Splash Fall 2023
Course Catalog

Join this class to learn some basics of watercolor painting and try an easy abstract design yourself. This class is perfect if you have never painted with watercolors before and want to try. Any level artists welcome!

During the first hour of the session, we will explore how watercolor pigments behave and how to apply them to paper. Both wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry methods will be demonstrated.

In the last hour of the session, we will focus on creating some simple shapes using wet on dry method and layering additional shapes. This exercise will allow us to have fun with transparency and tinting, both of which are such a beautiful aspect of the watercolor medium.

Paint, paper, and brushes will be provided!

Speed running the basics of Psychology through means of arts and crafts + etc.!
Activities relating to parts of the brain, important concepts/ideas in psych., and communication.

We're going to be learning about and building different types of bridges.
This course is taught by a club at UC Berkeley that teaches science lessons to elementary kids in under resourced schools in the bay area. We've adapted a lesson for high school students. Take this course if you want to meet a group a college students passionate about education and STEM, and if you want to learn more about bridges!

We're going to be launching a bottle rocket and learning about the science to how it works. Take this course if you want to meet a group a college students passionate about education and STEM, and if you want to learn some rocket science! This course is taught by a club at UC Berkeley that teaches science lessons to elementary kids in under resourced schools in the bay area. We've adapted a lesson for high school students.

Have you ever marveled at the complex electronic devices inside smartphones, drones, and even musical instruments and jewelry come to life? Have you ever wondered how all of these countless microscopic components stay securely connected, allowing these engineering marvels to function seamlessly?

Join us in an exciting exploration of soldering as we unravel the secrets of soldering and its role in these modern wonders. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn the essentials of soldering in an engaging format with expert instructors helping you out every step of the way.

No experience is required. This workshop is designed for beginners, so you can dive in to learn this invaluable skill and bring your ideas to life.

At the end of this workshop, you get to keep your PCB and everything you soldered onto it, showcasing not only your new skills, but also empower you to turn your unique ideas into a reality.

This course introduces the basics of Chemical Engineering--careers and applications of Chemical Engineering, basic process design, and making process flow diagrams!

How do rockets actually work? This class will give you an understanding of the guiding principles and architecture of rocket systems. Hosted by members of UC Berkeley's leading rocketry team, learn what is possible in the world of rocketry at even a college level.

We will cover the basics of nuclear physics principles and their engineering applications in radiation detection and the medical field.

Learn about different bio safety levels and wetlab techniques then try what you learned in a (model) mouse dissection

Considered to be the last of the so-called metal age after bronze and copper, the iron age indicates the time where humans were finally able to mass produce many feats of engineering that had never been done before without the manipulation of iron. Iron was not a new element at the time of the iron age, but it was not correctly used. The key to this monumental period was the fact that we finally understood the importance of processing and materials selection towards specific applications.

In this course, we aim to briefly explore the engineering accomplishments of materials discovery and engineering, and dive into a small demonstration of how the treatment of materials changes its properties.


Prerequisites
Some understanding of chemistry and physics can be helpful, but we don't test so there is no reason not to join!

We will go over the fundamental building blocks of short stories. These basic building blocks can be used to write a story in any genre. This class heavily leans on lessons I have learned from creative writing classes here at UC Berkeley. You will do writing in class and leave with the foundation of a short story of your own.

Do you want to learn a new language?
Are you scared it will be too difficult, or take too much time? Take this
Language Crash Course to learn more about what it takes to learn a new language! As someone who has studied 10 languages myself, I can provide some insight into different languages and language groups, as well as the benefits of learning a second language, so that you can decide if it's something you want to pursue.

Interested in poetry? Interested in old literature? This class will be going over the amorous and passionate poetry of classic English poets, specifically William Shakespeare and John Donne. Get an intro into understanding what these poets are saying in 16th and 17th century English, and the complexities behind what they really mean.

