Introduction

"The Physics of Star Trek" is a seminar course open to 15 incoming freshmen. I cannot accept applications to join this course from any student except for an incoming freshmen. Once the course is full, I will accept no overloads. The idea of the class is that it is relatively small and open only to freshmen, and I have to stick to that.

What will we talk about? Well, I'm still thinking about it, but you can bet there will be a lot of class discussions about technology and our future. Most weeks, you will have a homework assignment to complete outside of class. This will usually be 1-3 pages in length and may require some library or internet research on your part. The class will be fun and easy, provided you come prepared by doing the necessary reading in advance and finishing your assignments.

Syllabus

Cargo Cult Science by Richard Feynman

Interesting reading about scientific integrity and the art of "not fooling yourself".

Philosophy and the Scientific Method by R. C. Pine

Addresses such questions as "Is Science Worthwhile?" and "How Do We Know What We Claim to Know?" Discusses the foundation of the scientific method, logic and induction with several helpful examples and analogies.

Helpful definition: Epistemology - The branch of philosophy that studies the nature of knowledge, its presuppositions and foundations, and its extent and validity.

Understanding Relativity by R. C. Pine

A very clear explanation of special relativity, particularly the behavior of time. This article not only discusses the unusual nature of time but WHY this nature is considered to be unusual and why it took us so long to realize it.

Quantum Physics and Reality by R. C. Pine

A somewhat lengthy, but very clear and accessible study of bizarre quantum mechanical effects and the implications they have on how we view the world. Truth really is stranger than fiction, as you'll see here.

Outside Reading

This is a list of some articles I've recommended to students in the past for research on homework assignments. The list will grow within the next couple of weeks.