Prof. G.L. Hoatson
Please remember check your e-mail frequently since this is how I will contact you. All the details of requirements for the Honors projects are contained at the Physics Honors web page and associated links. Most of these also apply to the Senior projects too, so this is a good general reference.
There will be two assignments for P451/495 this year, both of which will be done in this semester. Each is designed to help you start your research project and to satisfy college-wide and departmental writing and computing requirements. These will be graded as Pass/Fail.
The Physics Department's computing proficiency requirement has three parts:
To make a start on the first requirement, I have arranged a demonstration of computer-based literature search by the Physics librarian, Patricia Hausman (10* or 24 September). This is an extremely informative talk and will facilitate your completing the first assignment (due 1 October, 1999). We will follow this up with a presentation on citations in physics.
The second assignment will be a reading assignment to be followed by a class discussion on scientific ethics.
At the end of the semester (final week of classes) you will present a talk on your research project and write an interim report. The report helps satisfy the writing requirement and needs to be produced with a word processor. It should be 5-10 double spaced pages of text and incorporate at least one graph/figure and scientific formula. Your advisor should help you with both the content and writing your report, and it's your opportunity to learn to write science. I am happy to help if necessary. The interim report is due at the time of your oral presentation. The talk will be 20 minutes plus 5 minutes for questions. While there is some latitude, my experience is that using transparencies on an overhead projector works best. We'll discuss the details closer to the time (in class 19 November). I hope that this clarifies the expectations and requirements of these physics courses.
Feel free to contact me with further questions.
3 Sept 2 PM Small 123 Introductions
10* or 24 Sept 2 PM Swem Classroom On-line Literature Searches, Ms. Hausman
1 Oct 2 PM Small 123 Citations in Physics, Drs. Armstrong and Hoatson
22 Oct 2 PM Small 123 Class Discussion on Scientific Ethics
19 Nov 2 PM Small 123 Giving Presentations, Dr. Hoatson
29 Nov - 3 Dec TBA Interim Reports and Presentations
* Note this date and time is immediately before the Undergraduate Research Symposium, if this is inconvenient you should plan to attend the 24th Septemeber presentation.
Gina L. Hoatson
Professor of Physics
Phone: (757) 221-3517 FAX (757)221-3540
comments or questions? e-mail: gina@physics.wm.edu