Physics 497/498 - Senior Thesis I & II
The senior thesis is a capstone experience in which seniors prepare, summarize, and present their own basic or applied research in physics in a formal written thesis. Completion of the senior thesis is required for the bachelor of science in physics.
In this course students will write the first sections of their senior thesis. The process of writing and presenting physics research at the professional level is very important to our profession since it is the first step in reporting new or revised scientific results to the broader research community and to the general public. The purpose of the senior thesis is for students to summarize and present their own research project to an audience of physicists. Students will submit a thesis and also revise the completed research manuscript, formatting it according to submission guidelines of a professional physics journal. Students will will give an oral presentation to physicists based on the research. The senior thesis semester will culminate with an oral examination, based on the student's research project, by a committee of at least three professors including the instructor/mentor of the Senior Thesis course for that semester and the students research advisor. This course provides a capstone research experience that is required for completion of the Bachelor of Science in Physics.
The course goals are:
- To use effective communication orally and in writing, and use literature review as part of lab report and other writing,
- To articulate the nature of knowing and doing science.
