Course Catalog - 2023-2024

     

ELEC 503 - SCIENCE BEHIND THE HEADLINES

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
Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s):
Graduate
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.