Sir Isaac Newton
 Physics 496
  Introduction to Physics Research
  Spring 2015

link to course home page link to course syllabus link to lecture notes link to homework assignments link to writing workshop assignments link to tools and online resources link to Ms. Particular's micro-lectures on style and usage

Homework Assignments

All assignments have posted due dates and times, and extensions will not be granted except in extraordinary circumstances. Points will be deducted for assignments turned in after the posted deadline. Some assignments, as noted, will be eligible for additional rewrite points if they have been submitted by the deadline. A grading rubric summarizes the course components and points for each assignment.

Scroll down the page for instructions for Colloquium Reports.

1. Evaluating Scientific Presentations       Download the evaluation form (Word docx)

2. Evaluating Titles

3. Abstract     Papers

4. Proper Referencing      "Organo-nanosilicon Solar Cells"    (MS Word)    (PDF)

5. Writing about Science for Nonspecialists

6. Evaluating Figures and Figure Captions      Review the Tufte-NCSA image

7. Creating Effective Figures and Figure Captions      Download Data File

8. Outline of Journal Club Presentation      Team Due 2/26/2015    Paper Selection Due 3/12/2015 

9. Fermi Problem     (work all four problems)

10. Journal Club Presentation

11. Referee Report

All homework assignments are due by 9:00 p.m. on the due date, unless otherwise indicated, and are to be emailed to both instructors. Consult the instructions for individual assignments for exact deadlines and eligibility for rewrite points.

Colloquium Reports

In addition to the homework assignments shown above, students are required to attend four departmental colloquia or suitable special lectures (check with Professor Gammie on suitability of lectures other than Physics or Astronomy colloquia) of their choice during the semester and submit a written report of each. Reports must be submitted no later than 15 days after the talk to receive full credit.

No colloquium reports will be accepted after May 1. The reviews are worth 25 points each and are not eligible for rewrites. Reports should be emailed to the Celia Elliott when complete.

Colloquium report template