PHY 495 Senior Seminar
Information for Students and Faculty Supervisors
Course Objectives
1. Develop competency in oral communication. [Physics majors use PHY 495 to
satisfy the university’s Oral Communication Competency requirement.]
2. Become familiar with the tools and methods of independent inquiry.
3. Gain acquaintance with some of the latest scientific advances in the field.
Procedures for Students
1. Prior to the Add/Drop deadline, identify a supervising faculty member and select
a topic for investigation, then register for the section of PHY 495 assigned to your
supervisor.*
2. Meet with your supervisor on a regular basis to report progress updates.
3. Become acquainted with techniques and methods of oral presentation by
observing professionals engaged in the activity.
4. Make a 30 minute oral presentation on your chosen topic. This presentation will
be advertised in advance and open to the public.
Responsibilities of Supervisors
1. Assist the student in the selection of a topic for investigation. A suitable topic
will address some contemporary problem in physics, and be one in which the
supervisor has some expertise.
2. Facilitate the organization and direction the inquiry will take, provide guidance
concerning the level of detail expected, physics principles involved, sources of
information, and delivery techniques.
3. In consultation with the student, determine a time and date for the oral
presentation and oversee proper advertising for the event.
4. Assign the course grade, taking account of input solicited from faculty attending
the oral presentation.
*All students are strongly encouraged to identify a PHY 495 supervisor during the term
preceding the semester in which they expect to register for the course.
Adopted: 04/19/04