Course goals for Physics 9B

Every good course should have a lasting impact. It should change the
way you see the world and change the way you think.

You must be prepared to think and to learn to think in new ways. This
requires work, time, and practice. The material is new to you; expect
to be confused a lot of the time. Confusion is good. If you are not
confused some of the time, you probably are not thinking enough. Then
with more thinking, understanding improves.

The goals for the course include learning some specific physics
topics: waves, optics, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and
fluids. In waves and optics, a common theme is the way that waves add
via the superposition principle. This leads to many fascinating
phenomena including interference, diffraction, and beats. The sections
on thermodynamics and statistical mechanics end with the deep concepts
of entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics. You will see that the
Second Law is fundamentally a probabilistic statement that becomes
a virtual certainty for macroscopic systems. In learning about these
topics, you will get a deeper understanding of how the physical world
works. While this is satisfying in itself, it is also the foundation
for more advanced and specialized courses in science and engineering.

But there are also more general goals for this course that transcend
the particular subjects covered.

Develop improved problem solving skills: 
Translate a verbal or written statement of a problem into a
mathematical representation. Select appropriate tools to use. Follow
through with an argument or calculation.

Improve written communication skill: 
Learn to make a clear, complete, and logical presentation.

Learn that facts are only the raw material of learning. Improved
understanding and higher levels of thinking are the larger goals.
These do not come from memorization.

Improve thinking skills:
	Problem solving. 
	Analytical ability. 
	Critical thinking: is an argument that is presented correct? 
	Synthesis: combine ideas to solve a problem. 
	Independent thinking: Figure out how to solve a problem and develop an
		 understanding of it yourself rather than copying methods you are told.
	Creativity: Figure out your own unique way to solve a problem.