10 Unique Science Classes to Liven Up Your Class Schedule
Written by Sarina Attri
Illustrated by Maisie Nievera
One of the best parts about college is the freedom to take unique classes and learn about anything you want. It is easy to let your college years slip by without exploring other areas of interest — don’t let this be you! Taking unique classes opens you up to new perspectives that can increase your intelligence and understanding of the world. To help you out, here is a list of 10 exciting science-related courses, both within the College of Natural Sciences and in other colleges at UT.
Courses within the College of Natural Sciences:
BIO 337 Pandemic Science with Dr. Lauren Ancel Meyers
This course provides an exciting opportunity to learn from Dr. Lauren Ancel Meyers, a leading expert in pandemic modeling and the director of the COVID-19 Modeling Consortium here at UT. In this class, you will learn about the history, spread, mitigation, and forecasting of pandemics.
BIO 353S Sleep Science with Dr. William J. Schwartz
We all know that sleep is essential for us to survive and function, but how much do you really know about this vital activity? Have you ever wondered what is going on in your brain at night? Or what it really means to get “bad” rest? In this course, you will learn about the functions of sleep and causes of various sleep disorders. By the end of the semester, you will have all of the knowledge necessary to maximize the quality of your sleep so that you can do great things while you’re awake!
NSC 325 Inventors Program Practicums
Each semester, the UT Inventors Program offers a variety of practicum courses that allow you to solve real-world problems in partnership with different organizations. You will learn skills such as communicating with stakeholders, developing prototypes, conducting experiments, and creating a marketing plan. Recent partners have included the Department of Defense, UT Office of Sustainability, Dell Medical School, and the Central Intelligence Agency. You can learn more about this great resume addition here.
NSC 109 Civil Discourse with Dr. Tonia Guida
Skills related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are relevant to nearly every aspect of our lives and have become increasingly desired in the workforce. In this course, you will learn about the intersection of social identities and how they impact one’s experiences. You will gain an understanding of systems of power and privilege and gain the skills necessary to contribute to social change. This course is also the introductory course for the DEI Concentration, a great resume-builder that includes the opportunity to implement a DEI initiative on campus or in the community.
NTR 306 Fundamentals of Nutrition
This course discusses food in relation to health and disease. You will learn the science of how the body digests food, how to evaluate the nutritional value of foods, and how to improve your own dietary practices. This is one of the most useful classes you can take to learn how to live a healthy life!
Courses in Other Colleges:
N 309 Global Health
This course teaches public health on a global scale. You will learn about the determinants of health, globalization, health promotion, social justice, and the burden of disease. Since most public health courses focus on the United States, this course is a great way to gain a wider perspective on other countries and cultures.
HS 301 Introduction to Health and Society
This course is a must for pre-health students. The professors use a variety of perspectives to teach the social, cultural, and economic factors that influence health behaviors and outcomes. By gaining an awareness of these issues, you can become both a better person and healthcare provider.
EDP 352K Mindfulness, Compassion, and the Self with Dr. Kristin Neff
It might seem like a little bit of a stretch to call this a science class, but let’s be real — who wouldn’t want to take a class where you get to meditate? In this class, you will learn how to improve your mental health through mindfulness and self-compassion. This is a great opportunity to build important life skills early in your career and learn from the foremost expert in self-compassion.
HIS 322M History of Modern Science with Professor Bruce J. Hunt
We’ve all been learning the principles of science since elementary school, but have you ever learned the history of science? This course will examine how scientific principles and institutions have developed throughout history. From this class, you will gain insight into the historical events that gave rise to the science topics you have learned in your core classes.
AHC 330 / CTI 373 Great Works in Medicine
This is another great class for pre-medical students! Not only will you analyze important texts in the field of medicine, but you will also apply medical history to current issues in healthcare. This course is a great way for pre-med and public health students to gain a new perspective on the field of medicine.
This is just a small selection of the many incredible courses offered at UT, so I encourage you to explore the course schedule to discover more! Whether it’s through unique classes or extracurricular activities, always remember to push the limits of your knowledge — that is how we can become a wiser, happier, and healthier generation.
(Note: some classes may no longer be available or may have a different course number.)