Studying super subject matter

IRVINE, Calif. — Could an overdose of gamma rays really transform someone into the Incredible Hulk? Was Superman defying Einstein's theory of relativity when he flew faster than the speed of light?

While other science classes at the University of California, Irvine, dissect sharks or explore plasma physics, Michael Dennin's seminar analyzes comic-book superpowers.

In recent weeks, students in his "Science of Superheroes" course have investigated Batman's utility belt, pondered gravity on the planet Krypton and designed their own superpower concepts using existing or envisioned technology.

The 10-week class is part of a UC program to expose freshmen to unfamiliar topics and majors. Dennin debuted the course in January as an expanded version of a "physics of Superman" lecture he had given to several campus groups.

After one Man of Steel talk, somebody slipped him a copy of Lois Gresh and Robert Weinberg's paperback, "The Science of Superheroes." It became the textbook for his new class.

In lessons that cover Aquaman to X-Men, Dennin's 14 students learned to distinguish science fiction from science fact.

Science fantasy: Gamma rays turned 98-pound weakling Bruce Banner into a raging green giant called the Incredible Hulk.

Science reality: Intense gamma radiation would have killed Banner. However, Hulkification could be achieved with anabolic steroids and DNA from a jellyfish.

Students also considered the feasibility of Superman and the Flash traveling faster than the speed of light. Most scientists say such a feat would violate the laws of physics. Others theorize that traveling faster than light could reverse time.

Another lesson examined the gadgets on Bruce Wayne's bat belt, such as a miniature telephone and torch and knockout-gas capsules. Many of the devices that seemed farfetched when Batman was created decades ago are now available.

Students also scrutinized Superman's home planet, Krypton. According to comic-book lore, gravity on Krypton was so much stronger than Earth's that Clark Kent had superhuman strength here. But in real life, gravity that strong would prevent a rocket from escaping a planet's atmosphere.

Dennin, 39, a UCI physics professor, said the goal of the seminar is to use pop culture as a hook to introduce such concepts as black holes, cloning, life on other planets, quantum mechanics and Newtonian physics.

"Many students have a fear of science," Dennin said, "but if they come at it from a different angle, they sometimes find out they're interested in the subject and take more classes."

Dennin's class isn't the only freshman seminar with an eye-catching title. Other courses in UC-Irvine's program include "Heavy Metal Islam" from the history department, "Murder!" from the drama department, "TV, Culture and the Real O.C." from women's studies and "Antonio Banderas and His Hispanic Masculinities" from the Spanish department.