Splash Spring 2024
Course Catalog
Filter by Grade:
Filter by Class Length:
Filter by Difficulty:
Filter by Open/Closed Status:
Jump to Categories | |
---|---|
Arts | Engineering |
Humanities | Math & Computer Science |
Social Sciences | Science |
Miscellaneous |
Arts
A1218: Music Theory & Composition - Introduction
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Ajay Krishnan
Music is an exciting activity; however, unpacking its fundamentals and theory can be a daunting task. In this course, we’ll unpack the fundamentals of music theory and piano. By the end of this course, students will be able to interpret most pieces on a basic level and compose simple songs.
Prerequisites
This is an fundamentals of music class. If you’ve had significant musicianship experience, there is the chance you might be bored.
Prerequisites
This is an fundamentals of music class. If you’ve had significant musicianship experience, there is the chance you might be bored.
A1228: Acting & Singing
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Justin Arriaga
Do you want to learn how to sing and/or act? Are you interested in the performing arts? If yes, then this class is for you! :) We will start by covering the fundamentals of acting and singing. Then, we will practice our singing and acting through a variety of exercises, games, and mini-performances that will allow us to put theory into practice. This class will be very interactive and all that is required is for students to come ready and excited to learn and participate! Class will be fun and light! :)
A1252: Generative Fiction
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Stella McKay
In this one hour period, we will delve into various prompts to set you up for character creation, story formation, and world building. Come ready to write!
A1261: The Intersection of Art and Medicine
Difficulty: **
We will use medical-related magazines to scrapbook our own artwork related to a medical topic that we individually choose.
A1213: Intro to Psych! Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Chloe Cho,
Katie Tran
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. Super engaging and hands-on class :)
Activities relating to parts of the brain, important concepts/ideas in psych., and communication. Super engaging and hands-on class :)
Engineering
E1195: Civil Engineering 101
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Vera Luu
Ever look around and wonder how the buildings, roads, bridges, water systems, or cities in general came to be? Interested in civil engineering or curious as to what it even is? Come join us to learn the basics of one of humanity's oldest engineering disciplines! Afterwards, we will be doing an activity to put your newfound civil engineering skills to work.
E1215: Engineering materials Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Viktoriia Baibakova
Ever wondered how new materials are engineered? Turns out, these days you don't even need to stand up from your desk. We will dive into the microscopic universe of crystals, composing them atom by atom through interactive computer simulations. We will exercise the power to query millions of published works in an instant, harnessing the collective knowledge of scientists to fuel your own discoveries. We will see how to design real-life experiments that robots carry out, synthesizing materials under our command. Then, we'll see how to analyze what we've created, using advanced tools to understand the properties and potential applications of our newly engineered materials. This class is an overview or a journey from concept to creation, blending the lines between digital and physical realms. You'll get exposed to the most cutting edge techniques in modern materials science.
E1216: Intro to Chemical Engineering Full!
Difficulty: **
This course introduces the basics of Chemical Engineering--careers and applications of Chemical Engineering, basic process design, and making process flow diagrams!
E1233: Bioengineering 101! Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Mahika Bansal,
Emma Berman
Welcome to Bioengineering 101! Join us for a hands-on, group activity to explore bioengineering. Learn from current bioengineering undergraduate students at UC Berkeley & discover various bioengineering fields and career paths.
E1267: Being a Barbenheimer Girl, in a Radiation World
Difficulty: **
We will cover the basics of nuclear physics principles and their engineering applications in energy production, radiation detection, and the medical field.
E1268: Building Bridges with TBP
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Divya Chintamani
Have you ever built a bridge out of household materials? Level up your bridge building skills by learning about stress and strain. Then implement the engineering techniques to see who can build the strongest bridge!
E1269: Building Rube Goldberg Machines Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Berkeley BEAM
Join us to build a series of simple machines that demonstrate physics
concepts like levers, pulleys, chain reactions, and conservation of energy. At the end, we will
combine the simple machines to build a single Rube Goldberg machine. This class is taught by a club at UC Berkeley that teaches science lessons to underserved elementary schools in the bay area, but we have adapted this lesson for high schoolers.
concepts like levers, pulleys, chain reactions, and conservation of energy. At the end, we will
combine the simple machines to build a single Rube Goldberg machine. This class is taught by a club at UC Berkeley that teaches science lessons to underserved elementary schools in the bay area, but we have adapted this lesson for high schoolers.
E1271: The Engineering of the Iron Age
Difficulty: **
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!
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!
E1283: Molecular Matrix: Weaving Biology and Machine Learning Together Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Kenneth Loi,
Cyrus Tau
Rapid advances in machine learning have reshaped the world. In the life sciences, deep learning is being used everywhere from medical imaging to protein folding. We will go over the basics of machine learning and deep learning with a focus on how it can revolutionize medicine and the biological sciences. No experience is required besides passion for science! A laptop or tablet would be great for practical demos, but we will also have devices available.
Humanities
H1212: 16th & 17th Century Love Poetry
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Citlali Diaz
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.
