Given the difficulty of the subject matter covered and the size of the class, this course lends itself to be taught as a seminar. As such, the course emphasis will be moved away from lectures toward student-lead presentations and discussions of recent published literature and writing of research papers. Overall, this course will attempt to bring together a range of pedagogical practices, including collaborative learning, problem-based learning, peer assessment, and interdisciplinary approach. A particularly important aspect of the course is peer review that will be performed for group activities, student presentation, and papers.
There will be three areas of assessment: Class Presentations and Discussions, Topical or Depth Papers, and the Final Research Paper. Each of these three areas will be assessed individually by first evaluating each assignment/work and giving it a letter-grade equivalent, and then averaging these letter-grade equivalents to determine the grade in each particular area. Each assignment/work will be evaluated by the instructor and all class paritipants, so that the average grage will be the assessment of the whole class. Please note that all of your work is subject to the Olin College Honor Code and any violation of this code could result in disciplinary measures from the College.

Class Presentations and Discussions:	40%
Each student will give a short 15 - 20 minute presentation once a week. The specific topics of the presentations will be selected by students but will need to be within the realm of the theme discussed in class at the time of the presentation. The topics of presentations must be cleared with the instructor at least 36 hours before the class time. Students will be assessed on the depth of their understanding of the pertinent material, ability to answer questions, and the quality of the presentation. Students will be also assessed on their class participation in the discussion of pertinent material, group in-class problem solving, participation in the discussion of student and guest presentations. Students must read pertinent material before the class time and/or guest lectures to be able to be active in the class discussions. We will also have occasional short problem-set assignments that will be discussed in clas. These assignments will be included in the calculation of the "Class Presentations and Discussions" grade.
Topical or Depth Papers	30%
These two research papers will be written by students on the topic of their choice albeit within the realm of the topics discussed. Students will be evaluated on their ability to discuss historical and scientific background, materials and methods, results, analysis, and conclusions of their topic of research. Each paper will be evaluated by all members of the class and the total paper grade will be cumulative of all of the assessments. In addition, each students will give "assessment of the assessment", i.e. assessment of how well their paper was graded, how helpful the comments of their evaluators were, and how much improvement could be done on the paper based on the evaluations received. This "assessment of the assessment" will also be included as a part of the final grade in this area.
Final Research Paper	30%
The Final Research Paper will be due on the day of the Final Exam assigned for this class. The topic for the paper must be selected by each student and approved by instructor no later than 4/26/2005. The paper will be assessed on student understanding and ability to discuss pertinent material, as well as ability to integrate and assimilate a large number of scientific papers, on which the Final Paper is based.

• use cell phones at your own risk;
• no laptopping due to Surgeon General's Warning: neighbors of laptop users develop esotropia (or cross-eye);
• feet are allowed on tables and desks only if you are ready to use these objects to dance;
• don't bring food to class unless you are ready to share it with your instructors and maybe your classmates;
• respect for all: when I am speaking - I am speaking; when you are speaking - I am speaking;
• start your email messages to ALL of your colleagues with "Dear ...";
• partying is healthy! (especially if it involves some physics homeworks, physics discussion groups, or simply celebration of physics!!!);
• let me know whom you are partying with (translation: always cite your collaborators, whether they are Frodo, Sam, Arwen, Legolas, or Dr. Wolfson with his body Dr. Pasachoff). Note: partying alone is also welcome (although not always recommended), in which case you are to cite yourself as party-study-body!

[Students with disabilities who are taking this course and who need disability-related accommodations are encouraged to speak with me about their needs. Rod Crafts, Dean of Student Life, Ellen Cooney and Nick Tatar, Assistant Deans for Student Life, are available to assist students in arranging these accommodations.]