PHYS 499 -- Physics Seminar – Spring 2012

Updated 2012 Jan 15 Sun

Location: MP-408         Time: Tuesday 1:40 - 2:55 pm

Prerequisites:  PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR
Text: No Specific text book

Class web page: http://www.boisestate.edu/physics/raghani/phys499

Lecture notes, Assignments, and any other material will be posted on blackboard.

Instructor: Dr. Raghani        pushparaghani@boisestate.edu     (208)426-3719     MP-421
Office Hours: Tuesday 4:30-5.30 pm, or by appointment

GOALS: To acquire scientific writing and oral technical communication skills. Students will choose a topic of their interest. The course objectives will be accomplished through reading and discussion of these topics in class, and by students writing a research paper and presenting it in a public talk. Students will be assssed based on classroom discussions, written research paper and associated public presentation.

Assessment: 40% of the grade is based on written research paper and 30% is based on the PowerPoint presentation of the paper to general audience. The research paper should clearly address the following questions: (i) what is the problem, (ii) why is it interesting, (iii) what method is used to solve the problem, (iv) what is the physics/science behind each step, and (v) future directions. 30% of the grade is based on the level of participation in class discussions and the level of preparation on the selected topic.

GRADING:    A- to A+ = 90 - 100,   B- to B+ = 75 - 90,   C- to C+ = 60 - 75,   D- to D+ = 45 - 60