The 2010 Winifred E. Weter Lecture

The Chemical Constraints on Creation: Natural Theology and Narrative Resonance Associate Professor of Biochemistry Ben McFarland describes how the periodic table of the elements and the laws of thermodynamics provide chemical constraints on how life could happen, to the point that we can know much of the procedure of creation. February 2, 2010. (1:32:30) [Complete synopsis of The Winifred E. Weter Lecture]

Darwin Symposium

A series of discussions examining Charles Darwin's influence in a variety of fields and exploring the application today of contemporary theories of evolution.

Darwin in Social and Historical Context Emeritus Associate Professor of Psychology Del McHenry talks about Darwin's life history, personality, and work; Associate Professor of History Rod Stiling discusses On the Origin of Species in the history of science; and Associate Professor of Philosophy Patrick McDonald presents “On the Friendship of Darwin, Design, and Creation." November 10, 2009. (1:19:09)

Taking Up Darwin in His Own Time: Church and Culture Associate Professor of English Christine Chaney talks about “Lady Novelists, Evolution, and the ‘Natural History' of Real Life," and Associate Professor of Christian Ministry Jeff Keuss discusses “Thomas a' Kempis and Darwin: Death, Life, and Evolution in Victorian Theology." November 12, 2009. (1:04:49)

Darwin and 21st Century Biological Sciences Assistant Professor of Biology Eric Long discusses “Evolution, Ecology, and Endangered Species"; Associate Professor of Biochemistry Ben McFarland discusses “What Good Is Evolution? How Darwin's Theory Helps Us, From Termites to Proteins"; and Professor of Biology Tim Nelson presents “Endosymbiosis, a Combination of Darwinian and Non-Darwinian Evolution?" November 17, 2009. (1:07:21)

Darwin and 21st Century Social and Behavioral Sciences Associate Professor of Biology Cara Wall-Scheffler talks about “Closing Gaps in the Fossil Record? The Recent Lessons of Ardipithecus and The Emergence of Human Bipedality"; Assistant Professor of Psychology Bane Craft discusses “Evolutionary Psychology: The Role of Comparative Psychology in Understanding Human Behavior"; and Dean of the School of Psychology, Family, and Community Míchéal Roe addresses “Emergence," human behavior, and worldviews. November 19, 2009. (1:20:25)

Vertebrate Biology (BIO 3432)

Vertebrate Biology (BIO3432) Associate Professor of Biology Eric Long examines vertebrate life in an evolutionary context through the study of adaptations, comparative anatomy, paleontology, and natural history. Spring 2009.

What Does It Mean to Be Human: Psychology Assistant Professor of Psychology Bain Craft talks about the evolutionary model he uses to understand animal behavior and what determines animal and human choices. (3:22)

What Does It Mean to Be Human: Philosophy Associate Professor of Philosophy Patrick McDonald expresses that reason is an important part of human distinctiveness. (5:46)

What Does It Mean to Be Human: Scripture Professor of Christian Scriptures Rob Wall claims that the Bible is prepared to give a valuable part of the whole truth in a discussion on humanity as co-creators with God, but it cannot give an accurate scientific perspective. (9:30)

What Does It Mean to Be Human: Evolutionary Biology Associate Professor of Biology Cara Wall-Scheffler describes the need to identify which stage of development a specific fossil within the evolutionary process is in order to locate specific, survival enhancing traits. (4:13)

What Does It Mean to Be Human: Animal Behavioral Biology Associate Professor of Biology Janet Bester-Meredith draws connections between certain human behaviors and non-human animal behaviors. (11:15)

What Does It Mean to Be Human: Q and A SPU professors answer student questions about the role of humanity in a scientifically informed Christian worldview. (42:34)

Toward a Theology of Mental Illness

Toward a Theology of Mental Illness Associate Professor of Psychology Marcia Webb addresses common theological views of mental illness and uses biblical examples of anxiety and depression as a response to Christian myths about mental illness. Winifred E. Weter Lecture. [Audio] [Video]

Erickson Conference Presentations

Erickson Conference Presentations The Erickson Conference showcases the outstanding research contributions that SPU students make in the fields of Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics. Students present the findings of their individual research projects.

