Concepts of Science
Concepts of Science is an interdisciplinary science course
which integrates a number of diverse scientific ideas by going in
ever widening circles over a variety of interdisciplinary subjects
which are connected under the general areas of:
I. Structure
II. Energy
III. The Interaction of
Structure and Energy over Time.
An important goal of this course is that students gain an
understanding of topics which stress the interaction between the
sciences and the humanities and impact of science on everyday life.
Examples include: A discussion of atmospheric problems such as
global warming and the destruction of the ozone layer; DNA
fingerprinting; Nuclear power and public safety; "Scientific
creationism" as a case study to define science; The ethical aspects
of genetic engineering. Topics such as these will be presented
within a rigorous scientific context which will include problem
solving and analysis of numerical data. The level of mathematics
required will not go beyond the background of most of the students.
The mathematical skills needed to master the Concepts of Science
course are outlined in chapter 1, Measurement in Science. When a
topic requires problem solving or mathematical manipulations, a
number of practice problems will be included.
The course is designed with a great deal of flexibility. It is
intended that various instructors will emphasize different aspects of
the material depending on their areas of expertise. Lectures in the
course often take advantage of video projection system to display the
output of various computer programs written for the Concepts of
Science Course. Many of the diagrams in the text are taken from one
of these programs.