Science Courses in Detail

SCE 01: Animals in their habitat (summer term)
Tutor: Gillian Watts
Day and time: Wednesday 1.00 - 2.00
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Summer.
Number of places: 25
The course concerns conservation of entire ecosystems as the strategy for avoidance of the threat of a wave of mass extinction. Wide-ranging photographic material of field observation will be used to illustrate the course. Various expeditions are planned for 2010, details of which are not included in the programme in case any of the plans are not realised. Course members are expected to contribute to areas under discussion. In addition to material from expeditions, we will be considering, among other things, elephant management, and observing otters without disturbing them. A general interest in the subject matter is required.
Note: 6 weeks only, starts 27th April.

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SCE 02: Antarctica in a Nutshell

Tutor: Dr Bill Block
Day and time: Thursday 10.00 - 12.00
Venue: British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 100
This wide ranging course, which encompasses an introduction to the Antarctic Region, the environment, its history and discovery, as well as the science (rocks, ice, oceans, animals, plants and the atmosphere) will run for the 6th time this academic year. I will also discuss environmental conservation, the Antarctic Treaty and the international politics of the Region along with prospects for its future. Visiting speakers, together with film, video and dvd materials, will be used throughout the 8 weeks. Although no prior knowledge is necessary and non-scientists are very welcome, an interest in Antarctica together with an innate curiosity will be helpful. The course will be held at the British Antarctic Survey in Madingley Road, Cambridge, by kind permission of the Director.
Note: 8 weeks only, starts 14th October.

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SCE 03: Are We What We Eat? (spring term)

Tutor: Dr Tony Jenkins
Day and time: Tuesday 10.00 - 11.00
Venue: Room 1, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Spring.
Number of places: 25
What is the link between the diseases we are likely to get and the food we eat? This course will look at what's in food and why a typical 'Western' diet has lead to obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease being the norm. It is intended to examine our basic biology, genetics and chemistry rather than count calories and suggest menus. By looking at the mismatch between how we evolved and the recent developments in agriculture and food processing we can make better choices as to what we eat.

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SCE 04: Astronomy is Looking Up

Leader: Derek Jones
Day and time: Tuesday 4.15 - 5.15
Venue: Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 20
This is the same course as last year, reworked and with new material interwoven where appropriate. We will learn to recognise the stars and planets in the night sky. Each session will be in two parts: first a discussion of the sky that week and any recent news; and second, a talk on a particular topic e.g. Sun and the seasons, Moon and Eclipses, the paths of the planets, exploration of the Solar System, the Milky Way, and like topics.
Note: Starts 19th October.

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SCE 05: Botany

Co-Leaders: Dr Peter I Payne & Dr Paul GL Williams
Day and time: Monday 2.00 - 4.30
Venue: Toft People's Hall, Toft
Terms: Autumn, spring, summer.
Number of places: 60
The group offers members the opportunity to pursue a common interest in the study and enjoyment of plants. Indoor study meetings and illustrated talks are held at approximately three-week intervals in the Autumn and Spring terms. This is followed by a twice-monthly series of field visits into Cambridgeshire and surrounding counties, from April to September. A three-to-four day excursion (restricted to about 20 members) is usually arranged each year to study plants growing in other parts of Britain. A detailed programme is issued twice yearly. Members should equip themselves with comprehensive guides to the wild flowers (including grasses, sedges & rushes) of the British Isles. Flora recommendations are available. In addition, a good x10 hand lens is essential.
Note: Starts 11th October.

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SCE 06: British Scientists in the 20th Century (spring term)

Tutor: Clive Gilchrist MBE
Day and time: Thursday 2.30 - 3.30
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Spring.
Number of places: 20
We are all familiar with the achievements of famous British scientists, e.g. Fleming and Crick, but lesser known scientists have laid the foundation for many of the benefits we enjoy in the 21st century. This short course will explore the contributions made by British scientists to many of the last century's advances. Tutor led informal discussions will, inter alia, look at health; the environment; communication; transport, security and entertainment. A general interest in science and our world is all that's needed. The Backroom Boys: The Secret Return of the British Boffin by Francis Stufford makes an excellent introduction to the subject.
Note: 6 weeks only, starts 13th January.

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SCE 07: Darwinism in the Twenty First Century (spring term)

Leader: Dr Ken Edwards
Day and time: Tuesday 12.15 - 1.15
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Spring.
Number of places: 20
2009 was, as everyone knows, the bicentenary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of publication of The Origin of Species. Darwin's great idea (Andrew Marr described it as the most important idea in modern times) has been confirmed and developed in the past 150 years and remains of great importance in our thinking about ourselves and the world in which we live. In this course I shall consider the history of Darwinism and assess its current status and its impact on our understanding of human nature and our health and well-being.
Suggested books (from many!): The Origin of Species, Charles Darwin; The Making of the Fittest, Sean B. Carroll.

