Ireland

This course examines cultural highpoints in the arts of Japan from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Artefacts in all media - painting, ceramics, lacquer, and textiles - are examined in the context of the influence of China on Japan, the creation of the Shogun Court, the rise of the merchant classes and the establishment of the pleasure districts in burgeoning Tokyo. Particular attention is paid to lacquer ware created for the domestic and European market, the arts associated with the tea ceremony and traditional Japanese theatre. Themes of Japonisme are explored, particularly in 19th-century Ireland as Japan emerged after 250 years of self-imposed isolation from the outside world.

The course teaches key concepts prevalent in organic chemistry and the resulting properties of organic molecules. These are presented based on standard U.S. text books and are complemented by specific examples of compounds present in important drug molecules and natural products. Introductory topics include molecular structure, chemical bonding, and orbital interactions. The resulting properties of molecules are then introduced on key compound classes such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes that later are complemented by aromatic rings and functional groups such as alcohols, carbonyls, and amines. Furthermore, the crucial properties that explain the reactivity of organic molecules and enable a detailed understanding through distinct reaction mechanisms are highlighted throughout the course. Finally, these concepts are applied towards the planned synthesis of target molecules in combination with suitable structure determination methods.

This course introduces and develops some of the basic ideas in the areas of Combinatorics and Number Theory. Topics include: mathematical induction, permutations and combinations, counting arguments, modular arithmetic, Euclidean algorithm, Fermat's and Euler's theorems, fundamental theorem of arithmetic, systems of linear congruences, and the Chinese remainder theorem. Students learn to recognize, read, and use standard mathematical symbols and notation. Students learn to ask pertinent questions, to decide which questions are relevant, answerable, and so on. Students gain an understanding of the reasoning behind any methods or procedures they use and are able to demonstrate that understanding. Students also learn to produce examples themselves, in order to illustrate a definition, show a method, or test boundaries of an idea.