Many people—students, teenagers, and even adults—often brush off poetry as too difficult to understand, inaccessible, or simply uninteresting. This class aims to introduce students to some fundamental elements of lyric poetry through the lyrics of popular musician Taylor Swift and connect them to the lyric tradition throughout history in the hopes of demystifying the study of poetry and giving students a new appreciation for poetics.

As climate change is the looming threat of our generation, we must learn to advocate for climate justice and sustainability. One way to do this is through writing. This course will teach students how to write about climate change in a persuasive and meaningful way.

You may have read the LGBTQ+ classic works of Oscar Wilde or Virginia Woolf in high school English, but prepare to dive deeper into sapphic fiction from all around the world. This course invites all students (from future English majors to casual readers) to pull up a chair as we introduce them to queer theory and the world of lesbian literature beyond the limits of a SparkNotes summary.

Welcome to: Pens & Ponder: Journey into Creative Writing – where the blank page transforms into a canvas of endless possibilities! 📝✨

Are you ready to embark on a wordy adventure like no other? Join us for a writing experience that'll set your imagination on fire and send your creativity soaring to new heights!

Learn what slavery, segregation, and abortion all have in common during this mini-lesson about the ongoing history of one of the Supreme Court's most famous decisions on the very same campus the author of the unanimous opinion studied political science and law. Field trip to Berkeley Law included!


Prerequisites
None.

Learn the basics of linear algebra such matrices, vector spaces, linear transformations, inner products, and more. Along with introducing some physical applications.

In this class we will be talking about one of the core concepts of set theory, cardinality (aka the size of a set), and more specifically, the size of infinite sets.

The concept of infinity is one most people are familiar with, however some infinities are actually larger than others!
Come to this class if you want to learn the difference between countable and uncountable infinities.


Prerequisites
You must be comfortable with functions and set notation, and some algebra.

Computability theory is the branch of mathematical logic that's concerned about what is and is not possible to achieve in math via algorithm.

In this class we will be looking at a couple core concepts of computability theory: the basics of Turing machines, what it means for a function or set to be computable by a Turing machine, and a couple examples of incomputability via the halting problem.


Prerequisites
You should be comfortable with function and set notation, and have done some algebra.

Bridge is more than just a card game; it's an exhilarating mind sport that sharpens your probability skills, critical thinking, and decision-making. Discover the joy of bridge as we explore the rules and strategies around the game.

No previous bridge experience is required.

In this course we will cover key concepts of data science including, EDA (exploratory data analysis), data visualization, modeling with least squares, feature engineering, and logistic regression.

If you want to follow along with the code, I plan to put everything up on github. If you aren't as comfortable with using jupyter notebooks, you can still follow along as a lot of what we will be doing is explaining concepts through code rather than just focusing on the code.


Prerequisites
Familiarity with some python. Preferable but not required: numpy, matplotlib, pandas, calculus, linear algebra

How do video games and 3D animations look so real? An introduction to the physics, then the code, of raytracing and raymarching algorithms.


Prerequisites
Some familiarity with programming, geometry, and algebra.

In a world driven by numbers and the pursuit of financial success, understanding the intricate web of financial mathematics is not just an advantage but a necessity. Welcome to "Mathematics and Finance," where you will embark on an exhilarating journey into the heart of finance, armed with the tools to decipher the complex language of the market.


Prerequisites
Basic Statistics Calculus

What exactly is infinity? Is there something bigger than infinity? What is infinity plus one? In this class, we'll use mathematical games to explore the concept of infinity and define many different (inifinitely many, in fact!) infinite numbers.

Fundamentals of propositional logic: negation, conjunction, disjunction implication. Applications to everyday language and computer science. Logical gates. An overview of mathematical proofs grounded in abstract algebra.

Have you ever been harassed by the police? Have you seen the police do something you thought was wrong?
In this Splash course, you will learn your rights when interacting with police and some best practices for observing or documenting police activity. Berkeley Copwatch has been directly observing the police and advocating for justice for over 30 years. We want you to leave this course ready to assert your rights and prepared to document police activity in your community!


Prerequisites
None!

