PHY-381: Writing in Physics

This course has a proud history in this Department as well as a strong reputation in the University. The course content is in your major. All scientists need to learn how to read research articles and to write clearly, but there are styles and techniques of writing that are peculiar to Physics. Writing assignments vary a bit, at the instructor’s discretion, but may include, for example, software review for writing documents, a resume, a personal statement, the summary of a scientific paper, a similar summary of something scientific, but for a non-science audience, the preparation of a news release, the preparation of a professional manuscript (e.g. for Physical Review), the preparation of a brief presentation of a science experiment or discovery, etc. Learning to read a scientific paper critically, which can require overcoming fear of what you don’t know, is part of the course. Yes, writing is hard work. The happy truth is that writing can be deeply satisfying hard work. Crafting a good sentence can bring pleasure. Best of all, writing is a type of late-stage process that clarifies your own thinking.