Research Projects: Difference between revisions

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== Instructor ==
== Guidelines ==


*Dr.  Branislav K. Nikolic
The idea of a Research Project is to tackle a single topic (which could be composed of several intertwined problems) borrowed from recent research literature and spend time on researching references, doing computation, and writing a Report. This should allow students to:  
**Email: bnikolic@udel.edu 
**Web: [http://www.physics.udel.edu/~bnikolic http://www.physics.udel.edu/~bnikolic]
**Phone: (302) 831-2943
**Fax: (302) 831-1637


== Calendar ==
* practice how a scientist really thinks - if you learn anything in school, it should be how to think; memorization is less useful since you can always look it up.
 
* get insight into the science of tomorrow which is not the science of yesterday; the new ideas of tomorrow, in any branch of science, will not come from just decades old physics.  
* MWF 1:25PM-2:15PM in 308 Gore Hal.
* get  experience  in the same activities that Ph.D. scientists conduct on a daily basis.  
* Computational Lab: W 6:00PM-8:00PM, September 16 and September 23, 116 Pearson Hall.  
* Poster session for the final project: December 10, 224 Sharp Lab. 
* Office hours: MW 2:30-3:30 PM in 234 Sharp Lab, or by appointment (send me an email).
* Classes start on Wednesday, September 2 and terminate on Wednesday, December 9.
* Breaks:
**Labor Day, September 7.
**Fall break, October 16.
**Thanksgiving Holiday, November 25-29.
**Instructor's travel schedule: October 13-18.


== Requirements ==
When you have enough results to tell a coherent story, you should end the Research Project by writing (in a clear writing style, obeying the rules of grammar and spelling) and submitting a Report. The Report should be understandable to a person who has not done the assignment.


'''Lectures:''' The goal of class time is to emphasize important concepts covered in the textbook, introduce topics not in the text, and highlight common conceptual and problem-solving pitfalls. It is my responsibility to present this material for your coherently and create an environment in which you will feel comfortable participating. It is your responsibility to take me up on my offer to participate and to prepare yourself for the class by reading the material and working sample problems. Attendance for all lectures and discussions is strongly recommended.
=== Format of the report for the midterm project ===


'''Quizzes:''' Short quizzes (albeit with open ended questions) will be given in the middle or at the end of the class to test student class participation.
The midterm project should be finalized as a paper similar to research articles dealing with [http://arxiv.org/list/cond-mat.mes-hall/new Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics] posted every day on [http://arxiv.org/ arxiv.org]. The format of the paper mimicking this is:


'''Homework:''' [[Homework]] will be assigned on Mondays and it is due by next Monday (can be handed in the class or emailed as PDF).
* Title, Name of the person and affiliation, Abstract, [http://publish.aps.org/PACS PACS codes], Introduction, Methods, Results, Dicussion, Conclusion, and References.  


'''Exams:''' There will be no traditional exams.
* Paper should be typed in two column style. For this you can use:
**LaTeX in the form of RevTeX style for Physical Review journals, as implemented by  [http://www.physics.udel.edu/%7Ebnikolic/teaching/phys660/PDF/phys660_template.tex PHYS 824 template] and the embedded [http://www.physics.udel.edu/%7Ebnikolic/teaching/phys660/PDF/newton.eps EPS figure] for this example. You can also find more examples of typing mathematical formulas in [http://www.physics.udel.edu/%7Ebnikolic/teaching/phys660/PDF/latex_tips.tex Math into LaTeX: How to Beautify Equations] (and the embedded [http://www.physics.udel.edu/%7Ebnikolic/teaching/phys660/PDF/decay.eps EPS figure]).
**[http://www.openoffice.org/ Open Office] version of Microsoft Word (Word itself is not advisable since you need additional programs, such as MathType, on the top of it to be able to type equations).


'''Research Projects:''' Instead of traditional exams, two research projects will be assigned dealing with modeling of transport in nanostructures of contemporary interest. The first project will be reported on in the form of a journal article (two column style with text and equations, see Example), while the second one will be presented in the form of the poster session at the end of the semester.
* '''The final report of the midterm project should be produced as a PDF file and emailed to the instructor, together with your Python, Matlab etc. codes (compress everything into a single file) before the deadline.'''


