Simply by experiencing and making sense of the world, everyone practices science. Unless you are a scientist, however, you probably practice an informal and non-quantitative version. My class is designed to have you "doing" real, quantitative science with a minimum of the formal mathematical language required for more rigorous study.
The class requires creativity, objectivity, and interaction with others. Ideally, you will ask a lot of questions, and you will answer them yourself. I will expect you to make observations, pose relevant questions, and draw and critique conclusions. Based on your own logic and reason, you will develop simple but sophisticated tools that you can apply generally to render your world knowable. As you do so, you will investigate physical phenomena related to mechanics and energy.
My class is sometimes frustrating and sometimes rewarding. Do not take it if you hope to hear a lecture and memorize some facts. Most work is done in the lab, but there will be homework, a final, and typically two tests.
In *.pdf format
Syllabus for 92645, MTWThF 12-2pm