H1227: Intro to Philosophy
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Hannah DeBrine
Together we will do some philosophy! We will participate in a "community of inquiry" philosophy discussion. Along the way, we'll learn some basic philosophical skills, such as: how to ask a philosophical question, how to make distinctions between concepts, and how to support value claims. You'll leave better equipped to conduct any kind of systematic inquiry.
H1234: Creative Writing/Publishing Books Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Shriyaa Narayanan
Learn how to start and most importantly finish your story, as well as creative and different approaches to write stories from a teen author of the Tales of Floustaria Series. These books have been Top 100 Bestsellers and #1 New Releases in their genre on Amazon and learn how you can get started on your own journey in this class! If you have a love for creative writing but don't know how to get started, or finish, then this class if for you!
H1238: Like a Perfect Rhyme: An Introduction to Lyric Poetry Through Taylor Swift
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Arya Vishin
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.
H1239: Improbable Fiction: An Introduction to Shakespeare
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Arya Vishin
In high-school English class, the majority of teenagers will inevitably encounter William Shakespeare, arguably the most famous English writer and playwright of all time—but while they may read Romeo and Juliet or a few of his sonnets, it is rare that they are able to go deeper than just a surface-level introduction. This class is intended to provide interested high-schoolers with a bit of an insight into some Shakespeare texts that they may not have yet encountered, or perhaps to showcase them in a new, more accessible and engaging light.
H1251: Basics of Short Stories
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Stella McKay
We will go over the fundamental building blocks of short stories. These basic building blocks can be used to write a short story in any genre, and can be modified to write novels, plays, and screenplays. This class heavily leans on lessons I have learned from creative writing classes here at UC Berkeley a well as independent research I've done for the class I teach to fellow UC Berkeley students. You will do writing in class and leave with the foundation of a short story of your own.
H1254: Personal Narratives & Personal Essays Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Stella McKay
Personal narratives are those stories we tell ourselves about who we are. Personal essays are how we put those stories on paper. In this class, I'll go over the importance of controlling your personal narratives and advice for writing personal essays (such as the ones college applications require).
Math & Computer Science
M1209: Codes and Ciphers: An Intro to Cryptology Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Anna Reck
This is a brief overview of codes throughout history. We will learn some of the more famous codes (including the Caesar cipher and other basic substitution ciphers), and spend time in class decoding encrypted messages.
M1231: Quantum computing in color
Difficulty: ****
Teachers:
John Paul Marceaux
This class will introduce students to quantum information concepts using analogies to color as a means to communicate the abstract ideas. We will start with basic definitions of a quantum bit, superposition, and the Bloch sphere. This material will be introduced by visual analogy with points on the HSL color solid. We will also briefly address entanglement. By the end of the class, I want students to be able to identify important single-qubit states by their mathematical definition and color association, and interpret quantum circuit diagrams.
Prerequisites
Ideally, students should have seen the concept of a vector and a matrix before. That's really it I think.
Prerequisites
Ideally, students should have seen the concept of a vector and a matrix before. That's really it I think.
M1242: What is a computer? Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Shamith Pasula
You're probably using a computer to read this, but how exactly does it work? Explore the fascinating journey from basic hardware to sophisticated software, unraveling the mysteries of how computers operate. Whether you're curious about the silicon chips that power devices or the code that brings applications to life, this class is your gateway to understanding the entire computing stack. Perfect for beginners and tech enthusiasts alike, you'll leave with a holistic view of computer systems and a newfound appreciation for the technology that shapes our world.
M1258: Blockchain Fundamentals
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Aayushi Jain
We’ll be covering the fundamentals + applications of blockchain technology so the class is open to people from all experience levels! We'll be teaching the basics of distributed systems, consensus, and cryptography with an emphasis on Bitcoin.
We especially encourage underrepresented minorities in STEM to attend the workshop.
We especially encourage underrepresented minorities in STEM to attend the workshop.
M1265: MUSA 7.4 Introduction to Puzzles
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Zain Shields
We will discuss and showcase a number of activities and mathematical puzzles in order to highlight a number of mathematical concepts and problem solving strategies
Prerequisites
None
Prerequisites
None
M1273: Predicting the Future: An Introduction to Chaos Theory Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Smridhi Mahajan
To what extent can we predict the behavior of systems? From population dynamics to fluid convection to an irregular heartbeat, there is a degree of uncertainty that prevents us from knowing the exact outcomes of these situations. This class will take you through some of the unsettling math of nonlinearity and bifurcation that unites these systems, setting the foundations for ideas in chaos theory.
M1275: Introduction to AI and Machine Learning Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Gabriel Lumabas,
Kevin Nguyen
A short introduction on the makings and history of AI and Machine Learning. This course will briefly cover the coding and psychology knowledge necessary to understand machine learning, as well as the ethics behind recent developments in AI.
M1279: Creative Coding - Programming as Art - Experienced Section
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Berkeley HKN
Are you sick of boring old for loops? Is writing programs
to calculate the number of watermelons Johnny eats just not enough?
If so, try creative coding! Creative coding is exactly what it sounds like.
