NSC 261 British Scientists: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
This course explores the lives and contributions of British scientists involved in several scientific revolutions, including the founding of the Royal Society (including Robert Boyle), formation of classical mechanics (Isaac Newton), revival of the atomic theory (John Dalton), proposal of the theory of evolution (Charles Darwin), the determination of the structure of DNA (Rosalind Franklin, James Watson and Francis Crick), and the origins of artificial intelligence (Alan Turing). Each student will research and present the scientific achievements and context of a British scientist of their choosing. This course will take full advantage of the learning opportunities present in London, including visits to the Royal Society, London Science Museum, and the Cavendish Laboratory. The home site of Birkbeck College will also be used, as the x-ray diffraction image of DNA was taken there.