The art and science of fluid mechanics as a general education course

Abstract

A new experimental course on flow visualization (PHOTO 321N) is offered to undergraduate students as a General Education (GenEd) course at Penn State University. This course is intended to make integration between two knowledge domains: Art and Science of Fluid Mechanics. The course is not math oriented and is designed for the students with minimal to no background in photography or physics of fluid mechanics. Students explore a variety of aesthetic issues in the form of practical and creative assignments. The course consists of lectures on photography skills, fluid physics, visualization techniques, critique sessions, and a guest lecture. Assignments consist of images paired with written technical reports, and self-reflection sessions to learn "effective communication" skills. Other course objectives evaluated through students' assignments and projects are "creative thinking" and "integrative thinking". Some samples of student works are presented. This course proved to be very successful in attracting all students (male and female) in both engineering and non-engineering majors.