The Size of Things – Course Outline – UBC Vancouver Summer Program
Course Description
The summer course “The size of things” will provide insight into scaling
approaches used in Biology, Physics, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Chemistry and Civil
Engineering to describe and understand evolution of galaxies, planets and life on Earth.
We will provide an overview of traditional and cutting edge technologies used to
understand and describe systems across all described disciplines.
Our lectures are designed as interactive conversations, and are interwoven with
activities and student presentations. Our goal is to break the language barrier and to make
you curious and open minded towards other disciplines than your own. You will get
hands on experiences using computer simulations, you will learn to ask a research
question, and you will have to design a research project. To evoke a real life scientific
environment and to promote scientific conversations in class, we have invited faculty
members from the UBC campus and from outside UBC to give guest lectures. The guest
speakers will further take time to answer questions that you will have to prepare.
Next to the in class activities we have prepared for you, you will have to prepare
and perform an interview with a UBC faculty member in groups of four. We have
specifically selected faculty members who do research on topics covered in this course.
Following the interview you will have to introduce their research to the class. This
activity will not only encourage you to ask questions, and to have a scientific
conversation, but also provide a snapshot of the research that happens at UBC. Rounding
off this activity, you will have to write a short research proposal that addresses a question
that the faculty member you have interviewed tries to answer, and you will have to
present it to the class in form of a poster at the end of the course.
The key to finishing this class successfully is to stay engaged throughout the
course!
Grading
Participating in class: 20%
Questions for the interview and during guest lectures:20%
Presentation on the interview:20%
Other assignments:5%
Poster presentation:20%
Final exam:15%
Course Schedule
Lecture 1: Tuesday July 21st:
1. Introduction to measurement, units, and symmetries of scaling
BREAK
2. Bird eyes view on the course:
a. Radiation
b. Microorganisms
c. Bioinformatics
d. Neurosciences
e. Civil Engineering
f. Geological Time
g. Galaxies and Planets
Assignment: Visit the website of the professor that was assigned to you and make
yourself familiar with his/her research. Think about questions you could ask him/her!
Lecture 2: Thursday July 23rd:
1. Nuclear Radiation and dating technique
You will learn about the basics of nuclear radiation. You will be able to use a simple and
useful shell model to identify if a nuclear is stable or goes under particular nuclear
radiation. You will also get a chance to learn about carbon dating technique.
BREAK
2. Teeny, tiny microbes and their power to shape our planet
You will learn about the crucial role microbes played during the evolution of planet
Earth, their role for our health as symbionts, and their danger as agents that cause
infectious diseases. You will also gain insight into traditional and novel technologies
used to study microbes.
Lecture 3: Friday July 24th:
1. Quantum Computing
We will start with some of the quantum mechanics concepts. Using these basic concepts
you will see how a quantum computer works. We will explore the challenges the classical
computers face by having quantum computers entering the world. You will also learn
about different implementations of quantum computing.
BREAK
2. Big data and the power of Bioinformatics
You will learn about the importance of bioinformatics for the analysis of biological data,
the exponential growth of digital data and the computing power needed to analyze them.
We will have in class simulations and assignments where you learn how to use one of the
most popular bioinformatics tools.
Assignment: Prepare worksheet for your interview! (Deadline Monday morning!)
Lecture 4: Monday July 27nd:
1. Chemical kinetics: small particles and fast reactions
You will learn how to calculate rates for chemical reactions and gain insights into
biological and industrial applications that are made possible through chemical and
biological catalysts.
2. Short presentation: how to write an abstract
BREAK
3. In class assignment: prepare your interview
11:30 Interview your professor. Look at posters from the laboratory and take a
picture with your smartphone!
Lecture 5: Tuesday July 28th:
1. Short follow up on the interview
2. Lightning
You will learn about the lightening basics, different types of lightening and lightening
safety. In this lecture you will observe the lightening strike right in front of you!
BREAK
3. “Data processing” in our Brains
You will learn about the function of neurons and synapses in our brains and how we store
information in our memory.
Assignment: Prepare questions for the guest lecture from Richard Pawlowicz. Make
yourself familiar with his research and write down three questions you could ask him!
http://www.eos.ubc.ca/~rich/research.html
Lecture 6: Wednesday July 29th:
1. Guest speaker Dr Richard Pawlowicz (EOAS)
“Physical Oceanography of the BC Coast
BREAK
2. Microplastic pollution: from sewage to the open ocean
You will get insight into the current state of plastic pollution in our ocean, and how it
affects ecosystem health and the economy. You will learn how ocean currents transport
particles from big cities to remote sites far away from a civilization.
Lecture 7: Thursday July 30th:
1. Guest speaker civil engineering
BREAK
2. In class activity civil engineering
3. Short presentation: How to make a presentation!
Assignment: Write a multiple-choice question on your civil engineering topic
Lecture 8: Tuesday Aug 4th:
Student presentations
Lecture 9: Wednesday Aug 5th:
1. Field trip: Pacific Museum of the Earth
BREAK
2. Geological time: Evolution of the Earth in 24 hours
You will see when different species appear on the earth if the earth formed at midnight and the
present moment is the next midnight. I am sure you will be surprised to see when human history
began on the earth.
Assignment: Prepare questions for the guest lecture from Aaron Boley. Make yourself
familiar with his research and write down three questions you could ask him!
http://www.aaronboley.com/
Lecture 10: Thursday Aug 6th:
1. Guest speaker Aaron Boley (Astrophysics): Galaxy evolution
BREAK
2. Short presentation: How to make a presentation!
Lecture 11: Monday Aug 10th:
1. In class assignment: prepare your poster
2. Peer review on your posters
3. Finalize and print your poster
Lecture 12: Tuesday Aug 11th:
1. Poster Session
Exam: Thursday Aug 13th