The Sophomore Seminar has the objective of introducing the student to the interdisciplinary nature of Engineering and Public Policy problems. This is achieved through the use of three or four case studies dealing with aspects of decision-making in policy issues which have a technological basis. Cases used include: Salmon Management in the Northwest, Earth Observing Station, B-2 or not B-2?, and Fiber-to-the-Home: Management of an integrated services network. Students are introduced to the technical and policy dimensions of these problems as well as to skills such as data collection and analysis, group work, and oral and written presentations. A few seminars by EPP graduates and faculty are also included to give the student an idea of careers and EPP problems.
