In this course we discuss the concept of symmetry as it figures in the
development of modern science and, in particular, physics.  We begin
by looking at the early history of symmetry considerations in science,
this taking us back to ancient times and birth of science itself.  We
go on to trace some of the interesting highlights of the history of
symmetry considerations in the development of modern science in the
early modern period.  Finally we come to the "symmetry revolution" of
the 20th century, discussing Einstein's elevation of symmetry
principles to new heights with his special and general theories of
relativity, the central role of symmetry in the newly emergent quantum
theory, and the  culmination of these developments in the
symmetry-dictates-interaction paradigm that gets codified in the
standard model of particle physics---what is now the most far reaching
and accurate theory of the world that we have even known.   Thus it is
today that one commonly hears that, at root, it is symmetries that
underlay the detailed structure of the entire edifice of our current
physical world view.  Along the way there will be much discussion of
what sort of "philosophical significance" might be ascribed to the
various roles that symmetry has played and continues to play.  The
course is suitable for non-specialists with basic math skills and an
interest in the world view of modern physics.