Time Schedule:
Eric G Adelberger
PHYS 495
Seattle Campus
Supervised, independent study of topics (chosen by faculty in charge) of current interest in physics. Written and oral presentation summarizing work accomplished are required. Recommended: 12 credits in physics above 200 level. Offered: W.
Class description
Class Description:
The unifying topic of this seminar is the interesting physics/technology of extremes. But the main focus will be on developing your ability to:
• read a scientific/technical paper • write a clear scientific/technical paper • give an effective scientific/technical talk
These skills will extremely important in advancing your career. This seminar provides a chance to upgrade them in a friendly and fun environment, while you research a topic of your choice.
Here is a list of some possible topics:
• extremely hot -- for example: controlled fusion • extremely cold -- for example: superconductivity, Bose-Einstein condensation • extremely small -- for example: nanotechnology, elementary particles • extremely large -- for example: cosmology • extremely complicated -- for example: biophysics • extremely tiny effects: -- for example: searches for new effects in atomic or gravitational physics • extremely powerful: -- for example: astronomical gamma-ray bursts • extremely weird: for example: entangled states in quantum mechanics
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
The organizing meeting of this seminar will take place in Room C521 of the PAB on Thursday Jan 5 at 3:00 pm.
Class assignments and grading
Class requirements:
• attend 5 physics or astronomy colloquia and provide brief critiques of them the colloquium schedules are at www.phys.washington.edu/colloquia.htm (Mondays at 4:00pm in A102) www.astro.washington.edu/pages/colloquium.html (Thursdays at 4:00 in A102)
• attend seminar meetings regularly and participate in discussion
• give a 35 minute talk on a topic of your choice (consistent with the broad theme of the seminar) You must show the instructor your visuals well before your talk so he can make suggestions on possible improvements
• write a paper on that topic. You will prepare a first draft of your paper which the instructor will critique. Then you will hand in a final copy to be graded.
Grading: Your grade will be based on a weighted sum of the above requirements with your talk and paper constituting 60% of the total