This lesson plan seeks to provide students with an introduction to the environmental justice movement and equip them with mapping tools and other resources to identify environmental justice causes in their own community. Additionally, students will learn about ways to become involved with environmental advocacy and be provided with a space to discuss their perspectives on climate change.

This course will give a brief overview of the fundamental definitions, formulas, and rules of financial accounting, drawing from two classes offered at Haas, UGBA 10 (lower division: Principles of Business) and UGBA 102A (upper division: Intro to Financial Accounting). The focus will be balance sheets and income statements, though cash flow statements and statement of retained earnings will be briefly covered. There will be practice problems and real-world examples to keep you accountable for the accounting knowledge you've acquired--pun intended!

An introductory class to basic economic theory (supply and demand curves, basic jargon such as opportunity costs elasticity and resource scarcity).

Basic introductory class to personal finance (investments, stocks, banking, etc).

This course would give a brief overview on the history and uses of codes and ciphers. It would also give students a chance to practice with some of the more basic codes, like the Caesar Cipher and substitution ciphers.

Archaeology? What is it? This class will introduce you to the archaeological inaccuracies and falsified depictions in popular video games and films. Along with some background context and innovative discussion, we will tackle how archaeological stereotypes are perceived! We will talk about games such as Tomb Raider, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, and more! Also, films like Indiana Jones and Night at the Museum will be explored.

What is the point of going to college? I mean really? As high schoolers we're told that college is the next and perhaps best step in life. College is meant to be a time of interesting classes, lifelong friends, crazy parties and more all wrapped up in a 4 year experience that sets you up for life. Yet with rising tuition costs, wide variations in student experiences and increasing competitiveness, who wouldn't ask "what's the point?"

This class will tackle that expansive question by levying the lenses and methods from political theory to hopefully construct some more meaningful answers.

If you’re interested in figuring out either college, political theory or life this class is for you!

Our course will delve deep into the core concepts of Psychology, ranging from universal philosophies to some specific psychological phenomena. Additionally, we'll provide insights into specific topics explored in competitions. Throughout the course, we'll weave in engaging classroom activities, ensuring students grasp the intricate interplay between psychology and other major disciplines, as well as its profound connection to everyday life. The course is expected to be chill but meanwhile able to enhance students' learning in AP Psychology (or IB Psychology). If interested in taking these exams later, feel free to contact Sandra for free advising.

More About Sandra Ding:
Not only am I a humanities student with a flair for the sciences, but I'm also a passionate learner who loves sharing knowledge. I embarked on a self-study journey into AP Psychology during my first year of high school and achieved a top score of 5 in the preliminary test during my second year. Through grit and determination, I've competed in various psychology-related contests, eventually clinching the gold medal at the HOSA Global event.

Processed food is increasingly becoming the only food available to many people around the world. This inadequate access to nutritious foods is not the result of scarcity, but rather the result of the government subsidies for key crops that make up the majority of these processed food products. This has also had substantial impact on how food is farmed, processed, and wasted within the environment. From a lack of access to increasing environmental concerns, food insecurity is becoming a critical global issue with food waste only increasing. Likewise, people in poverty are a target demographic for the food industry, due to their economic vulnerability that makes them more limited in choice and prone to purchasing unhealthy food.

Ever been interested in knowing what public health really is and how it truly impacts our daily lives? In this course, we aim to give those answers and more, diving into a brief history of modern public health practices, the harsh landscape of global health, and the tough decisions that our current health infrastructures force us to make.

Stars live for millions of years, but it only takes a fraction of a moment as their lives end in a spectacular stellar fireworks display known as a supernova. This course will investigate these 'cosmic crime scenes' and how astronomers are able to piece together the mystery of a star's life before its demise.

Black holes are some of the most extreme objects in the universe. They push the boundaries of our knowledge and hold many unsolved mysteries. Come learn about black holes from "small" to enormous, how we detect them, and explore the frontiers of astrophysics!

We want to explore how our cells make decisions about what to do and which cell type they want to become. We explore this by looking at some cool videos we have at Garcia Lab from developing embryos of fruit flies.


