RESEARCH, SEMINAR, AND INDEPENDENT STUDY

Research, Independent Study and Seminar in physics is available to students under the course numbers:

• Physics 401, 402, 403 Special Topics in Physics (*,*,*)
• Physics 485, 486, 487, Senior Honors Seminar
• Physics 491, 492, 493 Independent Research (all 1-3, max 3)
• Physics 495, 496, 497 Seminar on Current Problems in Physics (all 1-3, max 3)

The primary use of these courses is to make it possible for students to experience physics in the context of the professional scientist.

In physics independent study always involves an individual contract between a student and a faculty member. To arrange such a contract, the student must first have some idea of what the area of independent study might be. The student and a faculty member then must agree upon a plan for the work, how the work is to be evaluated, and what amount of credit should be allowed. Then, to enroll, obtain an Independent Study Contract form from the Undergraduate Adviser, Margot Nims (margot@phys.washington.edu / 206-543-2772 / C139A, PAT). The form must be filled out completely and signed by both the student and the faculty member. When the completed contract is returned to the Undergraduate Adviser, she will issue the required course entry code.

It is the student's responsibility to obtain a faculty supervisor for independent study. Generally, the selection of a subject area will suggest possible faculty members who could serve as supervisor. To identify possible supervisors, students may wish to ask the advice of one of their instructors or a faculty adviser. Most faculty members do supervise undergraduate independent study and all are open to the suggestion. Students must bear in mind, however, that they may encounter occasions when the faculty member they approach to discuss independent study already is committed fully and cannot accept further responsibility for the quarter in question. So, it may require consulting more than one possible supervisor to arrange for independent study. It is good to begin inquiries at the beginning of the quarter preceding that in which you wish to start a project.

The rule for assigning credit for independent study, as well as for other courses, is this. Each quarter credit represents a time commitment of the student of 3 hours per week for a full quarter. Or, if the work is not spread evenly over the quarter, each quarter credit should correspond to a total of 30 hours of effort by the student.

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