Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; good reading, writing, and thinking skills; willingness to work in teams and use computers.

Winter 2008 Science Seminar: Monday afternoons in Sem II You can choose one or two Science Seminar modules for 4 credits each (for a total or 4 or 8 credits).

Winter 2008 - Mon. 3:00-5:00 in A2107: Science Seminar on The Magnetic Sun: Why does the Sun's magnetic field flip every 11 years? How does this cause electromagnetic storms on Earth? How do dynamic interactions between material properties of the Sun and its magnetic field change each other and the affect the solar dynamo? Can we predict short term details of the Sun's magnetic reversals, and their long term patterns? We will read articles and book chapters to understand first, the basics about our Sun, and then, details about the Sun's dynamic magnetism. Required text = Journey from the Center of the Sun, by Jack Zirker. Articles will be provided at no cost on a secure website. Recommended optional text = Universe (Vol.I: Stars and Galaxies) by Freedman & Kaufman This seminar may become increasingly mathematical, depending on the interest and readiness of participants. This is Zita's area of professional research, and summer research opportunities may be available for excellent students.

Winter 2008 - Mon. 1:00-3:00 in A2105: Science Seminar in Energy Systems: We will read two eloquent new works about Climate Change and related issues - first about the problems, and then about solutions. These dovetail with Focus the Nation events this quarter. Field Notes from a Catastrophe, by Elizabeth Kolbert (2006, Bloomsbury) Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, by Bill McKibben (2007, Times Books) Be sure to get your texts by the first day of class (perhaps from your favorite online source). The college bookstore may have them, but don't count on it. Orca Books downtown may also have some copies (often at reduced prices for students). Each student must bring your own copy to class each day.   Take notes in the margins as you read, and the text becomes a record of your developing thoughts. "An unmarked text is an unread text."

Fall 2007 Science Seminar in Energy Systems: Mondays from 3:00-5:00 in Sem 2 A2107

State of Fear, by Michael Crichton (pub. Harper Collins 2004). We'll start with this controversial page-turner, a good book to read over the summer.

Hell and High Water, by Joseph Romm (pub. William Morrow 2006). Romm's intelligent nonfiction is engaging and motivating.

Plan B 2.0 (or 3.0 if it's available), by Lester Brown, (pub. W.W. Norton 2006). Brown has visions for solutions for the near future.

Seminar is a required component of the Energy Systems program. Science Seminar is also open to other interested students, who may take just this module for 4 credits. Be sure to get your texts by the first day of class

Each quarter, part-time students are welcome to join the Seminar section of our primary full-time science program. We read, discuss, and write about diverse works in science and math. We assume no background in mathematics or physics. We explore observations and ideas about Nature, history and philosophy of science, and methods of physics and mathematics. We investigate questions such as: How is knowledge created or discovered? How can new ideas develop into testable theories? How does scientific understanding change?

Past topics in Science Seminar have included Dark Matter, Relativity, Chaos, Quantum Mechanics, Infinity, and Cosmology. Readings have ranged from Kuhn's classic, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, through Greene's Elegant Universe and Kirschner's Extravagant Universe, to lighter works such as The Physics of Star Trek and Alice in Quantumland. Science Seminar journal club includes readings on the latest developments in physics and astronomy from high-quality, accessible magazines such as Physics Today, Sky & Telescope, and Science News. Readings and themes vary each quarter.  See quarterly details below.

Learning goals include critical thinking and teamwork skills, deeper qualitative understanding of science, and improved communication skills, both oral and written. Optional quantitative investigations are possible for interested students, but are not required.

Seminar students can work with science students. Small teams of peers meet to prepare key points, insights, and questions before each seminar. Students earn 4 (or 8) credits by participating in one (or two) seminars each week and completing short essays, team meetings, and online assignments. Students are encouraged to work with Writing Center tutors and attend occasional writing workshops.

• see quarterly details online (below)
• come to the Academic Fair  to ask Dr. Zita about the coming quarter
• email E.J. Zita <zita(at)evergreen.edu> and please put "Seminar" in the subject header so the spam filter doesn't delete your email

Fall 2007: Science Seminar in Energy Systems
Spring 2007 (Physical Systems): The View from the Center of the Universe
Winter 2007 (Physical Systems): Women in Math and Science, Journal Seminar on Modern Physics
Summer 2006 Science Seminar Online - canceled
Winter and Spring 2006: Science Seminar in Physics of Astronomy
Spring 2005: Science Seminar in Astronomy and Cosmologies
Fall and Winter 2004-2005: Sci.Sem. in Energy Systems
Spring 2004:  Science seminar in Astronomy and Cosmologies
Winter 2003:  Science seminar in modern physics (Physics of Astronomy)
Fall 2003:  (Zita on leave)
Spring 2003:  Science seminar in Astronomy and Cosmology (A&C)
Winter 2002:  Science seminar in Chaos and Humor of Mathematics (Physical Systems)
Fall 2002:  Science seminar in History of Physics and Mathematics (Physical Systems)

Winter 2007 Science Seminar in Physical Systems - link to program description You may choose either Monday or Thursday seminar, or both, for 4 credits each (total of 8 credits possible)
Monday book seminar on Women in Science:		Thursday journal seminar on Modern Physics:
Out of the Shadows: Contributions of Twentieth-Century Women to Physics, ed. Nina Byers and Gary Williams Women in Mathematics, by Lynn M. Olson	..	Physics Today and Science News magazines Subscribe at the links to get hardcopies or online access to articles. Low-cost student memberships to the American Physical Society include a free Physics Today subscription.

SYLLABUS and MOODLE SITE

First day of class: Thursday 11 Jan. at 1:00 in the CAL (first floor of Lab I). NO CLASS ON MONDAY 8 January. Everyone come to the first Thursday class, even if you are only taking the Monday seminar.

Meetings: Mondays and/or Thursdays from 1:00-2:30. All subsequent classes will meet in 2242 Lab 2.

Questions? Come meet Zita at the Academic Fair, or email zita(at)evergreen.edu

Assignments: Teams will discuss readings before each seminar and post pre-seminar assignments. Individuals will write weekly one-page essays. Classmates will respond to essays, as part of our ongoing conversation and collaborative learning. Teams will take turns facilitating some seminars