Prerequisites
Basic biology - the course will be of interests to final 11 and 12 graders

This course’s mission is to inform students about homelessness and barriers to healthcare, and provide them with opportunities to create tangible change within these communities. In particular, we will be focusing on the barriers to accessing and navigating health insurance. We will be learning about health insurance policies through Covered California and teaching students how they can become health insurance enrollment counselors. We will discuss how we can do our part in working towards a world in which no individual is discouraged from receiving medical aid due to unaffordable services.

Explore the Science of Neuro-Hacks for Success: Delve into the world of neuroscience and discover how to use brain-based strategies to supercharge your life. Uncover the secrets behind "neuro-hacks" that help you reach your goals and thrive in both personal and professional domains.

We will estimate the energy released in an atomic bomb explosion with nothing but basic physics and some pictures. Along the way, we will learn about how physicists approach problems.


Prerequisites
Basic math and physics knowledge would be helpful but is not necessary.

Soil. It's everywhere. Under your feet, under your house, and in the food you eat. It's one of the most important resources in the world. The vast majority of food is ultimately derived from soil. From tomatoes to milk to cows, soil affects us everywhere. In this class, you'll learn about the diverse types of soil and their properties.

Are you interested in the application of biology to business? Have you ever wondered how therapeutics that treat diseases are successfully developed? Do you want to discover new career opportunities?

This course will provide an overview of the rapidly growing biotechnology industry. In this field, innovative science is supported by business strategy. This course will provide an introduction to each of these functions, and how the current alignment of these two makes right now the perfect time for discovery and development. If you are looking to discover new career options within the scope of science, excited about taking a deep dive into the fascinating applications of science, or you are someone who would like to understand the business environment that drives development, this is an exciting and interactive course to explore research, medicine, and business.

Solid, liquid, gas - these are the phases of matter that we learn about in grade school. But a Google search says there could be up to 21 phases of matter, including science-fiction-sounding ones like "Time crystals." In this class, we'll define phases of matter and focus on "transitions" between them. We will also introduce the "Ising model," a simple yet ubiquitous description of magnets that somehow is connected to the evaporation of water.


Prerequisites
An interest in physics and optimization

Yeah, the skeleton....pretty cool. Ever wondered about just how weird and interesting your bones are? This class will introduce you to the bones in your body and how careers in science-related fields study them. Using research studies, archaeological context, and popular TV shows like Bones, we will discuss how different fields approach them.

**Forewarning: Images of skeletal remains will be shown. NO graphic content will be shown.

On-demand organ transplants expedited drug development, and skin grafts for burn victims are just the surface of what you can achieve with the developing field of bioprinting. Bioprinting is the combination of 3D printing technology with materials that incorporate living cells, and quite honestly the coolest combo you may or may not never heard of. Join us to learn what it takes to bio-print a viable organ, and how you can leave your mark on the next biggest thing in medicine!

Have you ever gazed up at the twinkling stars and wondered about their glow? Or have you questioned why your phone screen seems dim in daylight but so bright at night? Join our course and uncover the fascinating stories and science behind these "simple" but significant observations!
We will kick off with an interactive discussion, encouraging you to engage with the question and share your unique insights. As you'll see, there's no limit to the answers! After that, we will journey back in time:
Visit Greek scholars who charted stars with nothing but naked eyes;
Trace the century-long pursuit of a standard measure of brightness;
Tread the bizarre "quantum" world that completely reshaped the notion of "bright light"…
Throughout, you'll see how scientific discoveries have not only redefined our view of light, but also profoundly transformed our daily lives.
Whether you're new to this topic or a long-time science enthusiast, this journey promises to ignite your curiosity and refresh your perspective on the world!

In this course, we will learn all about bone anatomy, physiology, and the musculoskeletal system. We will also cover nutrition for healthy bones, careers in the orthopedic/sports medicine field, and what therapies/surgeries are done in this field.