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SCE 08: Geodyssey

Tutor: Graham Oram
Day and time: Monday 11.00 - 1.00
Venue: Room 1, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 20
Intrigued by this planet we live on? Would you like to know more about its origin, its history, the evolution of life on its surface? Would you like to know the future? Then Geodyssey is for you. Prior knowledge is not necessary, a science background helpful, an inquiring mind essential.

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SCE 09: Global Warming

Leader: Dr Ken Edwards
Day and time: Tuesday 12.15 - 1.15
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 25
Climate change and predictions of global warming continue to be much in the news, and recent controversies over the Copenhagen Conference and other matters ensure they remain hot topics. I shall consider the underlying causes of climate change, the likely scale, technological developments and policy issues. On past experience the class is likely to contain a mixture of believers (that global warming is happening and is serious) and sceptics - which makes for lively discussion.
Suggested books are: The Hot Topic; how to tackle global warming and still keep the lights on, Gabrielle Walker and David King; An Appeal to Reason, Nigel Lawson; Sustainable Energy - without the hot air, David Mackay.

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SCE 10: How to achieve comfort with sustainable energy and avoid global warming

Tutor: Peter Allen
Day and time: Wednesday 12.45 - 1.30
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 20
The course is a base line explanation of energy itself, making electricity without global warming on the one hand and how we might reduce our energy use both individually and as a country on the other hand. The model of using both reduced usage and more generation of sustainable electricity in Professor David MacKay's book Sustainable Energy - without the hot air is used and we will put estimated numbers of units of energy to the argument and not rely on misleading 'hot air' vague statements.
The model of fossil fuels burning ->green house gases->global warming->danger of flooding and climate change is taken as accepted, so we need to reduce fossil fuel electricity generation. The alternatives of wave power, wind power, tidal power and other sustainable sources are examined. Nuclear power, the controversial one, will be the centre of a class project, which participants can opt into, doing group or individual presentations based on their knowledge of energy from the main part of the course.
The treatment will be flexible and seek to build on the knowledge of course participants, however brief that may be. Participants with professional knowledge within the energy generation or usage area would also find the course interesting as there will be extensive opportunities to share their experience with others.

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SCE 11: How we try to measure bone and osteoporosis (spring term)

Tutor: Dr Ann Laskey
Day and time: Wednesday 10.00 - 11.00
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Spring.
Number of places: 20
Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of bone architecture, resulting in increased bone fragility. Approximately 50% of women and 20% of men aged 50 will have a fragility fracture in their remaining lifetime. Various methods have been used to diagnose osteoporosis and to monitor bone changes. The most widely used method is dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This course will include some basic bone biology, the bone changes that occur throughout life and the pros and cons of DXA and other measurement techniques. The course will consider advice on how to reduce our risk of developing osteoporosis but will come from a scientist who is aware of too many unanswered questions. A basic knowledge of science would be useful but it is not essential for this course. The course is offered for the first time and the depth and width of coverage can be adjusted in the light of feedback.
Note: 4 sessions only, starts 12th January.

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SCE 12: Modern Physics, Revolutions? Revolutionaries?

Tutor: Philip Gaskell
Day and time: Tuesday 10.00 - 11.30
Venue: Friends Meeting House, Jesus Lane
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 20
Periodically, science experiences upheavals when a seemingly settled picture starts to raise too many questions. Physics in the 21st Century may be going through just such a change. A contemporary (young) physicist and TV personality recently said "….the wheels are coming off our picture of the Universe". This course takes us through some 'revolutions' in the physics of the last century leading to the present. Topics range from the outer space of the cosmos: the Big Bang, black holes, Einstein's two theories of relativity, evolution of the chemical elements, to the inner space of the atom and its sub-nuclear structure; light: electromagnetic waves and quantum particles; the nature of matter (and antimatter). While the emphasis will be on the physics, biographies of those involved, set against their times, are deeply revealing. Some argue that even the more dramatic changes in the 20th century hardly warrant the term 'revolution': certainly the characters involved rarely match common notions of 'revolutionaries'. Some were reluctant, conservatives at heart; some self-effacing to a fault; some rejecting in their later years their own youthful advances; some perhaps plain lucky. Although notionally a new course, several of the dramatis personae have appeared in an earlier U3AC production - '20th Century Physics'. The intention remains, however, to cater principally for those with little scientific background. John Gribbin's Science: A History 1543-2001 provides an excellent reference - especially the latter half. In the spring term, the course will run for 8 weeks with a two week 'half term' (dates later).

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SCE 13: Our Earth - past, present and future

Leader: Alan Winfield
Day and time: Monday 2.00 - 3.00
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 25
This course will study our earth in terms of the atmosphere, the waters of the earth, and the soils and rocks. We will study each of these components of our environment as they were before the industrial revolution, the position we are in today and prospects for the future. Topics included will be: the greenhouse effect, destruction of the ozone layer, pollution of all kinds, water and sewage treatment and the disposal of waste. The course is loosely based around my book Environmental Chemistry (CUP), but will be set at a level not requiring any previous scientific knowledge. This aims to be an interesting and relevant course that will explain much that we observe and read about in our everyday life.
Note: 8 weeks only, starts 25th October.

