3904CE While You Were Sleeping: What Actually Happens During Anesthesia
Instructor: Robert F. Bedford
Fridays, January 13, 20 and 27
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Session 1
History of general anesthesia from the publication of its discovery for surgery in 1847 to contemporary anesthetic practice. Why a patient “needs” properly administered anesthesia.

Session 2
How anesthetic agents (both general and local) work on various components of the nervous system. How anesthetic agents interact with medical conditions and how these conditions make anesthetic care more risky.

Session 3
How anesthesiologists interact with other medical specialists and nurses to develop an optimal patient care team, in the operating room, the pain clinic or the intensive care unit. 

Dr. Bedford was educated at Princeton, Cornell Medical College and the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Anesthesiology. He is a retired Professor at the University of Virginia, and taught this specialty to undergraduates, medical students, residents and faculty for over 40 years.

Location: Continuing Education Center
Member: $29; Non-member: $59

3905PH Art and Science: An Exploration of What Binds them Together and What Sets Them Apart
Instructor: George B. Trimitsis
Thursdays, March 1, 8, 15 and 22
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Art and Science are often considered to occupy the opposite ends of the spectrum of human thought and activity. Although both fields search for truth about the world, artists are primarily interested in exploring the subjective, inner self of the emotions, whereas scientists are most concerned about the nature and workings of the objective, outer world. The first part of this course will examine the similarities and differences between art and science from the point of view of artists, scientists, philosophers, and psychologists. Special emphasis will be given to the concept of creativity, since the latter has been shown to be a necessary factor in producing great works of both art and science. The main portion of the course will be devoted to a discussion of how revolutionary discoveries in the sciences have stimulated artists to create new types of art, and how great artworks have inspired scientists to think differently about their work. The final portion of the course will provide recent and contemporary examples of art-science collaborations and the unique results that these efforts have achieved.

Finally, in an effort to put a human face behind the individuals whose work will be presented, brief biographical sketches of the most prominent artists and scientists will be presented at various times during the course. (photo courtesy of George Trimitsis)

Member: $29; Non-member: $59

"Eureka" Winter Series on 21st Century Technology: Sci-Fi-Science: Possible or Not?
Instructor: Hal Hultman

3900CE Continuing Education Center
Mondays, January 16, 23 and 30   
10:00 a.m. - Noon     

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is
indistinguishable from magic."
- Arthur C. Clark

Arthur C. Clark's third law forms the basis for this series, where we will investigate some of science fiction's most spectacular inventions.

We'll begin with invisibility. Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter have invisibility as an element. There is laboratory progress being made regarding invisibility which indicates it is not so "far-fetched."

"Shields Up!" Captain Kirk's order on Star Ship Enterprise has intrigued us, but how possible is this barrier? Potential threats to the shield are vast, from impact devices to high-energy rays; we'll investigate the countermeasures that must be incorporated in the shield's design. Ray guns seem to be standard issue weaponry in sci-fi movies. From Luke Skywalker's ray gun to the powerful Death Star, threat escalates. What are the considerations involved in their design? What limitations do they exhibit? Are they a real threat now?

We'll address the basic science of these implementations, survey the current state-of-the-art, and peek into their future. Participants are invited to contribute to the discussion.

It is advisable that attendees "brush up" on some of the recent classics of the genre: H. G. Wells, The Invisible Man; J.R.R Tolkien, Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring; James Blish, Star Trek, Episodes 1,2,3; Terry Brooks or Patricia C. Wrende, Star Wars Episode 1, The Phantom Menace; Michael Reaves and Steve Perry, Death Star.

Member: $29; Non-member: $59

"Eureka" Winter Series on 21st Century Technology Part Two: What is the Singularity
Instructor: Hal Hultman

3903CE Continuing Education Center
Wednesdays, February 15, 22 and 29
10:00 a.m. - Noon  

What is the Singularity?

The Singularity is the point at which humans achieve the technological creation of smarter-than-human intelligence. Indeed, as Ray Kurzweil explains, "at the onset of the twenty-first century, humanity stands on the verge of the most transforming and thrilling period in its history. It will be an era in which the very nature of what is means to be human will be both enriched and challenged as our species breaks the shackles of its genetic legacy and achieves inconceivable heights of intelligence, material progress and longevity."

Unquestionably, the social and philosophical ramifications of these changes will be profound, the opportunities essentially boundless and the threats they pose considerable.

We will explore the mélange of interdisciplinary technologies that are propelling us forward with incredible speed into this coming age, review the current state of technological ingenuity and accomplishment, and project a genuinely inspiring vision of our ultimate destiny, coupled with an unprecedented Darwinian environment for humans.

As in past Eureka-series presentations, all participants are invited to contribute to a spirited discussion of the incredible ramifications of this ultimate "turning point." And no, you don't have to be a "rocket scientist" or a "wiz in genetics" to enjoy this series; just bring your curiosity.

Member: $29; Non-member: $59