Physics Seminar
General Information
Course title: Physics Seminar
Course registration number: PHYS 6020-001
Course credits: 1
Semester offered: Fall 2008
Class time: W 4:00 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
First class: Wednesday, 27^th August 2008
Last class: Wednesday, 10^th December 2008
Final Examination: None
Holidays: 01 September, 20 and 21 October, 11, 26-28 November; as per university calendar.
Classroom: MH 4009
Class Website: http://astro1.panet.utoledo.edu/~khare/teaching/phys6020-001-fall-2008/
Prerequisites: None
Course Study Material: To be announced.

About Instructor
Instructor: Sanjay V. Khare
Title: Assistant Professor
Office: MH 5010
Phone: 419 530 2292
Email: Sanjay.Khare (at) utoledo.edu
Website: http://astro1.panet.utoledo.edu/~khare/
Office Hours: MW 16:00 -- 17:00 or by appointment

About grading
Excused absence policy to be followed according to the University guidelines.
Grading Scheme: P/F
1. All graduate students not required to attend the astronomy seminar are supposed to attend this course.
2. Attendance is required for at least 12 classes.
3. Not meeting attendance requirement will automatically qualify for an F grade.
4. Students will be asked to make at least one presentation per semester.
5. If presentation does not meet the quality standard for content and presentation then it will have to be repeated till the quality standard is met.
6. Failure to adhere step 5 will automatically qualify for a F grade.
7. Each presentation is to be for 15 mins., with 5 mins. for questions and answers on content. Another 5 mins. will be spent on giving feedback from the audience and instructor on quality of presentation in terms of content as well as style of delivery.

Syllabus
The art of making excellent scientific presentations. Details of various essentials in mastering this art will be provided.

Course Objectives
(i) Learn to prepare contents for a scientific presentation.
(ii) Learn to make an outline of the presentation based on objectives of the presentation, time alloted, consideration of the audience in attendance.
(iii) Learn to design slides in PowerPoint or other equivalent software, consistent with the outline in (ii) above.
(iv) Learn to deliver excellent scientific presentations.
(v) Learn to handle questions from the audience after the presentation.

Expectations from students
(i) Look at the class web-site at least once either before or after each class for the latest updates.
(ii) Turn off sound on watches, cell phones, pagers, laptops and all other electronic devices while in class.
(iii) In general maintain an environment conducive to learning in the classroom.
(iv) Please do not bring any food or drinks inside the classroom.
(v) If you have any disabilities hindering your ability to follow any of these rules and/or needing any special considerations bring them to the attention of the instructor immediately.

Tips on how to succeed in this course
(i) Attend all classes.
(ii) Learn the course material provided to apply it in your presentations.
(iii) Observe the presentations of others carefully and learn from them to better your own.
(iv) Prepare thoroughly for your presentation in terms of content as well as style.
(v) Give feedback to others about their presentations.
(vi) Discuss course material with fellow students and/or senior students.

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