UCL - Introduction to physics

[PHYS1000]

[30h + 15h] 4 credits

This course is not taught in 2009-2010

Teacher(s):

Language: French

Level: First

Aims
Main themes
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

The fundamental natural sciences, and especially physics, are as much part of the common cultural heritage of humankind as are the arts and the humanities understood in the broadest terms. Indeed, within its specific methodology physics itself attempts to grasp the basic meaning of the Universe and Man's place within it. From the perspective of an exposure to the general culture of science offered to students in the humanities, with only little use of the mathematical language the course discusses the basic and essential significance of the concepts underlying the "revolutions" of physics having led to modern physics. Some common advanced technologies stemming from these advances are also described. The course closes with some of the open challenges of which the possible resolutions will define the physics of the XXIst century.

Main themes

Depending on the audience's interests, the course introduces to some of the important ideas of physics, to be chosen from among Newton's mechanics, Maxwell's electromagnetism, Einstein's theories of special and general relativity, quantum physics, the physics of condensed matter or the theories of the elementary particles. It concludes with some of the challenges left unanswered by modern physics. No detailed mathematical formulation is developed. Rather, emphasis is put throughout on a discussion of the basic concepts and their actual significance. Applications of these fundamental sciences to advanced modern technologies are also highlighted.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Method
Weekly lectures course. The student will have to produce a written essay by the end of the course. Practical sessions are organised, the contents of which depend on the themes selected for the course, and may include some experimental realisations, simple mathematical modeling, or bibliographical searches in relation to the course matter.

Prerequisites
Basic physics and mathematics concepts at the high school level.

Evaluation
To be specified by the lecturer.

Course material and references
Robert H. March, Physics for Poets, 3rd Edition (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1992).
Other material and references will be suggested by the lecturer depending on the course's contents and methods.