It covers a broad domain of programming for artistic and expressionistic rather
than functional purposes. It encompasses animation, digital paintings, data visualization, and so much more more! Come learn about the potential of creative coding, and leave with a small portfolio of fractals / digital art!
Please bring a laptop! If you do not have one, send us an email and we'll loan one out for you!
here's what I think the description could look like!
Prerequisites
NOTE: There are two sections - the first is for those with previous programming experience. You should know intermediate Python, Java, or HTML. We will narrow down which language to use based on a survey sent out later to you guys. The second section is meant for absolute beginners with no programming experience! All are welcome here :)
to calculate the number of watermelons Johnny eats just not enough?
If so, try creative coding! Creative coding is exactly what it sounds like.
It covers a broad domain of programming for artistic and expressionistic rather
than functional purposes. It encompasses animation, digital paintings, data visualization, and so much more more! Come learn about the potential of creative coding, and leave with a small portfolio of fractals / digital art!
Please bring a laptop! If you do not have one, send us an email and we'll loan one out for you!
here's what I think the description could look like!
Prerequisites
NOTE: There are two sections - the first is for those with previous programming experience. You should know intermediate Python, Java, or HTML. We will narrow down which language to use based on a survey sent out later to you guys. The second section is meant for absolute beginners with no programming experience! All are welcome here :)
M1280: Creative Coding - Programming as Art - No Experience Section
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Berkeley HKN
Are you sick of boring old for loops? Is writing programs
to calculate the number of watermelons Johnny eats just not enough?
If so, try creative coding! Creative coding is exactly what it sounds like.
It covers a broad domain of programming for artistic and expressionistic rather
than functional purposes. It encompasses animation, digital paintings, data visualization, and so much more more! Come learn about the potential of creative coding, and leave with a small portfolio of fractals / digital art!
Please bring a laptop! If you do not have one, send us an email and we'll loan one out for you!
Prerequisites
NOTE: There are two sections - the first is for those with previous programming experience. You should know intermediate Python, Java, or HTML. We will narrow down which language to use based on a survey sent out later to you guys. The second section is meant for absolute beginners with no programming experience! All are welcome here :)
to calculate the number of watermelons Johnny eats just not enough?
If so, try creative coding! Creative coding is exactly what it sounds like.
It covers a broad domain of programming for artistic and expressionistic rather
than functional purposes. It encompasses animation, digital paintings, data visualization, and so much more more! Come learn about the potential of creative coding, and leave with a small portfolio of fractals / digital art!
Please bring a laptop! If you do not have one, send us an email and we'll loan one out for you!
Prerequisites
NOTE: There are two sections - the first is for those with previous programming experience. You should know intermediate Python, Java, or HTML. We will narrow down which language to use based on a survey sent out later to you guys. The second section is meant for absolute beginners with no programming experience! All are welcome here :)
Social Sciences
O1196: Understanding Minority Mental Health
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Christina Nguyen
Are you interested in unraveling the complexities of mental health within diverse communities of color? Explore the course, "Understanding Minority Mental Health," to foster empathy, cultural competence, and advocacy for mental health equity. There will also be fun games & free snacks; hope to see you there! :)
O1197: Na'vi 101: A Xenoanthropology Class of the Future
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Allison Champ
Oel ngati kameie!
Between 2050 and 2077, an extrasolar moon was detected orbiting the planet Polyphemus, located in the Alpha Centauri system. This moon, known as Pandora, has become one of the most celebrated discoveries in all of human history. Why? It was the first time humanity became aware of the existence of intelligent, extraterrestrial species--the Na'vi.
In this immersive and interactive class, you will act as a xenoanthropology student in the 22nd century who is enrolled in an introductory course on the Na'vi (the humanoid aliens featured in James Cameron's 'Avatar' film series). We will explore Na'vi culture, customs, and language, as well as the greater environment of Pandora, through an anthropological, biological, and sociological lens.
Please note that NO prior knowledge of the Avatar film series or the Na'vi is needed for this class. Whether you're a fan of the original film series or completely new to it, this course is for you! Anyone interested in anthropology, biology, sociology, ecology, xenology, science-fiction, fantasy, aliens, or speculative fiction will have a great time!
Between 2050 and 2077, an extrasolar moon was detected orbiting the planet Polyphemus, located in the Alpha Centauri system. This moon, known as Pandora, has become one of the most celebrated discoveries in all of human history. Why? It was the first time humanity became aware of the existence of intelligent, extraterrestrial species--the Na'vi.
In this immersive and interactive class, you will act as a xenoanthropology student in the 22nd century who is enrolled in an introductory course on the Na'vi (the humanoid aliens featured in James Cameron's 'Avatar' film series). We will explore Na'vi culture, customs, and language, as well as the greater environment of Pandora, through an anthropological, biological, and sociological lens.
Please note that NO prior knowledge of the Avatar film series or the Na'vi is needed for this class. Whether you're a fan of the original film series or completely new to it, this course is for you! Anyone interested in anthropology, biology, sociology, ecology, xenology, science-fiction, fantasy, aliens, or speculative fiction will have a great time!
