In modern life, consumers constantly make decisions about which products to support. This is done either by actually buying products or by supporting legal measures allowing their production. To understand the relevance of modern chemistry in our lives, this course examines some of the fundamental principles of physical, organic and inorganic chemistry, and their relation to biochemistry and molecular physiology. Besides discussing chemical principles, the course considers the impact of human decisions and behavior in science. Overall, a good understanding of the scientific principles discussed in this course will allow consumers to make better decisions in the twenty-first century.
Evaluation is based on problem sets, a midterm exam, a final paper, and a final exam.
This course is designed for students with little or no science background, who do not intend to pursue a career in the natural sciences.