Sir Isaac Newton
 Physics 496
 Communicating in Physics
  Fall 2023

link to course home page link to course syllabus link to lecture notes link to homework assignments link to writing workshop assignments link to tools and online resources link to Ms. Particular's micro-lectures on style and usage

Homework Assignments

All assignments have posted due dates and times, and extensions will not be granted except in extraordinary circumstances. Points will be deducted for assignments turned in after the posted deadline. Some assignments, as noted, will be eligible for additional rewrite points if they have been submitted by the deadline. An assignment summary lists the course components and points for each assignment.

Turn in homework assignments by uploading to the my.physics secure portal by the posted deadline.  

Scroll down the page for instructions for Colloquium Reports.

  1. Evaluating Titles       Due Sept 1

  2. Understanding a Paper       Due Sept 8

  3. Title and Abstract      Due Sept 15

  4. Explaining Physics Concepts to Non-Scientists—Draft    Due Sept 22  

  5. Explaining Physics Concepts to Non-Scientists—FINAL     Due Sept 29

  6. Peer Reviews     Due Oct 6     Review Criteria

  7. Presentation Basics     Due Oct 13

  8. Short Science Talk—Draft Slides      Due Oct 20

  9. Evaluating Figures & Figure Captions     Due Oct 27

  10. Short Science Talk      Present during class on Nov 3

  11. Making Your Own Figures and Captions      Due Nov 10

  12. Resume and Statement of Purpose/Cover Letter      Due Nov 17

  13. Team Journal-Club Presentation      Present during class on Dec 1

    (note that this assignment consists of multiple parts, each having separate due dates)
    Oct 20--submit title of JC paper to Professor Hughes
    Nov 9--last day for team to meet with Professor Hughes
    Nov 27--submit draft slides for feedback
    Dec 1--present journal club talk in class

    Example of a Student JC Presentation

All homework assignments are due by 9:00 p.m. on the due date, unless otherwise indicated, and are to be uploaded to the portal on my.physics. Consult the instructions for individual assignments for exact deadlines and eligibility for rewrite points.

Colloquium Reports

In addition to the homework assignments shown above, students are required to attend two departmental colloquia or appropriate  special lectures (check with Celia on suitability of lectures other than Physics or Astronomy colloquia) of their choice during the semester and submit a written report of each.

The deadlines for receipt of colloquium reports are as follows:

Report #1—Due by 9:00 p.m., Friday, Sept 22; rewrites will not be accepted after Friday, Oct 20  
Report #2—Due by 9:00 p.m., Friday, 10/27; rewrites will not be accepted after Friday, Dec 1

Late reports will be downgraded. No colloquium reports (initial or rewrites) will be accepted after November 28.

The reports are worth 50 points each. Reports should be uploaded to the portal on my.physics when complete. Early submissions will be gratefully accepted.

Colloquium report template