Beyond the boundaries to the intersections

Associate Professor of Physics Steve Tufte explores the far reaches of outer space, studying the matter that exists between the stars. Assistant Professor of Chemistry Niko Loening probes the deep recesses of inner space, analyzing the physical and chemical properties of molecules. Their teaching and research interests would seem to be worlds apart—literally. Yet here they are, coteaching the course Experimental Methods in the Physical Sciences. Why?

Simply put, they are preparing the next generation of scientists to think and work across disciplines and in ways that cultivate knowledge of the essence of scientific inquiry.

“The arc of this course starts with students,” says Tufte. “They begin by posing for themselves a question that is scientifically relevant. The arc continues as they design an experiment and measure its progress and results, and ends with students reaching a meaningful conclusion.”

“Students require knowledge from a number of different fields to perform research, especially in graduate school,” notes Loening. “Modern science is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary. To collaborate effectively as scientists, students in every field of inquiry must be well grounded in a set of core knowledge and critical skills.”

Fundamentally, the experimental methods course teaches students how to think with scientific rigor and creativity—to think, in effect, ahead of and independently of inevitable advances in technology. ”We train the students to understand the scientific process in a very fundamental way, using basic concepts that don’t go out of date and that apply across the sciences,” says Tufte. Adds Loening, “Students then learn to apply those concepts to modern measurements and get to work directly with their data. They learn how to identify artifacts and quirks that affect analysis and interpretation, and emerge with a better understanding of theory and technique.”

Tomorrow’s science is being forged at the intersections of today’s disciplines. With collaborative courses like Experimental Methods leading the way, at Lewis & Clark the future is now.