This course will provide students an introduction to several aspects of science policy including briefings on (a) topics including climate change, cyber security, nuclear policy and bio-ethics; (b) institutions funding and effecting science policies including the U.S. National Laboratories, NSF, science museums, and congressional oversight committees; (c) a few fundamentals of science that influence policy. The course will have guest speakers for most weeks of the term, with a few readings for each session, a briefing from the speaker and an extended question-and-answer period in which students are expected to have questions prompted by the readings and the briefing. Professor Kolb will frame the course materials, offering policy analysts an understanding of the nature, challenges and limitations of policies that promote and guide scientific inquiry and application.