Studying various aspects of the female reproductive cycle that are incredibly lacking in our current education system. You will learn about you and/or your loved ones' reproductive health, mainly from a biological standpoint but also in the context of culture, mental health, and period stigma and poverty. You will learn about not only the anatomy and physiology involved in the female reproductive system but also health conditions and disorders, inequitable access to menstrual products, gaps in scientific and medical research, and holistic approaches to menstrual symptoms .

Quantum Mechanics. A strange, mysterious world, that sometimes does things almost beyond belief. Or at least that's what we're told.

But what is it telling us really?

In this course, we will embark on a journey into the heart of modern Physics, developing ideas piece-by-piece, and covering related topics such as tunnelling and entanglement.


Prerequisites
Curiosity!

This course will provide you with an overview of what a chronic illness is, which ones affect Berkeley students most, and how you can get involved in helping to cure them!

From the beginning of programming and computers to the unraveling of the structure of DNA, from the invention of the term "radioactivity" to the coining of the term "bioorthogonal chemistry," from the crucial theory in continuous symmetry to the revolutionary experiment proved the parity conservation violation, women have always been there. There are more obstacles for us to remember them but we want to not only remember them but also what they have been discovered specifically. In this course, we will dive deep into the theories, experiments, and concepts invented by the great women scientists.

A multitopic course on energy, history of explosives, types of explosives, chemistry, and nuclear devices. .

Unlock the secrets of Quantum Information and Quantum Field Theory! Prepare to be in a superposition of excitement and challenges as you entangle with mysteries and explore the groundbreaking implications in technology and life. Journey through the captivating principles of Quantum Field Theory, unveiling insights as fundamental as they are enchanting! No advanced math required – just bring your curiosity.

Five decades ago, the Big Bang theory faced a crisis: Compared to its predictions of how the universe began, actual large-scale observations showed that our universe is, in a sense, too boring — Its density is too "uniform", its shape too "flat", and its magnetic monopoles? seemingly nonexistent! What resolved this crisis came to revolutionize the field of theoretical cosmology.

This course will start off by deriving a model of our expanding universe from some basic principles of introductory physics. Applying this model to real-world data, we will discover for ourselves the aforementioned paradoxes.

Then, in the second hour, we will introduce the theory of inflationary cosmology: its physics are too complex to derive, but we can glean from simple approximations how it is able to resolve these paradoxes, and make new predictions about our universe.


Prerequisites
Precalculus

In the early 20th century, physicists made a surprising discovery: light appear to travel at the same speed in space no matter how fast you are moving. From this seemingly paradoxical observation, and a little bit of geometry, we present a derivation for the basics of Einstein's theory of special relativity.


Prerequisites
Pythagorean theorem

In this class, we'll dive into the fascinating world of bioengineering and biotechnology, one of the fastest-growing industries in the US today. Our goal is to ignite your passion for this field and help you explore its myriad opportunities. Through an engaging presentations and interactive interactive activity, we'll cover topics like the essence of bioengineering, the problems it solves, educational pathways, diverse careers, and its profound societal impact.

How would you feel if you lived in a world in which any baby’s genes could be manipulated before birth? Would this be a future to look forward to, or a future that should be prevented? Come and discuss these questions in Gen-ethics!, where we will explore ethical questions surrounding emerging genetic innovations and assess how the portrayal of these topics in film, television, and marketing make an impact on our understanding of science and bioethics.

Interested in stem cells? Curious about how cutting-edge technology can treat diseases previously thought incurable? Wondering about how stem cells can be used to make meat? If you're curious about any of the above, this class is for you! We will cover the different types of stem cells and their different applications along with a discussion amongst students at the end to hear all of your thoughts. This course is meant to be an introduction into stem cells, so no background knowledge is necessary (everyone is welcome!).


Prerequisites
No prerequisites necessary

The course intends to introduce the bizarre world of quantum and how it can be leveraged to do things beyond the capacitor classical machines. Ideas like superposition, entanglement and teleportation will be explained in simple language then the field of superconducting circuits will be introduced as a platform for quantum computing.


