Science of Nature courses aim to initiate a curiosity and desire for learning “scientific thinking” in students and at the same time to introduce some of the basic concepts of physical, chemical and biological sciences in connection with questions concerning the nature and our daily life. The NS 102 course consists of two modules: “(1) Are humans causing climate change?” and “(2) Can we ever comprehend the workings of the brain?” Scientific methodology and fundamental concepts in the physical, chemical, and biological sciences are introduced through an integrated approach in the framework of these questions. Upon completing NS 102 students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate skills for critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving through integration of different concepts and information. 2. Distinguish among scientific laws, hypothesis and theory and use them to differentiate facts from fiction. 3. Apply mathematical concepts to solve quantitative problems. 4. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the terminology, major concepts and theories of one or more fields in physical, chemical, and biological sciences. 5. Describe the role of science and technology, and develop skills for communicating scientific concepts and facts to society in general. 6. Demonstrate professionalism and ethics when using scientific approach to make informed decision in daily life situations.
Science of Nature II (NS 102)
Programs\Type | Required | Core Elective | Area Elective |
Computer Science and Engineering | |||
Computer Science and Engineering | |||
Cultural Studies | |||
Cultural Studies | |||
Data Science and Analytics | |||
Economics | |||
Economics | |||
Electronics Engineering | |||
Electronics Engineering | |||
Industrial Engineering | |||
Industrial Engineering (Previous Name: Manufacturing Systems Engineering) | |||
International Studies | |||
International Studies | |||
Management | |||
Management | |||
Materials Science and Nano Engineering | |||
Materials Science and Nano Engineering (Previous Name: Materials Science and Engineering) | |||
Mechatronics Engineering | |||
Mechatronics Engineering | |||
Microelectronics | |||
Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering | |||
Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering (Pre. Name: Biological Sciences and Bioengineering) | |||
Political Science | |||
Political Science and International Relations | |||
Political Science and International Relations | |||
Political Science (Previous Name: Social and Political Sciences) | |||
Psychology | |||
Psychology | |||
Telecommunications | |||
Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design | |||
Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design |
CONTENT
OBJECTIVE
To introduce the basic sciences as a unified concept for understanding nature. All 1st year students are obliged to take this course.
Science of Nature courses aim to initiate a curiosity and desire for learning ?scientific thinking? in students and at the same time to introduce some of the basic concepts of physical, chemical and biological sciences in connection with questions concerning the nature and our daily life.
The NS 102 course consists of two modules: ?(1) Are humans causing climate change?? and ?(2) Can we ever comprehend the workings of the brain?? Scientific methodology and fundamental concepts in the physical, chemical, and biological sciences are introduced through an integrated approach in the framework of these questions.
Upon completing NS 102 students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate skills for critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving through integration of different concepts and information.
2. Distinguish among scientific laws, hypothesis and theory and use them to differentiate facts from fiction.
3. Apply mathematical concepts to solve quantitative problems.
4. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the terminology, major concepts and theories of one or more fields in physical, chemical, and biological sciences.
5. Describe the role of science and technology, and develop skills for communicating scientific concepts and facts to society in general.
6. Demonstrate professionalism and ethics when using scientific approach to make informed decision in daily life situations.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Determine the best-fit line to actual data related to the Earth’s climate to assess if climate is changing, and suggest a cause using the concepts of correlation and causation
- Make general calculations on Earth's energy balance and use data to describe the role of greenhouse effect in climate change
- Describe greenhouse effect in terms of interaction of molecules and IR radiation, and relate gas laws to weather
- Relate work done on a system and heat transferred to the internal energy of the system and solve problems that relate 1st law of thermodynamics to climate
- Make an argument on the relation between the 2nd law of thermodynamics and greenhouse effect
- Identify Gibbs free energy as the quantity that defines the equilibrium state of a system, and discuss the factors affecting the spontaneity and rate of reactions contributing to climate change
- Apply thermodynamic and kinetic arguments to climate related problems
- Discuss the properties of cells that constitute brain (neurons and glial cells), and describe how ions can diffuse across cell membrane
- Explain the origin of resting membrane potential, relating to the concepts of potential energy due to electric charges of ions and their concentrations
- Using the concepts of diffusion and membrane potential, describe how electrical signal is generated within a neuron (action potential), and how it can be modeled with an electric circuit.
- Discuss the parameters in the neuron circuit model and relate them to the signal generation and transmission in actual neuron
- Based on the circuit model, discuss the factors affecting the speed of neuron signals
- Relate the single neuron circuit to neuron communication and data interpretations and limitations in brain science.
- Discuss why we are yet away from understanding very-complicated workings of our brains.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 5
2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 5
3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 5
4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 5
5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 4
1. Possess sufficient knowledge of mathematics, science and program-specific engineering topics; use theoretical and applied knowledge of these areas in complex engineering problems. 4
2. Identify, define, formulate and solve complex engineering problems; choose and apply suitable analysis and modeling methods for this purpose. 4
3. Develop, choose and use modern techniques and tools that are needed for analysis and solution of complex problems faced in engineering applications; possess knowledge of standards used in engineering applications; use information technologies effectively. 4
4. Have the ability to design a complex system, process, instrument or a product under realistic constraints and conditions, with the goal of fulfilling specified needs; apply modern design techniques for this purpose. 2
5. Design and conduct experiments, collect data, analyze and interpret the results to investigate complex engineering problems or program-specific research areas. 3
6. Possess knowledge of business practices such as project management, risk management and change management; awareness on innovation; knowledge of sustainable development. 1
7. Possess knowledge of impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, health and societal context; knowledge of contemporary issues; awareness on legal outcomes of engineering solutions; knowledge of behavior according to ethical principles, understanding of professional and ethical responsibility. 3
8. Have the ability to write effective reports and comprehend written reports, prepare design and production reports, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear and intelligible instructions. 2
Update Date:
ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA
Percentage (%) | |
Final | 27.5 |
Midterm | 27.5 |
Quiz | 10 |
Assignment | 10 |
Participation | 15 |
Homework | 10 |
RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS
Readings |
"Conceptual Integrated Science", P. G. Hewitt |