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Grand Challenges Initiative
Curriculum

»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 semesters. You’ll complete a sequence consisting of one First-Year Foundations GCI Course (FFC 100B - Grand Challenges in Science and Engineering), and one 3-credit GCI 101 course.

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 program 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 101 Course

This course is designed to provide a mentored experience for teams as they pursue possible solutions to their grand challenges.
 
  • Faculty serving as team mentors will use evidence-based approaches to improve students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Faculty are joined by external experts who provide students with:
    • Additional insights into their challenges,
    • Introduce them to a diversity of careers in science,
    • And serve as the foundation of a professional network.

In this phase, teams are encouraged to grow, evolve, and even recruit new members across campus, as it becomes clearer what skills are needed to advance towards their goals.

Future Learning

After your two-semester 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.

Contact Us

Dr. Javier Espeleta
GCI Program Co-Director
grandchallenges@chapman.edu

Alexandra Lewandowski
GCI Administrative Coordinator
grandchallenges@chapman.edu