Prerequisites
No prior knowledge is assumed

Even though ribosomes are at the heart of making proteins that sustain life, there are ongoing efforts to make new ribosomes capable of making novel polymers in biology! In this course, you will learn of these efforts, and with it, the future of innovation in chemistry combined with biology!

Mental illness is a relevant topic, with almost a quarter of Americans suffering from a mental disorder. This course will act as a survey course of the biology and causes of various psychiatric disorders, as well as tips for dealing with a mental health crisis. This is an open class for anyone with the interest.

Trigger warning: upsetting materials related to mental illness may be discussed, student discretion is advised

Much of research in fields like zoology, integrative biology, and animal science focuses on conservation (humans helping animals), with not as much working the other way (how animals help humans). This survey course helps to examine how animals are currently influencing research in human medicine and the importance of studying the natural world. From using venom as a morphine substitute to uncovering insomnia, the animal kingdom has pharmacological wonders for us to unpack.

How about what this course is not about--academics, courses, fellowship information, credit, policies or procedures.

Do you want to learn what soft skills will help you navigate your college life and avoid some of the unnecessary chaos?
This class is based on my experience of working with undergraduate students.

Did you know that the #1 fear in America is public speaking? More people are scared to speak in front of an audience than death, heights, and even...spiders! In this course, you will learn about the different types of competitive speech offered at the high school level, memorization and fluency tips and exercises, and the components that make up an effective speech. Most importantly, you will overcome your fear of public speaking by writing and delivering your own speech! There will be a mock speech tournament (similar to actual high school tournaments) in the last 30 minutes of the course, and there will be gift card prizes!


Prerequisites
No experience needed--this course is designed to teach beginners the basics.

This class aims to answer the following questions:

Where did true crime come from and why is it becoming so popular in modern media? What ethical dilemmas does the creation and consumption of true crime pose? How has true crime helped and harmed victims, and who are the victims in true crime?

Are you a disabled (physically or mentally) student? Do you want free tuition and fees for when you attend college? Do you want help choosing your career? Look no further than this comprehensive class about the Department of Rehabilitation and its student services!

Nice title, huh? This is actually about our experiences transitioning from high school to one of the most rigorous universities in the world. Come join to have some bizarre adventures with a Data Scientist and Electrical Engineer in training!

Assisting high school students with their college scholarship applications. Presented by the Bio-Business Initiative at UC Berkeley.

Assisting high school freshmen and sophomores with their high school experience in order to get them ready for college and further education. Presented by the Bio-Business Initiative at UC Berkeley.

Preparing high school seniors on the college application process. Open to all grades, but most helpful for high school seniors. Presented by the Bio-Business Initiative.

5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel is a mind-bending variant of Chess that opens up countless possibilities through time traveling and dimension hopping pieces. The goal is to checkmate your opponent’s king across space, time, and parallel universes!

Intro to 5D Chess is designed for all Chess players, from complete beginners to titled masters. Throughout this class, students will develop a solid understanding of the game’s rules and utilize tactics and strategies never before seen in Chess. Most importantly, players will discover how fun thinking in 5D can be!


Prerequisites
Knowledge of the rules of 2D Chess (piece movements and how to win) is preferred but not required.

Have you ever tried to solve a Rubik’s cube and failed miserably? Well so have we! Rubik’s cubes are hard to solve, and in this course, we will talk about just how hard it is. We’ll feature some probability theory and math, and then explain what’s going on with the higher-order Rubik’s cubes, such as the 4x4, 5x5, etc.
Somehow, people can still solve Rubik’s cubes! We’ll explain how people do it, and why people do it. Come join us for an enlightening experience!


Prerequisites
None - just show up!

This course will detail how to tackle the UC application with emphasis on how to structure your PIQs and extracurriculars so that you are making the most of your limited writing space. This course is geared for seniors applying and juniors who are starting to think about applying, but any age is welcome to get a head start.

"HELP! I have nothing to wear!!"

Is this you? Don't worry, you're not alone.

Join us to unlock the hidden portal in your room: your closet.

Learn about the stories behind each button and thread, the dark secrets and environmental cost behind the fashion industry, and rediscover your closet.