SAS Courses

There are several components to the SAS curriculum. These include large stand alone lecture courses, smaller seminar courses (SAS 90s), the SAS minor, the Contemporary Leadership minor and Explorations in Science and Society (ESAS).

Lecture/discussion courses. These classes introduce students to critical thinking and important contemporary topics in science. SAS 1 introduces students to a variety of topics through guest lectures and discussion. Other courses focus on the details of a single topic (e.g., AIDS, global climate change) that is explored from multiple angles. Also, classes may introduce students to groups of organisms that are not traditionally discussed in undergraduate courses, but are still important in society.

Seminar courses. These are small classes built along the freshman seminar model. These classes offer more detailed, hands on opportunities to examine specific topics in a smaller classroom setting.

Sorted by Numeric Order

Sort Classes by 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, Wrt. Instructor: Dr. Carl Winter, Department of Food Science and Technology, ckwinter@ucdavis.edu , Fall 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. Instructors: Dr. Rick Bostock, Plant Pathology, rmbostock@ucdavis.edu; Dr. George Bruening, Plant pathology, gebruening@ucdavis.edu; Dr. Mike Davis, Plant Pathology, rmdavis@ucdavis.edu; Winter Quarter.

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.

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. Instructor: Dr. Greg Pasternack, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, gpast@ucdavis.edu, Fall Quarter

SAS 5 - Disease and Society

– Broad and balanced 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 or SocSci, Wrt. Instructors Dr. Johan Leveau, jleveau@ucdavis.edu, and Dr. Tom Gordon, trgordon@ucdavis.edu, Department of Plant Pathology, Winter 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. Instructor: Dr. James Carey, Department of Entomology, jrcarey@ucdavis.edu , Spring Quarter

SAS 8 – Water Quality at Risk:

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. Instructor: Dr. Peter Hernes, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, pjhernes@ucdavis.edu, Winter Quarter

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 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. Fall Quarter. (in review)

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 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. Instructors: Dr. Doug Cook, Department of Plant Pathology, drcook@ucdavis.edu , Dr. Pam Ronald, pcronald@ucdavis.edu , Fall Quarter; Dr. Lynn Epstein, Department of Plant Pathology, lepstein@ucdavis.edu , Winter Quarter

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, Wrt., Diversity. Instructor: Dr. Arnold Bloom, Department of Plant Sciences, ajbloom@ucdavis.edu , Winter Quarter.

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 of 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. Dr. Tom Gordon, Department of Plant pathology, trgordon@ucdavis.edu, Fall Quarter; Dr. Dave Rizzo, Department of Plant Pathology, dmrizzo@ucdavis.edu , Winter Quarter.

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 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, Diversity, Writing. Winter Quarter. Professor Wendy Silk, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, wksilk@ucdavis.edu.

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 engineering and to address the social, legal, and ethical issues that arise from emerging new 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. Winter Quarter. Professor John Harada, Department of Plant Biology, jjharada@ucdavis.edu.

SAS 90A – Issues in Environmental and Resource Sciences:

Discussion of historical and current issues in environmental and resource science. Lectures, reading and field trips will provide background for selected topics.

SAS 90C – Herbal Medicine:

This seminar discusses the use of herbal medicines by indigenous cultures for thousands of years, its demise in our culture over the last 100 years and its reemergence as we enter the 21st century. Dr. Jeanine Pfeiffer, Science and Society, jmpfeiffer@mindspring.com , Winter Quarter

SAS 90D – Saving Endangered Plant Species: Problems and Prospects:

This seminar fosters a better understanding of the importance of conservation biology, especially applied to plants. Dr. Dan Parfitt, Department of Plant Sciences, deparfitt@ucdavis.edu , Fall Quarter

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. Dr. James Murray, Department of Animal Science, jdmurray@ucdavis.edu , Fall Quarter

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. Dr. Adel Kader, Department of Plant Scie - aakader@ucdavis.edu , Fall Quarter

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 91A,B,C – Explorations in Science and Society:

In ESAS, we explore the abilities of nontraditional students to bridge disciplinary worlds and to work effectively with a variety of cultural perspectives. The ESAS program is designed to enhance the retention of under represented, first year students recruited from the summer Special Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP). Dr. Annie King, Department of Animal Science, ajking@ucdavis.edu , Fall, Winter, Spring Quarters

SAS 120 – Science and Contemporary Societal Issues:

Course centers on the study of a contemporary societal issue/problem emphasizing critical thinking with information drawn from different disciplines. Multiple instructors illustrate the necessity of an inter-disciplinary and cooperative approach in solving societal issues.

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 140 – Genetics and Social Issues:

This course examines the social issues arising from the development and use modern methods of biotechnology. Presentation, evaluation and critical discussions of the present and future impact of genetics on society. Dr. Lynn Epstein, Department of Plant Pathology, lepstein@ucdavis.edu , Winter Quarter