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During this three-week, three-credit program, students will:
Discover how scientific innovation has impacted, and is impacted by, politics and the economy in East Asia.
Explore
the long history of science in South Korea and Japan by visiting
historical sites that showcase technological advancements of the past.
Visit
the Korean Demilitarized Zone, Korea's train network, Hiroshima,
Toyota, Japan's space agency, and other research labs in both Korea and
Japan.
This course will travel to various locations in South Korea and Japan, visiting places of interest to chemists, other scientists, and
engineers. Visits will include industrial companies, government laboratories, and universities. The goal is for American students to learn about the level of technology in today's Korea and Japan, to explore the history of science in these countries, and also to experience the culture of East Asia.
We will fly to Seoul first, then journey to southeast Korea, next take a ferry from Busan to Shimonoseki in Japan, and stop at Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Nagoya en route to the Tokyo area, from whence we will return to Iowa. A tentative schedule is included below. The course will include short discussions to be held each morning, probably over breakfast to orient the class to what is on each day's agenda. The students in the course will take turns preparing a day-by-day blog, posted during our trip, about what they have experienced. They will also be expected to prepare a report at the conclusion of the trip.
Tentative course schedule
Tues May 18th, Leave US arrive Seoul on the evening of May 19th Thu, May 20, Tour Palaces in Seoul Fri, May 21, Attend Buddha's birthday festivities in Seoul area Sat, May 22, Visit Tomb/Science Museum of King Sejong, Pottery studios Sun, May 23, free time in Seoul Mon, May 24, Visit to the Demilitarized Zone, US Bases, North Korean tunnel attempts Tues, May 25, Visit Suwon, Tour Hwasong, visit Ajou University, Korea 21st century science research program Wed, May 26, Visit to science based industry and bullet train facilities Thu, May 27, Travel to Daegu, visit Daegu University, meet Korean students Fri, May 28, Samsung and other electronics factory in Gumi Sat, May 29, visit cultural sites in Gyeongju, and the historical Cheomseongdae astronomical observatory Sun, May 30, travel to Busan, overnight ferry ride to Japan Mon, May 31, Atomic Bomb Museum in Hiroshima Tues, June 1, cultural sites in Kyoto Wed, June 2, cultural sites in Nara Thu, June 3, Institute for Molecular Science, Okazaki Fri, June 4, Toyota Motor Co and mag-lev train ride, Toyota City Sat, June 5, free time in Tokyo (e.g. National Science Museum)
Sun, June 6, free time in Tokyo (e.g. open-air Architecture Museum) Mon, June 7, Japan Atomic Energy Agency accelerators, Takasaki Tues, June 8, Nat. Inst. of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), both in Tsukuba (AIST is physics/chemistry/geology, JAXA is Japan's NASA). Wed, June 9, Tsukuba Research Center (botanical garden), leave for USA
Min. class status: The normal Chem 395X prerequisites will be waived for anyone who has an interest in engineering/science and at least one semester of college science or engineering.
Housing
For most of the trip we will move from hotel to hotel, every 2-3 nights, staying in Seoul first, and then Daegu in Korea. In Japan we will stay in Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nagoya, Tokyo, and the "science city" Tsukuba.
Who is eligible?
Undergraduate and graduate students from all majors and colleges. Any student interested in science or engineering is welcome. Program leaders
Thomas Holme, Professor of Chemistry, and Michael Schmidt, Scientist in Chemistry and Ames Laboratory.
Chemistry 395x fulfills the ISU International Perspectives requirement.
Photos: Golden Temple, Kyoto, Japan Kasuga Shrine, Nara, Japan (photo by MWS) H2A rocket engine, JAXA, Tsukuba, Japan (photo by MWS) Seoul, South Korea Gate of Hwasong Fortress, Suwon, Korea (photo by TAH) Hoist used in fortress' construction, 1794-1796 (photo by TAH)
Brochure
