Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BEHIND THE HEADLINES

Department: Electrical & Computer Eng.

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description: In the spirit of “Physics for Future Presidents” and “Energy for Future Presidents” by Richard Muller (professor at Berkeley), our goal for this course is to increase and enhance our basic, fundamental understanding of scientific topics that are part of our current events and present concerns and challenges. We will use basic physics, chemistry, and biological principles to understand these topics at a more technical level than one can achieve by reading articles written by journalists. Our goal is to critically examine these currently popular technical topics to the depth at which a scientist or engineer can understand the basic principles and act as a science or technology advisor to government or political figures. We will also tap into the history of various topics, to provide perspective on their current status.