This course is designed to provide non-technical students an opportunity to learn about some of the frontier areas of physics in which active research is now going on. Topics that may be covered include the current models of elementary particles, how the fundamental forces are understood in terms of quantum physics, wave mechanics and atomic physics, Einstein's Special and General Theories of Relativity, and Astrophysics and Cosmology. Although the emphasis is on concepts rather than mathematical methods, algebra and trigonometry are used in order to enable students to reach a deeper and more quantitative knowledge of the concepts. Students write brief reports about current topics in science and give a seminar on a topic of current interest in physics.
