Physics and Math for Designers

Catalog description

Physics and Math for Design is a lecture/demonstration course for students who need scientific and mathematical concepts for their future design work. The course aims at a largely descriptive and qualitative introduction of selected (based on the needs and objectives of the future career in the field of design) topics of math and physics. No previous knowledge of physics is assumed: practicing the introduced topics (solving/discussing/analyzing problems) is scheduled based on (already) known elementary math and on the introduced concepts of math and physics. Emphasis is given to conceptual understanding of chosen topics related to future professional work areas with numerical application where it is important and useful. Topics as follows: Elements of Statistics, Elements of Geometry (in one- (x), two- (x, y), and three- (x, y, z → u, v, normal, dimensions), Elements of Trigonometry, Vectors, Statics, Kinematics and Dynamics (including Loads), Energy, Elements of Thermodynamics, Waves and Acoustics plus selected topics of geology/astronomy like Earthquakes or the Greenhouse Effect, are covered in the one semester introductory course. The International Units System and the fundamental rules related to the mathematical and physical formulas and units will be introduced at the beginning of the semester.