CHEM150

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CHEM150

Scientific Method CHEM150 FA

Fall 96 Availability (Last Updated on Thu Apr 17 05:01:13 EDT 1997 )

Section  Limit  Enrollment  Available
  01       16      0         16

A critical inquiry into scientific thought, including the perspectives of Wesleyan faculty with expertise in science issues. Beginning with an overview of the intellectual foundations of scientific method in the 17th century, the course will cover the contributions of Bacon, Descartes, Kepler, Galileo, Newton, Pascal and others plus the current influence of contemporary thinkers such as Ayer and Popper. Topics will be chosen from the relativity theory, quantum mechanics and the uncertainty principle, the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe, the DNA double helix, Darwin's natural selection, entropy, disorder and chaos theory. Current research on the biology of AIDS, and such controversial issues as polywater and cold fusion will help to illustrate how scientific method validates knowledge and corrects for mistakes.

MAJOR READINGS

Two course packets plus selected readings
in:
WHAT ARE CULTURAL STUDIES OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE?, J. Rouse
CHAOS BOUND, N.K. Hayles
WHOSE SCIENCE? WHOSE KNOWLEDGE?, S. Harding
THE DEATH OF NATURE: WOMEN, ECOLOGY & THE SCIENTIFIC
REVOLUTION, C. Merchant

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three 10-20 page papers plus final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This First-Year Initiative course will be held concurrently with CHEM350, with the addition of a weekly workshop session, time and day to be arranged, for first year students.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: NSM CHEM

Prerequisites: None

Section 01: Beveridge, D; Times: .T.T... 2:40PM;; Grading Mode: Mixed; Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 0, Jr: 0, So: 0, Fr: 1; No Major Preference Given

Last Updated on MAR-10-1997

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