Truth, Consistency, and the Crisis of Foundations [Audio] [Video]

Ratio and Proportion [Audio] [Video]

Is Sudoku NP-Complete? [Audio] [Video]

Using Distance Sampling to Estimate Population Size of Black-tailed Deer on Blakely Island, WA [Audio] [Video]

oChem Hammer [Audio] [Video]

Saving Darwin: How to Be a Christian and Believe in Evolution

Saving Darwin: How to Be a Christian and Believe in Evolution Eastern Nazarene College Professor of Physics Karl Giberson discusses the conservative perspective on the theory of evolution and his own journey from that perspective to evolutionism. February 10, 2009. [Audio] [Video]

Biochemistry (BIO/CHM 4362)

Biochemistry Course Lectures: Part Two In this second quarter of a three-part biochemistry series, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry Ben McFarland introduces the integration of the chemical knowledge gained about biological systems from fall quarter biochemistry. The major topic, metabolism, is discussed starting with biosignaling and continuing through catabolism, anabolism, and regulation of biochemical pathways. Winter 2009.

PTEC-Northwest Conference

The PTEC-Northwest Conference, which took place on October 10, 2008 at Seattle Pacific University, was an opportunity for members of the physics education community in the Pacific Northwest to attend presentations by national leaders in physics teacher preparation.

The Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PTEC) is a network of over 100 institutions committed to improving the education of future physics and physical science teachers. It is part of the PhysTEC project, which is led by the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the American Institute of Physics.

Role of Colleges and Universities in the Preparation of Future Teachers Monica Plisch addresses the shortage of qualified physics teachers in the U.S. by refining models of teacher education and promoting innovative programs. American Physical Society. (29:52) [Audio] [Video]

The UTeach Model Michael Marder describes the need for better trained high school science teachers and the steps being taken to use the UTeach model in other schools around the country. University of Texas at Austin. (1:01:30) [Audio] [Video]

The North Cascades and Olympics Science Partnership George Nelson details the successes of a yearlong series of science content courses for future elementary teachers developed through PET. Western Washington University. (27:30) [Audio] [Video]

Learning Assistants at CU Boulder Noah D. Finkelstein uses the transformation of science courses as a mechanism for achieving four goals and reports on the successes and challenges of the last five years of the program. University of Colorado, Boulder. (29:19) [Audio] [Video]

Biochemistry (BIO/CHM 4361)

Biochemistry Course Lectures Assistant Professor of Biochemistry Ben McFarland studies the chemical properties of biological compounds (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins, and nucleic acids), metabolism (biochemical energetics, enzymes, electron transport, and oxidative phosphorylation), and the integration of metabolism (biochemical genetics, metabolic regulation). Autumn 2008.

Transcultural Nursing: Vietnam 2008

Transcultural Nursing: Vietnam 2008 SPU School of Health Sciences students share about their experiences learning and serving in Vietnam. April 3, 2008. (49:35)

Thanksgiving Stories | Refugee Project | Genetic Control

Recent Features:
Thanksgiving Chapel: Sharing Our Stories SPU student Greg Johnson, Student Loan Coordinator Kristen Ross, and Director of University Ministries Stephen Newby shares testimonies of personal trials, hardship, and the hope and joy God provides. November 20, 2007. (28:38)

Refugee Project SPU Refugee Project participants explain the cross-cultural importance of this experience. November 15, 2007. (6:06)

SPU Classics:
Genetic Control and Human Values Elvig Anderson asks the questions, “Does the value of human life lie in one’s genetic makeup or other factors?” and “How should Christians respond to technological advances in genetics?” February 9, 1976. (40:46)

Weigel | Weigel | Origins of the Earth

Recent Features:
Europe and Its Discontents. George Weigel. Senior Fellow, Ethics & Public Policy Center. Part 3 of the President's Symposium on Knowing and Understanding our World: A Christian Response to the 21st Century: February 27, 2007. (1:06:56)

What We Can't Not Know, Five Years After 9/11. George Weigel. Senior Fellow, Ethics & Public Policy Center. Part 4 of the President's Symposium on Knowing and Understanding our World: A Christian Response to the 21st Century: February 27, 2007. (1:15:34)

SPU Classics:
Origins of the Earth. Panel of SPU faculty on faith and science. Dialogues on the relationship between faith and science, ways of knowing, and discussion concerning “new” lunar evidence for the age of the earth and the birth of the solar system. Lecture: November 7, 1975. (42:21)