Physics 730-F21: Graduate Seminar



Instructor: R.W. Gothe - Phone: 777-9025 - Office: PSC 704d - Email: gothe@sc.edu


Each enrolled student is allowed to propose up to three topics and the corresponding titles as well as two preferred dates. This list should be sent to gothe@sc.edu by 8/27/21. The topics should not be strongly related to talks given previously by the student in any 730 course. All students are allowed to choose a topic that is either related to their research interests or a topic from the Nobel Prize list. All topics and dates will be assigned by 9/3/21, also to those who have not submitted a list with their preferences by then. Your presentation should follow the "Suggestions for Giving Talks" wherever you think that they are reasonable. You might also be stimulated by some TED Talks that are considered to be "The Best" or by "True Genius".

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, the student should have improved her/his discussion, constructive criticism, and presentation skills.

No specific prerequisites.


What? When? Where?
Presentations F 1:00-1:50 pm PSC 409
Office Hours T+TH 1:00-2:00 PSC 704d

1. Opening Meeting General Discussion Preparation 8/20/21
2a. Gerardus 't Hooft A Confirmation with Infinity NP 1999 8/27/21
2b. Brian Greene Is our Universe the Only Universe? TED Talk 2012 8/27/21
3. Joshua O'Connor Gravity and Particles NP 2020 9/3/21
4. Alexis Osmond LIGO and Gravitational Waves III NP 2017 9/17/21
5. Mitchell Halley Measuring the Acceleration of the Cosmic Expansion Using Supernovae NP 2011 9/24/21
6. Fatima Elkhatib Optical Tweezers and their Application to Biological Systems NP 2018 10/15/21
7. Nibir Talukdar Detection of (Anti)Neutrino Interactions with a Low-Density Target/Tracker Research 10/22/21
8. Joshua O'Connor Gravity and Particles NP 2020 10/29/21
9. Alexis Osmond LIGO and Gravitational Waves III NP 2017 11/5/21
10. Mitchell Halley Measuring the Acceleration of the Cosmic Expansion Using Supernovae NP 2011 11/12/21
11. Fatima Elkhatib Optical Tweezers and their Application to Biological Systems NP 2018 11/19/21
12. Nibir Talukdar Detection of (Anti)Neutrino Interactions with a Low-Density Target/Tracker Research 12/3/21

University Policies and Procedures

All university policies and procedures defined in a variety of USC documents that are related to teaching apply to this course. Particular attention is paid to the following policies and procedures.

Attendance Policy Course attendance is mandatory. Unexcused absence is not allowed and will lower your course score, see USC's Attendance Policy . Absence from more than 10% of the scheduled class sessions will lead to a grade reduction of the same magnitude.

Academic Integrity The University of South Carolina has clearly articulated its policies governing academic integrity and students are encouraged to carefully review the policy on the Honor Code in the Carolina Community. Any deviation from these expectations will result in academic penalties as well as disciplinary action. The area of greatest potential risk for inadvertent academic dishonesty is plagiarism. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, paraphrasing or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement.

Accommodating Disabilities Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and may need accommodations to fully participate in this class, contact the Office of Student Disability Services: Phone 777-6142, TDD 777-6744, Email sasds@mailbox.sc.edu, or stop by LeConte College Room 112A. All accommodations must be approved through the Office of Student Disability Services.


R.W. Gothe, Email: gothe@sc.edu
or visit me in my office PSC 704d.