IGESSIGESS (Institute for Global Economics and Social Sciences)

This course gives a multidisciplinary overview of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry, and how they contribute to a progressive yet sustainable society. Faculty members of three departments: Frontier Bioscience, Chemical Science and Technology, and Clinical Plant Science, will present in an easy-to-understand manner how their respective fields are contributing to the improvement of both humankind and nature.

The foremost goal of this course is to get the enrolled student acquainted with an introductory course delivered in English that demands active participation. In addition, through this course, the student will acquire a basic knowledge of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry, emphasizing the importance of coexistence between human beings and the environment, the crucial role of improving, expanding and renewing resources, in order to create a sustainable society for future generations.

英語 / English

Lectures will be delivered once every week by different faculty members who will address his/her specialty topic. Depending on the instructor, main activities in each class might involve reading, writing, listening, presentations and discussions.
As this course will be delivered in the online format, students from campuses other than Koganei (and even from overseas) are welcome to participate. Timetable will be adjusted appropriately at the first session.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：オンライン/online

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introductory notes. (AT)

The purpose of this course. Key notes on the scope of this course. Interests and background.

2[オンライン/online]：Brief description of the birth and evolution of universe and the Earth. (AT)

Origin of the elements. "We are　stardust".　Proto-atmosphere. Are "rare metals" really rare?

3[オンライン/online]：Evolution of oxygen and water on Earth (AT)

Was oxygen ever present in the Earth atmosphere? Where did water come from? How do we know?

4[オンライン/online]：Emergence of vestigial forms of life and the Big Mass Extinctions (AT)

The origin of life. The persistence of life. Periodic fluctuations in forms of life on Earth. The many times life on Earth almost was annihilated.

5[オンライン/online]：The concept of Gaia (AT)

James Lovelock and the Gaia Theory. A simulation for the interrelationship between Biosphere and Lithosphere.

6[オンライン/online]：The Three Pillars (3BL) of Sustainability (AT)

John Elkington's Triple Bottom Line for sustainable development. The need for an integrated approach.

7[オンライン/online]：The importance of going from Linear to Circular (AT)

Evolution of human society. The need for a sustainable development. Good intentions are not good enough.

8[オンライン/online]：The many footprints of human development (AT)

What are they, and why it is so important to know what your values are. Is global warming real?

9[オンライン/online]：Exploitation of natural resources (AT)

Unsustainable exploitation of Nature. Production and consumption. The Energy Problem. Pollution. Waste management. Recycling.

10[オンライン/online]：Genetically-modified organisms (GMO) (TA)

What are they? Concerns and safety. The Importance of being discriminating. Are GMOs that bad?

11[オンライン/online]：Organic Chemistry and Organosilicon Chemistry (AK)

Carbon and silicon belong to the same Group 14. What are the similarities and differences between carbon and silicon?

12[オンライン/online]：Environmental chemistry and technology (YW)

What is environmental chemistry? The chemistry of continental waters.
Synthesis, characterization, and properties of environmentally friendly inorganic materials.

13[オンライン/online]：Clinical Plant Science (HH)

Biological characteristics of plant pathogenic bacteria.

14[オンライン/online]：Skeletal muscle physiology and biology (EO)

Physiological and biological responses in skeletal muscle to exercise and physical activity.

【本授業の準備・復習等の授業時間外学習は、4時間を標準とする】
Students are expected to review class materials and handouts that will be available through the Hoppii system. Further study on each topic is encouraged. Full active participation of students in discussions is encouraged and will be graded.

Due to the nature of emerging technologies and the multidisciplinary nature of the course, no textbook in particular is necessary, but important reference materials are listed below.
Hand-outs and references will be distributed for each class, or made available in advance through the system Hoppii.

(1) "Life in the Universe", by Sagan, C., Gould, S.J., Minsky, M. & Weinberg, S. Scientific American, 1984; (2)
Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth", by James Lovelock (Oxford Landmark Science, 2016); (3) "The Circular Economy", by Walter R. Stahel, Taylor and Francis Group, 2019.
"Human Scale Development" (1989) Manfred Max-Neef et al. Development Dialogue, Other references for further study will be introduced in each class, and can be downloaded from the supporting system Hoppii.
Other relevant references will be made available.

Grading will be assessed on the student's performance in each class, based on reports, active participation, presentations, and discussion.

Topics that required more attention have been expanded. Compared with previous years, some topics have been renewed as new lecturers join the present course.
This is an Open-Global Course, and therefore, students from other campuses different from Koganei are also welcome to enroll. Considering the timetable difference from different campuses, appropriate adjustments will be arranged during the first session.

For online classes, computers with audiovisual capabilities and internet access are required. Some, if not most materials can be downloaded prior or during class via the Hoppii system.