Course Info: NS-0103
| Course | NS-0103 Science of Space and Time |
| Long Title | The Science of Space and Time |
| Term | 2017F |
| Note(s) |
Satisfies Distribution Textbook information |
| Meeting Info | Cole Science Center 333 on T,TH from 10:30-11:50 |
| Faculty | Kaca Bradonjic |
| Capacity | 22 |
| Available | 1 |
| Waitlist | 0 |
| Distribution(s) |
Physical and Biological Sciences |
| Cumulative Skill(s) | Quantitative Skills |
| Additional Info | Students are generally expected to spend at least 6 to 8 hours per week on preparation and work outside of class time. Readings and written work will be assigned for each class. |
| Description | What are space and time? This course followed the evolution of the scientific understanding of these concepts which are so fundamental to our experience of the world and of ourselves. Our journey traced the intellectual paths of physicists who grappled with these questions, including Newton and Einstein, taking us from the conceptions of space and time familiar from our daily experiences to the modern understanding of four-dimensional spacetime as described by the special theory of relativity. Occasionally we sought insights from philosophers and inspiration from writers and artists. Since mathematics is the language of physics, we used basic high school algebra and graphs. No prior exposure to physics was required. This course was best suited for students so fascinated with the ideas of space and time that they were willing to grapple with abstract concepts and sometimes tedious algebra in order to gain a basic, but genuine understanding of special relativity. |