Science and Society 06/06/08Lecture 23 1UCSDPhysics 10The Role of Science in Our SocietyThe Role of Science in Our SocietyEconomics, Education, Impact on ThoughtEconomics, Education, Impact on ThoughtSpring 2008 2UCSDPhysics 10The Impact of ScienceThe Impact of Science••Basic research in science tends to focus on theBasic research in science tends to focus on thefundamental properties of the natural worldfundamental properties of the natural world– As opposed to applied research, product development••Basic research has many Basic research has many spinoff spinoff advantagesadvantages– Basic research develops knowledge base– Research funding builds bridges to applications– New tools move into the economy (WWW)– People!Spring 2008 3UCSDPhysics 10Justification of Science Research ActivityJustification of Science Research Activity••Improvements in quality of lifeImprovements in quality of life– Medical care, technology, creature comforts & gadgets••Satisfies our shared natural curiositySatisfies our shared natural curiosity– Only valid if scientists communicate effectively!••National SecurityNational Security– Avoid technological surprises, etc.••Technology Technology ““spinoffspinoff”” fuels the new economy fuels the new economy– Computers, WWW••Creation of new knowledge = the best educationCreation of new knowledge = the best educationSpring 2008 4UCSDPhysics 10Basic Research and Applied Science/TechnologyBasic Research and Applied Science/TechnologyThe Traditional ViewThe Traditional ViewShort term Long termApplied BasicBasic ResearchCommercialProductsDevelopmentFederal fundingCorporate fundingScience and Society 06/06/08Lecture 23 2Spring 2008 5UCSDPhysics 10Technological evolution/revolutionTechnological evolution/revolution••In 1947, Shockley, In 1947, Shockley, BardeenBardeen, and , and Brattain Brattain mademadethe first transistor (called that only starting 1948)the first transistor (called that only starting 1948)– 1951 before manufacturable transistor designed– 1954 before first transistor radio– 1967 first small calculators; 1971 first microprocessor– 1999 Pentium III with 10 million transistors, 1-inch sq.– long time between science breakthrough and productSpring 2008 6UCSDPhysics 10Science Spending in the G-7 WorldScience Spending in the G-7 World••U.S. on top, more defense spending than mostU.S. on top, more defense spending than most– amounts to a few percent of gross-domestic-productSpring 2008 7UCSDPhysics 10Research/Development Dollars Compared (G-8)Research/Development Dollars Compared (G-8)••U.S. no longer on top in this representationU.S. no longer on top in this representationSpring 2008 8UCSDPhysics 10Present U.S. Science Funding PolicyPresent U.S. Science Funding Policy••Foster science driven by scientists, as opposed toFoster science driven by scientists, as opposed to““directeddirected”” research research••Rigorous system of peer review (veryRigorous system of peer review (verycompetitive)competitive)••Support Support projectsprojects, not people or institutions, not people or institutions••Diversity of federal agencies provide fundingDiversity of federal agencies provide funding– National Science Foundation (NSF)– National Institutes of Health (NIH)– Department of Energy (DOE)– Department of Defense (DOD)••No No ““Dept. of ScienceDept. of Science”” or or ““Dept. of TechnologyDept. of Technology””Science and Society 06/06/08Lecture 23 3Spring 2008 9UCSDPhysics 10International Research $$ by Source & PerformerInternational Research $$ by Source & Performer••Industry-dominated, with significant governmentIndustry-dominated, with significant governmentfinancial backingfinancial backingSpring 2008 10UCSDPhysics 10U.S. R&D ExpendituresU.S. R&D Expenditures••by source of funds, performing sector, andby source of funds, performing sector, andcharacter of workcharacter of work– Basic research government funded, done at universitiesSpring 2008 11UCSDPhysics 10U.S. Academic R&D ExpendituresU.S. Academic R&D ExpendituresSpring 2008 12UCSDPhysics 10The University Research EnvironmentThe University Research Environment••Most U.S. Most U.S. basicbasic research carried out at universities research carried out at universities– 98% of the science faculty primarily research-oriented– teaching is often less emphasized••Researchers pull in federal money through grantsResearchers pull in federal money through grants– over $700 million per year into UCSD (including medical)• UCSD is one of the nation’s leading research institutions!– bulk in medicine, science, and engineering– money funds research, but University also takes a cut– University cut (called overhead) pays for electricity,maintenance, staff, copy machines, etc.– research subsidizes your educationScience and Society 06/06/08Lecture 23 4Spring 2008 13UCSDPhysics 10A Typical University Research GrantA Typical University Research Grant••Typical Typical ““single-investigatorsingle-investigator”” physics research grant (1 yr): physics research grant (1 yr):– Graduate student + benefits/tuition 40K$– Travel funds 5K$– Summer salary for Prof. 10K$– Computing costs 5K$– Equipment 40K$100K$/yr– “overhead” at 50% (not eqpt) 30K$ ~130K$/yr totalThis is a “small-scale” research project. They also come in X-L size.Spring 2008 14UCSDPhysics 10Science Education in the U.S.Science Education in the U.S.••US schoolchildren have skills consistent withUS schoolchildren have skills consistent withinternational average in science and mathematicsinternational average in science and mathematicswhile in elementary schoolwhile in elementary school••By the time they leave high school, performanceBy the time they leave high school, performancein advanced math has fallen to the in advanced math has fallen to the bottombottom of all of allcountries tested in 1995 (TIMSS)countries tested in 1995 (TIMSS)– see nces.ed.gov/timss/ for more infoSpring 2008 15UCSDPhysics 10Public understanding of science terms/concepts, 1999Public understanding of science terms/concepts, 1999••Look how far ahead you guys are!Look how far ahead you guys are!Spring 2008 16UCSDPhysics 10Public perception of astrology as scientificPublic perception of astrology as scientificScience and