Our Curriculum | Chapman University Skip over carousel to next section Off Grand Challenges Initiative Curriculum About Our Story Our Family Our Home Facts and Rankings Maps and Directions Visit Connect Our Home Keck Center for Science and Engineering Rinker Campus Collection of Historical Figures Keck Center Grand Challenges Initiative Facilities Microscopy Facility Training and Reservations GCI Our Curriculum Our Facilities Our People Our Curriculum The Grand Challenges Initiative is a required part of the curriculum for students pursuing any bachelor’s of science degree in the Schmid College of Science and Technology or Fowler School of Engineering . It is also open to students from all majors—and could be especially relevant for undeclared students with STEM interests. The program takes place over the course of two years. You’ll complete a sequence consisting of one First-Year Foundations GCI Course (FFC 100B - Grand Challenges in Science and Engineering), and three 1-credit GCI seminars: GCI 150, GCI 200 and GCI 250. Those entering Schmid College or Fowler School of Engineering after the beginning of their first year (either by transfer or change of major) are required to enroll in the Grand Challenges Initiative if they have less than 60 credit hours (excluding AP and IB). Students with more than 60 credit hours may still participate, but it is not required. Feel free to contact Program Co-Director Dr. Javier Espeleta , with advising questions. First-Year Foundations GCI Course (FFC 100B) During the first semester of your first year, you’ll take FFC 100B, a First-Year Foundations Course called Grand Challenges in Science and Engineering (3 credits). In this class you will: Meet your team and select the challenge your team will take on. Begin working with your research mentor (one of Chapman’s Postdoctoral Fellows). Hypothesize about ways to solve your challenge. Learn about university-level research techniques and protocols. Develop a written project plan that details smaller goals and milestones, all building toward a solution of your grand challenge. GCI 1-credit Seminars During each of your 1-credit seminars, you’ll spend a significant amount of time outside class working with your team and research mentor. Learn more about each of these seminars below: Toggle Section GCI 150 - Grand Challenges in Science and Engineering I This first seminar in the 3-seminar GCI sequence invites students to begin piloting new ideas and further develop a solution. Your final will be to complete an in-depth research proposal that lays out your goals for the second year, including requesting funding for project supplies. Offered every semester: 1 credit GCI 200 - Grand Challenges in Science and Engineering II You will conduct much of the work for your project during the second seminar in the GCI sequence, carefully documenting your team’s findings and analyzing those results. In this semester, teams begin to meet with an outside mentor with additional expertise specific to your project. Your final will be to complete a milestone (developed with your team and mentor) before the third seminar. Offered every semester: 1 credit GCI 250 - Grand Challenges in Science and Engineering III This final semester is the culmination of your GCI experience. You will complete your project and present the results to peers, outside experts, and Chapman faculty at a research symposium. Offered every semester: 1 credit Future Learning After your two-year GCI experience, you’ll have plenty of options. You can continue in the program and go further with tackling your challenge. You can gain additional experience through an internship or by joining a faculty-led research project. You could also begin working on the capstone project for your major. Regardless of your next step, you should be well-equipped to succeed with valuable interdisciplinary and problem-solving skills. GCI Our Curriculum Our Facilities Our People Dr. Javier Espeleta GCI Program Co-Director grandchallenges@chapman.edu Alexandra Lewandowski GCI Administrative Coordinator grandchallenges@chapman.edu