Electrical Engineering, Sensors, and Control
Instructor: Will Barbour, Ph.D.
Engineering, Data Science | Prerequisites listed on current transcript: Previous Coding Experience (see below)

Sensors are embedded in so many systems that we interact with that we can take for granted how much we rely on them. A normal garage door system can have up to 10 different sensors, and a car can have nearly 100! Sensors are also used to collect large amounts of data about the world for research purposes, as well as performing complex control over many systems that we rely on. Analyzing this sensor data can help us make important decisions about our lives, cities, and environment. In this class led by a Vanderbilt Research Scientist, you will 1) learn about sensor and data technology, 2) learn and practice electrical engineering through circuits labs, 3) assemble real sensor prototypes, and 4) program microcontrollers to control physical systems. You will get hands-on experience with electrical engineering, programming, and controlling physical systems with your own software.

Prerequisite: Previous coding experience in any language through a formal or informal course. If you have completed a formal course at your school, a transcript is required. If you have completed an informal course (such as an online bootcamp), a certificate of completion is required.

Will Barbour is a research scientist at the Institute for Software Integrated Systems at Vanderbilt University. His teaching and research interests focus on advanced computing techniques applied to transportation systems; examples include big data analytics, machine learning, optimization, and artificial intelligence. He currently works on the I-24 MOTION testbed, seeking to establish a nationally recognized study area for automated vehicle technologies on an open roadway in Tennessee. Will’s other domain interests include pedestrian and cyclist accessibility, public transit planning, and transportation policy and equity. Barbour received his Ph.D. in civil engineering from Vanderbilt University, an M.S. degree in sustainable and resilient infrastructure systems from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a B.S. in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He has previously worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and CSX Transportation.

Exploring Music City: Fandom and the Making of Nashville
Instructor: Robert Fry, Ph.D.
Music History, Ethnography

Nashville is identified worldwide with musical sound. Considering this association, locations of creativity, performance, preservation, and production have become sites of interest for a growing number of fans interested in both the history and the performativity of Nashville’s music scene. In this course led by a Vanderbilt Professor, you will have a unique opportunity to explore the history of Nashville’s music and the importance of music fandom. You will learn the basics of ethnographic research methodology through an immersive educational experience within the Vanderbilt and Nashville music communities. In addition to classroom discussions, the class will include guest lectures and class trips to music landmarks and sites throughout the city. Through this immersive experience, students will gain a deeper understanding of Nashville as a musical place and the role we, as music fans, tourists, and listeners, play in the production and presentation of Music City. In a culminating project, you will use your newfound knowledge based on class instruction and observation at local music sites to design and create your own virtual music museums, exhibiting the music of your generation.

This class is in partnership with the Blair School of Music.

Robert W. Fry is senior lecturer in music history and literature at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music in Nashville, Tennessee, where he teaches courses in global music, jazz, blues, music in the American South, and music tourism. His research focuses on music tourism and the role of fan culture in the production of a musical place, which he writes about in his book, Performing Nashville: Music Tourism and Country Music’s Main Street, part of Palgrave Macmillan’s Leisure Studies in a Global Era series.

Exploring the Neural, Biological, and Experiential Bases of Selfhood
Instructor: Tatiana Baxter
Clinical Psychology, Neuroscience

Are you interested in the intersection between neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and biology? Have you ever wondered how our brains and minds construct selfhood? What components make up the ‘self’? What happens if our sense of self becomes disrupted? How and why might a disruption in sense of self occur? If so, this course taught by a Vanderbilt Ph.D. candidate is for you! From considering self-expression in art and literature, to reading scientific papers, to participating in discussions about the hows and whys of selfhood, you will explore complex and exciting multidisciplinary research about what makes us human. With this foundation, you will investigate the neural biology and functionality of selfhood and what this means for experience of the self, including what happens when sense of self becomes disrupted, as in various psychiatric and neurological disorders. Your exploration will also include compelling talks from expert guest speakers, firsthand accounts from individuals with lived experience of self-disturbance, and culminate in a final ‘exploration of the self’ project to be presented in class.

