Institute for Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science
(Faculty of Science)
Interdisciplinary Science and Practice (ISAP) Courses
Introduction to Interdisciplinary Science
What is interdisciplinarity and what are the challenges and opportunities of collaboration within and across disciplines in science and beyond? Topics include types of biases, public datasets and science communication.
Seminar in Interdisciplinary Science
Exploring the role of interdisciplinarity in discovery and innovation, and discussion of selected issues facing society and the role of science. Topics include finding information, collaboration and science communication tools.
Foundations in Critical Inquiry
What is science and the scientific method? Topics include the scientific method, credible sources of information, knowledge gaps, the impact of scientific discoveries, and discussion of their local and global implications.
Lecture three hours per week, workshop two hours per week.
Research Principles for Interdisciplinary Science
Exploring how research is conducted. Topics include publicly available databases, the role of communication in research, stakeholders and participants, and the process of identifying knowledge gaps and developing research questions.
Principles and Applications in Data Analysis
Development of strategies for obtaining and analyzing data. Topics include: survey of publicly available science-data resources; identification of coincidental, correlational and causal relationships; statistical data-analysis techniques; concepts of risk and error propagation in measured and calculated values. Applications in the physical and biological sciences.
Lecture three hours per week, workshop two hours per week.
Applications in Interdisciplinary Research
Application of skills from Interdisciplinary Science and Practice (ISAP) courses to develop a research proposal. Topics include: research ethics; identification of stakeholders; inclusive consultation, collaboration and dissemination strategies.
Lecture three hours per week, workshop two hours per week.
Science Communication
How is science perceived and how has science been communicated? Students will use case studies to assess examples of science communication with varying outcomes. Topics include the principles of effective science communication, the range of tools available, and knowing the audience.
Prerequisite(s): ISAP 2002 or permission of the Institute.
Lecture and seminar three hours per week.
Science Policy
Exploration of how science-related policy is developed and the impact of policy on science. Topics include policy frameworks, stakeholder roles, power relationships, commercialization and the funding of science.
Topics in Interdisciplinary Science
Specific topics of current interest. Topics may vary from year to year.
Prerequisite(s): Second year standing in the Interdisciplinary Science and Practice program or permission of the Institute.
Seminar/workshop three hours per week.
Co-operative Work Term
Topics in Interdisciplinary Science
Specific topics of current interest. Topics may vary from year to year.
Prerequisite(s): Third year standing in the Interdisciplinary Science and Practice program or permission of the Institute.
Seminar three hours per week.
Directed Studies
Independent or group study, open to third- and fourth-year students to explore a particular topic, in consultation with a Faculty supervisor. May include directed reading, written assignments, tutorials, laboratory or field work.
Prerequisite(s): third-year standing in the Interdisciplinary Science and Practice (ISAP) program and permission of the instructor.
Capstone Course - Group Research Project
Students will collaborate on a project that addresses a real-world issue in a team environment. Focus includes: design and completion of a research project; development of communication, critical inquiry, data analysis and research skills; and the opportunity to develop initiative, creativity and self-reliance.
Precludes additional credit for ISAP 4907, ISAP 4908.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year standing in the Interdisciplinary Science and Practice (ISAP) Honours program and permission of the Institute.
Lecture, seminar and workshop four hours per week, as scheduled by the instructor.
Capstone Course - Research Essay
A substantial, independent essay or research proposal-based critical review and research proposal, using library, database and/or bioinformatic resources, under the direct supervision of the instructor. Topics include identification and critical review of resources, development of writing skills and formulation of research question and strategy.
Precludes additional credit for ISAP 4906, ISAP 4908.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year standing in the Interdisciplinary Science and Practice (ISAP) Honours program or permission of the Institute.
Lecture, seminar and workshop four hours per week, as scheduled by the instructor.
Capstone Course - Individual Research Project
An independent research project under the direct supervision of a faculty adviser. Evaluation is based on a written thesis and a poster presentation.
Precludes additional credit for ISAP 4906, ISAP 4907.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year standing in the Interdisciplinary Science and Practice (ISAP) Honours program, a major CGPA of 9.0 or higher, and permission of the Institute.
Lectures and discussion as scheduled by the course coordinator; other hours as arranged with the faculty advisor.
Science Communication Certificate Professional Development Workshop
A one-day workshop providing practical skills development for becoming an effective science communicator. Topics for discussion will include defining the audience and framing of information, reviews of effective science communication, career opportunities for science communicators, and one-to-one analysis of participants writing skills. Graded SAT/UNS.
Also listed as JOUR 4999.
Prerequisite(s): This course is restricted to students enrolled in the Certificate of Science Communication, and who have completed at least 2.0 credits towards the certificate, including one of COMS 2500 or ISAP 3003.
A one-day workshop
Note: Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca.
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca