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Monday, March 26, 2012
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
CNLS Conference Room (TA-3, Bldg 1690)

Colloquium

Science in the Age of Models: Is Theory still Relevant?

Geoffrey Vallis
Princeton University

Research in many areas of science is becoming dominated more and more by large numerical models. Theory, in the traditional sense, seems to be playing a smaller role. Is this trend inevitable? Is it healthy? Do we even care? Perhaps large numerical models are the modern-day equivalent of theory? And what are the implications for our understanding of complex phenomena and its relevance to society? We will discuss these questions and others with particular reference to climate science where the trend seems particularly pronounced.

Host: Beth Wingate, CCS-2 , wingate@lanl.gov