O1199: A Critical Understanding of Public Health Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Adrian Linares,
Riya Mehta
Want to learn about the foundations of public health? In this class, we will cover a broad range of topics in this field, including epidemiology, to environmental health. We will tie these themes together to discuss social determinants of health. We'll end with an overview potential careers in public health, as well as current events.
O1224: Villainized Vaccination: Breaking Down Vaccine Hesitancy and Misinformation Following a Pandemic Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Sophia Roy-Burman
Are you interested in Public Health? Medicine and social behavior? Statistics and the media? Hearing crazy historical facts? Seeing some ridiculous graphics?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions (or even none of them), you should seriously consider taking this class! In this session, we will talk about how vaccines work, the history of the Anti-Vax movement in America, and how vaccine hesitancy has manifested in the time of COVID. We will explore values of personal liberty, government distrust, and social isolation, and we will flesh out how vaccine hesitancy impacts everyone -- from the most privileged to the most disadvantaged.
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions (or even none of them), you should seriously consider taking this class! In this session, we will talk about how vaccines work, the history of the Anti-Vax movement in America, and how vaccine hesitancy has manifested in the time of COVID. We will explore values of personal liberty, government distrust, and social isolation, and we will flesh out how vaccine hesitancy impacts everyone -- from the most privileged to the most disadvantaged.
O1225: Rizzing Through History: A Historical Overview On The Dating And Marriage Practices Of The Past, Present, And More
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Jayna Wong
"Rizz" is a slang term that is popular today as a shortened form of the word "charisma." It is also used to describe someone who is described as desirable in today's dating world.
Dating in today's society is very different than it was throughout the generations, but what exactly makes it different? What did people in the past find desirable? How did people in the past date? What did weddings look like in the past? These are all questions that will be answered through this class.
Dating in today's society is very different than it was throughout the generations, but what exactly makes it different? What did people in the past find desirable? How did people in the past date? What did weddings look like in the past? These are all questions that will be answered through this class.
O1229: Intro to Archaeoastronomy
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Celeste Gomez
Humans have lived under the same sky for centuries. But the field of astronomy hasn’t always been the advanced tech field that is it today.
Explore how ancient cultures studied space and contributed to the long history of astronomy! We’ll look into the way the Maya, Native Americans, Egyptians, and a few other cultures of the world used to make sense of the things they’d see in the night sky.
Explore how ancient cultures studied space and contributed to the long history of astronomy! We’ll look into the way the Maya, Native Americans, Egyptians, and a few other cultures of the world used to make sense of the things they’d see in the night sky.
O1248: Horror, Homelessness, and Homosexuality: An Introduction to the Sociological Method
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Anthony Carrasco
What's an institution? Can culture be studied scientifically? How do emotions shape the world? In this brief introduction to sociological methodology, you will find answers to these questions and more!
O1249: Four Tenets of Critical Race Theory
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Anthony Carrasco
Will racism never end? What does it mean to 'act' white? What hope ought People of Color have in law? Learn the basics of how Critical Race Theory functions as a framework by which to empirically study cultural power, social personality, and political change.
O1250: Law & Society 101
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Anthony Carrasco
What is law on the books? What is law in action? Why is there a difference between the two? Learn how scholars have studied the gap between our social aspirations and our empirical realities in this introduction to the sociology of law.
O1257: Archaeological Myths and Misrepresentations in Video Games and Films
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Will Gerardo
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.
O1272: Georgism 101: A Forgotten Solution to Poverty that Changed the World Full!
A daring proposal to solve poverty once changed the world. Today, few remember it. Yet, amid worsening inequality and an ongoing housing crisis, the radical land value tax, which would essentially abolish private property in land, has gained a renewed interest.
This discussion-based class will go over the basics of Henry George’s political and economic thought to examine whether it can truly be the solution to today’s socioeconomic problems. Learn about how the ideas of Henry George—which influenced important figures such as Albert Einstein, Leo Tolstoy, and the Monopoly Man—changed the course of history and why some people think it might do it again!
This discussion-based class will go over the basics of Henry George’s political and economic thought to examine whether it can truly be the solution to today’s socioeconomic problems. Learn about how the ideas of Henry George—which influenced important figures such as Albert Einstein, Leo Tolstoy, and the Monopoly Man—changed the course of history and why some people think it might do it again!
O1282: American Imperialism: Conquest in Disguise
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Rishabh Dave
It was done with the grandest and most terrible ideologies, with gentle pushes and violent reprisals, and its legacy is one of mixed emotions and uncertainty. This course offers a broad tour of US imperialism, from Manifest destiny to the colonization of Hawaii and the Philippines to interventions in Latin America and beyond.
O1286: Healthcare Insurance and Policy
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Ishita Srivastava,
Jonanne Talebloo
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.
