http://www.physics.oregonstate.edu/ph403
Last update: 15 October 2013
Instructor: Janet Tate, WGR 485, 737-1700; tate_at_physics.oregonstate.edu
Office Hours: Weniger 485, Fri 2-3 or by appointment.
Location: Weniger 304, Tue 4:30-5:20, unless otherwise noted.
| Date | Topic | Reading (prior to class this date) | Writing (due in class this date) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tu 10/1 | Introduction General discussion, expectations, timelines Science proposals & proposal writing In-class discussion: Thesis proposal |
Browse sidebar websites Browse NSF Grant Proposal Guide |
none |
| Tu 10/8 | Thesis proposal peer feedback Peer review of thesis proposal draft In class-writing: Tightening your writing |
Read sample proposals, Physical Science 2 & 7. | Draft a thesis proposal using the guidelines we discussed on 10/1. Use the coversheet supplied. (Include at least three references using the reference style of Physical Review. http://authors.aps.org/STYLE/ , section J, Footnotes and reference citations. Submit to BB and bring copy for editing to class. | Tu 10/15 Valley Library, Barnard classroom 5th floor |
Literature searching; electronic resources Dr. Uta Hussong-Christian, Library Sciences. Web of Science (database), Physical Review (publisher resource) for finding cited/citing references, arXiv (the world of pre-prints), Google Scholar, PROLA. |
Miller et al., Am. J. Phys. 77, 1112 (2009), A student's guide to searching the literature using online databases Browse Library PH403 website (see sidebar) |
(1) By Friday 10/12, send a concise, professional email to Dr. Uta Hussong-Christian, who will lead the session on on-line literature searching. Please copy me. Dr. Hussong-Christian needs to know:
(i) your area of research;
(ii) Your familiarity (expert, familiar, used rarely, no usage) with Web of Science, Google Scholar, SciFinder, Physical Review Online Archives search capabilities and any other search capability you use often;
(iii) what problems you've had with searching, and or any particular questions you have. When writing emails to colleagues, consider the following: The subject line must be informative, searchable, and as short as possible. Information must be well organized, concise (people receive upwards of 50 emails a day). The tone must be professional and courteous. Avoid irony/humor with people you don't know (and even with people you do); it is very difficult for comic intent to be read in emails. The greeting should be formal: "Dear Dr X", or "Dr. X", not "hey" or "hi". |
| Tu 10/22 | Thesis proposal peer feedback Peer review of thesis proposal revised draft In-class writing: Common errors 1&2 |
none | Rewrite thesis proposal based on feedback from peers. Submit to BB and bring copy for editing to class. |
| Tu 10/29 | Thesis proposal peer review Write an evaluation of a thesis thesis proposal of a randomly assigned class member. |
Read some reviews - to be posted | Final copy of thesis proposal due. Submit to BB and bring copy for anonymous peer review to class. |
| Tu 11/5 | Ethics in writing and research APS guidelines for professional conduct: ethics, plagiarism, co-authorship, intellectual property, scientific responsibility. In-class writing: Memos |
American Physical Society (APS) ethics statement | Peer review of proposal due. Submit via BB. Your name should NOT appear on the review. |
| Tu 11/12 | Schoen case Fraud and misconduct; Data management - the importance of recording data; Responsibilities of co-authors, role of management, relevant or aberration? Peer review: Fraud memo In-class writing: Common errors 3&4 |
Beasley report (caution: 129 pages!) Learn to skim to find important parts. | Write a one-page office memo in which you capture the main points of the Beasley report for your colleagues/boss/subordinates (you choose) and which you conclude with your assessment of the implications or relevance to your job situation and recommend/demand/suggest certain actions. This is not a summary; it is a call to action. Submit via Blackboard and bring copy for editing to class. | Tu 11/19 | Oral presentation In groups, present a progress report - 7 slides. |
Read about effective presentations - To be posted | Make a 7-slide presentation that oulines your progress thus far | Tu 11/26 | Report Discussion of report structure and peer editing of reports. In-class writing: TBD |
Report structure (to be posted) | Draft a progress report on your work this term. |
| Tu 12/4 | Thesis structure Discussion of the structure of the thesis and the path forward to Winter and Spring terms In-class writing: TBD |
Thesis structure | Progress report due. Submit via Blackboard . |
| Break Assignment | Methods draft | Writing the methods section | Write a first draft of the "methods" section of your thesis. If your project is unconventional, see JT to discuss. |
