Science of Nature I

Mehmet Ali Alpar
alpar@sabanciuniv.edu
Office/ofis: FENS 2048
phone/dahili: 9510
Science of Nature courses aim to selectively introduce some of the basic concepts of our knowledge of nature, to look at natural laws in their interconnectivity, and to initiate an experience of the way science operates, by sharing the method of scientific thinking with students.
The objectives of NS101 are
·         To acquire the fundamental concepts of physical science: motion of masses, dynamics of electromagnetic fields, basics of statistical physics in terms of the ideal gas, and the basic idea of quantum mechanics – wave particle duality  
·         To learn about the history of scientific ideas and the scientific method
·         To have some practice with problem solving in science  
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Doğa ve Bilim dersleri öğrencileri doğadaki temel kavramlarla tanıştırmayı, doğa kanunlarına birbirleriyle bağlantılı olarak bakmayı ve bilimsel düşünce yöntemini öğrencilerle paylaşarak bilimin nasıl çalıştığının anlaşılmasını amaçlar.
NS101’in amaçları:
  • Kütlelerin hareketi, elektromanyetik dalgaların dinamiği, istatistiksel fizik ve kuantum mekaniğinin temel kavramlarıyla tanışmak
  • Bilimsel düşünce ve bilimsel yöntemin tarihini öğrenmek
  • Problem çözme pratiği yapmak
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Textbook:  

M. Ali Alpar
       “
Science of Nature I, Spring 2011
(Ders notlarının Türkçesi yakında temin edilebilecek)

 
Readings:
 J. Gribbin The Scientists: A History of Science Told Through the Lives of Its Greatest Inventors
 R.P. Feynman  “Six Easy Pieces: Essentials of Physics by Its Most Brilliant Teacher
 R.H. March        “Physics for Poets
 
 
Course Schedule
 
Week
 
Dates
 
 
Topic
 
Rec*
 
Quiz
 
Reading Assignment
 
 
Begin
 
End
 
 
 
 
 
1
14 Feb
18 Feb
Classical Mechanics
Rec
-
Gribbin Ch3
 
2
21 Feb
25 Feb
Classical Mechanics
Rec
1
Gribbin Ch3
 
3
28 Feb
04 Mar
Classical Mechanics
Rec
2
Gribbin Ch3
 
4
07 Mar
11 Mar
Classical Mechanics
Rec
3
Gribbin Ch3
 
5
14 Mar
18 Mar
Statistical Mechanics
 
lab1
-
Feynman Ch 1
 
6
21 Mar
25 Mar
 
24 Mar
 
Statistical Mechanics
Midterm 1
Rec
-
Feynman Ch 1
 
7
28 Mar
01 Apr
Electricity & Magnetism
Rec
4
Gribbin Ch11
 
8
04 Apr
08Apr
Electricity & Magnetism
Rec
5
Gribbin Ch11
 
9
11 Apr
15 Apr
Electricity & Magnetism
 
Lab2
-
Gribbin Ch11
 
 
18 Apr
 
22 Apr
 
Semester Break
-
-
Gribbin Ch11
 
10
25 Apr
29 Apr
 
28 Apr
Electricity & Magnetism
 
Midterm 2
Rec
 
-
Gribbin Ch11
 
11
02 May
06 May
Quantum Mechanics
Rec
6
March Ch 13 – 16
 
12
09 May
13 May
Quantum Mechanics
Rec
7
March Ch 13 – 16
 
13
16 May
20 May
Quantum Mechanics
 
Lab3
-
March Ch 13 – 16
 
14
23 May
27 May
Quantum Mechanics
Rec
8
March Ch 13 – 16
*Rec = Recitation