PHYS 420 Concepts, Connections and Communication
College of Science / Physics
Expiration Date: 1/1/10
John Reading
5-5073
Reading@physics.tamu.edu
We recommend that PHYS 420, Concepts, Connections, and Communication, be certified as a writing-intensive (W) course for the next four academic years (4/06 to 1/10). We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria:
1. Percentage of final grade based on writing quality (80%)
2. Course content appropriate to the major
3. Total number of words (3000)
4. Instructor to student ratio for one section: 1:15
Concepts, Connections and Communication is an upper-level one-credit course appropriate to physics majors and acts as a capstone course. The course is designed to discuss physics issues in a philosophical way. In addition, the course prepares students to be teaching assistants in graduate school. Students write 3000-4000 words, with 80% of the grade based on demonstrated writing skill. Twenty percent of the course is devoted to writing instruction. Students receive feedback from their peers through Calibrated Peer Review, through poster presentations which follow the format followed by The American Physical Society, and from the professor on their weekly assignments. The teacher grades students on their ability to critique other students’ Calibrated Peer Review submissions. Weekly assignments are designed to train students to become effective teaching assistants in graduate school.