Tatiana Baxter (she/her) is a rising fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Clinical Psychology Program at Vanderbilt University. She is a lifelong Dore, having completed her undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt in 2018 with majors in Psychology, Spanish, and European History. Tatiana’s research primarily focuses on bodily self-disturbance across the schizophrenia spectrum with the goal of better understanding experience of the bodily self and anomalous self-experiences in psychosis via application of quantifiable, qualitative methods. Since beginning graduate school, she has given guest lectures to, served as a teaching assistant for, and mentored many post-bac, undergraduate, and high school students. In addition to her research, Tatiana works as a trainee therapist, serving clients with self-disturbance in a variety of settings. Outside of school, Tatiana enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with her three rescue dogs.

Immunology: From Microbes to Cancer
Instructor: Elizabeth Wescott, Ph.D.
Immunology, Biology | Prerequisites listed on current transcript: Biology

The immune system is the most complex and intricate system we have in our bodies, involving many different players for proper function, including organs, tissues, cells, vessels, proteins, and other signaling chemicals. While most people may not often think about the immune system, it protects us from the world of microbes we interact with every day. Beyond our external environment, however, the immune system also plays key roles in preventing cancers and other chronic diseases. In this course, you will critically explore the multitude of roles of the human immune system and various microbes and pathogens. You will also engage primary scientific research and the latest academic trends in the fields of microbiology and immunology. Through participation in lab activities that involve surveying microbes in the environment, you will also learn how science research is done from the ground up: writing a hypothesis, designing an experiment, measuring results, and writing and communicating data. By the end of this course, you will walk away as immunology and public health advocates and change agents for your families and communities.

Elizabeth Wescott, Ph.D. is a scientist and educator with interests in immunology and science communication. During her Ph.D. training at Vanderbilt University, she studied how to improve immune-based treatments for breast cancer patients in the lab of Justin Balko. Her lab is focused on the intersection of immunology and cancer biology and how to best identify the right patients for the right treatments. Now she is an adjunct professor for Lipscomb University and a freelance science writer. She is particularly passionate about empowering her students, family, and community to ask questions and help them break down complex science topics.

Law School 101
Instructor: Thomas Kyle Turner, J.D.
Legal Studies

Have you wondered what it’s like to attend law school and pursue a career in the legal profession? Through engaging lectures, interactive workshops, and practical activities, you will, in this course led by a Vanderbilt Lecturer & Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives Librarian, gain a foundational understanding of the legal field while exploring the diverse opportunities available to those with a law degree. After learning about the structure and expectations of law school, we will explore different areas of law—such as criminal law, corporate law, intellectual property, family law, and public interest law. While building this foundational knowledge, you will also learn about a variety of career paths that extend beyond traditional legal practice, such as roles in government, academia, and legal technology. With rapid advances in technology, these career paths are quickly evolving and expanding. In order to understand these rapid changes, we will also examine how legal professionals use technology tools, including artificial intelligence, to enhance efficiency, research, and client service. Through hands-on demonstrations and discussions, you will critically assess the ways technology is reshaping the legal landscape and the ethical considerations that come with these advancements.

Kyle Turner is an attorney and the Emerging Technology and Digital Initiatives Law Librarian at Vanderbilt. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a B.A. in Political Science and a Masters in Information Sciences. Kyle also obtained his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphrys School of Law. In his current role with Vanderbilt, Kyle lectures and works with the law school community on technological advancements and usage of technology in the practice of law. Prior to joining Vanderbilt, Kyle spent time as a government attorney as well as a legal consultant with technology companies. When not working, Kyle enjoys spending time with his two beagles and mini pig.

Med School 101
Instructor: Vanderbilt School of Medicine Medical Students
Medicine, Biology, Chemistry | Prerequisites listed on current transcript: Biology, Chemistry

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is one of the top hospitals in the country, so it is no surprise that the medical school is at the forefront when it comes to technology and teaching. In this course, you will work with many of the same computer and virtual medical simulations as Vanderbilt medical students and use problem-based learning to analyze and diagnose real medical case studies. Taught by a team of medical students overseen by Vanderbilt School of Medicine Faculty, this course will utilize small group discussions, faculty lectures, lab exercises, and the latest resources and technologies from the Vanderbilt School of Medicine to learn about the practice, ethics, and social impact of modern medicine.

*NOTE: VUMC insurance and safety regulations state that students must be 16 years old by July 6, 2025 to participate. This policy is non-negotiable.

Additional Requirements: Enrolled students may have select observational experiences in a hospital setting through the Vanderbilt Observational Services program. As Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a distinct organization that is separate from Vanderbilt University, VUMC develops separate polices on health and safety requirements for Observers. Vanderbilt Observational Services requires a TB test for all Med School 101 students.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center also has materials and short trainings for enrolled students to complete in addition to the PTY Required Forms needed to participate in VSA. Some sections may duplicate PTY’s required paperwork. However, full completion of both sets of paperwork is required for participation in Med School 101.

