Science Seminar module 
    in Physics and Mathematics   updated 25.June.2003 
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    SPRING SEMINAR registration information and overview

    The first spring seminar meeting is 5:00 Tuesday 1.April.2003 in the CAL, Lab II.
    Subsequent classes meet in Lib 2219 Longhouse.
    To register for Science seminar in spring:  8 credits (CRN 30514) or 4 credits (CRN 30515) 
    Return to Astronomy and Cosmology
     
    KEY INFORMATION
    Assignments
    Resources
    Credits
    Texts
    Expectations
    Fall Physics seminar 
    Fall Math Seminar 
    Winter Physics seminar 
    Winter Math seminar 
    Spring seminars 
    TOPICS: 
    Spring Science Seminars:  Astronomy and Cosmologies
    In spring quarter, we will come together with the Physical Systems and the Astronomy and Cosmologies programs to read The Red Limit (on the development of modern astronomy, by Timothy Ferris, one of the very best science writers);  The Elegant Universe (on the brewing revolution in cosmology, by a string theorist, Brian Greene); and Bubbles, Voids, and Bumps in Time (a collection of articles by scientists who have helped create modern cosmology, from Vera Rubin's dark matter to Guth's inflationary universe).  Our goals include: 
    • discovering how to figure out the structure, origin, and evolution of the universe simply by looking at ancient lights in the sky
    • learning about the history of astronomy and cosmology
    • understanding key ideas about how our universe works
    • learning how new ideas can develop into testable theories 
    • critical thinking and writing
    Anyone can register for either 4 or 8 credits, participating in either one or two seminars per week.  We meet Tuesday (Astronomy) and Thursday evenings (Cosmologies) from 5:00-6:30 in LIB 2221.  Meet in the CAL for the first week only on Tuesday 1.April 2003 (no fooling!)  Registration info
    Winter Science Seminars:  Chaos & Quantum,  Philosophy & Humor
    In winter quarter, the physics seminar will read Alice in Quantumland (a fanciful, intuitive introduction to the wonders of quantum mechanics), Physics and Philosophy (a classic by Werner Heisenberg, one of the inventors of quantum mechanics) and selected articles.  Our goals include: 
    • learning about the strange world of quantum mechanics
    • learning how new scientific ideas can develop into testable theories
    • exploring how limitations in scientific theories can lead to improved understanding of nature
    • critical thinking and writing
    .
    In winter quarter, the math seminar will finish reading Chaos by Gleick (a modern classic about an exciting new field of math and science) and Mathematics and Humor (by the author of Innumeracy and A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper).  Our goals include: 
    • learning about the history of mathematics
    • exploring new understanding about the nonlinearity of nature
    • exploring the humorous side of mathematics
    • critical thinking and writing
    .
    Fall Science Seminars:  History & Mystery, Fantasy & Reality
  • In fall quarter, we will seminar on Hidden Attraction: the History and Mystery of magnetism;  The Physics of Star Trek; and selected articles, including some from Physics Today journal and Science News Magazine.  Our goals include:
    • learning about the history of electromagnetism
    • exploring how hunches and fantasies can develop into scientific ideas
    • exploring how scientific ideas can be tested and improved
    • critical thinking and writing
    . 
    In fall quarter, the Math Methods and Physical Systems programs will seminar on The Mystery of the Aleph: Mathematics, the Kabbalah, and the Search for Infinity, and Chaos.  Our goals include: 
    • learning about the history of mathematics
    • exploring new understanding about the nonlinearity of nature
    • exploring how mathematical ideas can be developed
    • critical thinking and writing
    DETAILS:
    Assignments:
    before seminar:  read and meet, 
    post questions online, write a paper 
    during seminar:  bring your paper, listen, think, and talk 
    after seminar:  read, think, and post 
    Resources:
    specific reading assignments
    Essential Finkel Rules for Essays 
    Seminar guidelines
    TEXTS:
    		 
    WINTER Physics seminar - Thus. 5:00-6:30
    WINTER Math seminar - Tues. 5:00-6:30
    Winter Physics Seminar (Thursdays) 

