PHYSICS 4602 - Senior Seminar II
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Instructor: Dr. Martin Jarrio
Email: martin.jarrio [at] physics.gatech.edu
Office: Howey W-107
Office Hours: by appointment
Phone: (404) 894-5214
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| Course Objectives: |
This course provides an opportunity
for developing good oral communication skills, which are crucially important for
advancement in future scientific and/or professional careers. Grades in this course
will be based on both oral presentations and class participation. Each student is
required to prepare carefully and deliver a 20-minute scientific talk. The schedule
and logistics for each student's talk will be discussed in detail during the first
class meeting. Additionally, each student is expected to attend all seminars and to
provide active feedback to other student speakers. |
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| Grading: |
Letter grade assignments in this course will be based on three categories:
Participation (60%); Preparation (30%); and Presentation (10%).
- The Participation Criterion will be based upon student attendance (see below)
and upon the completion of a peer evaluation of
each classmate's research talk. (The results of these peer evaluations
will not affect grades; they are purely for informational feedback to
each student.)
- The Preparation Criterion will be based upon each student giving a dry run
presentation for the course instructor, some time prior to the official in-class
research talk. (Ideally, the dry run should be given several days prior
to the actual presentation.) The purpose of this dry-run is to practice the talk
and get some constructive feedback regarding content or style, which can be used
to fine-tune the presentation. Provided you show a modest improvement between
the dry run and the final talk, the Preparation Criterion will judged as fully
satisfied.
If you do not give a dry run, the final presentation will be worth 40% of your
grade, and the quality of that talk will end up contributing significantly
to your final grade. (You should think of the dry run as being an "insurance policy"
against having a "bad day" when you give your final talk.)
- The final Presentation Criterion will be based on your in-class research talk.
Note that since this counts only 10% of your grade, you do not need to give an
exceptional, "genius-level" presentaion in order to get an A in the course. Provided
you have done well in the areas of Participation and Preparation, all that is required
is a reasonably competent lecture. Note, though, that a passing grade is
contingent upon giving some sort of research presentation; if you do not give a
talk, you will fail the course (or, if circumstances warrant, you will receive
an Incomplete).
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| Attendance: |
Attendance in the course is mandatory. The final course grade will be reduced by
one letter grade for each unexcused absence from a seminar. Excused absences will
be allowed only for situations approved by the Dean of Students or for participation
in activities approved by the Student Academic and Financial Affairs Committee of
the Faculty Senate (must be requested in advance). If you anticipate missing a
class for some other "justifiable" reason (e.g. job interview), please see me
in advance to request a "special dispensation".
The final day of class (during Dead Week) is set aside for an exit survey.
This survey is an important tool used by the School of Physics for self-assessment
purposes. It is our goal to get this survey information from every one of our
seniors before they graduate. Attendance will be taken
on the last day of class, and missing the exit survey without an approved
excuse will count against your Participation score.
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| Good Advice: |
Inexperienced public speakers may find the following resources to
be of use:
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| Tentative Schedule: |
| Date |
Speakers |
| Jan 11 |
M. Jarrio
(Class Policies) |
| Jan 18 |
A: J. Diaz
B: R. Tucker
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| Jan 25 |
A: R. Givens
B: J. Campbell
C:
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| Feb 01 |
A:
B:
C:
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| Feb 08 |
A: W. Laminack
B: A. Murphy
C:
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| Feb 15 |
A: postponed
B: A. Patel
C:
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| Feb 22 |
A: N. Larsen
B: M. Garcia
C: A. Dunnells
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| Feb 29 |
A: P. Dixon
B: A. Sumal
C: J. Elton
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| Mar 07 |
A: J. Kickhofel
B: P. Poole
C: J. Karle
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| Mar 14 |
A: T. Lawrence
B: W. Saunders
C: P. Haftings
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| Mar 21 |
Spring Break |
| Mar 28 |
A: E. Widner
B: W. Boll
C: T. Thai
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| Apr 04 |
A: C. Thomson
B: J. Rosenfield
C: N. Shumate
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| Apr 11 |
A: A. Hodgson
B: W. Aenchbacher
C: reserved
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| Apr 18 |
A: J. Leddy
B: S. Ge
C: T. Lawrence
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| Apr 25 |
Final Meeting
(Exit Survey) |
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