It has been 35 years since Alvin Toffler wrote his popular book Future Shock, describing the accelerated rate of technological change and its social implications. The issues of rapid scientfic and technogical advancement are even more relevant today. What are the future scientific questions and technologies that will affect your future career and life?
This course is aimed at examining several questions:
What will be the future technologies, and what role will physics play?
What are the compelling scientific questions that remain to be answered in physics?
You will select and research a topic, either related to an outstanding scientific question or a future technology that is tied to advances in physics. You will then make a presentation on your selected topic to the class.
Here are a few examples to get you thinking about possible topics, but of course you are welcome to suggest your own.
- How will nanotechnology impact the development of new materials?
- Will there be commercial fusion power plants?
- Is Quantum Computing feasible?
- Is a space elevator possible?
- How can advanced technology enhance our security?
- What is the universe made of?
- Why is there more matter than antimatters?
- What is the nature of gravity?
- Might neutrinos be their own antiparticles?
You might find a recent Science Magazine special section on "What we don't know", which included 125 unanswered questions, a useful starting point for selecting your research topic. (For download of the PDF file click here - note a valid UW NetID is required.)
Course Objectives:
The course will allow you to explore a particular physics or physics related technology topic in some depth. You will gain experience searching for, finding, and understanding the relevant published literature. You will present a talk on your topic to the class and will gain an understanding on the art of giving clear technical talks. You will write a paper following the format of a scientific technical paper and read papers written by your fellow students. At the Physics Colloquia you will hear top physics speakers from around the world, and will learn not only what is happening at the physics frontier, but also how to present a good talk.
Requirements and Grading:
- Class participation. (20%)
- Attend at least 4 of the Departmental Colloquia (Monday 4:00 – 5:00) in A102. Submit a completed on-line review for each colloquium attended. Keep brief notes on the topic and on the speaker’s style, both good points and bad, since we will discuss them in class in for a few minutes. (15%)
- Select a research topic and prepare a one page proposal. (5%)
- For your topic prepare a paper in standard scientific form (about 6 pages, or more); at least one round of revision will be required before acceptance and distribution to the class. (40%).
- Make an oral presentation on your topic of ~30 minutes to the class. (20%)
75% will correspond approximately to a 3.5