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Academic Year 2001/2002


Chaos
PHYS 217 FA

This course provides an introduction to the third revolution of 20th-century physics: chaos. Chaos is everywhere. To name only a few, it permeates economics, biology, political science, chemistry and physics. Focused reading together with well-chosen demonstrations illustrate the manifestations of chaos, its applications and control.

MAJOR READINGS

Ivars Peterson, NEWTON'S CLOCK: CHAOS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM (1993)
James Gleick, CHAOS: MAKING A NEW SCIENCE (1987)
Nina Hall, ed., EXPLORING CHAOS: A GUIDE TO THE NEW SCIENCE OF DISORDER (1991)
Roderick Jensen, "Classical Chaos", AMERICAN SCIENTIST 75 (March-April), 168 (1987)

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly reading assignments, quizzes, problem sets, take-home exam, final exam

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Class begins on Monday, October 16. Students must add this course by Friday, October 20.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: .5    Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM PHYS    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2002


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