Prerequisites
NA
Prerequisites
NA
O1292: Stonewall to Obergefell: An Introduction to LGBTQ+ History in the United States
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Allison Champ
In this class, we'll explore the rich and impactful history of the LGBTQ+ community in the United States. We'll examine the significance of milestones such as the Stonewall riots and learn the stories of influential figures who have shaped the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. Overall, you will gain valuable insight into the social, political, and cultural dynamics that have influenced the LGBTQ+ community and its history.
Science
S1200: Tensor Algebra: The language of special relativity
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Xing Liu
An gentle introduction to tensors, the mathematical objects whose implicit weaving of space and time serves as the framework to build the theories of special and general relativity.
S1206: Rocking Out with Heavy Metals - The Origins of the Heaviest Metals in Our Universe
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Daniel Brethauer
The gold in jewelry, the uranium in a nuclear power plant, the iodine with table salt, the caesium in atomic clocks: what do these all have in common? It turns out they were likely forged in the fires of a cosmic explosion known as a kilonova! This course will dive into astronomer's journey to understand the origins of the heaviest elements of the periodic table.
S1207: Pre-prehistory: from the Big Bang to today's universe
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
James Sullivan
What happened right after the beginning of it all?
How did the atoms in your body like H and He condense out of the primordial soup?
Why is it impossible for the Milky Way to exist without dark matter?
We'll touch on all these questions (and more!) - you will think quantitatively about our cosmic origins!
Prerequisites
Algebra is required. Some physics or calculus would help people get more out of it, but are not required.
How did the atoms in your body like H and He condense out of the primordial soup?
Why is it impossible for the Milky Way to exist without dark matter?
We'll touch on all these questions (and more!) - you will think quantitatively about our cosmic origins!
Prerequisites
Algebra is required. Some physics or calculus would help people get more out of it, but are not required.
S1214: Time Travel 101
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Rishit Pradhan
Learn a whole bunch of time travel theories and the science behind time travel. Engage in fun simulations. Explore paradoxes and participate in time travel activities.
S1217: Psychiatric Disorders Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Ajay Krishnan
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 from a licensed crisis counselor. This is an open class for anyone with the interest.
Note: If you took this course with Ajay Krishnan in Splash 2023 Fall, it is advised to take a different course as much of the content overlaps with Fall 2023.
Trigger warning: upsetting materials related to mental illness may be discussed, student discretion is advised
Note: If you took this course with Ajay Krishnan in Splash 2023 Fall, it is advised to take a different course as much of the content overlaps with Fall 2023.
Trigger warning: upsetting materials related to mental illness may be discussed, student discretion is advised
S1230: SNAKES!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Ajay Krishnan
The evolutionary history of primates, including ourselves, and snakes is extremely interlinked. In this course, we will discuss the anatomy of snakes, the various ecological niches they occupy and purposes they serve, how snakes have shaped primate evolution and behavior (and vice versa), and what our conjoined history means for both humans and snakes in today’s world.
Trigger warning: Content pertaining to snakes will be presented, also possible blood
Trigger warning: Content pertaining to snakes will be presented, also possible blood
S1232: All About Stem Cells Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Danya Hassan,
Kismet Kairon
Interested in stem cells? Curious about how cutting-edge technology can treat diseases previously thought incurable? Wondering 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 applications, along with a discussion amongst students at the end to hear all of your thoughts. This course is meant to be an introduction to stem cells, so no background knowledge is necessary (everyone is welcome).
S1236: Atomic Bomb Blasts: Thinking Like a Physicist
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Tai Xiang
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.
Prerequisites
Basic math and physics knowledge would be helpful but is not necessary.
S1237: Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Tunneling, and the Probability of Falling Through the Floor
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Tai Xiang
I will do my best to give an abstract and understandable introduction to quantum mechanics and the phenomena of quantum tunneling. We will then examine the probability of spontaneously falling through the floor due to such effects.
Prerequisites
A good understanding of high school-level calculus may be helpful but is not required.
Prerequisites
A good understanding of high school-level calculus may be helpful but is not required.
S1240: What is a laser? A glimpse into the brightest light
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Tianle Wang
Did you know a tiny beam from a pen-size laser pointer can be as bright as the sunlight? Or that the most powerful laser today is even 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 times brighter? (Yes, that's 18 zeros!) Join this course to uncover the stories behind these fascinating facts.
LASERs, or "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation", are far more than just another form of artificial light. Their incredible brightness can slice through metal like melting butter, and their precise focus can target objects across vast distances. Yet, this magical power has never been discovered until the last 100 years (yes, the era of quantum mechanics), owing to the elusive nature of light itself.
This course will introduce you to the basic of lasers: how they are created, what makes them so powerful, and how they have reshaped our life. Whether you're fascinated by the history, curious about the physics, or interested in the applications, this course will have something to offer.
Prerequisites
Some basic concept of light is sufficient (e.g. light travels in straight line and have a spectrum); More modern aspects of light will be covered in the course
LASERs, or "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation", are far more than just another form of artificial light. Their incredible brightness can slice through metal like melting butter, and their precise focus can target objects across vast distances. Yet, this magical power has never been discovered until the last 100 years (yes, the era of quantum mechanics), owing to the elusive nature of light itself.
