Physics 420 B: Advanced Research Methods in Physics
Fall 2015
Instructor:
Dr. Kurt Andresen, Masters Hall 203, x6056, e-mail: kandrese@gettysburg.edu
Room and Times:
Wednesdays from 1:10 pm to 4 pm in Room 214 (tower room), and Room 110 (Mara). There will also
research time with your research adviser to be scheduled directly with them.
Office Hours:
Thursdays from 10 am to noon
Fridays from 1:30 pm to 4 pm
Required Course Materials:
An Introduction to Error Analysis: The Study of Uncertainties in Physical Measurements, by John R.
Taylor, SBN-13: 978-0935702750 ISBN-10: 093570275X
Course Outcomes:
Physics 310 and either Physics 324, Physics 352, Chemistry 306 or an approved junior-level laboratory
course are prerequisites for this class, or in special cases (juniors going abroad in the fall of their senior
year or dual degree engineering students) approval by the department.
Upon the completion of this course, you will be able to demonstrate
• Competency in problem-solving, including:
– The ability to solve real-world problems through idealizations and estimation and
– The ability to mathematically model the real world starting from fundamental physical principles.
• Competency in laboratory skills including:
– The ability to set up and use a range of equipment to obtain experimental data and the ability
to critically analyze this data,
– The ability to quantitatively determine error in an experiment and to use this to assess
agreement with a specific theory or set of hypotheses, and
– The ability to understand and/or create graphical representations of data.
• Broad understanding in basic (freshman) physics, including:
– Mechanics: Conservation laws and basic Newtonian physics,
– Electricity and Magnetism: Electrostatics and basic magnetostatics, and
– Modern Physics: Relativity, the Bohr Atom, and basic quantum phenomena and quantum
“weirdness.”
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including:
– The ability to communicate basic scientific knowledge and the scientific process to a general
audience through writing,
– The ability to verbally communicate basic scientific knowledge and the scientific process to a
general audience,
– The ability to present research work verbally in a style in accordance with scientific norms,
– The ability to present research work in writing in a style in accordance with scientific norms,
and
– The ability to locate and gain some understanding from primary literature in physics.
This course has two primary assessment methods. The first assesses the problem-solving skills you
have been developing as a physics major. Our second assessment is through a formal thesis and oral
presentation and demonstrates your research skills through a capstone experience in one particular
area of physics.
Assessment:
All grades in this course are on a fixed scale as shown below.
Break Points
A
B
C
D
F
+
97-100
87-89
77-79
67-69
93-96
83-86
73-76
63-66
0-59
–
90-92
80-82
70-72
60-62
There will be weekly in-class presentations, peer review assignments, a comprehensive exam, three
white papers (each four to ten pages) and one full draft of your thesis culminating in a twenty to forty
page thesis. The first white paper introduces the research topic and provides motivation for the work.
The second white paper includes background theory and experimental equipment. The third white
paper focuses on data acquisition, results, and analysis. Your thesis will be read and assessed by me
and your research adviser. The final course grade is determined from the following:
Departmental Colloquia (others)
Comprehensive Exam
In-Class Component
White papers
Thesis and Colloquium
5%
20%
5%
20%
50 %
Assignments:
In-Class Component: This class meets formally for three hours per week as well as meetings with
your research adviser. Attendance is required for this course. Peer review is a key component of this
course, and peer assessment is a formal part of your in-class grade.
Out-of-Class Component: Besides the reading and writing of papers, which will be done out of
class, you will also prepare in-class presentations every week except for the weeks of October 14 and
November 23. These will be on topics related to the course content for that week. Departmental
colloquia are also not during our scheduled class time but give you the opportunity to see physics at
the national and international level.
Exam Dates and Deadlines
First White Paper
Second White Paper
Comprehensive Exam
Third White Paper
Full Draft
Final Draft
2
Due by 1:10 pm
September 16
September 30
October 14
November 11
December 2
December 15 (11:30 am)
Exams:
The comprehensive exam will be on Wednesday, October 15 in Masters Hall room 108. The exam will
cover material from PHY111, PHY112, PHY211, and PHY255 and be a three-hour written examination. The Thomas Moore texts are an excellent resource for the exam.
Accommodations:
Any student with issues that require special attention in class or on exams is more than welcome to
discuss their needs with me.
3