Splash Biography

Economics plays a role in every industry and policy discussion we have today. In this course, we will apply the tools of microeconomics to evaluate policies pertaining to labor and the environment. We will look at the equation governing unions, the economics behind natural resource extraction, and the efficiency of proposed policies in both of these areas.

We will use software to observe how molecules behave under certain conditions. Basic statistical techniques used in the molecular dynamics field will be demonstrated, and examples using Hyperchem and LAMPPS will be shown to illustrate the theoretical concepts.

How do we calculate the value of something whose properties change randomly from day to day? This is a conundrum present in the finance world, where assets like bonds and options change in price based on random "shocks" that occur everyday. We will learn what makes commonplace financial assets difficult to price, and how we can use quantitative modeling to predict how these assets are going to change in price over time.

Many environmental disasters, like Chernobyl, PCB contamination, and the Flint water crisis, are discussed predominantly from the policy side. But how do we explain these disasters scientifically, using fundamental concepts in physics and chemistry? We will learn the basics behind the science of fluid mechanics, diffusion, and corrosion and how they apply to several environmental disasters. These concepts can then be used to help prevent future disasters.

This class will focus on understanding the chemistry behind energy sources, upcoming energy technologies, and chemistry of environmental processes. We will use both organic and inorganic chemistry, and also use demonstrations to explain how certain processes work and where research in this field is headed.