This course will introduce you to the basic of lasers: how they are created, what makes them so powerful, and how they have reshaped our life. Whether you're fascinated by the history, curious about the physics, or interested in the applications, this course will have something to offer.
Prerequisites
Some basic concept of light is sufficient (e.g. light travels in straight line and have a spectrum); More modern aspects of light will be covered in the course
S1241: From Astrophysics to Axions: The Glorious Hunt for Dark Matter
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Orion Ning
The nature of dark matter still remains a remarkable open question almost a hundred years after its first discovery in our Universe. Its history reveals a tale that has evolved from astrophysics into the realm of particle and fundamental physics, with surges of theories and experiments being proposed to answer this question. Yet, the enigma of dark matter remains outstanding.
Beginning with the humble first astronomical observations of dark matter, this class will then proceed to give both a theoretical and observational treatment of what the dark matter question is, how it bridges both astrophysics (galaxies? clusters? black holes?) and particle physics (axions? WIMPS? other hypothetical particles?), and where we stand on the dark matter problem today.
Prerequisites
There are no strict prerequisites for this class, although any amount of knowledge of physics (e.g. mechanics) and/or calculus would probably enrich your experience. The biggest prerequisite however is always just curiosity!
Beginning with the humble first astronomical observations of dark matter, this class will then proceed to give both a theoretical and observational treatment of what the dark matter question is, how it bridges both astrophysics (galaxies? clusters? black holes?) and particle physics (axions? WIMPS? other hypothetical particles?), and where we stand on the dark matter problem today.
Prerequisites
There are no strict prerequisites for this class, although any amount of knowledge of physics (e.g. mechanics) and/or calculus would probably enrich your experience. The biggest prerequisite however is always just curiosity!
S1247: Intro to Biotechnology Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Kylie Huang
Interested in learning more about the field of biotech, healthcare, and drug discovery? Then this is the right class for you!
We'll be exploring how business, research, and medicine all come together in this unique field, while also discussing possible career pathways and opportunities for high schoolers.
Presented by the Bio-Business Initiative at UC Berkeley.
We'll be exploring how business, research, and medicine all come together in this unique field, while also discussing possible career pathways and opportunities for high schoolers.
Presented by the Bio-Business Initiative at UC Berkeley.
S1256: THE SKELETON: Bioarchaeology & Forensics & Osteology
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Will Gerardo
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.
**Forewarning: Images of skeletal remains will be shown. NO graphic content will be shown.
S1259: Introduction to Orthopedic Sciences
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Cole Whang
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. We will have a game at the end as well!
S1260: Engineering biology: building proteins on the computer! Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Radhika Dalal
We'll be learning about an exciting, up-and-coming niche in science that combines computers and biology!
Proteins' shapes can help us decipher their function in our bodies. We can use this information to better understand how to make cures for diseases. This class will overview the basics of protein structure (not the kind you eat!!!) and the latest and greatest in using this knowledge to better understand biology and make new cures.
NOTE: This class will be taught by a remote teacher (with students present in the classroom, which will be managed by a Splash volunteer).
Proteins' shapes can help us decipher their function in our bodies. We can use this information to better understand how to make cures for diseases. This class will overview the basics of protein structure (not the kind you eat!!!) and the latest and greatest in using this knowledge to better understand biology and make new cures.
NOTE: This class will be taught by a remote teacher (with students present in the classroom, which will be managed by a Splash volunteer).
S1263: Mental Illnesses: An Overview
Difficulty: *
In this course, we will provide a basic understanding of what a mental illness is, delve into several common mental illnesses, and provide ways you can get involved in advocating for good mental health! Presented by Students vs. Pandemics.
S1270: The Science of Smells Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Berkeley BEAM
Join us as we learn about smells! In this joint lab and lecture, we will discuss what exactly a smell is and how we perceive it. To do this, we will be performing a small-scale chemical synthesis of various compounds, each with their own unique smell! We will discuss what makes the smell of each of these compounds unique, as well as how we are able to interpret these smells. This class is taught by a club at UC Berkeley that teaches science lessons to underserved elementary schools in the bay area, but we have written an all-new original lesson just for SPLASH!
S1276: Scientific Discoveries and the Women Who Made Them
Difficulty: **
From the beginning of programming and computers to the unraveling of the structure of DNA, 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.
S1277: Quantum Entanglement
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Nikitha Chalgeri,
Michelle Jing Dong
Schrödinger’s Cat, the Dice of God, Qubits, Maxwell’s Demon, and Wormholes, though mysterious in name, will be demystified as we delve into quantum entanglement and explore their connection to modern technology and scientific research. Along this journey, we will explore concepts in quantum mechanics and offer insights in how they interplay with quantum computing, quantum information, quantum gravity, and more.
Prerequisites
Some math or physics background
Prerequisites
Some math or physics background
S1278: Scare 101 Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Gabriel Lumabas
A dissection of one of the most primal emotions in human history, fear! This brief course looks to explain the concept of fear under a biopsychosocial lens. Finally, I wish to use this class as a way for students to find methods to manage their own fears in life with the knowledge gained in class.
