INTRODUCTION TO FRONTIER PHYSICS: 172.114
Explores modern experimental methods and theoretical ideas in physics. An emphasis will be given to topical physics subjects of current interest.
Instructors:
Professor Nina Markovic
nina@pha.jhu.edu
Office: Bloomberg 339
Phone: 6-6422
Professor N.
Peter Armitage
npa@pha.jhu.edu
Office: Bloomberg 309
Phone: 6-0214
This course will be run in a discussion style format. The instructors will give a short lecture and propose some relevant questions, but the majority of class time will be devoted to discussion.
Students are expected to come to class having read the course material (from either online or class handouts) and written a short summary or opinion piece (one paragraph) on what they have read. The instructors will occasionally suggest a few relevant questions to be addressed. Before the end of class, students will also write a short (one paragraph) on what they've learned or think of the material discussed.
Grades will be based on the cumulative scores of these short paragraphs (2/3 total weight), as well as a subjective 'class participation' score (1/3 total weight).
Relevant preparatory material can be found at the links below.
Meeting time: Monday 2:00 PM Bloomberg 361
Syllabus and schedule:
Jan. 22: What
is science? And what is physics? NPA/NM
Jan. 29: The
Physics of Climate Change. NPA
Feb. 5: Quantum
Computing NM
Feb. 12: Nanotechnology
NM
Feb. 19: Artificial
Intelligence NM
Feb. 26: String
Theory NM
Mar. 5: Is
Pluto a planet? PDF
Mar. 12: Spring Break. No class.
Mar.
19: Black
Holes. NPA
Mar. 26: Tsunami!:
The Physics of Big Waves. NPA
April 2: Dark
Matter/Dark Energy. NPA
April 9: Extrasolar
planets. PDF
April 16: How
to build an atomic bomb. NPA
April 23: Particle
Physics. NPA
