Science & Technology Issues - USEM 171

Syllabus January 24, 2002

Class meets Thursdays at 10;00-11;50am in Physics 313

J.Ruvalds

Physics room 151, tel 924-6796, email jr7k@virginia.edu

Office Hours 9:00 - 10:30 am Tues.&Wed.

Textbooks

"Chaos : Making a new Science" , J. Gleick

"The Turning Point" , F. Capra

Teamwork & student presentations are key elements in the course.

Subjects - Chaos in science and medicine, bio-terrorism and encryption, gene therapy and cancer, energy crisis, global warming, government policy

Grades: Presentation and participation 40%

Term paper 30%

Final exam 30%

Tentative Class Schedule

Thurs. Jan. 17 Chaos pendulum, fiberoptics communications , superconductors

Thurs. " 24 Read pages 1-56 in Gleick, "Chaos"

Thurs. " 31 Chaos : “A new Science “ Read Chaos pages 57-118

Thurs. Feb. 7 Light waves, cellular phones & internet Read Chaos pages 119- 156

Thurs. " 14 Magnetism- MRI & cancer Read Chaos pages 157-187

Thurs. “ 21 Team #1 presentation Read Chaos pages 189-240

Thurs. “ 28 Terrorism Team Read Chaos pages 243-317

Thurs. Mar. 7 Biorhythms Team

Thurs. " 14 SPRING BREAK

Thurs. “ 21 Period Doubling,Sound Read Turning Point pages 15-122

Thurs. " 28 Cloning & biochemistry Read Turning Point pages 123-262

Thurs. April 4 Guest Lecture: Biorhythms

Thurs. " 11 Cancer growth Read Turning Point pages 265-358

Thurs. " 18 Review Read Turning Point pages 359-419

Thurs. “ 25 Team presentation

Fri. May 3 Final Exam 14:00 - 17:00 am ... Room 313 Physics Bldg.