Class Is NOT Affiliated With Monsters University!
Class Is NOT Affiliated With Monsters University!
S1284: Introduction to Black Holes, the Event Horizon, and Gravity
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Aria Tomar
Discussion Questions:
1. Newton’s vs Einstein, and who's view on Gravity was actually right.
2. Different types of black holes and their formations; from the birth of a star to massive black holes colliding.
3. What is a singularity?
4. What you would observe as you enter the event horizon of a black hole, ie. the point of no return.
5. Hawking Radiation! But How?
1. Newton’s vs Einstein, and who's view on Gravity was actually right.
2. Different types of black holes and their formations; from the birth of a star to massive black holes colliding.
3. What is a singularity?
4. What you would observe as you enter the event horizon of a black hole, ie. the point of no return.
5. Hawking Radiation! But How?
S1285: Computational Techniques in Physics
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Mito Funatsu,
Jinsheng Li
This course will introduce students to the fascinating intersection of computation and physical sciences. Students will explore how computers can be used to solve complex physical problems and analyze experimental data.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge in any coding language is preferred. Having taken one or more semesters of physics is helpful.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge in any coding language is preferred. Having taken one or more semesters of physics is helpful.
S1291: Atoms & Espionage: Oppenheimer's Enigma Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Andrew Guo
Step into the role of an American scientist in the 1940s tasked with a national security mission of utmost importance: preventing the Nazis from winning the race to nuclear superiority. In this "class," you will draw upon your scientific knowledge as well as your deductive skills to assess the veracity of intelligence reports—provided by agents in the field—to determine how close the Nazis are to reaching their nuclear ambitions, and to suggest countermeasures for the US government to take to prevent that from ever happening.
This will be a highly interactive class, so come prepared to participate actively!
This will be a highly interactive class, so come prepared to participate actively!
S1293: Beyond Oppenheimer: The Women Who Helped Win WWII
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Castro Castro,
Tawny Day
The Manhattan Project was so much more than just Oppenheimer's design explored in the movie! In this course; learn about other scientist from Cal who contributed to the top secret project. The key feature of this class will highlight the women who helped win world war two. By discussion of Denise Kiernan's book, "The Girls of Atomic City." And briefly address the ethics related to the project.
Learn about the secret underground level in Latimer Hall, where work was done for the Manhattan Project. And following the lecture, take a tour of Gilman Hall to visit a national landmark: the room where Plutonium was discovered!
Note: We will be walking around campus during this class, so please bring an umbrella or raincoat if there is a chance of rain.
Prerequisites
Any interest in STEM topics!
Learn about the secret underground level in Latimer Hall, where work was done for the Manhattan Project. And following the lecture, take a tour of Gilman Hall to visit a national landmark: the room where Plutonium was discovered!
Note: We will be walking around campus during this class, so please bring an umbrella or raincoat if there is a chance of rain.
Prerequisites
Any interest in STEM topics!
S1226: Entropy and Second Law of Thermodynamics Demystified
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Yang Xue
1. Classical Definition of Entropy
2. Statistical Definition of Entropy
3. Second Law of Thermodynamics
4. Ising model/ Einstein solid
2. Statistical Definition of Entropy
3. Second Law of Thermodynamics
4. Ising model/ Einstein solid
Miscellaneous
X1198: How to Transfer to UC Berkeley (or any other UC)
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Jane Park
Do you want to attend UC Berkeley, but are scared to not get in as a freshman? Try transferring! First, many community colleges in California are 100% free for the first two years, and during that time, most of the classes Berkeley and community college students take are the exact same - the only difference is the price point. Second, college can be an incredibly stressful transition in a young adult's life, and community college can ease that transition. Finally, transferring is much easier than trying to get admitted to UC Berkeley as a freshman. Learn more about the transfer process and how to save money by taking this class!
X1201: Intro to Commercial Real Estate
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Bill Huynh,
Amy Tu
Learning financial planning and introduction to commercial real estate!
X1204: College Q&A : What, Why, How
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Jordan Hines
Stories from a physics college student: For the entire session, you will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding college, from personal finance to college experiences, choosing classes, and dealing with life and its difficulties. With college acceptances around the same time, I will try my best to give you a casual setting to discuss any aspect of high school to college readiness and even academics to see if you'd see yourself as a Golden Bear but will hopefully leave with enthusiasm and confidence to take on wherever your next steps take you! Come join us and meet other students alike and a physics undergraduate with Jurassic Park shoes!
X1205: Personal Finance
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Sajant Anand
Want to know what the different types of banks are? The difference between a credit and debit card? Which credit card do you benefit from the most? Or how to manage a paycheck when you get one?
This session. will focus on a very important aspect of adulting which I believe is very underestimated in our education system. I will try my best to cover all the basics that you may need to get you started on looking for economic responsibility.
In no way is this objective financial advice, but things I have seen and have experienced multiple bank offers and 5+ credit cards
This session. will focus on a very important aspect of adulting which I believe is very underestimated in our education system. I will try my best to cover all the basics that you may need to get you started on looking for economic responsibility.
