PHYS 4210

Advanced Physics in Dispute: Exploring Disagreement and Decision-making in Science

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

As physicists, how do we productively engage with each other to decide on what we know about the physical world? And how do we then approach our work answering the most pressing physics questions of the day with these strategies in mind? These are the questions that students in this course seek to explore, using both historical and modern case studies as guideposts for their thinking. In fact, many of the physics concepts you have learned about in your previous coursework – such as the structure of the atom, the Big Bang theory, and even the accepted value of acceleration due to gravity on Earth (g) – are now presented as settled science even though they were (and still are) heavily contested. Most modern physics ventures remain subject to rigorous scientific and social debate, especially considering that project decision-making ultimately lies in the public domain. Aimed for junior and senior-level undergraduate students, this course will not only prepare you to engage in productive disagreement with your physics colleagues but also to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the ongoing disagreements within the physics ventures you are likely to encounter. You will practice what it means to disagree productively as an early career physicist. This course will enable you to gain experience leading discussions about disagreement, develop a professional portfolio consisting of self-authored Substack articles, and providing feedback on other students’ podcasts exploring a historical or contemporary physics disagreement. In our culminating project, you will work in groups to analyze the disagreements within a modern physics venture. Enrolled students should have completed the introductory course sequences in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and waves. Once enrolled, the requirements for this course are to come with an open mind, to listen, and a willingness to disagree.

Prerequisites PHYS 1116 or 1112; PHYS 1110; PHYS 2217 or 2213; PHYS 2218 or PHYS 2214. Prerequisites for pre-health track: PHYS 2207 and PHYS 2208.

Enrollment Information Primarily for: juniors and seniors.

Distribution Requirements (HST-AS, PHS-AS)

Last 4 Terms Offered (None)

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