PHYSICS 1311
PHYSICS UNDERGRADUATE SEMINAR
Winter 2007
Course Description
The Undergraduate seminar provides a venue for students to discuss topics of interest in physics and astronomy. It gives students experience presenting research both in the form of a poster presentation and as short oral communication, in formats similar to conference talks and poster papers given by researchers at topical meetings. Seminar will give students a taste of what conducting scientific research and presenting scientific results is all about. All students in the B.S. in Physics and the B.S. in Physics and Astronomy are required to take Physics 1311 three times during their studies.
Course Objectives
After completion of three credits of this seminar students will be able to
- summarize succinctly a piece of research done in physics and astronomy.
- analyze the content of selected articles in physics or astronomy and critique the arguments made in those articles.
- use and critique the tools and formats of research presentations in physics and astronomy.
- present their own work using the formats commonly employed in scientific presentations.
Contact Information
- Lecturer: Eric Swanson
- Office: 217 Allen Hall
- Office hours: you may drop by any time, but making an appointment is safer
- Phone: 624-9057
- E-mail: swansone@pitt.edu. I don't guarantee that I will respond to all email.
- Lectures: Th 12:00-12:50 (103 Allen Hall)
- course web site: http://bloodaxe.phyast.pitt.edu/py1311/
Tentative Course Schedule
- Jan 4 Introduction
- Jan 11 presenting effective seminars (Swanson)
- Jan 18 no class
- Jan 25 the graduate experience (Hilbert, Hillier) + Peace Corps (Tweedie) (abstracts due)
- Feb 1 UG-departmental conference (Mueller, Turnschek) + pizza party
- Feb 8 seminars 1-4 [Prezzia, Cyphersmith, Quider, Sleasman]
- Feb 15 no class
- Feb 22 seminars 5-8 [Petit, Bilak, Bell, Relich]
- Mar 1 seminars 9-12 [Guida, Borish, Masiar, Melander]
- Mar 8 Spring Break
- Mar 15 seminars 13-16 [Allen, Thomas, Oborski, Rattigan]
- Mar 22 seminars 17-20 [DiBraccio, Greman, Porter, Good]
- Mar 29 Sanielevici Lecture [Clark]
- Apr 5 seminars 21- 24 [Lehman, Feagley, Milliern, Friend]
- Apr 12 seminars 25-28 [Sykes, Sloboda, Becker, Stultz]
- Apr 19 seminars 29-32 [Dinda, Kress, Babcock, Kaniaris] (+ pizza party?)
- May 2 grades due
The class will be presenting research seminars this term.
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Disability Resources and Services, 216 William Pitt Union, (412) 648-7890/(412) 383-7355 (TTY), as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
A comprehensive description of the services of that office can be obtained at www.drs.pitt.edu.