This two-credit seminar is required for all fall-term juniors whose Plan significantly involves mathematics or science (other students may register with permission of instructors if background is appropriate). The seminar uses students’ ideas/plans for advanced work as a vehicle for intensive exploration of the scientific process. We will look at the research methods employed by Bennington science faculty and visiting scientists, read primary scientific literature, learn how to formulate scientific questions, and learn how to plan a research/inquiry project. By the end of the term, students will be expected to produce an initial proposal for advanced work in science/math. This may, if desired and appropriate, be used as the basis for the sixth-term plan confirmation essay.

Students in this course will be assessed only on a pass/fail basis.