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Observing and understanding the workings of nature(comrising
the physical universe and living organisms)is fundamental to
contemporary civilization.Technology begins with some
understanding of how nature works.The natural sciences also
provide a most versatile method of using the human intellect
Instead of separate gateways to physics,chemistry of biology
the science of Nature courses at Sabancı Unıversity propose
to selectively introduce some of the basic concepts of our
knowledge of nature;to look at natural laws in their
interconnectivity ;and to initiate an experience of the way
science operates,sharing the method of scientific thinking
with students.What are the ideas in science that would be
most interesting,enjoyable or useful to know for any,college
graduate?How do we probe a scientific question in practise?
What constitutes an answer?What are some of the answers that
we have -or don't have as yet?How do Newton's Laws of Motion
work?What does it mean to have an electric or magnetic field
in a vacuum?What is there in the universe?What happens when
a system in equilibrium is slightly perturbed?What
determines the size and structure of an atom?Why is there a
Periodic Table?How does a chemical reaction proceed?What are
some of the important molecules in living organisms,and how
do they work?What is the structure of DNA and the mechanism
of heredity?How do we analyze and determine symmetrical
structures in nature,or the structures of molecules and
crystals?How do populations of living things interact and
change?What is biological evolution?What are the basic
mechanisms for the emergence,evolution or extinction of
species?What questions make up the current frontiers of
science?
Emphasis in the science of Nature courses will not be on
conveying secondary fragments of knowledge,but on
conveying to all students in both Faculties an overall sense
of the way science looks at the world,at new problems and at
new subjects,while making sure that students who way want to
specialize in engineering or the natural sciences are
equipped with the basic concepts and skills necessary for
future work.Computer simulations are an integral part of the
course ,requiring student interaction ,participation and
feedback.This is complemented by hands -on laboratory
experiments that will be important for highlighting pitfalls
in the way of actual (as opposed to virtual)practice.In the
last analysis,science is common sense; it is ''easy'' as
common sense is easy;and it discovers a surprising display
of beauty in nature.
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