FYS 65 How Do We Know? Science, Evidence, and Uncertainty
Many of the issues facing the world today have a basis in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics. Issues as diverse as election polling, financial inequity, use and abuse of AI tools, climate change, labor negotiations, public health, and many more, are heavily tied to mathematics and science. In order to converse meaningfully and effectively on these issues, we must have at least a basic understanding of the language and tools of common use. Even better: analysis based on quantitative understanding provides a means to evaluate the strength and flaws of our arguments and the degree of certainty of our claims. This will be a central theme throughout the course. Our writing assignments will provide practice with feedback on creating constructive arguments based on scientific and mathematical data and analyses.
Since there are a great number of problems to consider, the class members will help direct the conversation, bringing their own questions and interests to the table.
Open only to first-year frosh.