2020-2021 Undergraduate General Catalog

PHYS 141 A Small Introduction to Big Science (SI)

The term “Big Science” is a term to describe scientific research that requires large collaboration and significant resources. The resource requirements often mean that only federal agencies can support the research and the personnel resources often make the project international. We will introduce the Standard Models of Particle Physics and/or Cosmology. Depending on the topics covered we’ll introduce the technological base of those project. For example accelerators and detectors that are used in particle physics experiments. We will examine a few specific projects for example the discovery of the Higgs Boson. We will discuss the scientific implications on society, including technology “spin-offs”. We will have discussions on the cost-benefits for some “big science.”

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Natural Science Course