In the course, he focuses on fundamental principles of physics using scenes from popular films. He discusses gravitation as used (or misused) in Independence Day, conservation of momentum in Tango and Cash, and speed and acceleration in Speed 2. And when science fiction films break the laws of physics, Efthimiou allows the students to discover this for themselves.
Efthimiou has run the course three times already and has found that the students no longer think of physics as boring. They are more enthusiastic and interested in physics than before. Examination results have improved, and more and more students are enrolling on the course. He is currently co-writing a textbook about his approach.
Other institutions running similar courses include the University of Glamorgan in the UK, which runs a degree course in Science and Science Fiction, and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, which offers a course that teaches physics through the exploits of comic-book superheroes such as Spiderman.