COURSE  OUTLINE:

This course is to give the physics major exposure to experimental research in departments contained within the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The student will be expected to work closely with a research scientist on a project for the semester, write up a comprehensive report based on their work and present their research at a College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chalk Talk.

FINAL REPORT:

The final report is to be no shorter than 15-30 pages in length 1.5 line space. This includes graphical representations of data, line drawings, and/or relevant photographs. The report should consist of the following:

1.       Title Page

2.       Abstract

3.       Table of Contents

4.       Introduction

5.       Theory

6.       Experimental Set-up

7.       Experimental Results

8.       Analysis/Discussion

9.       Conclusion

10.   Reference

11.   Appendices (if needed)

CHALK TALK

Students taking this course will be expected to give a presentation of their research at a College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Chalk Talk at the end of the semester. The chalk talks are informal presentations to the faculty and students comprising the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Presentations should be 15 minutes including a few minutes for questions, only one overhead transparency is allowed. The goal is for students to be able to talk freely about their work to a technical audience. Information on the dates of this presentation will be given as the semester progresses.

RESEARCH EVALUATION

The research scientist with whom the student works will be asked to give an evaluation of the student’s work in the lab. This will be a qualitative evaluation based on the scientist’s personal standards of good lab practices and scientific conduct. In general, this means that you were serious about your project, took good notes, understood the physics and were careful with the apparatus in the lab etc.

 

Grade Scale:
The following criteria will be used for determining letter grades:

REPORT OUTLINE:                  10%

FIRST DRAFT         :                 20%

RESEARCH EVALUATION:       10%

CHALK TALK         :                  20%

FINAL DRAFT       :                   40%

TOTAL                                     100%

  • 90 -100% = A
  • 80 - 89% = B
  • 70 - 79% = C
  • 60 - 69% = D
  • 0 - 59%   = F