Introduction to Bioscience and Biotechnology
This course will introduce
students to the exciting fields of Bioscience and Biotechnology. The course is
being developed by Stanford's Bio-X interdisciplinary research center, which
combines a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines in biosciences
research. Students in this course will work in one of the Bio-X laboratories.
Session 1 (June 22 - July 11)
Age and grade requirements: 9th or 10th
grade in Spring 2008, and age 14 - 16 on June 22, 2008.
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Cosmology
This course is a general overview
of the scientific study of the universe as a whole. Along the way, several
topics within physics, astrophysics, and astronomy will be highlighted to gain
the proper background of the modern aspects of cosmology. Much of the course
will be focused on understanding the basic Hot Big Bang Model. Although this
model is being challenged by recent observations, it is the starting point for
recent ideas such as inflation theory, multiverse theory, and so forth. These
recent observations will be discussed and will shed light on why cosmology is a
rapidly changing field. No prior physics background is required; however many
basic physics concepts will be introduced.
Session 1 (June 22 - July 11)
Prerequisite(s): Completion of an algebra course and familiarity
with basic trigonometry.
Age and grade requirements: 9th, 10th or 11th
grade in Spring 2008, and age 14 - 17 on June 22, 2008.
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Introduction to Engineering
This course includes a survey of
three areas of engineering. During the first week, all students participate in a
core course that provides a survey of several areas of engineering. This portion
of the program includes lectures, problem sets, and a project. Beginning in the
second week, the class is broken up into several groups, each specializing in a
particular branch of engineering and taking on intensive study in this branch.
The course is project based, and students work in small teams to complete
challenging projects under the direction of the course instructors. The final
day of class consists of presentations in which students demonstrate their
projects. In addition to the class time and project sessions, students go on
course-related field trips on the Stanford campus and in the immediate area
around Stanford.
Session 1 (June 22 - July 11)
Age and grade requirements: 9th or 10th
grade in Spring 2008, and age 14 - 16 on June 22, 2008.
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Geology
Many assume geology is merely the
study of rocks, but in fact, it is a much broader field involving diverse
directions of scientific inquiry. Geologists study the evolution of life on
Earth, listen to the movements of the continents, examine the patterns seen on
the surface of the moon Europa, locate and extract hydrocarbons and water, and
research solutions to various forms of pollution. Of course, they also use the
rocks around us to examine the mysteries of our planet's history. This class
gives its participants an understanding of the way the Earth works and
introduces them to many of the tools and techniques used in modern geology. By
the end of the course, students will look at their natural surroundings with a
new appreciation and understanding of the processes that formed them and will
have the ability to identify and explain geologic features. Expect a
challenging, active learning environment where both computers and rock hammers
are necessary tools. This course includes two special field trips to sites north
of San Francisco.
Session 1 (June 22 - July 11)
Prerequisite(s): Completion of an algebra course and a physical
science course.
Age and grade requirements: 8th, 9th or 10th
grade in Spring 2008, and age 13 - 16 on June 22, 2008.
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Investigations in Bioscience and Biotechnology
This course will be similar to
the Introduction to Bioscience and Biotechnology offered in Session 1. However,
because Investigations in Bioscience and Biotechnology is a 4 week course,
students will be able to study topics in more depth. Additionally, course labs
and projects will be more extensive.
Session 2E (July 14 - August 9)
Age and grade requirements: 10th or 11th
grade in Spring 2008, and age 15 - 17 on July 14, 2008.
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Investigations in Engineering
This course will be similar to
the Introduction to Engineering course offered during Session 1. However,
because Investigations in Engineering is a 4 week course, students will study
topics in more depth and course projects will be more extensive.
Session 2E (July 14 - August 9)
Age and grade requirements: 10th or 11th
grade in Spring 2008, and age 15 - 17 on July 14, 2008.
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Particle Physics
This course is an introduction to
the physics of the smallest building blocks of matter. We will discuss
developments in this field starting with early twentieth century research into
the atom, the electron, and the photon, and continuing through the discovery, in
the 1970s, of the standard model, which is the most numerically accurate
scientific model humanity has ever produced. We will then move beyond the
standard model to explore current research including neutrino physics and
extreme high energy topics such as string theory. The course will have an
experimental emphasis and we will study in detail several particle physics
experiments that changed what we know about the universe.
Session 2 (July 14 - August 2)
Prerequisite(s): Completion of an algebra course, basic
trigonometry, and completion of an introductory physics courses in mechanics.
Age and grade requirements: 9th, or 10th
in Spring 2008, and age 14 - 16 on July 14, 2008.
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Quantum Mechanics
This course is intended for
students who have had exposure to physics but yearn to discover more about the
modern aspects of physics. Richard Feynman said, "I think I can safely say
that nobody today understands quantum physics." While many would agree with
this statement in principle, there is no doubt that quantum mechanics is one of
the most precise scientific theories ever developed. Its impact is felt every
day; it is estimated that 30 percent of the U.S. gross national product stems
from inventions based on quantum physics. It is becoming clear that quantum
physics is no longer an esoteric topic to be learned in graduate school, but a
necessity for many areas of research like chemistry, communication technologies,
engineering, and even biological studies. Many of the mysterious aspects of
quantum mechanics have been recently explored experimentally, confirming that
the quantum world is vastly different from our everyday experience. In this
course, students explore the origins and development of the theory, followed by
a thorough study of its bizarre implications in light of recent experiments.
Finally, the impact and applications of quantum mechanics will be explored, as a
way of relating this theory to the real world around us.
Session 2E (July 14 - August 9)
Prerequisite(s): A course in precalculus. Students should have
completed introductory or AP-level physics courses in mechanics and electricity
and magnetism (Note: some courses in 'physical science' do not cover enough
physics to satisfy this requirement)
Age and grade requirements: 10th or 11th
grade in Spring 2008, and age 15 - 17 on July 14, 2008.
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Theory of Relativity
At the end of the 19th century,
many thought that physics was nearly complete. The classical theory of
mechanics, Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism, optics, and statistical
mechanics could explain most phenomena. However, a few discrepancies between
observation and theory remained. Utilizing ingenious thought experiments,
Einstein completely reformulated how space and time were viewed. His new theory
of special relativity (1905) is a surprisingly simple theory that provides
explanations for some of the aforementioned discrepancies. In this course, a
more modern, more geometric view is followed, allowing students to pursue
challenging problems in many areas of physics. Once the special theory has been
mastered, the inclusion of gravity introduces the general theory of relativity.
This theory, dating from 1917 and providing a much more mathematically
sophisticated account, is presented in a simplified manner that bypasses the
formal mathematics yet emphasizes the geometric nature of the theory. The last
portion of the course covers such special topics as black holes and cosmology.
The program includes visits to facilities at Stanford conducting related
research, such as the Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC) and Gravity Probe B.
This course is not a survey course; it provides a rigorous introduction to these
theories allowing a sophisticated discussion of current topics. Emphasis is
placed on solving challenging quantitative problems.
Session 1 (June 22 - July 11)
Prerequisite(s): Students should have completed one year of algebra
and a dedicated, introductory, high-school-level course in physics covering
mechanics (note: some schools offer courses in 'physical science' that do not
cover enough physics to satisfy this pre
Age and grade requirements: 10th or 11th
grade in Spring 2008, and age 15 - 17 on June 22, 2008.
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