Course Schedule and Catalog
Course Schedule - Spring Semester 2026
Meeting location information can now be found on student schedules in ESTHER (for students) or on the Course Roster in ESTHER (for faculty and instructors).Additional information available here.
Meeting location information can now be found on student schedules in ESTHER (for students) or on the Course Roster in ESTHER (for faculty and instructors).Additional information available here.
ELEC 403 001 (CRN: 25718)
SCIENCE BEHIND THE HEADLINES
Long Title: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BEHIND THE HEADLINES
Department: Electrical & Computer Eng.
Instructor: Halas, Naomi
Meeting: 2:30PM - 5:00PM T (12-JAN-2026 - 24-APR-2026)
Part of Term: Full Term
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture
Language of Instruction: Taught in English
Method of Instruction: Face to Face
Credit Hours: 3
Course Syllabus:
Course Materials: Rice Campus Store
Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s):
Undergraduate Professional
Visiting Undergraduate
Undergraduate
Section Max Enrollment: 15
Section Enrolled: 5
Total Cross-list Max Enrollment: 25
Total Cross-list Enrolled: 14
Enrollment data as of: 25-NOV-2025 2:08AM
Final Exam: Scheduled Final Exam-OTR Room
Description: Our goal for this course is to increase and enhance our basic, fundamental understanding of scientific topics that are part of our current events and present concerns and challenges. We will use basic physics, chemistry, and biological principles to understand these topics at a more technical level than one can achieve by reading articles written by journalists. Our goal is to critically examine these currently popular technical topics to the depth at which a scientist or engineer can understand the basic principles and act as a science or technology advisor to government or political figures. Topics such as conventional and alternative energy, advanced military weapons, satellites, DNA forensics, AI, environmental toxins, and cybersecurity will be discussed. Cross-list: ELEC 503. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for ELEC 403 if student has credit for ELEC 503.