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SCE 14: Our Genes
Tutor: Dr June New
Day and time: Friday 12.30 - 2.00
Venue: Room 4, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 16
It is hoped that the sessions will be interactive and no prior knowledge of genetics is required. The course will be centred round the following questions: What are the ways in which genetic traits are inherited in families? What are the scientific aspects and ethical considerations of genes in the news? What contributions can genetic studies make to the history and prehistory of humanity?
Offers from class members to make a presentation during the course will be very welcome. Among several very readable and useful genetics paperbacks available, Adam's Curse by Bryan Sykes can be recommended (though the last chapters are controversial).

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SCE 15: Polar Study Group

Tutor: Dr Bill Block
Secretary: Bill Peters
Day and time: Tuesday 2.30 - 4.00 (see dates below)
Venue: Scott Polar Research Institute, Lensfield Road
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 100
This informal group meets twice per month to study and discuss various aspects of the polar regions, usually with an invited speaker. Subjects last year included British Arctic whaling, Antarctic tourism, the NW Passage, Polar & Arctic medals, Antarctic air operations, albatrosses and fisheries, Antarctic geographic information systems, ice sheet dynamics, pendulums and polar explorers, studying floating ice shelves using an autonomous submarine and the British Antarctic oral history project. The group continues to develop, and a varied programme is planned for 2010-11, which may include topics such as the Ross Sea huts, polar geopolitics, swarming in krill and the race to reach the South Pole.
Prior knowledge is not required and although it would be useful to have attended the 'Antarctica in a Nutshell' course, it is not a pre-requisite. However, an interest in things polar and a willingness to discuss issues are essential. With the increased awareness of the global importance of the polar regions and the effects of climate warming, this group provides a unique opportunity to keep abreast of current (and past) events both in the Arctic and the Antarctic.
Meetings will be at the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) by kind permission of the Director.
Dates:
19th October, 2nd, 16th, 30th November, 14th December.
18th January, 1st, 15th February, 1st, 15th March.

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SCE 16: The Riverscape and the River

Tutor: Dr S M Haslam
Day and time: Thursday 11.00 - 12.30
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 6
All life on land depends on rivers and their associated waters. Studying landscape, hills, floodplains and rivers from the viewpoint of the connecting streams, integrated settlement patterns, water resources, wild and crop vegetation and tree patterns, other natural resources (involving water), and communications (whether herons, boats or Pilgrim Ways to holy wells!) In relation to people, all natural riverscapes are difficult, but some have been made pleasant, while, for varying reasons, others remain harsh. As well as discussing principles, the course describes riverscapes as diverse as those of the Cam and Thames, the Malta Kbir, Corsican Golo and Hungarian Eger.
4 indoor sessions plus 2 more in or out as the group decides

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SCE 17: The Rocks beneath the Landscape (spring term)

Tutor: Louise Milbourn
Day and time: Tuesday 1.00 – 2.00
Venue: Room 1, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Spring.
Number of places: 20
When you walk in the countryside have you ever wondered why it is like it is? This course looks at how geology helps to shape the landscape. We will examine the nature of rocks and fossils with particular reference to the British Isles but also drawing on examples from overseas. It will include a hands on look at rock specimens and members are encouraged to bring samples of what they have found on their travels to show the group.
Note: 7 weeks only plus field trip, starts 11th January.

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SCE 18: Science with a Smile

Co-ordinator: Chris Holt
Day and time: Tuesday 10.15 - 11.15
Venue: The Centre at St Pauls, Hills Road
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 25
We now have a team of four so that the three main strands of Science are better represented. Ken Cook, Chemistry; Tristan Dyer, Biology; Robert Monk, Engineering and Physics. Otherwise the formula is as before. We hope it will appeal to members with no formal training in Science (but who often ask very penetrating questions) as well as those with a science background (some of whom we hope will be tempted to share their experience and expertise with us).
We will again look at a range of topics in science and technology that will help members to understand the science that is at the heart of many controversies and issues in the news. We hope that the meetings will be relaxed and informal, exploring the underlying science as well as the implications of the topics discussed.
If there is sufficient interest we will continue into the spring term.

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SCE 19: Secrets of the Soil (summer term)

Tutor: Dr Bryon Bache
Day and time: Thursday 10.00 - 11.00
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Summer.
Number of places: 12
The soil is a vitally important medium. Beneath its unattractive exterior lies a wealth of interesting science. This short introductory course explores this at an elementary level making it readily accessible to non-scientists, with plenty of time for questions and discussion.

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SCE 20: The Wisdom of the Body

Tutor: Alan Findlay
Day and time: Tuesday 11.15 - 12.30
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 8
We will deal with selected topics in human physiology, with, as the unifying theme, the maintenance of the stability of the body's internal environment. We will talk about biological membranes and how things cross them, how nerves and muscle work, the heart and circulation, respiration, and body fluid compartments. We will adjust the subjects covered, and the rate and depth of coverage, in the light of your feedback. No formal qualifications are needed, but it will help if you're prepared to cope with some elementary physical/chemical concepts such as pressure, permeability and electric current.

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