Natural Science 0270 - The Nature of Scientific Understanding: Project Seminar

Scientists study the physical world at spatial, temporal, and complexity scales that are beyond the reach of ordinary perception. How does a scientist construct their understanding of the physical world at those scales? This course takes a transdisciplinary approach to the study of scientific understanding. What role does visualization play in the formation of scientific knowledge? How do various forms of representation become accepted scientific practice? How can artistic practice help us illuminate what it means to understand something in a scientific context? This course is for students of science, math, art, philosophy, education, and cognitive science interested in bringing their disciplinary skills to approach such questions through independent group research projects, and a study of common texts in history and philosophy of science, education, cognitive science, and the visual arts. Coursework includes weekly research, reading, and writing assignments, class discussions and presentations, and semester-long projects. This course can be used to fulfill the Division II Project requirement. Keywords:science, art, philosophy

Students should expect to spend 6-8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time