PHYS 1201 - Why the Sky Is Blue: Aspects of the Physical World

(PBS)

Fall. 3 credits.

A. Sadoff.

Descriptive physics course aimed specifically at the nonscience student. There is an emphasis on the ideas of modern physics where the approach is both historical and thematic. The methodology of science and the nature of evidence are emphasized. An overriding theme is the unification and character of physical laws as shown, for example, through the great principles of symmetry and conservation. While a few computational problems are assigned, the purpose is to help students to understand the concepts rather than to master problem-solving techniques.