Course Objectives

• To study and learn about ancient and historic ways of timekeeping by comparing the concept of time in different historical cultures, and by examining ancient monuments in the UK.
• To learn about the concept of the Earth as a clock, and to explore the developments made possible by the precise measurement of time. We will also investigate and discuss the influence of precise timekeeping on the development of the British Empire.
• To investigate other natural ways of timekeeping (geologic, genetic) that humans use.
• To learn about and better understand the relationship between human understanding of the physical universe and the development of our modern world.
• To use your acquired knowledge about time as a scientific concept to understand the process of science and the interaction between science and society.

Course syllabus and materials are listed below. Please log in to view these items.

Course Comments

"This course was better than anything I could take at home. Being able to go to the places we learned about made it easier to understand what was going on." Anon., Summer 2009

"Professor Busher has been one of the most enthusiastic, fun teachers I've had at BU and him teaching this course made this program all the more enjoyable. I wish all classes at BU could be as hands on as NS 299 and that all teachers were as understanding, amusing, and funny as Professor Busher." Anon., Summer 2009

"I enjoyed the class a lot because of how Professor Busher interacted with all the students, which made the whole class more lively and something to look forward to. One of the best experiences learning." Anon., Summer 2009

"This class was a great experience. Peter Busher was extremely helpful in answering questions and he was knowledgeable in various topics about geology and Darwin. Every field trip was informational and enthralling. I've never had a better class!" Kavitha Ramachandr, Summer 2008

Faculty Information

Peter Busher, the 2009 winner of the Metcalf Award for Excellence in Teaching, developed the CGS London Natural Science Program and has taught in it since 2004. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Nevada and is trained as a biologist with a research specialization in the behavioural ecology of mammals. Professor Busher has an active research program examining the population dynamics of beavers and is involved in beaver conservation issues at the international level. He has developed and taught courses on the history of evolutionary theory and general biology. Dr. Busher is currently researching the way humans influence their environment using the development of London and the Thames River watershed as a case study.

Course Syllabus and Materials

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