PHYS 273H - Fall 2012: honors project

As a student in the honors section of Physics 272, you will be doing independent research on a special topic related to waves. The goal of the project is for you to learn in detail about some physics which is not covered (or only briefly covered) in class. At the end of the semester you will give a 15 minute presentation for the other honors students on your work.

Project Types: You are free to decide the scope and style of your project, subject to approval by the instructor. Here are several possibilities:

• Independent reading on a special topic. For this type of project, you should produce a substantial term paper (10-12 pages) summarizing what you've learned.
• Study of electromagnetic waves with differential vector calculus (Feynman Lectures Volume 2, for example), including more advanced homework problems.
• Write a program to do a complicated wave propagation calculation.
• Build an electronic device which uses a resonant circuit, like an AM radio .
• Holography
• Three phase power
• Lasers and quantum optics
• Come up with your own ideas........

Project Proposal: Write a proposal for your project, including the type of project and its topic. I will approve the proposal or suggest changes. Your project proposal must include:

• Scope: What is your project about?
• Deliverable: What will be the final result of your project?
• Milestones: Your proposal should include milestones which detail what you will have accomplished before our Phys 273H meetings.
• Grading scheme: Propose a grading scheme for your project, including the final presentation. In total, your project will account for 20% of your final grade in Phys 272H.

You must turn in your project proposal to me by Friday September 14th.

Final presentation: At the end of the semester you will present the results of your project to the other Phys 272H students in a 15 minute presentation. We will arrange an appropriate time to meet, most likely be during exam week. As noted above, your grading scheme should include the final presentation.

Phys 273H meetings: We will meet as a group once a month to discuss the status of your projects. We will meet during class (9:00 am) on September 17, October 22, and November 15. You are required to attend these meetings. (Any absence must be excused).