    Alice in Quantumland: An Allegory of Quantum Physics, by Robert Gilmore, Copernicus Books; ISBN: 0387914951; (1995) $22.00 
    Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science, by Werner Heisenberg, Prometheus Books; ISBN: 1573926949; Reprint edition (1999) $13.00 

    Winter Math Seminar (Tuesdays) 

    Chaos: Making a New Science, by James Gleick, Penguin USA (Paper); ISBN: 0140092501; Reprint edition (1988)  $18.95 

    Mathematics and Humor, by John Allen Paulos, University of Chicago Press (Trd); ISBN: 0226650251; Reissue edition (April 1990) 

    SPRING
    Science seminar 
    Astronomy:  Tues. 5:00-6:30, LIB 2221 
    Cosmology: 
    Thus. 5:00-6:30, LIB Rm 2221 
    Both seminar sections will also read selections from 

    The Red Limit, by Timothy Ferris, William Morrow & Co; ; 2nd edition (July 23, 2002) ISBN: 068801836X 
    The Elegant Universe, by Brian Greene, Vintage Books; ; (February 29, 2000) ISBN: 0375708111 
    Bubbles, Voids, and Bumps in Time, ed. James Cornell, Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge (1993), ISBN 0521-42673-1 (pbk)
    . 
    FALL Physics seminar - Thursday 5:00-6:30
    Lab II Rm 2270 
    FALL Math seminar - Tuesday 5:00-7:00
    we've been moved to Lib 2219 
    Fall Physics (Thursdays) 

    Hidden Attraction: The History and Mystery of Magnetism, by Gerrit L. Verschuur, Oxford University Press; ISBN: 0195106555; (1996)  $14.95 

    Science News Magazine and Physics Today Journal: we will buy class subscriptions and discuss articles of interest. 
    The Physics of Star Trek, by Lawrence M. Krauss, Stephen Hawking, Harper Perennial; ISBN: 0060977108; (1996) $13.00 

    Fall Math (Tuesdays) 

    The Mystery of the Aleph: Mathematics, the Kabbalah, and the Search for Infinity by Amir D. Aczel 
    Pocket Books; ISBN: 0743422996; (2001) $15 

    Chaos: Making a New Science, by James Gleick, Penguin USA (Paper); ISBN: 0140092501; Reprint edition (1988)  $18.95 

     ... DETAILS ...

    EXPECTATIONS
    Before Seminar: before seminar:  read and meet, post and write
    Read the assignment. Write in the margins ("an unmarked text is an unread text"). Take notes. Write down key points and significant questions, noting page numbers for reference.  Bring these to your triad meeting. 

    Meet your triad. Discuss the reading. Bounce interpretations and questions off each other. Answer each other's questions of fact. Together, agree on 3 key points and 3 significant questions that you as a group will contribute to the seminar discussion. 

    Key points - these are important to the author.  Try to put yourself in the author's shoes.  Articulate each point in your own words and reference appropriate page numbers from the text. 

    Significant questions - these go beyond mere questions of fact and probe core issues and subtleties of the reading. 

    Then post your points and questions on WebX as a team. Take turns posting each week, and include names of all team members who met. 

    Write a one-page essay on the reading. Your essay must have two parts:  a summary of your understanding a key aspect of the author's message, and your own response. Include one or two quotes and page numbers for reference. Proofread and check to make sure you followed Finkel's Rules or your essay may be returned unread for repair.  Post your essay as an attachment to WebX. Print out a copy for class tomorrow. 
     

    During Seminar: paper, talk and listen
    Bring two copies of your paper - one for you to share with classmates, one for the prof to look at. One page only, so you don't need staples. 

    Share one or two sentences summarizing your take on the reading. Refer to your paper! 

    Listen to classmates's understanding, ideas, and questions about the reading. 

    Discuss the shared reading, following seminar guidelines. 
     

    After seminar:  read, think, and post 
    Read some of your classmates' essays on WebX. 

    Think about them, return to the text, and finally, post a thoughtful response to two classmates (on WebX). 

    Read classmates' feedback on your essay.  Post a rewrite if you like (optional). 

    Maintained by: E.J. Zita