From 6fb32ab4530be82b67749f6a8af21c271e4e649d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: norawan <107278588+norawan@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2023 00:45:49 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 1/3] Create 33120.md --- electives/33120.md | 41 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 41 insertions(+) create mode 100644 electives/33120.md diff --git a/electives/33120.md b/electives/33120.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7c3029 --- /dev/null +++ b/electives/33120.md @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +## 33-120: Science and Science Fiction + +| Category | Difficulty | +|:-: | :-: | +| HW | 1 | +| Quizzes | 1 | +| Exams | 1 | + +This class explores different scientific principles and ideas through the lens of science fiction novels, films, and TV shows. It is meant to introduce a broad range of scientific concepts to students who may not necessarily have a strong background in STEM. Some of the major questions covered include "What is the nature of space and time?", "What is the universe made of?", "Can a machine become self-aware?", and "Are we alone in the universe?". Much of the content taught in the class is introduced with in-class demonstrations as well as clips from movies and TV shows which makes for a very entertaining mode of learning. Be warned: you will watch a lot of Star Trek. + +## Sci-Fi Homework Problems + +There are five homework problems which require completing some calculations for hypothetical situations similar to those shown in the clips from lecture. Many of these problems have samples in the textbook which follow a similar process, so the bulk of the work is determining what assumptions you are making and finding the quantitative values to use. + +## Quizzes + +Variable length Canvas quizzes are assigned after each major topic. They consist of multiple choice questions that are fairly straightforward if you attend lecture regularly. + +## Exploration papers + +After each major topic covered in class, you will write a brief 2-3 page research paper that answers one of the listed prompts related to the topic. These papers will need to reference specific sources, although the prompts given by the professor come with suggested academic journal articles that you can use to fully answer the prompt. + +## Film Critiques + +Two 4-5 page long film critiques are assigned during the semester. These papers involve watching one of several films from a list, writing a synopsis of the film, and answering specific questions associated with that film. The rubric for the grading of the film critiques is very clear, so this is a pretty low-stress assignment. It also gives you a good excuse to watch a movie that you may have been wanting to watch for a long time but never got around to watching. + +## Field Projects + +You will conduct two Field Projects in groups of three. For the project, you go and explore campus during lecture time while taking measurements and making observations that you then record in a fairly informal report. + +## Exams + +The Final Exam consist of a Canvas quiz that is similar to the quizzes given after each major topic. + +## Extra Credit + +There are ocassionally extra credit assignments announced during lecture that are very generous in the number of points they are worth. The extra credit assignments usually involve looking up a scientific phenomenon in current events and emailing what you find to the professor. + +## Resources + +- Textbook: Barry B. Luokkala, _Exploring Science Through Science Fiction_ Second Edition (Springer 2019) From 9ecad6d523921423465c65e722fe881963abf8e8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: norawan <107278588+norawan@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2023 00:47:11 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 2/3] Update README.md Updated to include 33-120: Science and Science Fiction --- README.md | 1 + 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index f55ba32..d3e20e5 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ expect from the core classes from the ECE and CS programs at CMU. - [18-898D: Graph Signal Processing and Geometric Learning](electives/18898D.md) - [24-104: Maker Series: Intro to Modern Making](electives/24104.md) - [33-114: Physics of Musical Sound](electives/33114.md) +- [33-120: Science and Science Fiction](electives/33120.md) - [57-173: Survey of Western Music History](electives/57173.md) - [80-180: Nature of Language](electives/80180.md) - [80-405: Game Theory](electives/80405.md) From 6870dd36fd6f2ba09edf3600c0e6af028a32cc16 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: norawan <107278588+norawan@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2023 00:49:18 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 3/3] Update 33120.md --- electives/33120.md | 8 ++++---- 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-) diff --git a/electives/33120.md b/electives/33120.md index d7c3029..61d409a 100644 --- a/electives/33120.md +++ b/electives/33120.md @@ -10,11 +10,11 @@ This class explores different scientific principles and ideas through the lens o ## Sci-Fi Homework Problems -There are five homework problems which require completing some calculations for hypothetical situations similar to those shown in the clips from lecture. Many of these problems have samples in the textbook which follow a similar process, so the bulk of the work is determining what assumptions you are making and finding the quantitative values to use. +There are five homework problems that require completing some calculations for hypothetical situations similar to those shown in the clips from lecture. Many of these problems have samples in the textbook which follow a similar process, so the bulk of the work is determining what assumptions you are making and finding the quantitative values to use. ## Quizzes -Variable length Canvas quizzes are assigned after each major topic. They consist of multiple choice questions that are fairly straightforward if you attend lecture regularly. +Variable-length Canvas quizzes are assigned after each major topic. They consist of multiple-choice questions that are fairly straightforward if you attend lecture regularly. ## Exploration papers @@ -30,11 +30,11 @@ You will conduct two Field Projects in groups of three. For the project, you go ## Exams -The Final Exam consist of a Canvas quiz that is similar to the quizzes given after each major topic. +The Final Exam consists of a Canvas quiz that is similar to the quizzes given after each major topic. ## Extra Credit -There are ocassionally extra credit assignments announced during lecture that are very generous in the number of points they are worth. The extra credit assignments usually involve looking up a scientific phenomenon in current events and emailing what you find to the professor. +There are occasionally extra credit assignments announced during lecture that are very generous in the number of points they are worth. The extra credit assignments usually involve looking up a scientific phenomenon in current events and emailing what you find to the professor. ## Resources