'''Academic Honesty:''' The policy on academic honesty as stated in the Student Guide to University Policies will be followed during this course. In particular: collaboration on homework assignments and in-class activities is permitted and encouraged (unless your instructor explicitly indicates otherwise).
=== Format of the report for the final project ===
 
== Grading ==
 
*The final score will be determined as a weighted average of different class activities listed above using the following formula:
**Homework - 50%,
**Quiz - 10 %,
**Midterm and final Research Project - 40%.
 
*Here is a guideline for your final letter grade, as a percentage of the total number of points:
**86-100, some type of A,
**73-85, some type of B,
**61-72 some type of C,
**51-60 some type of D,
**50 and below is F.
These numbers may be lowered, depending upon numerous factors, but will not be raised (i.e., if you have an 86 average you are assured of at least an A-). The course grades are not curved.
 
*'''Grading of overdue homework:''' Homeworks submitted after the deadline will incur a penalty 5 points for each 24 hour period. After eight days, the maximum possible grade is set at 60 points.
 
== Study Guides ==
 
* Main textbook: S. Datta: ''Quantum Transport: Atom to Transistor'' (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005). [http://www.cambridge.org/us/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521631457 [publisher Website]]
 
* Supplementary textbooks:
** Yu. V. Nazarov and Ya. M. Blanter: ''Quantum Transport: Introduction to Nanoscience'' (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2009). [http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521832465 [publisher Website]]
** T. Heinzel, ''Mesoscopic Electronics in Solid State Nanostructures'', 2nd, Completely Revised and Enlarged Edition (Wiley, Hoboken, 2007). [http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-3527406387.html [publisher Website]]
 
* Journal resources: Review articles from Reviews of Modern Physics, Physics Reports, American Journal of Physics, ... (see [[References]]).


The final project will be reported through a Poster Session, during the [[Syllabus | final exam]] time, and it will also include ''peer reviewing''. To make a poster, you can use this [http://www.physics.udel.edu/%7Ebnikolic/teaching/phys824/POSTER/poster_template.ppt PowerPoint Template]. Poster printing is available in Smith Hall and its cost will be covered by the Department.


== Midterm Research Project ==
== Midterm Research Project ==
*[[Electronic structure of graphene and topological insulator nanowires]]


== Final Research Project ==
== Final Research Project ==
*[[Conductance and shot noise of pseudodiffusive and diffusive electron transport through graphene nanoribbons]]

Latest revision as of 12:43, 30 November 2022

Guidelines

The idea of a Research Project is to tackle a single topic (which could be composed of several intertwined problems) borrowed from recent research literature and spend time on researching references, doing computation, and writing a Report. This should allow students to:

  • practice how a scientist really thinks - if you learn anything in school, it should be how to think; memorization is less useful since you can always look it up.
  • get insight into the science of tomorrow which is not the science of yesterday; the new ideas of tomorrow, in any branch of science, will not come from just decades old physics.
  • get experience in the same activities that Ph.D. scientists conduct on a daily basis.

When you have enough results to tell a coherent story, you should end the Research Project by writing (in a clear writing style, obeying the rules of grammar and spelling) and submitting a Report. The Report should be understandable to a person who has not done the assignment.

Format of the report for the midterm project

The midterm project should be finalized as a paper similar to research articles dealing with Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics posted every day on arxiv.org. The format of the paper mimicking this is:

  • Title, Name of the person and affiliation, Abstract, PACS codes, Introduction, Methods, Results, Dicussion, Conclusion, and References.
  • Paper should be typed in two column style. For this you can use:
    • LaTeX in the form of RevTeX style for Physical Review journals, as implemented by PHYS 824 template and the embedded EPS figure for this example. You can also find more examples of typing mathematical formulas in Math into LaTeX: How to Beautify Equations (and the embedded EPS figure).
    • Open Office version of Microsoft Word (Word itself is not advisable since you need additional programs, such as MathType, on the top of it to be able to type equations).
  • The final report of the midterm project should be produced as a PDF file and emailed to the instructor, together with your Python, Matlab etc. codes (compress everything into a single file) before the deadline.

Format of the report for the final project

The final project will be reported through a Poster Session, during the final exam time, and it will also include peer reviewing. To make a poster, you can use this PowerPoint Template. Poster printing is available in Smith Hall and its cost will be covered by the Department.

Midterm Research Project

Final Research Project