This class is in partnership with the Vanderbilt School of Medicine.

Physics in Life, Medicine, Engineering and Our Civilization
Instructor: Amal al-Wahish, Ph.D.
Physics

Have you ever wondered how physics is connected to your everyday life, your health, or the world around you? In this hands-on and exciting course led by a Vanderbilt Professor, we’ll explore how the principles of physics shape everything from the way your body works to the medical technologies that save lives and the innovations that power our modern world. You’ll discover how physics plays a role in the human body, how doctors use tools like Traction, X-rays, MRIs, and Ballistocardiograph and how we use physics to create energy and build technologies that make life easier and more sustainable. We’ll also dive into the amazing world of engineering, where you’ll discover how physics is used to create everything from life-saving medical devices to renewable energy systems and cutting-edge technologies. You’ll see firsthand how engineers use physics to design solutions for the world’s most pressing problems. But this course isn’t just about reading and lectures—we’ll bring physics to life with fun, interactive experiments and demonstrations that you’ll get to try yourself! From building simple models that explain how our organs work to hands-on activities showing how energy is transferred, you’ll have the chance to see physics in action. Whether or not you’ve studied physics before, this course is designed to be approachable, fun, and full of hands-on opportunities to experience the science behind our world. It’s a great chance to see how physics affects your life and the world around you, all while having fun and learning new things.

Amal al-Wahish is a condensed matter experimental and neutron scattering physicist. She holds a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics and Neutron Scattering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where her research focused on Neutron Scattering Studies of Phosphate Proton Conductors under the guidance of D. Mandrus. Prior to her doctoral studies, she earned an M.Sc. in Applied Physics from The Hashemite University, Jordan, and a B.S. in Physics, also from The Hashemite University. Dr. al-Wahish has contributed extensively to the field through her roles as a reviewer for peer-reviewed scientific journals such as Physical Review B and Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. In addition to her teaching and research, Dr. al-Wahish is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within the academic community and has served on various committees. Her leadership extends to organizing events that foster community and support for women and minorities in physics.

Stories Worth Telling: Crafting Language for Social Change
Instructor: Paul Kramer, Ph.D.
Writing, History

In this course led by a Vanderbilt Professor, you will explore the ways that writers, journalists and artists craft language to represent social problems to other people, as both a creative enterprise and a fundamental tool for the building of a participatory, democratic culture. In this highly engaging course, you will listen to podcasts, read and discuss classic works of “muckraking” journalism, and investigate how they work at the level of language: how the author brings real-life characters and situations to life, in ways that might move audiences, enable them to see social realities in new ways, and encourage them to take positive, effective action. We will also discuss the pitfalls writers face when they try to represent troubling social realities. With that foundation, you will learn how to build stronger sentences and how to carry out research (including interview techniques) with special emphasis on the growing and rapidly evolving genre of podcasting. Throughout the course, you will develop your own final project, researching an issue you care about in Nashville or your hometown. At the end of the course, you will produce a short podcast or article that uses the skills we’ve worked on to convey that reality to others. In 2022 Vanderbilt Magazine showcased Professor Kramer’s work. Read the full article here.

Paul A. Kramer’s primary research interests are in modern U. S. history, with an emphasis on transnational, imperial and global histories, American social thought, and the politics of inequality. His first book, The Blood of Government: Race, Empire, the United States and the Philippines (University of North Carolina Press; Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2006) was awarded the Organization of American Historians’ James A. Rawley Prize and the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations’ Stuart L. Bernath Book Prize, and was a finalist for the Philippines’ National Book Award in the Social Science category. Alongside his academic research, Prof. Kramer writes for the New Yorker, Slate, and other publications on themes relating to the history of the United States in the world. His public scholarship has included narrative essays on the origins of the U. S. naval base at Guantánamo Bay, the practice of water torture during the Philippine-American War, performances of foreignness by African Americans in the mid-20th century, the shifting and ambiguous character of the U. S.-Mexico border, and the entanglements of Hurricane Katrina with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, among other themes. Prof. Kramer has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, Harvard University’s Charles Warren Center, the American Council of Learned Societies, the Fulbright program and the Smithsonian Institution. Since 2018, he has taught the popular course “Writing for Social Change” at Vanderbilt University.