In no way is this objective financial advice, but things I have seen and have experienced multiple bank offers and 5+ credit cards
X1220: Non-profits & Social Enterprises!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Dee Chavez
Creating a basic understanding of the non-profit sector of business, it's organizational structure, and difficulties.
X1221: Public Speaking: How to deal with people!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Dee Chavez
Learn from a seasoned public speaker beyond the basics of pitch, pace, and pause. Learn effective ways of giving presentations, using body language, and reading people!
Class will be very interactive!
Class will be very interactive!
X1235: Intro to Magic The Gathering™
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Liam Scott
This is a is designed for beginners but more experienced players are encouraged to come as well, This class will consist of an introductory period explaining the basic rules than immediately lead into play using Jumpstart decks allowing students to pick from a variety of themes and pick a combination that seems interesting. Experienced players can either bring decks and play during the time period or join in on playing with Jumpstart decks aswell.
X1243: Intro to 5D Chess
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Eric Chen
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.
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.
X1244: Professional and Academic Development Workshops for Students: Scholarships
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Kylie Huang
Assisting high school students with their college scholarship applications. Presented by the Bio-Business Initiative at UC Berkeley.
X1245: Professional and Academic Development Workshops for Students: Tips for Freshmen and Sophomores Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Kylie Huang
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.
X1246: Professional and Academic Development Workshops for Students: College Applications
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Kylie Huang
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.
X1253: How to Yo-Yo! Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Stella McKay
In this class we'll go over Yo-Yo history, and the benefits of hands-on hobbies/activities while you learn the basics of how to Yo-Yo. Yo-Yos will be provided!
X1255: Beyond the Bean: An Intro to Coffee Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Jordan Hines
Coffee is everywhere, but there is much more to the world of coffee than caffeine. A cup of coffee can be chocolately, fruity, nutty, or tea-like, and there is is a massive number of factors that influence what your coffee is like.
This class will be a hands on intro to the vast world of coffee. We'll touch on the major tastes, how tasting works, different methods of coffee processing, methods of brewing, and the impact of your water on brewing.
We'll be brewing and tasting coffee together, so come prepared for a bit of caffeine (tasting is optional, but encouraged!).
This class will be a hands on intro to the vast world of coffee. We'll touch on the major tastes, how tasting works, different methods of coffee processing, methods of brewing, and the impact of your water on brewing.
We'll be brewing and tasting coffee together, so come prepared for a bit of caffeine (tasting is optional, but encouraged!).
X1262: Personal Knowledge Management in the Age of Generative AI
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Stella Jia
In an era where information overload is the norm, effectively managing personal knowledge has become essential for academic success and lifelong learning. This course will introduce you to the powerful synergy between personal knowledge management (KM) and generative artificial intelligence (AI). Participants will gain insights into the fundamentals of personal KM systems and discover how generative AI tools can revolutionize the way they capture, organize, and leverage information for their studies and beyond. Through a blend of theoretical understanding and practical demonstrations (exploring tools like Notion, Obsidian, and ChatGPT), students will explore how AI can assist in note-taking, summarization, research, and more.
X1266: Engineering, Economics, and Policy: Tools for the Clean Energy Transition
Difficulty: *
Going all the way back to the days of Nikola Tesla, there has never been a more exciting time to be working in the world of energy. In the coming decades, we are faced with the monumental task of building a sustainable, secure, and equitable energy system. This will require an all-hands-on-deck approach. We will need contributors from across all disciplines - including engineering, natural science, social science, and public policy. Come to this class to learn about current energy engineering, economics, and policy issues - and how we are going to solve them.
X1274: How to Get Everything You Want
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Alejandro Sanchez
"How do I make the most out of my college experience?"
If this question is not already running through your mind, you will most definitely find it living rent free in your head the first week of college. College is a time of change and excitement, though it can definitely feel overwhelming at times. You probably want to make friends, succeed in your classes, and go on many adventures during your college years.
In this class, we will go over one of the most effective yet often-overlooked methods to finding success in life: building your personal charisma. You will learn how to approach strangers, how to be a great conversationalist, and, if time allows, how to get everything you want in college.
If this question is not already running through your mind, you will most definitely find it living rent free in your head the first week of college. College is a time of change and excitement, though it can definitely feel overwhelming at times. You probably want to make friends, succeed in your classes, and go on many adventures during your college years.
In this class, we will go over one of the most effective yet often-overlooked methods to finding success in life: building your personal charisma. You will learn how to approach strangers, how to be a great conversationalist, and, if time allows, how to get everything you want in college.
X1222: Writing for College
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Sebastian Dalvand
Wondering what to write on college applications? Struggling with how to answer those tricky PIQs? Well, here is the course for you! This course offers the best tips and tricks to improve your writing for college applications. Whether you plan on applying as a freshman or going to community college and applying as a transfer student, come join me and save yourself some time (and a whole lot of stress) by getting a head start on your college writing!