We propose to develop Computer Science 0 (CS0): a new introductory general service course, available to students across the university, to share the beauty, joy and awe of computing. This course has the potential to serve as a model for a new CollegeBoard Advanced Placement course in the works, which could have national impact. Students will be gently introduced to programming and computational thinking using a new graphical programming language called Scratch, with the emphasis on problems relevant to themselves and society.
Awards: 3rd Place
KnowPrivacy
This project aims to increase interest in the current state of data collection practices and privacy concerns by demonstrating greater salience of the types of data collected by commercial websites and the potential risks involved, along with the uses and value for those collecting it. (Note: This project originally won in the Big Ideas “Science, Technology, and Engineering Policy” category.)
Coal Power and Reversing Climate: Can They Work Together?
Hundreds of U.S. companies have a stake in continued use of coal-based electricity. Unfortunately, burning coal is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions which in turn cause climate change. This paper examines potential solutions to this problem and suggests policies to commercialize an emerging technology called carbon capture and storage. (Note: This project originally won in the Big Ideas “Science, Technology, and Engineering Policy” category.)
Synthesis of Coral-like Material
This project proposes to make a synthetic coral-like material using the methods of synthetic biology for bone graft applications.
Evaluation of a simple point-of-care rapid test for detecting Trichomonas vaginalis in Mysore, India
The study will evaluate the performance of the OSOM® Trichomonas Rapid Test for the detection of trichomoniasis in women from rural and peri-urban areas of Mysore, India, in comparison to PCR, culture and wet-mount preparation.
Examining levels of estriol and seroprevalence of Hepatitis E virus during pregnancy in India
In Northern India, nearly 60% of viral hepatitis in pregnant women is attributed to hepatitis E infection (HEV). Given the growing rates of HEV in South Asia and the hypothesis that levels of hormones may affect disease severity in pregnant women with HEV, this study proposes a cross-sectional approach to examine estriol levels and seroprevalence of anti-HEV (IgG and IgM) in village dwellers in Uttar Pradesh, India.
Cal Science Corps
The Cal Science Corps (CSC) will place teams of scientists and engineers from UC Berkeley research programs at universities and research institutes in developing countries to share expertise and collaborate with local partners. Modeled after the Global Science Corps proposed in 2001 by Dr. Harold Varmus,1 the six- to nine-month CSC program will offer UC Berkeley students and researchers a unique opportunity to participate in scientific research in a middle-income country while helping develop the scientific capacity of the developing world. By assuming temporary roles in science education and research, CSC Fellows will
offer a valuable service to fledgling science programs in poorer nations, gain an exceptional experience in applying their scientific understanding in the developing world context, and provide a service to UC Berkeley and the United States by developing goodwill between two distant countries.