AST 301 Projects
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The goal behind the project is for you to investigate and answer an astrophysical question.
To that end, you are expected to present your research to the class and to hand in a short
paper describing your findings. The presentation can take a variety of forms, such as a
formal presentation to the class, a video clip, a web page the class can read. The conventional
route might be something along the lines of a PowerPoint presentation but I don't want
to restrict your creativity. You can work by yourself or in groups with a maximum of three people.
The project consists of three steps each with its own due date:
- Choice of question: Due: October 11
Pick something that excites you, or, failing that, something that you think the class would want to hear about.
Possible questions are "How can they measure such-and-such?" or "Is it possible to do such-and-such?"
- Preliminary Results and Outline: Due: November 22
At most three pages, you should explain the progress you've made and the sources you've consulted in addressing
your question. In addition, you should provide a rough outline of what you'll present and write up.
- Presentation and Paper: Due: December 8
Everyone should hand in their paper and be ready to give their presentation by the due date, though we may have to
spread the presentations out over the last two class days.
Your grade for the project will be based on your creativity, the quality of the research, the thoroughness
of the paper, and the appeal of your presentation. The work you turn in must be that of your group only. References used
must be adequately cited, and verbatim quotes must be identified as such.
Last updated August 30, 2005.
Steve Liebling (home)