland, Room 2C22 and 2C14 (#19)

The second semester of the two-semester sequence of interactive courses. Topics include electric and magnetic forces and fields, Gauss’s Law, dc and ac circuits, Ampere’s Law and Faraday’s Law, electromagnetic radiation, physical optics, and quantum physics. This course includes a lab component that is intended to provide students with hand-on as well as data analysis experience.

PSYC 2730 Social Psychology
12:00pm – 1:50pm
Darrin Communications Center (DCC), Room 330 (#17)

This is a survey course covering theories, methods, and empirical research on personal and situational factors influencing social behavior. Topics covered include social perception, the construction of social reality, decision making, group influences on behavior, and attitudes.

ARTS 1040 Art for Interactive Media
2:00pm – 3:50pm
West Hall, Room 113 (#2)

This course combines an introduction to traditional visual arts and digital media and serves as a foundation for work in game design and interactive art. Using studio projects that incorporate physical media, digital imaging and computer code, students develop their formal vocabulary, observational skills, and their understanding of issues in visual and interactive arts.

ARTS 1200 Basic Drawing
2:00pm – 3:50pm
West Hall, Room 411 (#2)

An introductory course in drawing designed to develop seeing ability and means of expressing visual ideas through graphic skills. The course consists of exercises in drawing from observation and studies from the history of art.

BIOL 1015 Introduction to Biology Laboratory
2:00pm – 4:50pm
Walker Laboratory, Room 6113 (#4)

CHME 4010 Transport Phenomena I
2:00pm – 3:50pm
Darrin Communications Center (DCC), Room 236 (#17)

An introductory course in transport phenomena covering fluid statics, and one-dimensional diffusive processes including laminar flow, heat conduction, and mass diffusion. Course focuses on developing the equations of change, introducing sum-of-resistance concepts and couple fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer problems. The concept of extended surfaces as a means of enhancing transport process is included. The course introduces numerical simulation concepts for solving simple, one-dimensional transport problems.

ERTH 1100 Geology I: Earth’s Interior
2:00pm – 3:50pm
Darrin Communications Center (DCC), Room 324 (#17)

Age and origin of the Earth, internal constituents, and energy sources; how plates move, oceans develop, and mountains rise. The course aims to give a quantitative picture of the Earth’s major processes and the ways in which they interact.

PHYS 1100 Physics I
2:00pm – 3:50pm
Science Center, Jonsson-Rowland, Room 2C06 (#19)

PSYC 4730 Positive Psychology
2:00pm – 3:50pm
Darrin Communications Center (DCC), Room 330 (#17)

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of human happiness, well-being, and strength of character. This course takes an empirical approach to helping individuals use the science of flourishing to enhance their lives. Resiliency, the ability to adapt to stress and adversity, will be emphasized. Students will learn about coping techniques of resiliency to effectively navigate through life situations.

PHYS 1961 Professional Development for Physicists
4:00pm – 4:50pm
Science Center, Jonsson-Rowland, Room 2C22 (#19)

This course is intended to help sophomore Physics and Applied Physics majors understand and prepare for potential career paths.

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