Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Number	Title	Type	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
GESS Science in Perspective Only the topics listed in this paragraph can be chosen as GESS Science in Perspective. Further below you will find the "type B courses Reflections about subject specific methods and content" as well as the language courses. 6 ECTS need to be acquired during the BA and 2 ECTS during the MA Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.
Type B: Reflection About Subject-Specific Methods and Contents Subject-specific courses: Recommended for doctoral, master and bachelor students (after first-year examination only). Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again. These course units are also listed under "Type A", which basically means all students can enroll
D-PHYS
851-0144-20L	Philosophical Aspects of Quantum Physics Particularly suitable for students of D-CHAB, D-PHYS	W	3 credits	2S	N. Sieroka, R. Renner
Abstract	This course provides an introduction to philosophical issues surrounding quantum physics. In particular, we will examine different interpretations of quantum mechanics (such as the many-world interpretation) and the transition between the quantum and the classical physical realm (here phenomena such as decoherence will be highlighted).
Learning objective	By the end of the course students are able to describe and compare different interpretations of quantum mechanics. They are able to identify and examine issues concerning these different interpretations and issues concerning the transition between quantum and classical descriptions in physics. Students are in a position to critically discuss and evaluate the repercussions of these issues in broader scientific contexts.
851-0144-19L	Philosophy of Time Does not take place this semester. Particularly suitable for students of D-BIOL, D-INFK, D-MATH, D-PHYS	W	3 credits	2V	N. Sieroka
Abstract	This course provides an introduction to philosophical issues surrounding the concept of time. We will treat topics such as: the existence of past, present, and future; the possibility of time travel; the constitution of time consciousness and its possible neurophysiological counterparts; temporal biases in the conduct of our lives; responsibility to future and past generations.
Learning objective	By the end of the course students are able to describe and compare different theories and concepts of time (physical time, perceptual time, historical time ...). They are able to identify and examine issues concerning time as they occur in various philosophical subdisciplines - especially in philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, metaphysics, and ethics. Students are in a position to critically discuss and evaluate the repercussions of these issues in broader scientific and social contexts. Part of the course reflects on methods and contents from physics, neuroscience/cognitive science, and logic.
851-0157-69L	History of Astronomy Particularly suitable for students of D-ERDW, D-MATH, D-PHYS Die Veranstaltung ist ausgebucht	W	3 credits	2S	S. Mastorakou
Abstract	The course is designed to provide an overview of the astronomical developments from the ancient Greek world to the 16th century. We are going to use primary sources tackling historical, technical and philosophical questions. Special attention will be paid to the dramatic change in the way people understood the structure of the heavens and the nature of the physical world.
Learning objective	The course aims at providing a working knowledge of astronomy and cosmology from the ancient world to the 16th century. Upon its completion the students will be able to describe how our knowledge of the heavens changed from Aristotle's system to the Copernican Revolution. In addition, they will also have acquired an appreciation of the debates about man's place in the cosmos and the philosophical principles underpinning cosmology.
851-0585-04L	Lecture with Computer Exercises: Modelling and Simulating Social Systems with MATLAB Number of participants limited to 70. Particularly suitable for students of D-MAVT, D-INFK, D-ITET, D-MTEC, D-PHYS.	W	3 credits	2S	D. Helbing, L. Sanders, O. Woolley
Abstract	This course introduces the mathematical software package MATLAB. Students should learn to implement models of various social processes and systems, and document their skills by a seminar thesis, as well as giving a short oral presentation.
Learning objective	The students should learn how to use MATLAB as a tool to solve various scientific problems. MATLAB is an integrated environment with a high level programming language which makes it possible to quickly find numerical solutions to a wide range of scientific problems. Furthermore, it includes a rich set of tools for graphically presenting the results. After the students have learned the basic structure of the programming language, they should be able to implement social simulation models in MATLAB and document their skills by a seminar thesis and finally give a short oral presentation.
Content	This course introduces first the basic functionalities and features of the mathematical software package MATLAB, such as the simple operations with matrices and vectors, differential equations, statistical tools, the graphical representation of data in various forms, and video animations of spatio-temporal data. With this knowledge, students are expected to implement themselves in MATLAB, models of various social processes and systems, including agent-based models, e.g. models of interactive decision making, group dynamics, human crowds, or game-theoretical models. Part of this course will consist of supervised programming exercises in a computer pool. Credit points are finally earned for the implementation of a mathematical model from the sociological literature in MATLAB and the documentation in a seminar thesis.
Lecture notes	The lecture slides will be presented on the course web page after each lecture.
Literature	[1] MATLAB Primer, Seventh Edition, Timothy A. Davis and Kermit Sigmon, (Chapman & Hall, 2004). [2] MATLAB kompakt, Wolfgang Schweizer, (Oldenbourg, 2006) Further literature, in particular regarding computer models in the social sciences, will be provided in the course.
Prerequisites / Notice	The number of participants is limited to the size of the available computer teaching room. The MATLAB code related to the seminar thesis should be well enough documented for further use by others and must be handed over to the Chair of Sociology, in particular of Modeling and Simulation, for further free and unrestricted use.

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